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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


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'8! 


r 


"  Likeness  of  Heaven !— Agent  of  Power! 
Man  is  thy  victim!— Shipwreck  thy  dower! 
Spices  and  jewels,  from  valley  and  sea. 
Armies  and  banners  are  buried  in  thee! " 


■•  u 


I 


"^^SS^^T*''""  J  t    •  -' 


:r  "i' 


►i^iaUiiiMifeJa***^.* ■  '*i»  -.iii*..*u.A'^»>..*>,. 


LIFE   AND    DEATH 


ON  THE 


D  ©  1  ^  ffiO 


a 
a 


A  ooixsonuN  or 


EXTRAORDINARY    ADVENTURES, 


IN  TBB  POBM  OP 


PERSONAL    NARRATIVES; 


illustrating  lifk  on  board  op  merchant  vessels  and  of  ships  of 

war;  combined  with  thrilling  relations  of 

kzpxribnces  and  of  suffering. 


IILVSTBATED  WITH  SLEaAHT  TINTED  ENOBAVINOS.  FBOM  DSUONS 
BT  DABUET,  K'LENAN,  HAMILTON,  ETC. 


"Ikn  tlMt  go  down  to^  n*  in  Rhipi,  that  do  buslneM  hi  great  waters,  then  Nt  the  workf 
or  toa  Lord  and  bis  wonders  in  the  deep."— Aotot  evil,  ii3-24. 


BY   HENRY   HOWE, 

A«ni<m  or  "  BisroEtOAL  ooixiotions  or  tiboinia,"  "  ohio,"  and  "  tbb  ouat 

"  TKATBIS  AND  ADTBNTUU8  OF  CUBBBATBD  TKATZUI8,"  r«J. 


CINCINNATI: 
PUBLISHED   BY   HENRY   HOWB. 

Ill    MAIN    STREET. 

1865. 


nTT-  -n  -11  f  ninrrfiV"T-''Ttftiiir 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congross,  in  the  year  1865,  by 

HENRY   HOWE, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court,  for  the  Southern  District  of  Ohio. 


B. 

MORGAN    & 

SONS. 

SinEOTTPEBS, 

FBINTKBS, 

AND 

BINDKBS, 

111 

Main   »trf. 

.;t. 

^,  .^^^,^,0^^ 

IV 


WW 


^.-fcAj^****.-  1W..kS»^=^."..-  — «>toh*  l-.ife«*k:lJ 


1 


865,  by 
District  of  OJdo. 


PREFACE. 


MuLTTTDDEs  of  books  bave  been  published  upon  life  on  the  sea. 
These  almost  invariably  are  collections  of  only  one  of  its  many 
phases — its  disasters.  A  few  narratives  of  this  kind  are  undonbt- 
edly  attractive;  yet  he  who  attempts  to  read  a  series  of  only  such, 
will  discover,  as  he  progresses,  that  his  interest  gradually  weakens, 
until  thoroughly  palled,  he  casts  the  book  from  him,  half  unread, 
in  disgust  at  its  absence  of  variety. 

In  these  pages  we  have  endeavored  to  present  all  that  goes 
to  form  the  life  of  the  mariner,  and  in  the  natural  connection  to 
give  descriptions  of  the  hardships  and  perils,  even  unto  death, 
in  its  most  appalling  forms,  to  which  that  life  is  peculiarly  exposed. 
These  are  combined  with  personal  narratives,  the  most  attractive 
of  all  compositions,  for  they  reveal  to  us  not  only  the  events  them- 
selves in  the  minutest  particulars,  but  excite  intense  sympathy  by 
the  disclosures  of  the  thoughts  and  emotions  which  influence  the 
minds  and  ihe  hearts  of  the  narrators. 

To  most  of  us  who  have  never  been  "  fr  «.  sea,"  the  revelations 
of  those  whose  lives  have  been  passed  upo,  .  ue  deep,  are  invested 
with  a  peculiar  interest,  from  their  novelty,  and  from  their  instruc- 
tion in  human  conduct,  under  circumstances  so  foreign  to  our  own 
experience.  The  ^eat  truth  illustrated  by  this  is,  that  man  is  the 
same  everywhere ;  and,  furthermore,  we  possess  in  these  incidents 
in  the  Uvea  of  our  fellow-men,  and  the  action  of  the  same  upon 
their  characters,  that  which  enlarges  our  own  range  of  thought, 
and  better  prepares  us  for  the  performance  of  those  duties  which 
fall  within  our  own  peculiar  sphere. 

(  iii  ) 


"^ '*'""_."'"'  ""  1!''  ■ 


;a.^' 


If  PRKFAOE. 

In  preparing  this  work,  wo  have  had  constantly  in  view  the  hcayy 
responflibility  which  all  incur  who  issue  books,  lest  scntimentfl 
ehould  bo  a<lvanced  and  revelations  unfolded  of  an  evil  tendency. 
While  wo  have  endeavored  to  excite,  it  has  only  been  by  the 
legitimate  exercise  of  the  varied  emotions  to  which  our  common 
humanity  is  susceptible,  and  this  is  rarely  otherwise  than  beneficial 
to  our  nature. 


\ 

\ 
\ 

\ 

\ 


'jiffnientw  ir-w'"*''^^^ 


ow  tho  heavy 
>t  Bcntimcnts 
vil  tendency, 
been  by  the 
our  common 
lan  beaeficial 


CONTENTS. 


\ 

Tm  Perilous  Voyage  of  CapUin  Norwood,  an  Officer  of  the  Army  of  Ohulea 
the  First,  and  the  sufTeringH  endured  by  bimeelf  and  Companions,  on  a 
Desert  Island,  on  the  Coast  of  Virginia 9 

Seren  Years  of  a  Sailor's  Life,  among  the  Savages  of  the  Caroline  Islands  . .    35 

Successful  Resistance  of  Three  Sailors  against  sereral  thousand  Savages ....     58 

Paddock's  Narrative  of  Bondage  among  the  Arabs,  detailing  the  Sufferings 
of  the  Master  and  Crew  of  the  Ship  Oswego,  upon  the  Coast  of  South 
Barbary 5, 

The  Abandonment  of  Alexander  Selkirk,  a  Scottish  Sailor,  on  the  Island  of 
.Inan  Fernandez,  where  he  dwelt  in  solitude  for  several  years 113 

Ethan  Allen's  Narrative  of  his  Captivity  on  board  of  British  Vessels,  in  the 
Revolutionary  War .,» 

Incidents  in  the  War  with  Tripoli I49 

The  Chase  of  the  United  Stetes  Frigate  Constitution  by  a  British  Squadron. .  161 

Description,  by  an  English  Sailor  Boy,  of  the  Battle  between  the  American 
Frigate  United  States,  and  the  British  Frigate  Macedonian,  together  with 
his  subsequent  Adventures  in  the  American  Naval  Service  during  the  War.  166 

-The  Extraordinary  Sufferings  of  Donald  Campbell,  who,  being  shipwrecked, 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  cruel  Hyder  Ali    igi 

The  Captivity  of  Thomas  Andros,  since  Pastor  of  the  Church  at  Berkeley, 
Mass.,  on  board  the  Old  Jersey  Prison-Ship jg^ 

A  Sailor's  Story  of  what  he  saw  and  suflbred  in  the  Naval  Service  of  the 

CTnited  SUtes,  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution jjn 

(T) 


-■■itmsiiaii  HMp^p^uMftj  ^immtti^im 


liJBllilJLill 


J  CONTKNTS. 

The  Nnrmtivn  .,f  tlic  Mutiny  of  tho  nounty.  with  the  eMap«  of  Captain 
Bligli,  an.l  liiH  TfriloiH  Voyngo  of  near  four  ll...u»and  milen.  in  an  open 
boat,  to  iho  iHlBi.d  ..f  Ti.nor,  loK.al.cr  with  tho  f«t«  of  Fletcher  Ohriitian. 
the  U-nAcT  of  thu  Mulinepn.,  and  the  final  Settlement  of  tho  latt«r  at 
Pitcaim  I»l«n<l,  in  th.-  Piicific  Ocean *^ 

How  they  Live  on  board  of  an  America..  Mauof-War;  being  the  Experiences 
of  a  Sailor  in  the  United  States  Navy ^^ 

Narrative  of  nn  Old  English  Sailor,  yet  living,  related  by  hiraaelf,  in  a  Style 
of  amuiinif  Simplicity,  which  Khowa  vividly  tho  many  viciaaitudea  which 
form  Life  Expt-riencea  on  the  Ocean * 

Deatrnction  of  the  Ocan  Steamer  Arctic,  by  collision  with  the  Vesta,  a  French 
Propeller,  on  tho  Banks  of  Newfoundland,  on  Wednesday,  tho  27th  of 
September,  1851.  by  which  disaster  more  than  three  hundred  persons 
perished 

The  Lost  Russian  Sailors,  who  were  abandoned  on  the  Desert  Island  of  East 
Spitahergen :  to  which  is  added  the  Narrative  of  the  Misfortunes  of  the 
Crew  of  the  Russian  Ship  St.  Peter  ^' 

Experienc-s  of  a  Naval  Officer,  as  given  by  Captain  Basil  Hall,  of  the  Royal 

„  357 

Navy 

Narrative  of  a  Sailor  among  Savages,  being  the  Adventures  of  John  R. 
Jewett,  Survivor  of  the  Crew  of  the  Ship  Boston,  during  a  Captivity  of 
newly  Three  Fears,  among  the  Savages  of  Nootka  Sound,  by  whom  his 

367 
Gomrades  were  massacred 

Adventures  of  Philip  Ashton.  of  Massachusetta,  who  was  taken  by  Pirat«s, 
escaped  from  them,  and  dwelt  for  sixteen  months  in  solitude  on  a  Desolate 

■.•••••••■••••••••*    419 

Island 

Shipwreck  of  the  French  Frigate  Medusa;  as  related  by  Mademoiselle  Picard  ; 
tdded  to  which  is  the  Narrative  of  two  of  the  Officers,  who  shared  the 
unspeakable  miseries  of  a  raft  fnll  of  her  Sullun.  and  Passengers,  who  were 
reduced  to  the  necessity  of  feeding  upon  the  Corpses  of  their  Companions.  433 

The  Story  of  Robert  Drury.  a  Sailor  Boy.  who  was  Shipwrecked,  Captured, 
and  held  in  Slavery  for  fifteen  years,  by  the  Savages  of  Madagascar 469 

Incidenta  in  the  Life  of  a  Yankee  Sailor,  as  detailed  by  William  Newns,  in 

493 
bis  Forty  Years  at  Sea 

AdTcntarcs  of  a  Slave-Trader,  who  was  engaged,  for  many  yem,  in  the 
AfHoan  Slave-Trade ^^ 


i 


]«  of  Captain 
R,  in  an  op«n 
;her  Oliriilian, 
the  latter  at 
833 

lie  Eiperionces 
961 

lelf,  in  a  Style 
iRitudea  which 
aP5 

Vo«ta,  a  French 
ly,  the  27lh  of 
jndred  perauns 
323 

,  Island  of  East 
sfortunes  of  the 
341 

kll,  of  the  Royal 
357 

res  of  John  R. 
>  a  Captivity  of 
id,  by  whom  his 
387 

«ken  by  Pirates, 
de  on  a  Desolate 
419 

emoiselle  Pieard ; 
who  shared  the 
lengers,  who  were 
heir  Companions.  433 

recked,  Captured, 
[adagascar 469 

lUiam  Nevens,  in 
493 

any  yean,  in  the 
S91 


COXTENTS.  v{{ 

Convict  Liff  in  Aii«tr«liri.  How  tlipr  i»Pt  tliorp,  nnd  whnt  thov  uri  n-hrii  there, 
togpthnr  with  n  Vmniiivfl  «if  Convict  Lift-  in  Vnifnlk  KUnd,  the  place  for 
thu«c  t4)o  biiil  for  Ilol.iitiy  Day 5S1 

The  Horrors  of  a  Fire  .it  Sc.i,  as  sliown  by  the  uciummiI  of  the  Diirninp;  of  the 
Prince,  a  Frcncli  VohhuI,  Related  by  LlHulmiaiit  Fonda,  one  of  hur  Offli-er*.  571 

A  Sailor's  Life  and  Duties 577 

Scenes  on  a  Manof- War  in  a  Hurricane 581 

A  Man  Overboard 5gg 

Narrative  of  the  Mutiny  on  the  Soraors,  a  brijf-ofwar  in  the  American  Naval 
Service— Alexander  filidell  Markensie,  commander— and  of  the  Execution 
of  Spencer,  Cromwell  and  Small  591 

Abstract  of  American  Nautical  Laws 606 

Men  and  Thin),'s  in  the  Nuvy  of  the  United  States,  as  described  by  the  Rev. 
Charles  Rockwell,  late  Chaplain  iu  the  American  Naval  Service 609 


1,1 


Tit 


( 11 


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II  I 

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4 


THE   PERILOUS   VOYAGE 


* 


or 


CAPTAIN     NORWOOD. 

AirO  THB  RAUSBIPS  BITDUUD  BT  BmSBLT  AND  OOHTAiflOin  OK  A  DISBkT  nLAMD  ON  1 

COAST  OP  VIRGINIA. 


The  month  of  August,  A.  D.  1649,  being  the  time  I  engaged  to  meet 
my  two  comrades,  Major  Francis  Morrison,  and  Major  Richard  Fox,  at 
London,  m  order  to  a  full  accomplishment  of  our  purpose,  to  seek  our 
fortunes  m  Virginia,  pursuant  to  our  agreement,  the  year  before,  in  Hol- 
tand,  all  parties  very  punctually  appeared  at  the  time  and  place 
assigned ;  and  were  all  still  in  the  same  mind,  fully  bent  to  put  in  prac- 
tice what  we  had  so  solemnly  agreed  upon.  It  fell  out  to  be  about  the 
first  day  of  September,  A.  D.  1649,  that  we  grew  acquainted,  on  the 
Koyal  Exchange,  with  Captain  John  Locker,  whose  bills  upon  the  posts 
made  us  know  he  was  master  of  a  good  ship,  (untruly  so  called,)  the 
Virginia  Merchant,  burden  300  tons,  of  force  thirty  guns  or  more.  We 
wore  not  long  in  treaty  with  the  captain,  but  agreed  with  him  for  our- 
selves and  servants,  at  six  pounds  a  head,  to  be  transported  into  James 
river:  our  goods  to  be  paid  for  at  the  current  price. 

About  the  fifteenth  day,  we  were  ordered  to  meet  the  ship  at  Graves- 
end,  where  the  captain  was  to  clear  with  his  merchants,  and  we  to  make 
our  several  payments;  which,  when  we  had  performed,  we  staid  not  for 
the  ship,  but  took  -sost  for  the  Downs,  where,  with  some  impatience,  we 
expected  her  coming  there.  About  the  sixteenth,  we  could  see  the 
whole  fleet  under  sail,  with  a  south-west  wind ;  which,  having  brought 
them  to  that  road,  kept  them  there  at  anchor,  until  our  money  was  almost 
spent  at  Deal.  September  23d,  the  wind  veered  to  the  east,  and  we 
were  summoned,  by  signs  and  guns,  to  repair  on  board.  We  had  a  fresh, 
heavy  gale  for  three  days,  which  cleared  us  of  the  channel,  and  put  us 
out  of  soundings.  With  this  propitious  beginning,  we  pursued  our 
course  for  about  twenty  days,  desiring  to  make  the  Western  Islands ;  at 
which  time  the  cooper  began  to  complain  that  our  water-cask  was  almost 
empty ;  alleging,  that  there  was  not  enough  in  hold  for  our  great  family, 
(about  three  hundred  and  thirty  souls,)  to  serve  a  month.  We  were 
now,  by  all  accounts,  near  the  Western  Islands;  Fyal  was  that  we  were 
likely  first  to  see,  and  our  captains  resolved  to  touch  there  to  supply  this 
defect,  as  the  most  commodious  port  for  our  purpose. 

The  day-break  of  October  14th,  showed  us  the  peak  of  that  island. 
As  soon  as  we  had  saluted  the  castle,  and  returned,  for  being  civilly 
answered,  Captain  John  Tatam,  our  countryman,  did  the  same  from 
a^ard  his  goodly  ship,  the  St.  John.  The  English  merchants,  from  the 
m  town,  came  on  board  our  ship,  and  gave  us  ?  very  civil  welcome.  Of 
I  them,  one  Mr.  Andrews,  invited  me,  with  my  two  comrades,  to  refresh 
I  (9) 


■  i»rtiiMi)i<' 


10  PERILOUS  VOYAGE  OP  CAPTAIN  NORWOOD. 

tL  a  double  shae:  Tlittle  before  the  time  of  dinner,  Cap  am  Tatam 

3  he  would  look  out  to  see  what  change  there  was  in  the  water.     JNo 

^oner  we"e  his  feet  upon  the  deck,  but  with  stamps  and  noise  he  calls 

up  Jhe  searSen,  crying  L,  «  All  hands  aloft!  breaches  on  both  sides!  all 

'"rte'^tamen  were  soon  on  deck  with  this  dismal  alarm,  and  saw  the 

o««««  thereof    iTut  instead  of  applying  their  hands  for  their  preservation, 

roue?  a  nenera   d^  pendency,  they  fell  on  their  knees,  commending 
througa  a  general         i~  j,       j  ^^  ^^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^^^^  ^^ 

SfPwtt  wt'tis?  ff  seel^^  ho^S  the  case  stood,  his  courese 
faitd      Mate  Putts,  a  stout  seaman,  took  heart  agam,  and  cried,  « Is 
there  no  cood  fellow  that  will  stand  to  the  helm,  or  loose  a  sail?  '     Bu 
there  no  gooa  le now  fore-mastmen  that  would 

rZied  toS)  y  c^mmS;  v!z:  Thomas  Reaisin  and  John  S-ith 
P®""*°™  ~  "    '       u     for  their  good  resolution,  on  that  and  divers 


i 


■.■>Vv«^':,->T'-' 


OD. 

produced.    Our 
1  Tatam,  who,  in 
his  ship  the  next 
which  I  took,  at 
,  Captain  Tatam 
raa  well  for  us  he 
the  night  before, 
of  new  wine,  by 
and  down,  dead 
ir  long-boat,  as  it 
»le  to  the  owners, 
ces  and  perils,  in 
van  into  Tatam's 
r  arrival,  we  were 
ind  aspect  in  the 
linner,  and,  at  our 
was  a  handsome 
ish  the  Portuguese 
I  manner  on  ship- 
luchery,  with  very 
lo  tedious  in  itself, 
a  contests  of  ours 
me  days  stay  upon 
I  found  the  ship  in 
shore.     For  if  we 
enough  to  balance 
t  in. 

.ve  of  our  landlord 
meat,  and  I  carried 
rly  wind,  a  top-sail 
Lvored  us  at  fifty  or 
the  height  of  Ber- 
he    8th;    then   we 
,  we  had  thirty-five 
ivant  of  all   things 
eak  of  day,  weary 
i;   and  would  have 
unless  I  could  give 
ear  break  of  day, 
J  in  the  water.    No 
is  and  noise  he  calls 
3S  on  both  sides!  all 

alarm,  and  saw  the 
IT  their  preservation, 
knees,  commending 

out  at  the  noise  to 

stood,  his  coureje 
rain,  and  cried,  "  Is 

loose  a  sail?"  But 
mastmen  that  would 
isin  and  John  Smith, 
in,  on  that  and  divers 
,  deserve  to  have  their 


STORM  OFF  CAPE  HATTERAa 


11 


names  kept  in  lasting  rcmembrancr.  One  of  them  got  up  and  loosened  the 
fore-topsail,  to  put  the  ship,  if  possible,  in  steerage  way,  and  under  com- 
mand ;  the  other  stood  to  the  helm,  and  he  shifted  it  in  a  nick  of  time ; 
for  the  ship  was  at  the  point  of  dashing  on  the  starboard  breach:  and, 
although  in  the  rest  of  the  voyage,  she  was  wont  to  be  blamed  for  the  ill 
quality  of  not  feeling  the  helm,  she  did,  in  this  important  instance, 
redeem  her  credit,  and  fell  round  off  for  our  rescue  from  that  danger. 
But  the  joy  of  this  escape  lasted  but  a  moment,  for  no  sooner  was  she 
fallen  from  that  breach,  but  another  on  the  larboard  bow  was  ready  to 
receive  her. 

The  ship's  crew,  by  this  time,  reproached  by  the  courage  of  Reaisin 
and  Smith,  were  all  at  work ;  and  the  helm  shifting  opportunely,  she  fell 
off  again  as  before.  The  light  of  the  day,  which  now  broke  forth, 
discovered  our  condition  to  be  altogether  as  perilous  as  possible ;  for  we 
now  saw  ourselves  surrounded  with  breaches.  Scarce  any  water,  like  a 
channel,  appeared  for  a  way  to  shun  them.  In  this  sad  condition,  the 
ship  struck  ground,  and  raised  such  a  war  of  water  and  sand  together, 
which  fell  on  the  main  chains,  that  now  all  hopes  of  safety  were  laid 
aside ;  but  the  ship  being  still  afloat,  and  the  seamen,  all  of  them  now 
under  command,  nothing  was  omitted  for  our  preservation  that  was  in 
their  power. 

Tom  Reaisin,  seeing  the  ship  go  ahead,  in  the  likeliest  water  for  a 
channel,  and  ordering  the  helm  accordingly,  heaved  the  lead ;  and  after 
a  little  further  advance  in  that  new  channel,  wholly  against  his  hopes,  he 
had  a  good  deal  of  water  more  than  the  ship  drew,  which  soon  mended 
upon  us ;  the  next  cast  of  the  lead,  affording  eighteen  or  twenty  feet. 
We  stood  to  this  channel,  and  the  light  of  morning  enabling  the  quarter- 
masters to  con  the  ship,  we  were,  by  this  miraculous  mercy  of  God,  soon 
clear  of  the  breaches  at  Cape  Plattcras,  and  got  out  to  sea.  No  sooner 
was  the  ship  freed  of  this  danger,  and  got  a  little  into  the  offing,  but  the 
seamen,  like  so  many  spirits,  surveyed  each  other,  as  if  they  doubted  the 
reality  of  the  thing,  and  shock  hands  like  strangers,  or  men  risen  from 
the  other  world ;  and  did  scarce  believe  they  were  what  they  seemed  to 
be — men  of  flesh  and  blood.  As  they  recovered  force,  they  made  what 
sail  they  could,  to  stand  to  leeward. 

The  gale  came  fresh  at  north-west,  and  this  fresh  gale  did  soon  grow 
up  to  a  violent  storm,  which  increased  to  so  great  a  rigor,  separating  us 
from  the  land  at  the  rate  of  eight  leagues  a  watch,  merely  witli  our  fore- 
courses;  insomuch  that  the  master  thought  it  necessary  to  stop  that 
career ;  and,  in  order  thereunto,  he  did  advise  with  his  officers,  to  bring 
the  ship  about,  to  furl  up  sails,  and  to  try  with  the  mizzen.  The  moun- 
tainous, towering,  north-west  seas  that  this  storm  made,  were  so  unruly, 
that  the  seamen  knew  not  how  to  work  the  ship  about.  We  were  already 
at  a  great  distance  from  land,  and  something  must  be  done  to  hinder  our 
running  off  at  that  excessive  tdte.  The  first  thing  they  did,  was  to 
lower  the  mainyard,  to  give  some  ease  to  that  mast,  by  laying  it  on  the 
ship's  waste.  Our  great  difficulty  was  how  to  deal  so  with  the  foresails, 
that  the  ship  might  work  about  with  safety,  or,  at  least,  with  as  little 
hazard  as  possible.  All  hands  were  too  little  to  haul  the  sheet  close,  in 
order  to  bring  the  ship  about.  Many  great  seas  were  shipped,  as  she 
came  to  work  through  the  trough  of  the  sea;  among  the  rest,  one 
chanced  to  break  upon  the  poop,  where  we  were  quartered,  and  that  with 
so  sad  a  weight,  that  we  guessed  a  ton  of  water,  at  least,  did  enter  the 
tarpaulin,  and  aex  us  all  on  float  who  were  in  the  round-house.     The 


bi^ttjat;... 


12  PERILOUS  VOYAGE  0?  CAPTAIN  NORWOOD. 

noise  it  made  by  discharging  itself  in  that  manner,  was  like  the  report 
;?  a  gre"  gun,  and  puf  us  all  in  a  horrible  frght,  which  we  could 
not  8<Sn  shake  off.  This  shock  being  past,  the  ship  about,  and  our  fore- 
sail  hauled,  we  now  lay  trying  with  our  mizzen. 

I  cannot   forget  the   prodigious   number  of  porpoises  that  did   that 
eveniijappear  about  the^hip,  to  the  astonishment  of  the  oldest  sea. nan 
fn  her      They  seemed  to  cover  the  surface  of  the  sea,  as  far  as  our  eyes 
could  discern;   insomuch  that  a  musket-bullet,  shot  at  random,  cou  d 
Eardly  5to  do  execution  on  some  of  them.    This  tho  seamen  would 
Supoi  as  of  bad  portent,  predicting  ill  weather;  but  m  our  case,  who 
w^reiS  present  possession  of  a  storm,  they  appeared  too  late  to  gam  tl.o 
Credit  of  foretelling  what  should  come  upon  us  in  that  kmd.     The  seas 
thus  en  aged    and%ll  in  foam,  the  gale  still  increasing  upon  us;  the 
officers  cJithe  watch  made  frequent  visits  to  the  round-house,  to  prepare 
Uie  capt^n  for  some  evil  encounter,  which  this  mighty  tempest  must 
brig  fori^:  and  their  fears  proved  reasonable;  for,  about  the  hour  of 
ten  or  eleven,  our  new  disasters  did  begin  with  a  crash  from  aloft.     All 
hands  v^ere   summoned  up  with  loud  cries    that  the  for«-topmast  was 
cJme  by  the  board;  not  alone,  but  with  the  fore-masthead  broken  short 
offTust  under  the  cap.     This  was  a  sore  business,  and  put  all  to  their 
&  eUto  recover  to  any  competent  condition.     Mate  Putts  was  then 
onihe  watch,  and  did  not  want  his  apprehensions  of  what  dul  soon  ensue 
which,ln  al    likelihood,  was  to  end  in  utter  perdition;  for,  about  the 
hours  of  twelve  or  one  at  night,  we  heard  and  felt  a  mighty  sea  break  on 
our  fo?eship,  which  made  such  an  inundation  on  the  deck,  where  the 
Tte  was  wa  kTng,  that  he  retired  back  with  all  diligence  up  to  his  knees 
S  wat^J!with  s£rt  ejaculations  of  prayer  in  his  mouth,  supposing  the 
ihip  was  foundering,  Ld  at  the  last  gasp.     This  looked  like  a  stroke  of 
Sh  in  every  seaman's  opinion.     The  ship  stood  stock  still,  with  her 
head  under  water,  seeming  to  bore  her  way  into  the  sea.     My  two  com- 
Ssrd  myself  lay  on  our  platform,  sharing  liberally  m  the  consterna 
ion      We  tobk  a  short  leave  of  each  other,  men,  women  Mid  children 
aU  assauUed  with  the  fresh  terror  of  death,  made  a  most  dolorous  out- 
cry ZughouT  the  ship;  while  Mate  Putts,  perceiving  the  deck  almost 
freed  of  water,  called  out  aloud  for  hands  to  pump.    This  we  thought  a 
StaiiW  before  death;  but  gave  me  occasion,  as  having  the  bestsea- 
LVs  tXok  out,  and  learn  the  subject  of  this  astonishing  alarm ;  which 
proved  to  arise  from  no  less  cause  than  the  loss  of  our  forecastle,  vir.th 
frimns  and  our  anchors,  (all  but  one  that  was  fastened  to  our  cable,) 
TgeCw^  L  two  coo'k^,  whereof  one  was  recovered  by  a  strange 

P'ThtTeat  gap,  made  by  want  of  our  forecastle,  did  open  a  passage 
intlthe^hoS,  fo?'o"her  seL  that  should  break  Jiere,  before  a  remedy 
wa^  found  out  to  carry  them  off;  and  this  made  our  danger  a  most 
msuirable      But  it  fell  out,  propitiously,  that  there  were  divers  land- 
^rSer  oassengcrs,  who  were  very  helpful  in  this  distress;  and,  in  a 
StirSe,TsS  platform  of  deal  was  Lked  to  the  timbers,  to  carry 
off  an  ordinary  sea;  in  the  present  strait  we  were  in,  every  momentof 
Jhis  crowing  tempert,  cutting  out  new  work  to  employ  all  hands  to  labor 
TheTowspH  ToS  h;avy  in  itself,  having  lost  all  stays  and  r.ggmg  that 
should  keep  il  steady,  swayed  to  and  fro,  with  such  bangs  on  the  bows, 
?hat  at  no  less  rate  than  the  cutting  it  close  off,  could  the  ship  subsist. 
AU  thincs  were  i^  miserable  disorder,  and  it  was  evident  our  danger 
fncrSup^n  us.    The  stays  of  all  the  masts  were  gone,  the  shrouds 


that 


promis 


.-.■nggXij'ia-^-ff^'!-^' 


■Sf0f-J. 


like  tho  report 
liich  we  could 
t,  and  our  fore- 

I  that  did   that 
I  oldest  sea. nan 
far  as  our  eyes 
random,  could 
seamen  would 
t  our  case,  who 
late  to  gain  tlio 
ind.     The  seas 
[  upon  us;  tho 
(Use,  to  prepare 
f  tempest  must 
9Ut  the  hour  of 
from  aloft.     All 
►re-topmast  was 
id  broken  short 
put  all  to  their 
Putts  was  then 
did  soon  ensue, 
;  for,  about  the 
ity  sea  break  on 
leek,  where  the 
,  up  to  his  knees 
li,  supposing  the 
like  a  stroke  of 
:k  still,  with  her 
,.    My  two  corn- 
in  the  consterna- 
in  and  children; 
St  dolorous  out- 
the  deck  almost 
his  we  thought  a 
ng  the  best  sea- 
ng  alarm ;  which 
r  forecastle,  with 
led  to  our  cable,) 
red  by  a  strange 

1  open  a  passage 

before  a  remedy 

r  danger   almost 

rere  divers  land- 

istresa;  and,  in  a 

timbers,  to  carry 

every  moment  of 

ill  hands  to  labor 

and  rigging  that 

uigs  on  the  bows, 

I  the  ship  subsist. 

'ident  our  danger 

gone,  the  shrouds. 


A  FRIEND  IN  NEED. 


13 


that  remained,  were  loose  and  useless,  and  it  was  easy  to  foretell,  our 
main-topmast  would  soon  come  by  the  board.  Tom  Reaisin,  who  was 
always  ready  to  expose  himself,  with  an  ax  in  his  hand,  ran  up  with 
speed  to  prevent  that  evil;  hoping  thereby  to  ease  tho  mainmast,  and 
preserve  it:  but  the  danger  of  his  person  in  the  enterprise  was  so  mani- 
fest, that  he  was  called  down  again;  and  no  sooner  was  his  foot  upon  the 
deck,  but  what  was  feared  came  to  pass  with  a  witness.  Bpth  main  and 
topmast  all  came  down  together,  and,  in  one  shock,  fell  all  to  the  wind- 
ward clear  into  the  sea,  without  hurt  to  any  man's  person. 

Our  mainmast  thus  fallen  to  the  broadside,  was  like  to  incommode  us 
more  in  the  sea  than  in  her  proper  station ;  for  the  shrouds  and  rigging, 
not  losing  the  hold  they  had  of  the  ship,  every  surge  did  so  check  the 
mast,  whose  butt-end  lay  charged  to  fall  perpendicular  on  the  ship's  side, 
that  it  became  a  ram  to  batter  and  force  the  plank ;  and  was  domg  the 
last  execution  upon  us,  if  not  prevented  in  time  by  edge-tools,  which 
freed  the  ship  from  that  expected  assault  and  battery.     Abandoned,  in 
this  manner,  to  the  fury  of  the  raging  sea ;  tossed  up  and  down  without 
any  one  regarding  the  loss  of  another ;  every  man  expecting  the  same 
fate,  though  in  a  different  manner.     The  ceilings  of  this  hulk,  for  it  was 
no  better,  were,  for  the  same  cause,  so  uneasy,  that,  in  many  tumbles, 
the  deck  would  touch  the  sea,  and  there  stand  still,  as  if  she  would 
never   make    another.     Our   raizzenmast  only  remained,  by  which  we 
hoped  to  bring  the  ship  about  in  proper  season,  which  now  lay  stemming 
to  the  east.     In  this  posture  we  passed  the   lOtii  and  11th  days  of 
November.     The  12th,  in  the  morning,  we  saw  an  Englisli  merchant, 
who  showed  his  ensign,  but  would  not  speak  with  us,  though  the  storm 
was  abated,  and  the  season  more  fit  for  communication.     We  imagined 
the  reason  was,  because  he  would  not  be  compelled  to  be  civil  to  us. 
He  thought  our  condition  desperate,  and  wc  had  more  guns  than  he  could 
resist,  which  might  enable  us  to  take  what  he  would  not  sell  or  give. 
He  shot  a  gun  to  leeward,  stood  his  course,  and  turned  his  hoof  upon  us. 
Before  we  attempted  to  bring  the  ship  about,  it  was  necessary  to  refresh 
the  seamen,  who  were  almost  worn  out  with  toil  and  want  of  rest,  having 
had  no  leisure  of  eating  set  moals  for  many  days.     The   passengers, 
overcharged  with  excessive  fears,  had  no  appetite  to  eat ;  and,  which 
was  worst  of  all,  both  seamen  and  passengers  were  in  a  deplorable  state 
as  to  the  remaining  victuals,  all  like  to  fall  under  extreme  want;  for  the 
storm,  by  taking  away  the  forecastle,  having  thrown  much  water  into  the 
hold,  our  stock  of  bread  was  greatly  damaged ;  and  there  remained  no 
way  to  dress   our  meat,  now  that  the   cook  was   gone:  the   incessant 
tumbling  of  the  ship,  as  has  been   observed,  made   all  such   cookery 
wholly  impracticable.     The  only  expedient  to  make  fire  between  decks, 
was  by  sawing  a  cask  in  the  middle,  and  filling  it  with  ballast;  which 
made  a  hearth  to  parch  peas,  and  boil  salt  be-jf.     Nor  could  this  be  done, 
but  with  great  attendance,  which  was  many  times  frustrated  by  being 
thrown  topsy-turvy,  in  spite  of  all  circumspection,  to  the  great  defeat  of 
empty  stomachs.     The  seas  were   much    appeased  the  17th  day,  and 
divers  ships  saw,  and  were  seen  by  us,  but  would  not  speak  with  us ; 
only  one,  who  kept  the  pump  always  going,  for  having  tasted  too  liberally 
of  the  storm,  he  was  so  kind  as  to  accost  us.     He  lay  by  till  our  wherry, 
the  only  surviving  boat  that  was  left  us,  made  him  a  visit.     The  master 
showed  our  men  his  leaks,  and  proposed,  that  ours  would  spare  him 
hands  to  pump,  in  lieu  of  anything  he  could  spare  for  our  relief.     He 
promised,  however,  to  keep  us  company,  and  give  us  a  tow  to  help  to 


..!H>.,.t^-.^.-,# 


r 
i 


T  H' ""■''- 


••«j.!.'-*v-i-*" 


14 


PERILOUS  VOYAGE  OF  CAPTAIN  NORWOOD. 


weather  the  Cape,  if  occasion  ofTored.  But  this  was  only  a  copy  of  his 
countenance ;  for  in  the  night  we  lost  each  other,  and  we  never  heard 
more  of  him,  though  he  was  bound  to  our  port. 

November  13th.  The  weather  now  invited  us  to  get  the  ship  about 
with  our  mizzen  ;  and  having  done  so,  the  next  consideration  was  how 
to  make  sail.  Tiie  foremast,  all  this  while,  as  much  as  was  of  it,  stood 
its  ground ;  and  as  it  was  without  dispute,  that  a  yard  must,  in  the  first 
place,  he  fixed  to  it,  so  was  it  a  matter  of  no  small  difficulty  how  to 
advance  to  the  top  of  that  greasy,  slippery  stump ;  since  he  tliat  would 
attempt  it  could  take  no  hold  himself,  nor  receive  any  help  for  his  rise 
by  other  hands.  This  was  a  case  that  put  all  the  ship's  crew  to  a  non- 
plus. But  Tom  Reaisin,  a  constant  friend  at  need,  that  would  not  be 
baffled  by  any  difficulty,  showed,  by  his  countenance,  he  had  a  mind  to 
try  his  skill  to  bring  us  out  of  this  unhappy  crisis.  To  encourage  him 
the  more,  all  passengers  promised  and  subscribed  to  reward  his  service, 
in  Virginia,  by  tobacco,  when  God  should  enable  us  so  to  do.  The 
manner  of  Tom  Reaisin's  ascent,  was  thus:  among  the  scattered  parcels 
of  the  ship^s  stores,  he  had  the  luck  to  find  about  half  a  dozen  iron 
spikes  fit  for  his  purpose,  tlis  first  onset  was  to  drive  one  of  them  into 
the  mast,  almost  to  the  head,  as  high  as  he  could  reach,  which  being 
done,  he  took  a  rope  of  about  ten  feet  long,  and  having  the  same  in  a 
block  or  pulley,  so  as  to  divide  it  in  the  middle ;  he  made  both  ends 
meet  in  a  knot  upon  the  spike,  on  both  sides  of  the  mast,  so  that  the 
block,  falling  on  the  contrary  side,  became  a  stirrup  to  mount  upon  for 
driving  another  spike  in  the  same  manner:  and  thus,  from  step  to  step, 
observing  the  best  advantage  of  striking  with  his  hammer  in  the  smooth- 
est sea,  he  got  alofl,  and  drove  cleats  for  shrouds  to  rest  upon,  and  was 
soon  in  a  posture  of  receiving  help  from  his  comrades,  who  got  a  yard 
and  sails,  with  other  accommodation,  such  as  could  be  had ;  and  thus 
were  we  enabled,  in  a  few  hours  time,  to  make  some  sail  for  our  port. 
The  mainyard,  that  in  the  storm  had  been  lowered  to  the  waist,  to  lie 
out  of  harm's  way,  was  now  preferred  to  the  place  of  a  mainmast,  and 
was  accordingly  fitted  and  accoutered,  and  grafted  into  the  stump  of  what 
was  left  in  the  storm,  some  eight  or  ten  feet  from  the  deck.  It  was  a 
hard  matter  to  find  out  rigging  answerable  to  that  new-fashioned  mast  and 
yard.  Topgallant  sails  and  yards  wore  most  agreeable  for  his  equipage, 
and  was  the  best  part  of  our  remaining  stores.  The  seas  grew  every 
moment  smoother,  and  the  weather  more  comfortable,  so  that,  for  awhile, 
we  began  to  shake  off  the  visage  of  utter  despair,  as  hoping  ere  long  to 
see  ourselves  in  some  capacity  to  fetch  the  Cape.  We  discovered  another 
ship  bound  to  Virginia,  who  as  frankly  promised  to  stand  by  us,  the  wind 
at  N.N.W.  We  did  what  could  be  done  by  a  ship  so  mangled,  to  get  the 
weather  gauge  of  Cape  Henry,  conceiving  ourselves  to  the  southward 
of  Cape  Hatteras ;  hut,  by  taking  an  observation  on  a  sunshiny  day,  we 
found  ourselves  carried  by  a  current,  we  knew  not  of,  to  the  windward, 
much  beyond  our  dead  reckonings,  and  allowances  for  sailing;  insomuch, 
that  when  we  thought  we  had  been  to  the  southward  of  the  Cape,  we 
found  ourselves  considerably  shot  to  the  north  of  Achomat ;  and  that  in 
the  opinion  of  Mate  Putts,  who  was  as  our  north  star. 

We  passed  this  night  with  greater  alacrity  than  we  had  done  any  other 
since  we  had  left  Fyal ;  for  Mate  Putts,  our  trusty  pilot,  did  confidently 
affirm,  that  if  the  gale  stood,  there  would  be  no  question  of  our  dining 
the  next  day  within  the  Capes.  This  was  reasonable  news:  our  water 
being  long  since  spent;  our  meat  spoiled  or  useless;  no  kind  of  victuals 


rci 
alii 
tin; 
mu 
Th 
cov 
clu( 
the 
as  t 
thui 
the 
fidei 
thou 
tree 
but 
whi( 
his  ( 
he  h 
thei 
of  th 
Tl 
met  i 
tiont 
But, 
our  e 
barge 
Defei 
sleep 
to  se 
that  ( 
sighs 
reduc 
Half 
all  we 
Malaj 
it. 
carri€ 
confid 
the 
to  mij 
him 
The 
inson 
from 
was 
placel 
wantf 
head  | 
so  th^ 
watch 
hand! 
Not 
day, 
gentld 


.    —**■*?  y*TS*-^T 


•rr^r-i    -' 


sa^nssss^^  -v^^^rttK^r--?;*^^?^,-.  -  ;;i,-:H^ 


5D. 

ly  a  copy  of  his 
ive  never  hoard 

t  the  ship  about 
oration  was  how 

was  of  it,  stood 
must,  in  the  first 
difficulty  how  to 
e  he  that  would 
help  for  his  rise 
s  crew  to  a  non- 
fat would  not  be 
e  had  a  mind  to 
»  encourage  him 
ward  his  service, 

8o  to  do.  The 
scattered  parcels 
lalf  a  dozen  iron 
one  of  them  into 
ach,  which  being 
ng  the  same  in  a 

made  both  ends 
mast,  so  that  the 

0  mount  upon  for 
from  step  to  step, 
ler  in  the  smooth- 
38t  upon,  and  was 
j8,  who  got  a  yard 
be  had;  and  thus 

1  sail  for  our  port, 
to  the  waist,  to  lie 
f  a  mainmast,  and 
the  stump  of  what 
le  deck.     It  was  a 
'ashioned  mast  and 
e  for  his  equipage, 
B  seas  grew  every 
so  that,  for  awhile, 
hoping  ere  long  to 
discovered  another 
ind  by  us,  the  wind 
mangled,  to  get  the 
i  to  the  southward 
a  sunshiny  day,  we 
,f,  to  the  windward, 
r  sailing;  insomuch, 
rd  of  the  Cape,  we 
chomat ;  and  that  in 

had  done  any  other 
(ilot,  did  confidently 
estion  of  our  dining 
tie  news:  our  water 
;  no  kind  of  victuals 


A  FATAL  DISAPPOINTMENT. 


15 


*t«>^'£**itS";.~i.'''-;'i* 


remaining  to  sustain  life,  but  a  biscuit  cake  u  day  for  a  man ;  at  which 
iiliowance  there  was  not  a  quantity  to  hold  out  many  days.  In  the  dark 
time  of  the  night,  in  tacking  about,  we  lost  our  new  comrade,  and,  with 
much  impatience,  we  expected  the  approaching  day ;  the  wind  N.  W. 
The  morning  appeared  foggy,  as  the  wind  veered  to  the  east,  and  that 
covered  and  concealed  the  land  from  our  clearer  sight :  howbeit,  we  con- 
cluded, by  Mate  Putt's  computation,  we  were  well  to  the  northward  of 
the  Capes.  Many  times  he  would  mount  the  mizzentop  for  discovery, 
as  the  weather  seemed  to  clear  up ;  and  would  espy,  and  point  at  certain 
thum-works  of  trees,  that  used  to  be  hia  several  landmarks,  in  most  of 
the  twenty-two  voyages  ho  had  made  to  that  plantation.  Under  this  con- 
fidence he  made  more  sail,  the  daylight  confirming  him  in  what  he 
thought  right.  All  the  forenoon  wc  lost  the  sight  of  land,  and  marks  by 
trees,  by  reason  of  the  dark  fogs  and  mists  that  were  not  yet  dispelled  ; 
but  as  soon  as  the  sun,  with  a  north-west  gale,  had  cleared  all  the  coast, 
which  was  about  the  hours  of  two  or  throe  o'clock.  Mate  Putts  perceived 
his  error  from  the  deck,  and  was  convinced  that  the  thum-works  of  trees 
he  had  seen,  and  relied  on  for  sure  landmarks,  had  courier  points  to 
the  South  Cape,  which  had  misguided  him  ;  and  that  it  was  the  opening 
of  the  bay,  which  made  the  land  at  distance,  out  of  sight. 

This  fatal  disappointment,  which  was  now  past  human  help,  might  have 
met  an  easy  remedy,  had  our  sails  and  rigging  been  in  any  tolerable  condi- 
tion to  keep  the  windward  gauge,  for  we  had  both  the  Capes  in  our  sight. 
But,  under  our  circumstances,  it  was  vain  to  endeavor  such  a  thing;  all 
our  equipage,  from  stem  to  stern,  being  no  better  than  that  of  a  western 
barge ;  and  we  could  not  lie  within  eleven  or  twelve  points  of  the  wind. 
Defeated  thus  of  lively  hopes  we  had  the  niglit  before  entertained,  to 
sleep  in  warm  beds  with  our  friends  in  Virginia,  it  was  a  heavy  spectacle 
to  see  ourselves  running  at  a  round  rate  from  it,  notwithstanding  all 
that  could  be  done  to  the  contrary.  Nothing  was  now  to  be  heard  but 
sighs  and  groans  through  all  that  wretched  family,  which  must  be  soon 
reduced  to  so  short  allowance  as  would  just  keep  life  and  soul  together.. 
Half  a  biscuit  cake  a  day,  of  which  five  whole  ones  make  a  pound,  was 
all  we  had  to  trust  to.  Of  liquors  there  remained  none  to  quench  thirst; 
Malaga  served  rather  to  inflame  and  increase  thirst,  than  to  extinguish 
it.  The  gale  blew  fresh  toward  night,  and  made  a  western  sea,  that 
carried  us  off  at  a  great  rate.  Mate  Putts,  extremely  abashed  to  see  his 
confidence  so  miserably  deluded,  grew  sad  and  contemplative,  even  to 
the  moving  compassion  in  those  whom  his  unhappy  mistake  had  reduced 
to  misery.  We  cherished  him  the  best  we  could,  and  would  not  have 
him  so  profoundly  sad,  for  what  was  rather  his  misfortune  than  his  fault. 
The  wind  continued  many  days  and  nights  to  send  us  out  into  the  ocean ; 
insomuch,  that  until  wc  thought  ourselves  at  least  a  hundred  leagues 
from  the  Capes,  the  north-west  gale  gave  us  no  truce  to  consider  what 
was  best  to  do.  All  little  helps  were  used  by  topgallant  sails,  and  masts 
placed  where  they  could  be  fixed,  to  keep  the  windward  tack ;  but,  for 
want  of  borolins  and  other  tackle  to  keep  them  stiff  to  draw,  every  great 
head  sea  would  check  them  in  the  wind,  and  rend,  and  tear  them  in  pieces ;. 
so  that  it  was  an  ordinary  exercise  with  us  to  lie  tumbling  in  the  sea,  a 
watch  or  two  together,  driving  to  leeward,  while  the  broken  sails  were  in 
hand  to  be  repaired. 

November  19th.  To  give  us  a  little  breathing,  about  the  nineteenth 
day,  the  wind  shifted  to  the  east,  but  so  little  to  our  avail,  the  gale  so. 
gentle,  and  the  seas  made  against  us  like  a  strong  current,  that,  with  the 


:| 


s 


m 


J:i. 


:  ;l!':i' 


16 


PEBILOUS  VOYAGE  OP  CAPTAIN  NORWOOD. 


nail  wo  were  able  to  make,  we  could  hardly  reckon  the  ship  ahortoncd 
the  way,  but  that  aho  rather  lost  ground.  In  less  than  two  watches,  the 
gale  faced  about ;  and  if  we  saved  our  own  by  the  change,  it  was  all  we 
could  pretend  unto.  Our  mortal  enemy,  the  north-west  gale,  began 
afresh  to  send  us  out  to  sea,  and  to  raise  our  terrors  to  u  higher  pitch. 
One  of  our  pumps  grew  so  unfixed,  that  it  could  not  be  repaired ;  the 
other  was  kept  in  perpetual  motion ;  no  man  was  excused  to  take  his 
turn  that  had  strength  to  perform  it.  Among  the  manifest  perils  that 
threatened  every  hour  to  be  our  last,  we  were  in  mortal  apprehension 
that  the  guns,  which  were  aloft,  would  show  us  a  slippery  trick,  and  some 
of  them  break  loose,  the  tackle  that  held  them  being  grown  very  rotten ; 
and  it  was  another  providence  they  held  so  long,  considering  how  im- 
moderately  the  ship  rolled,  especially  when  the  sails  were  mending  that 
Hhould  keep  her  steady,  which  was  very  near  a  third  part  of  our  time, 
while  we  plied  to  the  windward  with  a  contrary  gale.  To  prevent  this 
danger,  which  must  befall  when  any  one  gun  should  get  loose.  Mate 
Putts  found  an  expedient ;  by  a  more  than  ordinary  smooth  water,  and  by 
placing  timber  on  the  hatchway,  to  supply  the  place  of  shrouds,  he  got 
them  safe  in  hold  which  tended  much  to  our  good,  not  only  in  removing 
the  present  danger,  but  by  making  the  ship,  as  seamen  say,  more  whole- 
some, by  having  so  great  a  weight  removed  from  her  upper  works  into 
her  center,  where  ballast  was  much  wanted.  But  the  intolerable  want 
of  all  provision,  both  of  meat  and  drink,  jostled  the  sense  of  this  happi- 
ness soon  out  of  our  minds ;  and  to  aggravate  our  misery  yet  the  more, 
it  was  our  interest  to  pray  that  the  contrary  gale  might  stand ;  for,  while 
the  westerly  wind  held,  we  had  rain-water  to  drink,  whereas  at  east  the 
wind  blew  dry.  In  this  miserable  posture  of  ship  and  provision,  we 
reckoned  ourselves  driven  to  the  east,  in  less  than  a  weck^s  time,  at  least 
two  hundred  leagues,  which  we  despaired  ever  to  recover  without  a 
miracle  of  Divine  mercy.  The  storm  continued  so  fresh  against  us, 
that  it  confounded  the  most  knowing  of  our  ship's  company  in  advising 
what  course  to  take.  Some  reckoned  the  ship  had  made  her  way  most 
southerly,  and,  therefore,  counseled  we  should  put  ourselves  in  quest  of 
the  Bermuda  Islands,  as  the  nearest  land  we  could  hope  to  make; 
but  that  motion  had  great  opposition  in  regard  of  the  winter  season, 
which  would  daily  produce  insuperable  difficulties,  and  give  greater 
puzzle  in  the  discovery  of  it  than  our  circumstances  would  admit.  Back- 
ward we  could  not  go,  nor  forward  we  could  not  go,  in  the  course  we 
steered;  it  followed  then,  of  course,  that  we  must  take  the  middle 
way ;  and  it  was  resolved,  that,  without  further  persisting  in  endeavoring 
to  gain  our  port  by  a  close  hale,  we  should  raise  our  tackle,  and  sail 
tardy  for  the  first  American  land  we  could  fetch,  though  we  ran  to  the 
leeward  as  far  as  the  coast  of  New  England.  ^ 

While  this  determination  was  agreed  and  put  in  practice,  the  famine 
grew  sharp  upon  us.  Women  and  children  made  dismal  cries,  and 
grievous  complaints.  The  infinite  number  of  rats,  that  all  the  voyage 
had  been  our  plague,  we  now  were  glad  to  make  our  prey  to  feed  on ; 
and,  as  they  were  ensnared  and  taken,  a  well-grown  rat  was  sold  for 
sixteen  shillings,  as  a  market-rate.  Nay,  before  the  voyage  ended,  (as  I 
was  credibly  informed,)  a  woman,  great  with  child,  offered  twenty  shil- 
lings for  a  rat,  which  the  proprietor  refusing,  the  woman  died.  Many 
sorrowful  days  and  nights  we  spun  out  in  this  manner,  till  the  blessed 
feast  of  Christmas  came  upon  us,  which  we  began  with  a  very  melan- 
choly solemnity;  and  yet,  to  make  some  distinction  of  times,  the  scrapings 


'^—^'^r'-^T^^ev^ec? 


twaaswryartyu'..^-.  Jn.WMmi  tj/sj^r^'f-'^'^!'*  '■^■aai'* 


»B.Srj»«:-T 


3D. 

ship  ahortmcd 
ivo  watches,  the 
c,  it  was  all  we 
}sl  gale,  began 
u  higher  pitch. 
5  repaired;  the 
led  to  take  his 
Ifest  perils  that 
il  apprehension 
trick,  and  some 
wn  very  rotten ; 
iering  how  im- 
re  mending  that 
irt  of  our  time, 
To  prevent  this 
^ct  loose.  Mate 
th  water,  and  by 
shrouds,  he  got 
nly  in  removing 
ly,  more  whole- 
pper  works  into 
intolerable  want 
e  of  this  happi- 
•y  yet  the  more, 
tand;  for,  while 
areas  at  east  the 
d  provision,  we 
k^s  time,  at  least 
cover  without  a 
esh   against  us, 
pany  in  advising 
ie  her  way  most 
3lves  in  quest  of 

hope  to  make; 
5  winter  season, 
ind  give  greater 
id  admit.  Back- 
1  the  course  we 
ake  the  middle 
g  in  endeavoring 

tackle,  and  sail 
gh  we  ran  to  the 

■ctice,  the  famine 
ismal  cries,  and 
it  all  the  voyage 
prey  to  feed  on ; 
rat  was  sold  for 
yage  ended, (as  1 
ered  twenty  shil- 
lan  died.  Many 
r,  till  the  blessed 
ith  a  very  melan- 
aes,  the  scrapings 


TANTALIZING  DREAM.S. 

Stalt  XSXr   wllhtr::;  /"^'?''^^r  -"'"f"-  «  P»'»''inJ 
tlH)  ii.tf,c-,li.,..t«  Of  I       rC  ..   ,    '    ,"'"'.  ^ir"'  ""  "■""  '"••'I  i"    .il,  wort 

but  p..acouMy  .njo;,-.]  ouf  Cirr'tmas'n.ddLr"'  '"  """  ""  "•••^'""•"-■ 

;[-  -orso  b'y  that  t.!^£^  Scy  " torn  "t.iT^tr'"^  r""'"'  '"-'' 

l>o  captain's  favor  iu  ajlowinc  n.o  a  sharn  „f  M  ^"""'^  ^'''V  •■«"''  h 

1.0  had  concealed  in  a  privateVoUar  ?or  a  dead  im   ^T  "'  T^^  ^'"^'"• 

ol  water  for  qualifying  it  to  quench  thir«^.  ''  '^'""•^'^  "  "'''"""' 

remedy,  and  a  great%efre8hLm  tome      '^i""^  ^"^  "  P''^^^"' 

to  shorten  our  way  to  the  shorA   fhn„^f'     '^''^.«'«storIy  wind  continuo.l 

'his  clid  not  at  all  incUe  u  to  chln.et/r?  tl""'  ^^^  ""^  P"''-"  «>"' 
t  .e  first  land;  it  rather  anima  od^^jrupportodt  i'n"  ""^  '"'''"'  '^"  ''"^ 
tl'o  hopes  of  touching  land  was  food  3  !•  .  °'"  P'"*'"^'"  ^"''»"e  = 

some  expectation,  we  paTed^r  thSe  ?„r  T.""'  *°  "'•  ^»  ^^'^  ^^"i- 
and  then  we  saw  the  water^Ln,^!  ,  '^'"  "f  "'"^  ^^y«  ""d  nights, 
approached  the  shore  tlTe^Lhto^fn'"'"'',?'' .'»«''  ««"ndings.     We 

'i-  morning  of  the  fou  S  daf  ^ave  us"Sh?^' ^  ""u«  '""^'^"'^  "« 
what  lati.ude  we  could  not  leH -^Jor  th-Vlh^  '  T  "*^  *^«  '^"•^'  ^ut  in 
to  keep  the  reckoning  ofX  ah  p  L  for  m''  "*/'''''  ^''°''''  ^"'^  »'  ^»'' 
'I'at  part;  nor  had  we  seen  the  snn  -  """{.fays  past  totally  omitted 
which,  though  a  lame  excuse  was  ^ntr^L''^'"' '°  '""^^  observations. 
But,  in  truth,  it  was  evident' tLt  thi  l'^  ^''*  '°  '"^  *«••  **'"'  «""««'«>"• 
hourly  jeopa  dy  of  lifo  mado  hi™  desperate  state  of  the  ship,  and 
journal     the  thLgh     of "tthe  T.^"^^^^  «i'her  log  or 

-de  them  neglect  that^ofrXarn^nsfc  '"^  "'  »*  ''-^' 

we^t  r  nTfr fo  Srshorr^'^^  "^-^  ^^'«  -«^  eve, 
water  smooth ;  the  land  wo    aw  neals^      '"'"^  ^'^'^''"*^  ""^  '=»'™.  '^e 
miles  distant  from  us;  ouTsoundings  twerfirf^.h*'  —«  English 
for  anchor  hold.     These  invitatrns  wire  In  „»       •°'"'  ""  ^"""^  ^'°""'' 
generality,  especially  the  00830^?,^!       ^"^'^^t've  to  encourage  the 
on  for  the  shore;  but  one^dd  Xe;  wr'''"*\''*^f  ^^^  "^een  refolved 
stores,  while  there  were  any  wouw'Jt      """'  ''"''"^^  ^°'  ^^e  ship's 
the  only  anchor  of  any  servS  Tat  wJ^?!^"'^*'  °°  "'^  *«""«' »«  ^rust 
«ight  at  sea.     His   a?gurJents  to  bZ  h"  "'  ■"■  P'^^-^^^tion  out  of  his 
tirst,  the  hazard  of  losfng  th"  onlv  aJ.Li  K  "P""°°  .T'^  P'^"«'l»J«  ^  ««. 
with  it  a  necessity  to  cut  or  slin  I  ^r  k  ^^  ''"X  s»dden  storm,  bringing 
the  shortness  of^thrcaW;  ve^r'v  unfi ''foV'''^'^"  depended ;  Seconal 
thirdly,  the  weakness  of  the  shin's  Jrew  ""^^^''^g '»  the  ocean;  and 
board;  and  the  passengers  weXn^nT'  /"^"^  ^^"^  ^°d  fallen  over- 
the  decks,  or  at  the  numn  Jhi  t      1^^  ^'""^^r,  dying  every  day  on 
but  must  not  rest.        ^     ^'  ^^'''^'  *"''  ^^'''  difficulty,  was  kept  going 

bistTto  t  torjiVwrfw^hiTw-a  t;rr.r  --'-^  -^ 

save  our  ship,  with  oJr  1  Ves^aSStlr'-'''''*^  °^  ^"*^'"^  '^  '^"hor  to 
These  last  regions  prevailed  uinthrm!;  V""^-  "^^^  °"  ^he  coast, 
when  the  anchor  was  1^10080 'ZlnPn"'""'^ ''^^'"'^  "^^  negatives;  and 
discovery  of  what  we  migKp^^^^^^^^^  "'^''^'^J^'  ^^^^  the  first 

h.»  twelve  sickly  P-nfiUTh^VLrJ^r  Xrit^^^^^^^^^ 


ssrasrrf^afHa^JtEjS: 


I'MUir.ous  voYAOi;  or  captain  Norwood. 


m 


and  cnrric!(l  Major  .Morrison  on  sliorn  with  liitn.  In  lour  or  five,  hour:- 
lime,  we  <'iMil(l  (iisc()\('r  tiic  boat  rftiirninj;  with  INTalc  J'tiMs  nlonn  for  a 
setter,  wliicii  we  lo(il;i'(l  upon  i\^  a.  sii;iial  of  iiappy  HijccfSH.  VVIii'ii  he 
fiinu'  (lU  lioard,  iiis  iiioiitli  was  full  of  f/ood  ti<lin<.'?i;  an,  naiiuily,  that  hr 
ilisrovcrcd  a  crrclv  tiial  woiihl  harhor  our  siiip,  and  tiiat  tlii-ro  was  a 
drpth  of  water  on  tho  har,  siiiliiient  for  lier  <lrniifjht  wiien  nhe  w.i-i  lipht ; 
ifiiil  llu;ro  wa«<  exrclh-nl  water;  (a  taste  winireof  Major  Morrii^oii  had 
tent  mo  in  a  Ijotth-;)  thai  tii«  siiore  Hwarrned  witli  fowl;  and  tliat  .Major 
Morrison  Htaid  behind  In  exportation  of  tho  whole  ship'.s  company  to 
rr»llow. 

I  opened  my  earn  wido  to  tho  motion,  and  promoted  tho  design  of  «»ur 
landitif;  there  with  all  tho  rhetoric  and  interest  I  ha<l.  Tho  enptain  was 
no  less  forward  for  it,  hopinj;  thereby  to  save  tho  lives  of  the  pnssenfjers 
that  remained ;  and,  that  he  might  not  wholly  rely  on  Mate  Putts' jndg- 
ment,  in  a  matter  wherein  ho  was  most  coucemod,  ho  embarked  with  me 
in  the  wli(>rry,  with  a  kinsman  of  his,  and  some  others;  and  the  seamen 
wore  glad  of  my  help  to  put  tho  boat  to  shore,  my  hands  being  very  well 
soascmod  at  the  pump  by  taking  my  turn  for  many  weeks,  at  tho  rate  of 
three  hours  in  twenty-four.  My  passionate  «lesircs  to  be  on  shore,  at  the 
fountain  head,  to  drink  without  stint,  did  not  a  little  (juirken  me  ;  inso- 
much, that  the  six  or  seven  miles  I  rowed  on  tliis  occasion,  were  no  more 
than  the  breadth  of  the  Thames  at  London,  at  another  time,  would  have 
been  toilsome  to  me.  [n  our  passage  to  the  shore,  the  darkness  of  the 
evening  made  us  glad  to  see  the  tires  of  our  friends  at  land,  which  were 
not  only  our  beacons  to  direct  >is  to  their  company,  but  were  also  a  com- 
fortable relief  to  our  chilled  bodies  when  we  came  near  them,  the 
weather  being  very  cold,  as  it  ever  is;  the  wind  blowing  north-west  on 
tliat  coa.st.  As  soon  as  I  had  set  my  foot  on  land,  and  had  rendered 
thanks  to  the  Almighty  for  opening  this  door  of  deliverance  to  us,  after 
r-o  many  rescues,  even  from  the  jaws  of  death  at  sea.  Major  Morrison  was 
pleased  to  oblige  me  beyond  all  requital,  in  conducting  me  to  the  run- 
ning stream  of  water,  where,  without  any  limitation  of  short  allowance. 
I  might  drink  my  fill.  I  was  glad  of  so  great  liberty,  and  made  use  oC 
it  accordingly,  by  prostrating  myself  on  my  belly,  and  setting  my  month 
against  tho  stream,  that  it  might  run  into  my  thirsty  stomach  without 
stop.  Tho  rest  of  the  company  were  at  liberty  to  use  their  own  methods 
to  quench  their  thirst;  but  this  I  thought  the  greatest  pleasure  I  ever 
saw  on  earth. 

After  this  sweet  refreshment,  the  captain,  myself,  and  his  kinsman, 
crossed  the  creek  in  our  wherry,  invited  thither  by  the  cackling  of  wild 
fowl.     The  captain  had  a  gun  charged ;  and  the  moon  shining  bright  in 
his  favor,  ho  killed  one  duck  of  the  flock  that  flew  over  us,  which  was 
roasted  on  the  stick  out  of  hand  by  the  seamen,  while  we  walked  on  tti'^ 
shore  of  tho  creek  for  further  discovery.     In  passing  a  small  stream,  wi> 
trod  on  an  oyster-bank,  that  happily  furnished  us  with  a  good  addition  | 
to  our  duck.     When  the  cooks  had  done  their  parts,  we  were  not  loiii' 
about  ours,  but  fell  on  without  using  the  ceremony  of  calling  the  rest  nt 
our  company,  which  would  have  been  no  entertainment  to  so  many — th< 
proverb  telling  ns,  "  The  fewer  the  better  cheer."     The  bones,  head, 
legs  and  inwards  were  agreed  to  bo  the  cooks'  fees ;  so  wo  gave  Goil  I 
thanks,  and  returned  to  our  friends  without  making  boast  of  our  good  j 
fortunes. 

Fortified  with  this  repast,  we  informed  ourselves  of  the  depth  of  water  i 
at  the  bar  of  tho  creek,  in  which  the  captain  seemed  satisfied,  and  madol 


'^'«^SSSS«S:T*»i3!5i 


'-'^M'ff^mmr^i' ' 


OOD. 

four  or  i'lvn  honi- 

I'liltrt  aloiii!  for  ;i 

ic'css.     VVIu-n  111' 

,S.  tliUIK^Iy.  tlli\t    hr 

that  tlwro  was  ;i 
li(!n  sli".  w.is  liflli' ; 
jijor  Morrison  IkkI 
\;  nml  that  !M;>jor 
ship^H  company  to 

1  tho  dcHifin  of  our 
Tho  (^nptain  was 
<  of  tho  pn88('n{,'or8 
1  Mate  Putts'  .jutlg- 
oinbarkcd  with  mo 
rH ;  ami  tlic  soaincn 
nds  boinjL'  very  w<',ll 
ooks,  at  tho  rato  of 
I  bo  on  shoro,  at  tlic 
quicken  mo  ;  inso- 
asion,  worn  no  morr 
sr  timo,  wouUl  have 
tho  darkness  of  the 
at  land,  which  were 
)ut  were  also  a  com- 
imc   near  thorn,  the 
)winR  north-west  on 
1,  and  had  rendered 
liverancc  to  us,  ufloi 
Major  Morrison  was 
ctinf^  mo  to  tiio  run- 
i  of  short  allowance. 
ty,  and  made  use  of 
nd  setting  my  mouth 
sty  stomach  without 
io  their  own  methods 
atest  pleasure  I  ever 

!lf,  and  his  kinsman, 
tho  cackling  of  wild 
oon  shining  bright  in 
V  over  us,  which  was 
die  we  walked  on  th*^ 
ng  a  small  stream,  wi' 
with  a  good  addition  I 
irts,  we  were  not  Ioiil' 
of  calling  the  rest  ot 
ment  to  so  many — thi 
."  The  bones,  head, 
ees ;  so  wo  gave  Goij 
ng  boast  of  our  gooil 

!  of  the  depth  of  watti 
led  satisfied,  and  made 


MISERY  UPON  A  DESERT  ISLAND, 


19 


shows,  in  all  his  deportment,  of  his  resolution  to  disclLtrgo  his  nliip  there, 
in  order  to  our  snl'ity.  'J'oward  break  of  day,  ho  askod  mo  in  my  ear, 
if  1  would  go  hack  with  him  on  board  tho  ship.  1  told  him  no;  bccauHU 
it  woulil  b(«  lultor  lost,  in  case  ho  would  persist  in  his  resolution  to  do 
what  III!  pretended ;  wliicli  he  ratified  again  by  protestations,  and  so  went 
olf  with  his  kinsman,  who  had  a  large,  coarse,  cloth  gown,  I  borrowed  of 
him  to  shelter  mo  from  the  sharjiost  cold  I  ever  felt.  No  sooner  had  thp 
captain  cleared  himself  of  the  shore,  but  the  day-break  made  mo  see  my 
error  in  not  closing  with  his  motion  in  my  ear.  The  first  objec^t  we  saw 
at  sea,  wau  the  ship  under  sail,  standing  for  the  Capes,  with  what  canvas 
could  bo  made  to  servo  the  turn.  It  was  a  very  heavy  prospect  to  us, 
who  remained,  wo  know  not  where,  on  shore,  to  see  ourselves  thus  aban- 
doned by  tho  ship ;  and  more,  to  be  forsaken  by  tho  boat,  so  contrary  to 
our  mutual  agreement.  Many  hours  of  hard  labor  and  toil  were  spent 
neforo  tho  boat  could  fetch  tho  ship;  and  tho  seamen,  whose  net  it  was 
to  set  sail  without  the  captain's  order,  (as  we  were  told  after.)  cared  not 
for  the  boat,  while  the  wind  was  largo  to  carry  them  to  tlie  Capes.  But 
Mate  Putts,  who  was  more  sober,  and  better  natured,  discovering  the 
Ijoat  from  tho  mizzentop,  lay  by  till  she  came  with  tho  captain  on  board. 

In  this  amazement  and  confusion  of  mind,  that  no  words  can  express, 
did  our  niiuerable,  distressed  party  condole  with  each  otlier,  on  our  being  so 
cruelly  abandoned,  and  left  to  the  last  despairs  of  human  life,  or,  indeed, 
of  ever  seeing  more  the  face  of  man.  We  entered  into  a  sad  consulta- 
tion what  course  to  take ;  and  having,  in  the  first  place,  by  united  prayers, 
implored  the  protection  of  Almighty  God,  and  recommending  our  miser- 
able state  to  the  same  Providence  which,  in  so  many  instances  of  mercy, 
had  been  propitious  to  us  at  sea:  the  whole  party  desired  me  to  be,  as  it 
were,  the  father  of  the  distressed  family,  to  advise  and  conduct  them  in 
all  things  I  thought  might  most  tend  to  our  preservation.  At  the  same 
time  I  quitted  the  ship,  my  servant,  Thomas  Harman,  a  Dutchman,  did, 
at  parting,  advertise  me,  (for  I  left  him  on  board  to  look  to  my  goods,) 
that  in  the  bundle  I  ordered  to  be  carried  with  me  onshore,  I  should  find 
about  thirty  biscuit  cakes,  which  he,  by  unparalleled  frugality,  had  saved 
out  of  his  own  belly,  in  tho  groat  dearth  and  scarcity  wo  lived  in.  The 
thoughts  of  these  biscuits  entering  upon  me  at  the  time  I  was  pressed  to 
accept  this  charge,  I  thought  myself  obliged,  in  christian  equity,  to  let  every 
one  partake  of  what  I  had ;  and  so,  dividing  the  bread  into  nineteen  parts, 
which  was  our  number,  perhaps  I  added  the  fraction  to  my  own  share. 

It  was,  to'  the  best  of  my  remembrance,  upon  the  6th  day  of  January, 
16fiO,  that  we  entered  into  this  method  of  life,  or  rather  into  an  orderly 
way  into  our  graves ;  since  nothing  but  tho  image  of  death  was  represented 
to  us.  But  that  we  might  use  our  utmost  endeavors  to  extract  aD 
the  good  we  could  out  of  those  evil  symptoms  that  every  way  seemed 
to  confound  us,  I  made  a  muster  of  the  most  able  bodies  for  arms  and 
labor;  and,  in  the  first  place,!  put  a  fowling-piece  into  every  man's 
hand  that  could  tell  how  to  use  it.  Among  the  rest,  a  young  gentleman, 
Mr.  Francis  Cary  by  name,  was  very  helpful  to  me  in  the  fatigue  and 
active  part  of  this  undertaking. 

All  our  woodmen  and  fowlers  had  powder  and  shot  given  them,  and 
some  geese  were  killed  for  supper.  Evening  came  on  apace,  and  our 
resolution  being  to  stay  one  night  more  in  these  quarters,  I  sent  my 
cousin,  Cary,  to  head  the  creeks,  and  make  what  discovery  he  could,  as 
he  passed  along  the  shore,  whether  of  Indians,  or  any  other  living 
creatures,  that  were  likely  to  relieve  our  wanta  or  end  our  days. 


"  ^^■•B'«**akwa^ 


*\' 


«'* 


m 


m 


90 


PK11IL0U3  VOYAOK  OK  CAPTAIN  NORWOOD. 


My  ronsiii  Cnry  was  not  ahuont  miirh  nliovn  nn  hour,  wlim  wo  naw 
him  rt'tnrri  in  ii  contrary  point  to  that  ho  Halliccl  out  upon.  Ilin  faco  wa.s 
clon(h>il  with  ill  news  \w  had  to  li'll  ns,  iiaimly,  that  w<>  woro  now 
rt'sidinfr  on  nn  iHlnnd  without  nny  inhahitants,  nnii  that  hi^  had  Hccn  its 
wholo  t'xtcnt,  Hurroundcii,  as  lii^  hciicvcd,  witli  water  deeper  than  hin 
head;  that  hit  had  not  Hoon  uny  nativo,  or  anything  in  human  »<liap(<,  in 
nil  his  round;  nor  nny  othor  crouturn  boxidi'  \\\v  t'owin  of  tho  nir,  which 
ho  wouhl,  but  could  not,  bring  unto  us.  Tiii.s  dismal  success,  of  so 
unsucco.ssful  a  nnturo,  startled  us  moro  than  any  single  niisfortuno  that 
had  befallen  us  nnd  was  like  to  plungo  us  into  utter  despair.  We  beheld 
each  other  as  miserable  wretches  sentenced  to  a  lingering  death,  no  man 
knowing  what  to  projmse  for  prolonging  life  nny  longer  than  he  was  able 
to  fast.  My  cousin,  Cnry,  was  gone  from  us  without  notice,  and  we  had 
reason,  from  what  followed,  to  bclicvo  ho  was  under  the  conduct  of  on 
angel;  for  wo  soon  saw  him  return  with  a  cheerful  look,  his  hands 
carrying  something  we  could  not  distinguish  by  any  name  nt  n  distance; 
but,  by  nearer  approach,  wo  wore  able  to  descry  they  wore  a  parcel  of 
oysters,  which  in  crossing  the  island,  as  ho  stepped  over  n  small  current  of 
water,  he  trod  upon  to  his  hurt;  but  laying  hands  on  whnt  he  felt  with 
his  foct,  and  pulling  it  witii  nil  his  force,  ho  found  himself  possessed  of 
this  booty  of  oysters,  which  grow  in  clusters,  nnd  were  contiguous  to  a 
large  bonk  of  tho  same  species,  that  was  our  staple  subsistence  wiiilo  we 
remained  there.  While  this  very  cold  scnson  continued,  great  flights  of 
fowl  frequented  tho  island — gocso,  ducks  and  curlieus ;  and  some  of  every 
sort  wc  killed  and  roasted  on  sticks,  eating  nil  but  tho  feathers.  It  was 
the  only  perquisite  belonging  to  my  place  of  preference  to  tho  rest,  that 
tho  right  of  carving  was  annexed  to  it ;  wherein,  if  1  was  partial  to  my 
own  interest,  it  was  in  cutting  the  wing  as  largo  and  full  of  meat  as 
possible,  whereas  tho  rest  was  measured  out,  as  it  were,  with  scale  and 
compass.  But,  as  the  wind  veered  to  the  southward,  we  had  greater 
warmth  and  fewer  fowl ;  for  they  would  then  bo  gone  to  cohlcr  climates. 
In  their  absence  we  were  confined  to  the  oyster-bank,  and  a  sort  of  weed, 
iomc  four  inches  long,  as  thick  as  house  leek,  nnd  the  only  green  (except 
pines)  that  tho  island  afTorded.  It  was  very  insipid  on  tho  palate,  but 
being  boiled  with  a  little  pepper,  of  which  one  had  brought  a  pound  on 
shore,  and  helped  with  five  or  six  oysters,  it  became  a  regale  for  every 
one  in  turn. 

In  quartering  our  family  we  observed  the  decency  of  distinguishing 
sexes.  We  made  a  small  hut  for  the  poor  weak  women  to*  be  by  them- 
selves. Our  cabin  for  men  was  of  the  same  fashion,  but  much  more 
spacious,  as  our  numbers  were.  One  morning,  in  walking  on  the  shore 
by  the  seaside,  with  a  long  gun  in  my  hand,  loaded  with  small  shot,  I 
fired  at  a  great  flight  of  small  birds,  called  oxeyes,  and  made  great  slaugh- 
ter among  them,  which  gave  refreshment  to  all  our  company.  But  this 
harvest  had  a  shon  end ;  and  as  the  weather,  by  its  warmth,  chased  the 
fowl  to  tho  north,  our  hunger  grew  keener  upon  us;  and,  in  fine,  all  the 
strength  that  remained  unto  us  was  employed  in  a  heartless  struggle  to 
spin  out  life  a  little  longer ;  for  we  still  deemed  ourselves  doomed  to  die 
by  famine,  from  whose  sharpest  and  most  immediate  darts,  though  we 
seemed  to  be  rescued  for  a  small  time,  by  meeting  these  contingent 
helps  on  shore,  yet  still  we  apprehended  (and  that  on  too  great  proba- 
bility) they  only  served  to  reprieve  us  for  a  little  longer  day  of  cxecn- 
tion,  with  all  the  dreadful  circumstances  of  a  lingering  death:  for  the 
south-west  winds,  that  had  carried  away  the  fowl,  brought  store  of  rain, 


rya?r".>V^'VvJ5j:^^flyn?y5::tr>V' 


vnoD. 

»ur,  wli*"!!  wo  naw 
lon.  llirt  I'liio  wn:« 
liiit  w<'  wcri!  now 
lilt  ho  liml  HtM'n  its 
r  (IccpfT  tliiiii  hid 
11  human  »\m\»',  iu 
of  tlio  iiir,  which 

Ual    HUCCCSH,    of    BO 

\vi  uiinforlunii  tliat 
Hpair.  VVc  behold 
rin^  death,  no  man 
;r  tlian  ho  was  ahio 
notice,  and  wo  had 

tho  conduct  of  an 
ill  look,  his  hands 
name  at  a  distance  ; 
•y  worn  a  parcel  of 
(r  a  small  current  of 

what  ho  felt  with 
imsclf  possessed  of 
Dro  contiguous  to  a 
ubsistenco  wliilo  we 
jcd,  great  fliglits  of 
I ;  and  some  of  every 
,0  feathers.  It  was 
ICO  to  the  rest,  that 

1  was  partial  to  my 
and  full  of  meat  as 
'oro,  with  scale  and 
ird,  we  had  groator 
c  to  colder  climates. 
,  and  a  sort,  of  weed, 
B  only  green  (except 
on  the  palate,  but 
Drought  a  pound  on 

10  a  regale  for  every 

icy  of  distinguishing 
imen  to*  bo  by  them- 
ion,  but  much  more 
valking  on  the  shore 
id  with  small  shot,  I 
d  made  great  slaugh- 
company.     But  this 
warmth,  chased  the 
,  and,  in  fine,  all  the 
heartless  struggle  to 
selves  doomed  to  die 
ate  darts,  though  we 
ing  these  contingent 
t  on  too  great  proba- 
longer  day  of  execu- 
rering  death:  for  the 
irought  store  of  rain, 


THE  LIV1N(»  KKKD  UI'ON  THE  DEAD. 


91 


I  spring-tido,  our  rhiof  magaaino,  the  oyxtor-ljank, 
M  thfy   hocnme  more  ai'ce:4!*ihlc,  our  liodicM  also 


which,  mnoting  wifli 
was  ovorllown ;  und, 

decayed  so  sciisilily.  that  W"  <'<>i,|rl  Intnlly  pull  thetii  out  of  the  muddy 
beds  they  gri-w  oil,  ikuI  froui  <  »  i  "•  forward  we  rarely  saw  llie  fowl; 
lliey  now  gr<'w  shy,  iind  kept  aloof  ,\v  ii  they  saw  us  cdiilrivitig  against 
their  lives.  A(|d  to  this,  nnt  fltms,  mofli  (d*  them  iiiitixcd  and  out  of 
oriler,  and  our  pow^<  r  much  (ientyf'f) ;  insomuch,  that  nothing  did  now 
remain  to  prolong  lilr,  but  what  is  cuuAi  il  rather  sauce  to  wliet,  than 
sulistance  to  satisfy  the  a|/jietitO.  I  mean  llie  oV°*''r3.  which  wero  not 
easily  goll 'u  by  our  cra/y  l>u(iies,  at\er  the  ijuantity  wa?  M|»'nt  that  lay 
most  commodious  to  be  n-ached,  and  which  had  fed  us  for  the  first  six 
days  wo  had  been  on  the  island. 

Uf  the  lliree  weak  women  Ix'foro  mentioned,  on  had  the  envied  hap- 
piness to  die  about  this  time ;  and  it  was  my  advice  to  the  survivors,  who 
were  following  her  apace,  to  cudoavor  their  own  preservation  by  con- 
verting her  dead  carcass  into  food;  as  they  did  to  good  ctfect.  The  samo 
counsel  was  embraced  by  those  of  our  sex.  The  living  fed  upon  the 
dead  ;  four  of  our  company  having  the  happiness  to  end  their  misi^rablo 

lives  on  .Sunday  night,  the day  of  January.     Their  chief  distemper, 

it  is  true,  was  hunger ;  but  it  pleased  God  to  hasten  the  exit  by  an 
immoderate  access  of  cold,  caused  by  a  most  terrible  storm  of  hail  and 
Hiiow,  at  noith-west,  on  the  Sunday  aforesaid,  which  not  only  dispatched 
those  four  to  their  long  homes,  but  sorely  threatened  all  that  remained 
alive,  to  perish  by  the  samo  fate.  Great  was  the  toil  that  lay  on  my 
hands,  as  the  strongest  to  labor,  to  get  fuel  together  sutlicient  for  our 
preservation.  In  the  first  place,  I  divested  myself  of  my  great  gown, 
which  1  spread  at  large,  and  extended  against  the  wind,  in  lieu  of  a 
screen,  having  first  shilled  our  quarters  to  the  most  calm,  commodious 
place  that  could  be  found,  to  keep  us  as  much  as  possible  from  the 
inelemeiH  y  of  that  prodigious  storm.  Under  the  shelter  of  this  traverse, 
I  took  as  many  of  my  comrades  as  could  be  comprehended  in  so  small  a 
space  ;  wiiereas,  those  who  could  not  partake  of  that  accommodation, 
and  were  unable  to  make  provision  for  themselves,  were  forced  to  sufi'er 
for  it ;  and  it  was  remarkable,  that  notwithstanding  all  the  provision  that 
could  possibly  be  made  against  the  sharpness  of  this  cold,  either  by  a 
well  burning  fire,  consisting  of  two  or  three  loads  of  wood,  or  shelter  of 
this  great  gown  to  the  windward,  we  could  not  be  warm.  That  side  of 
our  wearing  clothes  was  singed  and  burnt,  which  lay  toward  the  flames, 
while  the  other  side,  that  was  from  the  fire,  became  frozen  and  congealed. 
Those  who  lay  to  the  leeward  of  the  flame  could  not  stay  long  to  enjoy 
the  warmth  so  necessary  to  life,  but  were  forced  to  quit  and  be  gone,  to 
avoid  sufibcation  by  the  smoke  and  flame. 

When  the  day  appeared,  and  the  sun  got  out  to  dissipate  the  clouds, 
with  downcast  looks  and  dejected,  the  survivors  of  us  entered  into  a 
final  deliberation  of  what  remained  to  be  done  on  our  parts,  beside  our 
prayers  to  Almighty  God,  to  spin  out  a  little  longer  time  of  life,  and  wait 
a  further  Providence  from  heaven  for  our  better  relief.  There  were  still 
some  hands  that  retained  vigor,  though  not  in  proportion  to  those 
diflicuUies  we  were  to  encounter,  which  humanly  did  seem  insuperable. 
Major  Morrison,  on  whose  counsel  I  had  reason  to  rely  most,  was 
extremely  decayed  in  his  strength,  his  legs  not  being  able  to  support  him. 
It  was  a  wonderful  mercy  that  mine  remained  in  competent  strength,  for 
our  common  good,  which  I  resolved,  by  God's  help,  to  employ  for  that 
end  to  the  last  gasp.    In  this  last  resolution  we  hod  to  make,  I  could  not 


f 


fiili 


32  PERILOUS  VOYAGE  OF  CAPTAIN  NORWOOD. 

think  on  :inytliiD<,'  worthy  my  proposal,  but  by  an  attempt  to  cross  the 
creek,  ami  swim  to  the  main,  whicii  was  not  above  a  hundred  yards  over; 
and,  l)eini,'  there,  to  coast  along  the  woods  to  the  south-west,  wiiicli  was 
tiic  l)('urin<r  of  Virginia,  until  I  should  meet  Indians,  wiio  would  either 
relieve  or  destroy  us.  To  fortify  me  for  this  expedition,  it  was  ncces- 
siu y  lli.it  some  provision  should  be  made  for  a  daily  support  to  me  in 
this  my  peregrination.  Our  choice  was  small ;  our  only  friend,  the  oyster- 
bank,  was  all'  we  had  to  rely  on,  which,  being  well  stev  ed  in  their 
own  liquor,  and  put  up  in  bottles,  I  made  no  doubt,  by  God's  blessing, 
but  tliat  two  of  th(?m,  well  filled,  would  suffice  to  prolong  my  life,  in 
moderate  strength,  until  I  had  obtained  my  end.  To  accomplish  this 
design,  my  cousin  Cary  labored  hard  for  oysters,  hoping  to  make  one 
in  the  adventure. 

January  14.  About  the  ninth  day  of  our  being  in  the  island,  I  fell  *o 
my  oyster  cookery,  and  made  a  progress  that  very  day.  When  in  the 
heat  of  my  labor,  my  cousin  Cary  brought  me  word,  that  he  had  just 
ID  that  instant  seen  Indians  walking  on  the  main.  I  suspended  my 
cookery  out  of  hand,  and  hastened,  with  all  possible  speed,  to  be  an  eye- 
witness of  that  happy  intelligence ;  but  with  all  the  haste  I  could  make,  I 
could  see  no  such  things,  but  judged  it  a  chimera  that  proceeded  from 
some  operation  in  my  cousin's  fancy,  who  was  more  than  ordinary  of  a 
sanguine  nature,  whicli  made  him  see  as  it  were,  by  enchantment,  things 
that  were  not,  liaving  many  times  been  deluded,  as  I  judged,  by  the 
same  deception. 

Defeated  in  this  manner  of  my  hopes  to  see  Indians,  without  the  pains 
of  seeking  them,  I  returned  to  my  work,  and  continued  at  it  till  one 
bottle  was  full,  and  myself  tired ;  therefore,  that  I  might  bo  a  little 
recreated,  I  took  a  gun  in  my  hand,  and,  hearing  the  noise  of  geese  on 
the  shore,  1  approached  them  privately,  and  had  the  good  fortune  to  be 
the  death  of  one.  This  goose,  now  in  my  possession,  without  witnesses, 
I  resolved  to  eat  alone,  deducting  the  head,  bones,  guts,  etc.,  which 
were  the  cooks  fees,  hoping  thereby  to  be  much  the  better  enabled  to 
swim  the  creek,  and  perform  the  work  I  had  upon  my  hands.  1  hung 
my  goose  upon  the  twist  of  a  tree,  in  a  shrubby  part  of  wood,  while  I 
went  to  call  our  cook,  with  his  broach  and  a  coal  of  fire,  to  begin  the 
roast.  But  when  we  came  to  the  place  of  execution,  my  goose  was 
gone  all  but  the  herd,  the  body  stolen  by  wolves,  which,  the  Indians  told 
us  afler,  abound  greatly  in  that  island. 

The  loss  of  this  goose,  which  my  empty  stomach  looked  for  with  no 
small  hopes  of  satisfaction,  did  vex  me  heartily.  I  wished  I  could  have 
taken  the  thief  of  my  goose,  to  have  served  him  the  same  kind,  and  to 
have  taken  my  revenge  in  the  law  of  retaliation.  But  that  which  trou- 
bled me  more,  was  an  apprehenson  that  came  into  my  mind,  that  thin 
had  been  the  cflect  of  divine  justice  on  me,  for  designing  to  deal 
unequally  with  the  rest  of  my  fellow-sufferers,  which  I  thought,  at  first 
blush,  looked  like  a  breach  of  trust ;  but  then  again,  when  I  considered 
the  equity  of  the  thing,  that  I  did  it  merely  to  enable  myself  to  attain  their 
preservation,  and  which  otherwise  I  could  not  have  done,  I  found  I  could 
absolve  myself  from  any  guilt  of  that  kind.  Whatever  I  suffered  from 
this  disappointment,  the  cook  lost  not  all  his  fees  ;  the  head  and  neck 
remained  for  him  on  the  tree.  Being  thus  overreached  by  the  wolf,  it 
was  time  to  return  to  my  cookery,  in  order  to  my  sally  out  of  the  island 
for  I  had  little  confidence  in  the  notice  frequently  brought  me,  of  more 
and  more  Indiana  seen  on  the  other  side,  since  my  own  eyes  could  never 


m(mm*mi>'-,"mif:mmsi»^^sm^^- 


OOD. 

jinpt  to  cross  the 
iiulicd  yards  over ; 
h-\vest,  wliich  wan 
who  would  either 
ion,  it  was  necos- 
support  to  me  in 
friend,  tiio  oyster- 
l  staved  in  their 
jy  God's  blessing, 
rolong  my  life,  in 
'o  accomplish  this 
ping  to  make  one 

he  island,  I  fell  'o 
ay.  When  in  the 
,  that  he  had  just 
I  suspended  my 
>eed,  to  be  an  eye- 
3te  I  could  make,  I 
at  proceeded  from 
than  ordinary  of  a 
nchantment,  things 
1  I  judged,  by  the 

(,  without  the  pains 
nued  at  it  till  one 
[  might  be  a  little 
noise  of  geese  on 
good  fortune  to  be 
,  without  witnesses, 
,  guts,  etc.,  which 
I  better  enabled  to 
my  hands.  1  hung 
t  of  wood,  while  I 
f  fire,  to  begin  the 
ion,  my  goose  was 
ch,  the  Indians  told 

looked  for  with  no 
vished  I  could  have 
3  same  kind,  and  to 
lut  that  which  trou- 
my  mind,  that  tliif 
designing  to  deal 
h  I  thought,  at  first 
,  when  1  considered 
nyself  to  attain  their 
one,  I  found  I  could 
ver  I  suffered  from 
the  head  and  neck 
ched  by  the  wolf,  it 
ly  out  of  the  island 
irought  me,  of  more 
»wn  eyes  could  never 


FRIENDLY  VISITORS.  o.-j 

bear  witness  of  their  being  there.  The  next  morning,  being  the  ninth  or 
tenth  of  our  being  tliere,  I  fell  to  work  afre.sh,  iioping  to  bo  ready  to 
begin  my  journey  that  day;  and,  being  very  busy,  intoiligcnco  wa.s 
brought  liiat  a  canoe  was  seen  to  lie  on  the  broken  ground  to  the  south 
of  our  i^sland,  which  was  not  discovered  till  now  since  our  being  tiiere  ; 
l)ut  this  1  thouglit  might  be  a  mistake,  cast  in  the  same  mold  of  many 
otiiers.  tiiiit  had  deceived  those  discoverers,  who  fancied  all  tilings  real 
according  to  their  own  wishes.  But  when  it  was  told  me  that  Indians 
had  been  at  the  poor  women's  cabin  in  the  night,  and  had  given  thcni 
shellfish  to  eat,  that  was  a  demonstration  of  reality  beyond  all  suspicion. 
I  went  immediately  to  be  informed  from  themselves,  and  they  both 
avowed  it  for  truth,  showing  the  shells,  the  like  whereof  I  ncvoi  had 
seen ;  and  this  I  took  for  proof  of  what  they  had  said.  The  farther 
account  tiiat  these  women  gave  of  the  Indians,  was,  that  they  pointed  to 
the  south-east  with  their  hands,  which  they  knew  not  how  to  interpret; 
but  imagined,  by  their  several  gestures,  they  would  be  with  them  again 
to-morrow.  Their  pointing  to  the  south-east  was  like  to  bo  the  time 
they  would  come,  meaning  nine  o'clock  to  be  their  hour,  where  the  sun 
will  be  at  that  time. 

This  news  gave  us  all  new  life,  almo.st  working  miracles  among  us. 
by  making  those  who  desponded,  and  totally  yielded  themselves  up  to 
the  weight  of  despair,  and  lay  down  with  an  intent  never  to  rise  again, 
to  take  up  their  beds  and  walk.  This  friendly  charitable  visit  of  tlit- 
Indians  also  put  a  stop  to  my  preparations  to  seek  them,  who  had  so 
humanely  prevented  me,  by  their  ways,  seeking  to  preserve  and  save 
our  lives.  Instead  of  those  preparations  for  my  march,  which  had  cost 
me  so  much  pains,  I  passed  my  time  now  in  contriving  the  fittest  postun; 
our  present  condition  would  allow  us  to  put  on,  when  these  angels  of 
light  should  appear  again  with  the  glad  tidings  of  our  relief;  and  the 
result  was,  that  every  able  man  should  have  his  gun  lying  by  his  side, 
lop'led  with  shot,  and  as  fit  for  use  as  possible,  but  not  to  bo  hai;dlc(l 
ulless  the  Indians  came  to  us  like  enemies,  which  was  very  unlikely, 
the  premises  considered,  and  then  to  sell  our  lives  at  as  dear  a  rate 
as  wc  could.  But  if  they  came  in  an  amicable  posture,  then  would  we 
meet  them  unarmed,  cheerfully ;  which  the  Indians  like,  and  hate  to  see 
a  melancholy  face.  Scouts  were  sent  out  to  the  right  and  loft  hands, 
without  discovery  of  anybody  all  the  forenoon ;  and  then,  considering 
our  case  admitted  no  delay,  I  began  to  resume  my  former  resolution  of 
swimming  to  them  that  would  not  come  to  us.  But  how  wholesome 
soever  this  counsel  might  seem  in  itself,  it  was  most  diflicult  to  be  put 
in  practice;  in  regard  of  the  cold  time. 

The  northerly  wind,  that  in  these  climates  blows  very  cold  in  the 
heat  of  summer,  much  more  distempers  the  air  in  the  winter  season, 
(as  our  poor  comrades  felt  that  Sunday  night  to  their  cost,)  and  sent 
so  cold  a  gale  upon  the  surface  of  water  in  the  creek  I  was  to  pass,  that, 
in  the  general  opinion  of  all  concerned,  it  was  not  a  thing  to  be  attempted, 
and  that  if  I  did,  I  must  surely  perish  in  the  act.  I  w  as  easily  persuaded 
to  forbear  an  action  so  dangerous;  and  the  rather,  because  I  verily 
bei'jvcd  the  Indians  would  bring  us  off,  if  our  patience  would  hold  out. 

About  the  hour  of  two  or  three  o'clock,  it  pleased  God  to  ciiange  the 
face  of  our  condition  for  the  best ;  for  while  I  was  busy  at  the  lire  in 
preparations  to  wait  on  them,  I  discovered  the  Indians,  who  had  placed 
themselves  behind  a  very  great  tree;  their  faces  wore  most  cheerful  smiles; 
they  were  without  any  kind  of  arms,  or  appearances  of  evil  design  ;  the 


iiiiinwP 


24 


PERILOUS  VOYAGE  OF  CAPTAIN  NORWOOD. 


whole  number  of  them,  perhaps  twenty  or  thirty  in  all,  consisting  of  men 
women,  and  children ;  all  that  could  speak  accosting  us  with  joyful 
countenance,  shaking  hands  with  everyone  they  met.  The  words,  "ny 
tap,"  often  repeated  by  them,  made  ua  believe  they  bore  a  friendly 
signification,  as  they  were  soon  interpreted  to  signify,  my  friend.  After 
many  salutations,  and  "ny  taps,"  interchanged,  the  night  approaching, 
we  fell  to  parley  with  each  other ;  but  performed  it  in  signs  more  con- 
founded and  unintelligible  than  any  other  conversation  I  ever  met  withal ; 
as  hard  to  be  interpreted  as  if  they  had  expressed  their  thoughts  in  the 
Hebrew  or  Chaldean  tongues.  They  did  me  the  honor  to  make  all 
applications  to  me,  as  being  of  largest  dimensions,  and  equipped  in  a 
camlet  coat,  glittering  with  galoon  lace  of  gold  and  silver.  The  ears 
of  Indian  corn  they  gave  us  for  present  sustenance,  needed  no  other 
interpreter  to  let  them  know  how  much  more  acceptable  it  was  to  us 
than  the  sight  of  dead  and  living  corpses,  which  raised  great  compassion 
in  them,  especially  in  the  women,  who  are  observed  to  be  of  a  soft,  tender 
nature.  One  of  them  made  me  a  present  of  the  leg  of  a  swan,  which  I 
ate  as  privately  as  it  was  given  me ;  and  thought  it  so  much  the  more 
excellent  by  how  much  it  was  larger  than  the  greatest  limb  of  any  fowl  I 
ever  saw. 

The  Indians  stayed  with  us  about  two  hours,  and  parted  not  without  a 
new  appointment  to  see  us  again  the  next  day,  and  the  hour  we  were  to 
expect  them,  by  their  pointing  to  the  sun,  was  to  be  at  two  o^clock  in 
the  afternoon.  I  made  the  chief  of  them  presents  of  ribbon,  and  other 
slight  trade  which  they  loved,  designing,  by  mutual  endearment,  to  let 
them  see  it  would  gratify  their  interest,  as  well  as  their  charity,  to  treat 
us  well.  Ila-na  haw,  was  their  parting  word,  which  is,  farewell ;  pointing 
again  to  the  place  where  the  sun  would  be  at  our  next  meeting.  We 
took  leave  in  their  own  words,  Ha-na  haw.  The  going  away  of  the 
Indians  and  leaving  us  behind,  was  a  separation  hard  to  be  borne  by  our 
hungry  company,  who,  nevertheless,  had  received  a  competent  quantity 
of  corn  and  bread  to  keep  us  till  they  returned  to  do  better  things  for 
our  relief.  We  did  not  fail  to  give  glory  to  God  for  our  approaching 
deliverance;  and  the  joy  we  conceived  in  our  minds,  in  the  sense  of  so 
great  a  mercy,  kept  us  awake  all  the  night,  and  was  a  cordial  to  the  sick 
and  weak,  to  recover  their  health  and  strength.  The  delay  of  the 
Indians  coming  next  day,  beyond  their  set  time,  we  thought  an  age  of 
tedious  years.  At  two  o'clock  we  had  no  news  of  them  ;  but,  by  attending 
their  own  time,  with  a  little  patience,  we  might  see  a  considerable  number 
of  them,  men,  women,  and  children,  all  about  our  huts,  with  recruits  of 
liread  and  corn  to  stop  every  mouth.  Many  of  them  desired  beads,  and 
little  truck  they  use  to  deal  in,  as  exchange  for  what  they  gave  us,  and 
wo  as  freely  gave  them  what  we  had  brought  on  shore.  But  to  such  of 
us  as  gave  them  nothing,  the  Indians  failed  not,  however,  to  give  them 
bread  for  nothing. 

One  old  man  of  their  company,  who  seemed,  by  the  preference  they 
gave  him,  to  be  the  most  considerable  of  their  party,  applied  himself  to 
inc,  by  gestures  and  signs,  to  learn  something,  if  possible,  of  our  country, 
unci  occasions  of  the  sad  posture  he  saw  us  in,  to  the  end  that  he  might 
inform  his  master,  the  king  of  Kickotank,  on  whose  territories  we  stood, 
and  dispose  him  to  succor  us  as  we  had  need.  I  made  return  to  him,  in 
many  vain  words,  and  as  many  significant  signs  as  himself  had  made  to 
me,  and  neither  of  us  one  jot  the  wiser.  The  several  nonplusses  we 
both  were  at  in  striving  to  be  better  understood,  afforded  so  little  of 


i 


UN  Ml  J    I     ,W     ■     ■    I^.IHI^.^ 


iisisting  of  men 
us  with  joyful 
rhe  words,  "ny 
bore  a  friendly 
friend.  After 
it  approaching, 
igns  more  con- 
ver  met  withal ; 
thoughts  in  the 
lor  to  make  all 
I  equipped  in  a 
ver.  The  ears 
eeded  no  other 
le  it  was  to  us 
reat  compassion 
of  a  soft,  tender 
a  swan,  which  I 
much  the  more 
nb  of  any  fowl  I 

ed  not  without  a 
lour  we  were  to 
,  two  o'clock  in 
ibbon,  and  other 
dearmcnt,  to  let 

charity,  to  treat 
rewell ;  pointing 
t  meeting.  We 
ng  away  of  the 
be  borne  by  our 
mpetent  quantity 
better  things  for 
our  approaching 

the  sense  of  so 
Drdial  to  the  sick 
he  delay  of  the 
jught  an  age  of 
but,  by  attending 
jiderable  number 
,  with  recruits  of 
sired  beads,  and 
hey  gave  us,  and 

But  to  such  of 
ver,  to  give  them 

preference  they 
jplied  himself  to 
3,  of  our  country, 
nd  that  he  might 
ritorics  we  stood, 
return  to  him,  in 
self  had  made  to 
il  nonplusses  we 
rdcd  so  little  of 


A  HOSPITABLE  RECEPTION. 


25 


edification  to  either  party,  that  our  time  was  almost  spent  in  vain.  It 
came  at  last  into  my  iiead,  that  I  had  long  since  read  Mr.  Smith's  Travels 
through  those  parts  of  America,  and  that  the  word  Wurowancc,  a  word 
frequently  pronounced  by  the  old  man,  was,  in  llnglish,  the  king.  Tliat 
word,  spoken  by  me,  with  strong  emphasis,  together  with  tlie  motions  of 
my  body,  speaking  my  desires  of  going  to  him,  was  very  pleasing  to 
the  old  man  ;  who,  thereupon,  embraced  me  with  more  than  common 
kindness,  and  by  all  demonstrations  of  satisfaction,  showed  that  he 
understood  my  meaning.  This  one  word  was  all  the  Indian  I  could 
speak,  wiiich,  like  a  little  armor  well  placed,  contributed  to  the  saving 
of  our  lives.  In  order  to  what  was  next  to  be  done,  he  took  me  by  the 
hand,  and  led  me  to  the  seaside,  where  I  embarked  with  himself  and 
oiie  more  Indian,  in  a  canoe,  that  had  brought  him  there ;  which  the 
third  man  rowed  over  to  that  broken  ground,  where,  not  long  before,  we 
made  discovery  of  a  canoe  newly  laid  there  ;  and,  as  they  told  us,  was 
lodged  there  on  purpose  to  be  ready  for  our  transport,  at  such  time  as 
they  thouglit  fit  to  fetch  us  oflT:  and  the  reason  of  tlieir  taking  me  with 
them,  was  to  help  to  launch  this  weighty  embarkation,  whicij  was  very 
heavy  for  its  proportion ;  as  being  made  of  the  body  of  an  oak  or  pine, 
some  twenty-two  feet  in  length,  hollowed  like  a  pigs'  trough,  which  is 
the  true  description  of  a  canoe.  The  manner  of  its  being  put  into  motion 
is  very  particular :  the  laborers,  with  long  brooms,  place  their  feet  on 
the  starboard  and  larboard  sides  of  the  boat,  and  with  this  fickle  footing 
do  they  heave  it  forward. 

The  canoes  being  fitted  to  take  us  in,  and  waft  us  to  the  main,  I  made 
a  fair  muster  of  the  remnant  we  had  to  carry  off;  and  found  we  want'  d 
six  of  the  number  we  brought  on  shore ;  viz.  four  men,  and  two  women. 
Five  of  those  six,  we  knew  were  dead;  but  missing  one  of  our  living 
women,  we  made  the  Indians  understand  the  same;  who  as  readily 
made  us  know  that  she  was  in  their  thoughts,  and  should  be  cared  for, 
as  soon  as  we  were  settled  in  our  quarters.  In  passing  the  creek  that 
was  to  lead  us  to  an  honest  fisherman's  house,  we  entered  a  branch  of  it 
to  the  southward,  that  was  the  road  way  to  it.  Tlie  tide  was  going  out, 
and  the  water  very  shoal ;  which  gave  occasion  to  any  one  that  had  a 
knife,  to  treat  himself  with  oysters  all  the  way.  At  the  head  of  that 
branch,  we  were  able,  in  a  short  time,  to  discover  that  haven  of  happiness, 
where  our  most  courteous  host,  with  a  cheerful  countenance,  received 
and  entertained  us.  Several  fires  were  kindled  out  of  hand,  our  arms  and 
powder  were  laid  up  in  safety,  and  divers  earthen  pipkins  were  put  to 
l)oil,  with  such  varieties  as  the  season  would  afford.  Everybody  had 
something  or  other  to  defend  and  save  them  from  the  cold ;  and  my  obli- 
gation to  him,  by  a  peculiar  care  that  he  had  of  me,  exceeded  all  the 
rest;  I  had  one  entire  side  of  the  fire,  with  a  large  platform  to  repose  on, 
to  myself,  furs  and  deer-skins  to  cover  my  body  and  support  my  head, 
with  a  priority  of  respect  and  friendly  usage;  whicii,to  my  great  trouble, 
I  was  not  able  to  deserve  at  his  hands,  by  any  requital  then  in  my  power 
to  return. 

I  can  never  sufficiently  applaud  the  humanity  of  this  Indian ;  nor  ex- 
press the  high  contentment  that  I  enjoyed  in  this  poor  man's  cottaire, 
which  was  made  of  nothing  but  mats  and  reeds,  and  bark  of  trees  fixed" to 
polos.  It  had  a  loveliness  of  symmetry  in  the  air  of  it,  so  pleasing  to  the 
eye  and  refreshing  to  the  mind,  that  neither  the  splendor  of  the  Escurial, 
nor  the  glorious  appearance  of  Versailles,  were  able  to  stand  in  compe- 
tition with  it.     We  had  a  boiled  swan  for  supper,  which  gave  plentiful 


a«it»«  i»*j|jcwi^>.». 


it) 


PERILOUS  VOYAGE  OF  CAPTAIN  NORWOOD. 


jjji 


m 


repast  to  all  our  upper  mesa.  Our  bodies  thuH  refroHhed  with  moat  ami 
sleep,  coinfortcd  with  fires,  and  secured  Irom  nil  the  ciianfres  and  inclem 
encies  of  that  sliarp,  piercing  cold  season,  wo  thouftht  the  morning, 
thouirji  clad  in  siinHliinc,  did  not  come  too  fust  upon  us.  Breakfast  was 
liberally  provided,  and  soon  set  before  us,  our  arms  faitiifully  delivered 
up  to  my  order  for  carriages;  and  thus,  in  readiness  to  set  forward,  we 
j)ut  ourselves  in  a  posture  to  proceed  to  the  place  where  the  king  resided. 
The  woman  left  behind  at  the  island,  had  bee?;  well  looked  to,  and  was 
now  brought  off  to  the  care  of  her  comrade  that  came  with  us ;  neither 
of  them  in  a  condition  to  take  a  journey:  but  they  were  carefully  attended 
and  nourished  in  this  poor  man's  house  till  such  time  as  boats  camo  to 
fetch  them  to  Virginia;  where  they  soon  arrived  in  perfect  health,  and 
lived  (one,  or  both  of  them,)  to  be  well  married,  and  to  bear  children,  and 
to  subsist  in  as  plentiful  a  condition  as  they  could  wish.  In  beginning 
our  journey  through  the  woods,  we  had  not  advanced  half  a  mile,  till  we 
lieard  a  great  noise  of  men's  voices  directed  to  meet  and  stop  our  further 
passage.  These  were  several  Indians,  sent  by  the  king  to  order  us 
back  to  our  quarters.  The  good-natured  king  being  informed  of  our 
bodily  weakness,  and  inability  to  walk  through  the  woods  to  his  house 
on  foot,  (which  might  be  about  four  miles  distant  from  our  setting  out,) 
iiud  a  real  tenderness  for  us,  and  sent  canoes  to  carry  us  to  the  place 
nearest  his  house  by  the  favor  of  another  branch  of  the  same  creek: 
and  to  the  end  we  might  take  no  vain  steps,  as  we  were  going  to  do,  and 
exhaust  our  strength  to  no  purpose,  those  Indians  made  this  noise  to  stop 
us.  We  entered  the  canoes  that  were  manned  and  lay  ready  to  receive 
us.  We  had  a  pleasant  passage  m  the  shallow  water,  and  ate  oysters  all 
the  way:  for  although  the  breakfast  we  had  newly  made,  might  well 
excuse  a  longer  abstinence  than  we  were  like  to  be  put  to,  our  arrcar  to 
our  stomachs  was  so  great,  that  all  we  swallowed  was  soon  concocted 
and  our  appetite  still  fresh  and  craving  more. 

Having  passed  this  new  course  for  some  three  English  miles  in 
another  branch  of  the  creek,  our  landing  place  was  contrived  to  be  near 
the  house  of  the  queen,  then  in  waiting.  She  was  a  very  plain  lady  to 
see,  not  young,  nor  yet  ill-favored.  Her  complexion  was  of  a  red 
white,  but  tho  measures  of  beauty  in  those  parts  where  they  arc  exposed 
to  the  scorching  sun  from  their  infancy,  are  not  taken  from  red  and  white, 
but  from  colors  that  better  lie  upon  their  tawny  skins.  The  beauty  of 
this  q)ieeii'»  mind,  which  is  more  permanent  than  that  of  color,  was 
conspicuous  in  her  charity  and  generosity  to  us  poor  starved  weather- 
beaten  creatures,  who  were  the  objects  of  it.  A  mat  was  spread  without 
the  house,  upon  the  ground,  furnished  with  pone,  hominy,  oysters,  and 
other  things.  The  queen  made  us  sit  down  and  eat,  with  gestures  that 
showed  more  courtesy  than  majesty;  but  spoke  as  hearty  ■welcome 
as  could  in  silence  be  expected:  and  these  were  the  graces  that,  in  our 
opinion,  transcended  all  other  beauties  in  the  world;  and  abundantly 
supplied  all  defects  of  outward  appearances  in  the  person  and  garb  of  the 
(jucen. 

When  this  collation  of  the  queen's  was  at  an  end,  we  took  leave  of 
her  majesty,  with  all  the  shows  of  gratitude  that  silence  knew  how  to 
utter.  We  were  now  within  half  an  hour's  walk  of  the  king's  mansion, 
which  we  soon  discovered  by  the  smoke,  and  saw  it  was  made  of  the 
same  stuff  with  the  other  houses  from  which  we  had  newly  parted, 
namely,  of  mat  and  reed.  Locust  posts  sunk  in  the  ground  at  corners 
and  partitions,  were  the  strength  of  the  whole  fabric.     The  roof  was  tied 


1  with  moat  and 
[nc.a  and  inclem 
it  the  morning, 
Brealcfast  was 
lifuliy  delivered 
set  forward,  we 
he  king  resided, 
iked  to,  and  was 
vilh  us ;  neither 
irefully  attended 
as  boats  came  to 
feet  health,  and 
3ar  children,  and 
1.  In  beginning 
ilf  a  mile,  till  we 
1  stop  our  further 
ing  to  order  us 
informed  of  our 
ids  to  his  house 
our  setting  out,) 

us  to  the  place 
the  same  creek: 

going  to  do,  and 
Ihis  noise  to  stop 

ready  to  receive 
nd  ate  oysters  all 
lade,  might  well 
to,  our  arrear  to 
I  soon  concocted 

English  miles  in 
trived  to  be  near 
ery  plain  lady  to 
n  was  of  a  red 
they  arc  exposed 
m  red  and  white. 
The  beauty  of 
uat  of  color,  was 
starved  weather- 
as  spread  without 
niny,  oysters,  and 
vith  gestures  that 
hearty  welcome 
[races  that,  in  our 
;  and  abundantly 
an  and  garb  of  the 

we  took  leave  of 
nee  knew  how  to 
le  king^s  mansion, 
was  made  of  the 
lad  newly  parted, 
around  at  corners 
The  roof  was  tied 


liOSPITALITV  OV  THE  INDIAN  CHIEF. 


27 


fartt  to  llio  body  witii  a  knot  of  strong  rushes  that  grow  tlioro,  which  sup- 
plied the  place  of  nails  and  pins,  mortices  and  tenants.     Tlio  brcuidtii  of 
tins  place  was  about  eigiitoen  or  twenty  feet ;  tiio  lengtii  about  twenty 
yards.     Tlio  only  furniture  was  several  platforms  for  lodging,  each  about 
two  yards  long  and  more ;  placed  on  both  sides  of  the  house,  distant  from 
each  other  about  live  feet;  the  space  in  the  middle  was  tlin  chimney, 
winch  had  a  hole  in  the  roof  over  it,  to  receive  as  mucii  of  tlie  smoke  u.s 
would  naturally  repair  to  it:  the  rest  wo  shared  among  us,  wliich  was 
l!ic  greatest  part ;  and  tiie  sitters  divided  to  each  side,  as  our  soldiers  do 
in  their  corps  de  guarde.  Fourteen  great  fires,  thus  situated,  were  burning 
all  at  ouce.     Tiio  king's  apartment  had  a  distinction  from  the  rest ;  it 
was  twice  as  long,  and  the  bank  he  sat  on  was  adorned  with  deer  skin.s 
hncly  dressed,  and  the  best  furs  of  otter  and  beaver  that  the  country 
produced.     The  fire  assigned  to  us  was  suitable  to  our  number ;  to  whicli 
we  wer.-  conducted,  without  intermixture  of  any  Indians,  but  such  as 
came  to  do  us  oflices  of  friendship.     Tiiere  we  were  permitted  to  take 
our  rest,  until  the  king  pleased  to  enter  into  communication  witii  us. 
Previously  to  which  he  sent  his  daughter,  a  well-favored  young  girl  oi' 
about  ten  or  twelve  years  old,  with  a  great  wooden  Ijowl  full  of  hominy, 
wliicii   is  the  corn   of  that  country,  beaten  and  boiled  to  mash.     She, 
in  a  most  obliging  manner,  gave  me  the  first  taste  of  it;  which  I  would 
have  handed  to  my  next  neighbor  after  I  had  eaten ;  but   the    young 
|)rincc'.s.s  interposed  her  hand,  and  taking  the  bowl  out  of  mine,  delivered 
It   to  the  same  party  I  aimed  to  give  it,  and  to  all  the  rest  in  order. 
Instead  of  a  spoon  there  was  a  well  shaped  muscle-shell  that  accompanied 
the  bowl.     About  three  hours  after  this  meal  was  ended,  the  king  sent 
to  hiivo  mo  come  to  him.     He  called  me  Ny  a  Mutt,  which  is  to  say,  my 
brother;  and  compelled  me  to  sit  down  on  the  same  bank  with  himself, 
which  I  had  reason  to  look  upon  as  a  mighty  favor.     After  I  had  sat 
liicro  about  half  an  hour,  and  had  taken  notice  of  many  earnest  discourses 
and  repartees  betwixt  the  king  and  his  crotemen,  (so  the  Indians  call  the 
king's  council,)  I  could  plainly  discover,  that  the  debate  they  held  was 
concerning  our  adventure  and  coming  there.  To  make  it  more  clear,  the 
king  addressed  himself  to  me,  with  many  gestures  of  his  body ;  his  arms 
displayed  in  various  postures,  to  explain  what  he  had  in  his  mind  to  utter 
for  my  better  understanding.     By  all  which  motions  I  was  not  edified  iu 
the  least,  nor  could  imagine  what  return  to  make  by  voice,  or  sign,  to 
satisfy  the  king's  demand,  in  anything  that  related  to  the  present  straits 
of  our  condition.  In  fine,  I  admired  their  patient  suflerance  of  my  dullness 
to  comprehend  what  they  meant,  and  showed  myself  to  be  troubled  at 
it:  which  being  preccived  by  the   king,  he  turned   all  into  mirth  and 
jollity,  and  never  left  till  he  made  me  laugh  with  him,  though  I  knew 
not  why. 

I  took  that  occasion  to  present  the  king  with  a  sword  and  long  shoulder 
belt,  which  he  received  very  kindly;  and,  to  witness  .lis  gracious  accep- 
tance, he  threw  off  his  mach  coat,  or  upper  covering  of  skin,  stood  upright 
on  his  bank;  and,  with  my  aid,  accoutered  his  naked  body  with  his  new 
harness,  which  had  no  other  apparel  to  adorn  it,  beside  a  few  skins 
about  his  loins  to  cover  his  nakedness.  In  tiiis  dress  he  seemed  to  be 
much  delighted;  but  to  me,  he  appeared  a  figure  of  such  extraordinary 
shape,  with  sword  and  belt  to  set  it  oil',  that  he  needed  no  other  art  to 
stir  me  up  to  laughter  and  mirth,  tlian  the  sight  of  his  own  prop^  r  person. 
Having  made  this  short  acquaintance  with  the  king,  I  took  leave,  and 
returned  to  ray  comrades.     Several  Indians  of  the  first  rank  followed  me 


^^^^^^^^j^'^j^^SjE^^'^g^^'^; 


I'l* 


28 


PERILOUS  VOYAGE  OF  CAPTAIN  NORWOOD. 


to  my  quarters,  and  used  their  boHt  endeavors  to  sifl  something  from  us, 
tliut  might  give  tiiem  light  into  knowing  what  wo  were.  They  sought 
many  way.s  to  make  their  thoughts  intelligible  to  us;  but  still  wc  parted 
without  knowing  wiiat  to  fix  upon,  or  how  to  steer  our  course  in  advance 
of  our  way  to  Virginia.  In  this  doubtful  condition,  wc  thought  it  reason- 
able to  fall  upon  a  speedy  resolution  what  was  next  to  bo  done  on  o':r 
parts,  in  order  to  the  accomplishment  of  our  voyage  by  land ;  wiiich  wo 
hoped,  by  the  divine  aid,  wc  might  be  able  to  effect,  adcr  a  little  more 
refreshment,  by  the  plenty  of  victuals  allowed  us  by  the  king;  wlio  was 
no  less  indulgent  and  careful  to  feed  and  caress  us,  than  if  wc  had  been 
his  children.  Toward  morning  we  were  treated  with  a  new  regale, 
brought  to  us  by  the  same  fair  hand  again.  It  was  a  sort  of  spoon  meat, 
in  color  and  taste  not  unlike  to  almond  milk,  tempered  and  mixed  with 
boilfd  rice. 

Major  Morrison,  who  had  been  almost  at  death's  door,  found  himself 
abundantly  refreshed  and  comforted  with  this  delicacy.  lie  wished  the 
bowl  had  been  a  fathom  deep ;  and  would  say,  when  his  stomacii  called 
on  him  for  fresh  supplies,  that  if  this  princess  royal  would  give  him  his 
till  of  that  food,  he  should  soon  recover  his  strength.  Our  bodies  growing 
vigorous  with  this  plenty,  wo  took  new  courage,  and  resolved,  as  many 
as  were  able,  to  attempt  the  finding  out  of  Virginia.  Wo  gnesscd  the 
distance  could  not  be  great,  and  that  it  bore  from  us  S.  by  W.  to  S,  W, 
Our  ignorance  of  latitude  we  were  in,  was  some  discouragement  to  us ; 
but  we  were  confident,  from  what  the  seamen  discoursed,  we  were  to  the 
southward  of  the  Menados,  then  a  Dutch  plantation,  now  New  York:  fair 
weather  and  full  stomachs  made  us  willing  to  be  gone.  To  that  end  we 
laid  out  for  a  quantity  of  pone ;  and,  for  our  surer  conduct,  wc  resolved 
to  procure  an  Indian  to  be  our  pilot  through  the  wilderness ;  for  we  were 
to  expect  many  remoras  in  our  way,  by  swamps  and  creeks,  with  which 
all  those  coasts  abound.  The  king  remarking  our  more  than  ordinary 
care,  to  procure  more  bread  than  amounted  to  our  usual  expense,  gath- 
ered thence  our  designs  to  leave  him,  and  shifl  for  ourselves.  To  pre- 
vent the  rashness  and  folly  of  such  an  attempt,  he  made  use  of  all  his 
silent  rhetoric  to  put  us  out  of  conceit  of  such  design ;  and  made  us 
understand  the  peril  and  difficulty  of  it,  by  the  many  obstacles  wc  must 
meet  with.  He  showed  us  the  danger  we  should  expose  ourselves  unto, 
by  rain  and  cold,  swamps  and  darkness,  unless  we  were  conducted  by 
other  skill  than  we  could  pretend  to.  He  pointed  to  his  fires  and  shocks 
of  corn,  of  which  he  had  enough ;  and  made  it  legible  to  us  in  his  coun- 
tenance, that  we  were  welcome  to  it.  All  the  signs  the  king  made  upon 
this  occasion,  we  were  content  to  understand  in  the  best  sense ;  and 
taking  for  granted  our  sojourning  there  was  renewed  to  another  day,  wc 
retired  to  our  quarters. 

About  midnight  following,  the  king  sent  to  invite  me  to  his  fire.  He 
placed  me  near  him,  as  before ;  and,  in  the  first  place,  showing  me  the 
quarters  of  a  lean  doe,  newly  brought  in,  he  gave  me  a  knife  to  cut  what 
part  of  it  I  pleased  ;  and  then  pointing  to  the  fire,  I  inferred  I  was  left 
to  my  own  discretion  for  the  dressing  of  it.  I  could  not  readily  tell  how 
to  show  my  skill  in  the  cookery  of  it,  with  no  better  ingredients  than 
appeared  in  sight ;  and  so  did  no  more  but  cut  a  collop,  and  cast  it  on 
the  coals.  His  majesty  laughed  at  my  ignorance ;  and  to  instruct  me 
better,  he  broached  the  collop  on  a  lon<j  !c»>ver,  thrust  the  sharp  end 
into  the  ground,  (for  there  was  no  he.r'ii  iiut  what  nature  made,)  and 
turning  sometimes  one  side,  and  sometimes   the  other,  to  the  fire,  it 


whi 
tok 
of  a 
me, 
pros 


NORWOOD  CONVERSES  BY  SIGNS. 


29 


injT  from  UB, 
riicy  sought 
U  wc  parted 
B  ill  advance 
ht  it  reason- 
done  on  o".r 
1 ;  wliich  wo 
a  litth  more 
ig;  who  was 
we  had  been 
new  regale, 
spoon  meat, 
d  mixed  with 

Dund  himself 
0  wished  the 
omach  called 
give  him  his 
)dics  growing 
ved,  as  many 
!  guessed  the 
yr  W.  to  S,  W. 
[cment  to  us ; 
e  were  to  the 
cw  York:  fair 
o  that  end  wc 
t,  we  resolved 
;  for  we  were 
cs,  with  which 
than  ordinary 
xpcnse,  gath- 
ves.     To  pre- 
iisc  of  all  his 
and  made  us 
iclcs  wc  must 
lurselves  unto, 
conducted  by 
es  and  shocks 
s  in  his  coun- 
ng  made  upon 
st  sense;  and 
lother  day,  we 

his  fire.  Ho 
owing  me  the 
ife  to  cut  what 
ed  I  was  left 
ladily  tell  how 
gredieuts  than 
and  cast  it  on 
to  instruct  me 
thu  sharp  end 
re  made,)  and 

to  the  fire,  it 


Ijocamo  fit,  in  a  short  time,  to  bo  served  up,  had  there  been  a  dining-room 
of  slate,  sucii  as  tliat  excellent  king  deserved.  I  made  tender  of  it  first 
to  tiie  king,  and  tiien  to  his  nobles,  but  all  refu.sed,  and  left  it  to  me,  who 
gave  (iod  and  the  king  thanks  for  that  grt?at  meal.  The  rest  of  the  doe 
was  cut  up  in  pieces,  stewed  in  a  pipkin,  and  then  put  into  my  hands  to 
diaposo  of  among  my  company. 

Before  I  parted,  the  king  attacked  mo  again,  with  reiterated  attempts 
to  bo  understood ;  and  I  thought  by  these  three  or  four  days'  conversation, 
I  had  the  air  of  his  expression  much  more  clear  and  intelligible  than  at 
first.  Ilis  chief  dritl,  for  the  first  essay,  seemed  to  bo  a  desire  to  know 
which  way  we  were  bound,  whether  north  or  south.  He  took  up  a  stick, 
with  which  he  made  divers  circles  by  the  fireside ;  and  then  holding  up 
his  finger  to  procure  my  attention,  he  gave  to  every  hole  a  name ;  and  it 
was  not  hard  to  conceive,  that  the  several  holes  were  to  supply  tlio  place 
of  a  sea  chart,  showing  the  situation  of  all  the  most  noted  Indian  territories 
that  lay  to  the  southward  of  Kickotank.  That  circle  that  was  most  south- 
erly, he  called  Achomack,  which  though  he  pronounced  with  a  difi'erent 
accent,  I  laid  hold  on  that  word  with  all  the  demonstrations  of  satisfaction 
I  could  express;  giving  him  to  understand,  that  was  the  place  to  which  I 
had  a  desire  to  be  conducted. 

The  poor  king  was  in  a  strange  transport  of  joy  to  sec  me  receive 
satisfaction ;  and  forthw  ith  caused  a  lusty  young  man  to  be  called  to 
him,  to  whom,  by  the  earnestness  of  his  motious,  he  seemed  to  give  ample 
instructions  to  do  something  for  our  service;  but  what  it  was,  we  were 
not  yet  able  to  resolve.  In  two  or  three  days'  time,  seeing  no  cfiect  of 
what  he  had  so  seriously  said,  we  began  again  to  despond ;  and  there- 
fore resumed  our  former  thoughts  of  putting  ourselves  in  a  posture 
to  be  gone ;  but  the  king  seeing  us  thus  ready  at  every  turn  to  leave  him, 
showed  in  his  looks  a  more  than  ordinary  resentment ;  still  describing 
(as  he  could)  the  care  he  had  taken  for  us,  and  the  impossibility  of 
accomplishing  our  ends  by  ourselves ;  and  that  wo  should  surely  faint  in 
the  way,  and  die  without  help,  if  we  would  not  be  ruled  by  him.  He 
showed  me  again  his  stores  of  corn ;  and  made  such  reiterated  signs,  by 
the  cheerfulness  of  his  countenance,  that  we  should  not  want,  while  we 
had  such  a  plenty,  as  made  us  lay  aside  all  thoughts  of  stirring  till  ho 
said  the  word.  But  as  oft  as  he  looked  or  pointed  to  the  coast  of  Acho- 
mack, he  would  shake  his  head,  with  abundance  of  grimaces,  in  dislike 
of  our  design  to  go  that  way  till  he  saw  it  good  we  should  do  so.  I  was 
abundantly  convinced  of  our  folly,  in  the  resolution  we  were  ready  to 
take  of  going  away,  without  better  information  of  the  distance  from 
Achomack,  and  the  way  that  led  to  it ;  and  having  so  frank  a  welcome 
where  we  were,  we  resolved  to  stay  till  the  king  should  approve  of  our 
departure;  which  he  was  not  able  to  determine,  till  the  messenger  came 
back,  that  he  had  sent  to  Achomack ;  who,  it  now  seemed  more  plainly, 
was  dispatched  upon  my  owning  that  place  to  be  our  home ;  though  we 
knew  it  not  from  any  cause  we  could  rely  upon,  before  we  saw  the 
effect. 

While  we  lived  in  this  suspense,  the  king  had  a  great  mind  to  see  our 
firearms,  and  to  be  acquainted  with  the  use  and  nature  of  them.  That 
which  best  pleased  his  eye,  I  presented  to  him,  and  showed  him  how 
to  load  and  discharge  it.  The  king's  eldest  son,  of  about  eighteen  years 
of  age,  was  hugely  enamored  with  our  guns,  and  looked  so  wistfully  on 
me,  when  he  saw  what  wonders  they  would  do,  that  I  could  not  forbear 
presenting  him  with  a  birding-piece.    Some  of  our  company,  who  knew 


""?,^S^Sga^?saass!- 


*:.f,*& 


B 


l!(    * 


Li  , 


m 


PKRILOITS  VOYAGE  OF  CAPTAIN  NORWOOD. 

that  l)y  thi>  laws  of  Virfjinin,  it  was  rriminal  to  furniah  tho  Indians  with 
firearms,  j»av(!  rnn  n  caution  in  this  case:  but  I  resolved  for  once  to  bor- 
row a  point  of  that  law.  For  though  it  might  bo  of  excellent  uso  in 
general,  yet  as  our  condition  was,  I  esteemed  it  a  much  greater  crime  to 
deny  tliose  Indians  anything  that  was  in  our  power,  than  the  penalty  of 
that  law  could  amount  to.  Fatiier  and  son  abundantly  gratified  in  this 
manner,  tho  king  thougiit  himself  largely  requited  for  tho  cost  wo  put 
him  to  in  our  entertainment.  I  taught  his  son  to  shoot  at  fowls,  to  charge 
his  gim  and  clean  it:  insomuch,  tiiat  in  a  few  minutes,  ho  wont  among 
tho  Hocks  of  geese,  and  firing  at  random,  ho  did  execution  on  one  of 
them  to  his  great  joy ;  and  returned  to  his  father  with  the  game  in  his 
hand  with  such  celerity,  as  if  ho  had  borrowed  wings  of  the  wind. 

About  throe  o'clock  this  afternoon  (January  24)  the  king  was  pleased, 
in  great  condescension,  to  favor  mo  with  a  visit ;  a  favor  which  I  may. 
without  vanity,  assume  to  myself,  and  my  better  habit,  from  tiio  many 
particular  applications  that  he  made  to  me,  exclusive  of  the  rest  of  the 
company.  Ho  thought  I  was  too  melanciioiy,  (^for  the  Indians,  as  has 
been  observed,  are  great  enemies  to  that  temper,)  and  showed  me  by  his 
cheerful  looks,  what  humor  ho  would  have  mc  put  on.  lie  came  at 
this  time,  attended  by  his  young  daughter,  who  had  done  us  the  good 
offices  before  mentioned ;  and  having  first,  by  kind  words  and  pleasant 
gestures,  given  us  renewed  assurance  of  hearty  welcome,  he  singled  mc 
out,  and  pointed  with  his  hand  to  a  way  he  would  have  me  take;  bu« 
whither,  or  to  what  end,  I  was  at  liberty  to  guess.  Upon  that  he  produced 
his  little  daughter,  for  my  conductress  to  tho  placo  to  which  I  should 
follow  her,  wherever  she  would  lead  mo.  The  weather  was  excessively 
cold,  with  frost ;  and  tho  wind  blowing  very  fresh  upon  my  face,  it  almost 
stopped  my  breath.  Tho  late  condition  I  had  been  in,  under  a  roof,  with 
great  fires  and  much  smoke,  conduced  to  make  me  more  sensible  of 
tho  cold  air;  but  iij  loss  than  half  an  hour,  that  pain  was  over.  Wo  were 
jow  in  sight  of  the  house  to  which  we  were  bound,  and  the  lady  of  tho 
place,  who  proved  to  be  the  mother  of  my  conductress,  was  ready  to  re- 
ceive us,  and  to  show  mc  my  apartment  in  the  middle  of  her  house  which 
had  the  same  accommodation  to  sit  and  rest  upon,  as  before  has  been 
described  in  ottier  instances.  The  lusty  rousing  fire  prepared  to  warm 
mc,  would  have  been  a  most  noble  entertainment  of  itself ;  but  attended, 
as  it  was  quickly,  with  good  food  for  the  belly,  made  it  to  be  that  com- 
plete good  cheer,  I  only  aimed  at.  A  wild  turkey,  boiled  with  oysters, 
was  preparing  for  my  supper,  which,  when  it  was  ready,  was  served  up 
in  the  same  pot  that  boiled  it.  This  queen  was  also  of  the  same  mold 
of  her  majesty,  whom  we  first  met  at  our  landing-place.  Somewhat 
ancient,  in  proportion  to  the  king's  age,  but  so  gentle  and  compassionate, 
as  did  very  beautifully  requite  all  defects  of  nature.  She  passed  some 
hours  at  my  fire,  and  was  very  desirous  to  know  the  occasion  that  brought 
us  there,  as  her  motion  and  the  emphasis  of  her  words  showed ;  but  I 
had  small  hopes  to  satisfy  her  curiosity  therein,  after  so  many  vain  attempts 
to  inform  the  king  in  that  matter.  In  fine,  I  grew  sleepy,  and  about  nine 
o'clock  every  one  retired  to  their  quarters,  separated  from  each  other  by 
traverses  of  mat;  which,  beside  their  proper  virtue,  kept  the  ladies  from 
any  immodest  attempts,  as  secure  as  if  they  had  been  bars  of  iron. 

As  the  day  peeped  in,  I  went  out  and  felt  the  same  cold  as  yesterday, 
with  the  same  wind,  N.  W.  I  was  not  forward  to  quit  a  warm  quarter, 
and  a  frank  entertainment ;  but  my  young  governess,  who  had  her  father's 
orders  for  direction,  knew  better  than  myself  what  I  was  to  do.     She 


D. 

ho  Indians  with 
for  once  to  bor- 
xccllcnt  nso  in 
greater  crime  to 

the  penalty  of 
[fratitiod  in  this 
iho  cost  wo  put 
fowls,  to  charge 
he  wont  among 
iition  on  one  of 
he  game  in  his 
the  wind. 
Ing  was  pleased, 
nr  which  I  may, 

from  the  many 
f  the  rest  of  the 

Indians,  as  has 
bowed  mo  by  his 
n.  lie  came  at 
me  us  the  good 
rds  and  pleasant 
G,  he  singled  me 
vo  me  take;  bu» 
that  he  produced 
>  which  I  should 
r  was  excessively 
my  face,  it  almost 
mder  a  roof,  with 
more  sensible  of 
I  over.  We  were 
d  the  lady  of  the 
,  was  ready  to  re- 
f  her  house  which 

before  has  been 
jrepared  to  warm 
elf;  but  attended, 
t  to  be  that  com- 
iled  with  oysters, 
ly,  was  served  up 
of  the  same  mold 
jlace.  Somewhat 
nd  compassionate, 

She  passed  some 
lasion  that  brought 
rds  showed ;  but  I 
nany  vain  attempts 
py,  and  about  nine 
rom  each  other  by 
ipt  the  ladies  from 
bars  of  iron. 

cold  as  yesterday, 
lit  a  warm  quarter, 
ho  had  her  father's 
[  was  to  do.     She 


ARUIVAL  OP  FRIP:NDS  FllOM  VIUOLVIA. 


81 


put  hfrscif  ill  u  posture  to  load  the  way  back  from  wlinicc  wo  came, 
after  a  very  i/ooii  rcpant  c  f  stowed  muscjos,  toijcllier  willi  a  very  hcrirlv 
wclcoiiir,  plainly  iijjpoaring  in  the  quooii'H  lookn.     My  iiiinlih!  pilot  lei] 
mo  away  with  yrcal  Hwiftiioss,  and  it  was  noccsHary  ho  to  do;  tin;  wfailicr 
still  <oiitiiiiiirii,'  ill  that  violent  sharpnoss,  notliinjr  but  a  violent  motion 
could  mako  our  limlis  usofiil.     No  sooner  had  I  s(,'t  my  Coot  in  the  kiii<;'s 
house  to  visit  my  conirnd(>H,  but  a  wonderful  surprise  appeared  to  mo  "in 
tiic  cluui^'o  of  ovory  countonanop  ;  and,  as  every  face  did  plainly  sptMik 
a  gonoral  satisfaction,  so  did  they  with  one  voice  explain  the  causo  thereof, 
in  telling  mo,  the  messengers  of  our  delivery  were  arrived,  and  now 
with  the  king.     I  hastened  to  see  those  angels,  and  addressing  mysolf  to 
one  of  thorn  in  English  habit,  asked  him  the  occasion  of  his  coming  thore  ? 
[lo  told  me  his  business  was  to  trad<;  for  furs,  and  no  more  ;  but  as  soon 
as  I  had  fold  him  my  name,  and  the  accidents  of  our  being  there,  ho 
acknowledged    ho  camo  under  the  guidance  of  the  Kiokot7ink  Imliaii 
(^  which  I  imagined,  but  was  not  sure  the  king  had  sent,)  in  quest  of  me 
and  those  tliat  wore  lefl  on  shore.     He  had  been  sent  by  the  governor 
of  Virginia's  orders  to  inquire  after  us,  but  ,knew  not  whore  to  find  us 
till  the  Indian  oame  to  his  house.     He  gave  mo  a  largo  account  of  the 
ship's  arrival,  and  the  many  dangers  and  difficulties  she  had  encountered 
before  she  could  come  into  .lames  River;  where  she  ran  ashore,  resolving 
there  to  lay  her  bones.     His  name  was  Jenkin  Price:  he  liad  brought  an 
Indian  of  liis  neighborhood  with  him,  that  was  very  well  acquainted  in 
those  parts,  for  our  conduct  back  to  Achomack,  which  Indian  was  called 
Jack. 

The  king  was  very  glad  of  this  happy  success  to  us,  and  was  impatient 
to  learn  something  more  of  our  history  than  hitherto  he  had  been  able  to 
extract  from  signs  and  grimaces.  Jenkin  Price,  with  his  broken  Indian. 
could  make  shift  to  instruct  Jack  to  say  anything  he  pleased  ;  and  Jack 
was  the  more  capable  to  understand  his  meaning,  by  some  sprinklings  of 
English,  that  ho  had  learnt  at  our  plantations.  Betwixt  them  both,  they 
\vere  able  to  satisfy  the  king  in  what  he  pleased  to  know.  Jack  told 
them,  of  himself,  what  a  mighty  nation  we  were  in  that  country,  and  gave 
them  caution,  not  to  embezzle  any  goods  wo  had  brought  with  us,  for 
fear  of  an  after  reckoning.  I  wondered,  upon  this  serious  discourse  he 
had  with  the  king,  to  sec  guns,  and  stockings,  and  whatever  trifles  we 
had  given,  offered  to  be  returned;  and  being  told  the  reason  of  it,  by 
Jenkin  Price,  I  was  very  much  ashamed  of  Jack's  too  great  zeal  in  our 
service ;  which,  though  it  proceeded  from  a  principle  of  honesty  and . 
good  morality  in  him,  we  were  to  consider  that  our  dearest  lives,  and  all 
that  we  could  enjoy  in  this  world,  were,  next  to  divine  Providence,  owing 
to  tho  virtue  and  charity  of  this  king ;  and  therefore,  not  only  what  they 
had  in  possession,  but  whatever  else  ho  -should  desire,  that  was  in  mv 
power,  would  be  too  mean  an  acknowledgment  for  such  high  obligations'. 
I  took  care  to  let  them  know  that  I  had  no  hand  in  the  menace  by  which 
Jack  brought  them  to  refund  what  they  had  got  of  us :  the  right  under- 
standing whereof  increased  our  good  intcUigenQe,  and  became  a  new 
endearment  of  affection  between  us. 

By  better  acquaintance  with  these,  our  deliverers,  we  learned  that  we 
were  about  fifty  English  miles  from  Virginia.  That  part  of  it  where 
Jenkin  governed,  was  called  Littleton's  Plantation,  and  was  the  first 
English  ground  we  expected  to  see.  He  gave  me  great  encouragement 
to  endure  the  length  of  the  way,  by  assuring  me,  I  should  not  find  either 
stone  or  shnib  to  hurt  my  feet  through  my  thin  soled  boots;  for  the  whole 


W 


>MWK>°WI 


32 


PERILOUS  VOYAGE  OF  CAPTAIN  NORWOOD. 


colony  had  noitlior  stone  or  underwood.  Ilavinjf  thus  sntisfiod  my  curi- 
osity, in  thn  l<no\viodgo  of  what  Jcnkin  Price  couhl  comrnunicnto,  wo 
dotVjrrod  no  h)nj,'er  to  resolve  how  and  when  to  b(!>,'in  our  journey  to 
AchdiiKiriv. 

Tlic  liidiiin  lie  brought  with  him  (who  aftrrwardn  lived  and  died  my 
Horvaiil)  wan  very  expert,  and  a  most  inconiparahio  jjuidc  in  tiic  \.oods 
we  \v<  re  to  |)ass,  iieing  a  native  of  tiiese  ])artH;  no  tliat  ho  was  as  our 
sheet  andior  in  tiiis  our  perigrination.  The  iiing  was  loth  to  let  us  go 
till  tlie  weather  was  better  tempered  for  our  bodies  ;  but  when  he  saw 
wc  were  fully  resolved,  and  had  pitched  upon  the  next  morning  to  begin 
our  journey,  ho  found  himsi^lf  much  defeated  in  a  purpose  he  had  taken, 
to  call  together  all  the  flower  of  his  kingdom,  to  entertain  us  with  a 
dan<'e  ;  to  the  end  tliat  nothing  might  be  omitted  on  his  part  for  our 
divcrtisoment,  as  well  as  our  nourishment,  which  his  territory  could  pro- 
duce. Most  of  our  company  would  gladly  have  deferred  our  march  a 
day  longer,  to  see  this  masquerade:  but  I  was  wholly  bent  for  Achomack, 
to  which  place  I  was  to  dance  almost  on  my  bare  feet ;  the  thoughts  of 
which  took  otf  the  edge  1  might  otherwise  have  had  to  novelties  of  that 
kind. 

When  the  good  old  king  saw  wo  were  fully  determined  to  bo  gone  the 
next  day,  ho  desired,  as  a  pledge  of  my  ftluMtion  to  him,  that  1  would 
give  him  my  camlet  coat;  which  he  vowni  to  wear,  while  he  lived,  for 
my  sake.  I  shook  hands,  to  show  my  williiigness  to  please  him,  in  that 
or  in  any  other  thing  ho  would  command;  and  was  the  more  willing  to 
do  myself  the  honor  of  compliance  in  ihis  particular,  because  he  was 
the  Krst  king,  I  could  call  to  mind,  thit  had  ever  showed  any  inclination 
to  wear  my  old  clothes.  To  the  young  princess,  that  had  so  signally 
obliged  me,  I  presented  a  piece  of  twopenny  scarlet  ribbon,  and  a  French 
tweezer-caae,  that  I  had  in  my  pocket,  which  made  her  skip  for  joy ;  and 
to  show  how  little  she  fancied  our  way  of  carrying  them  concealed,  she 
retired  apart  for  some  time,  and,  taking  out  every  individual  piece  of 
which  it  was  furnished,  p'."  tied  a  snip  of  ribbon  to  each,  and  came  back 
with  scissors,  knives,  and  bodkins,  hanging  at  her  ears,  neck  and  hair. 
The  case  itself  uas  not  excused,  but  bore  a  part  in  this  new  dress  ;  and, 
to  the  end  we  might  not  part,  without  leaving  deep  impressions  of  her 
beauty  on  our  minds,  Rhe  had  prepared  on  her  fore-fingers,  a  lick  of  paint 
on  each  ;  the  colors  (to  my  best  remembrance)  green  and  yellow:  which, 
at  one  motion,  she  discharged  on  her  face  ;  beginning  upon  her  temple, 
and  continuing  it,  in  an  oval  line  downwards,  as  far  as  it  would  hold  out. 

Early  next  morning  wo  put  ourselves  in  a  posture  to  be  gone.  Major 
Morrison  was  so  far  recovered,  as  to  be  heart-whole ;  but  ho  wanted 
strength  to  go  through  so  great  a  labor  as  this  was  likely  to  prove.  We 
left  him,  with  many  others,  to  be  brought  in  boats  that  the  governor  had 
ordered  for  their  accommodation  ;  and  with  them,  the  two  weak  women, 
who  were  much  recovered  by  the  good  care  and  nourishment  they  received 
in  the  poor  fisherman's  house. 

Breakfast  being  done,  and  our  pilot  Jack  ready  to  set  out,  we  took  a 
solemn  leave  of  the  good  king.  He  inclosed  me  in  his  arms  with  kind 
embraces,  not  without  expressions  of  sorrow  to  part,  beyond  the  common 
rate  of  new  acquaintances.  I  made  Jack  pump  up  his  best  compliments, 
which  at  present  was  all  I  was  capable  to  return  to  the  king's  kindness ; 
and  so,  after  many  hana  haea,  we  parted.  We  were  not  gone  far,  till 
the  fatigue  and  tediousness  of  the  journey  discovered  itself  in  the  many 
creeks  we  were  forced  to  head,  and  swnmpg  to  pass,  (like  Irish  bogs,) 


). 

isfipcl  my  cnri- 
niiuinicnto,  wo 
our  journey  to 

I  and  died  my 
I  in  the  x.oodfl 
ho  was  as  our 
,th  t(.  lot  us  go 
it  when  he  saw 
ornin«  to  begin 
c  lie  liad  taken, 
rlain  us  with  a 
lis  part  lor  our 
■itory  co^ild  pro- 
cd  our  march  a 
it  lor  Adiomack, 
the  thoughts  of 
iiovoltios  of  that 

sd  to  bo  gone  the 
iin,  that  I  would 
lilo  ho  lived,  for 
ease  him,  in  that 
B  more  willing  to 
,  because  ho  was 
3d  any  inclination 
t  had  so  signally 
)on,  and  a  French 
skip  for  joy ;  and 
•m  concealed,  she 
lividual  piece  of 
1,  and  came  back 
s,  neck  and  hair, 
new  dress ;  and, 
npressions  of  her 
urs,  a  lick  of  paint 
nd  yellow:  which, 
upon  her  temple, 
it  would  hold  out. 
be  gone.     Major 
;   but  ho  wanted 
ely  to  prove.    We 
the  governor  had 
two  weak  women, 
ment  they  received 

set  out,  we  took  a 
lis  arms  with  kind 
syond  the  common 
1  best  compliments, 
|e  king^s  kindness ; 
not  gone  far,  till 
itself  in  the  many 
L  (like  Irish  bogs,) 


AURIVAL  AT  ACHOMACK. 


88 


which  madn  thn  way  at  leaHl  doulilc  wliat  it  would  havo  amounted  to 
ill  a  .straight  line:  uini  it  was  our  wonder  to  sec  our  ^'uido  Jack  lead  on 
the  way,  witii  the  saiuo  e.onrKleucn  of  guiii<r  ri<;lil.  a^  it'  lio  had  had  a 
liOndoii  road  lo  keep  him  I'roiii  strayitig.  Toward  evenitig  we  p(!i'f-.(uved 
:jnioke,  ail  iiiraliihic  sign  of  an  Indian  town,  whit-h  Jack  knew  to  aiiso 
from  (iing(»  Teaguo.  We  wtiit  boldly  into  the  king's  house,  l)y  a(lvi<;a 
of  his  brotiior  of  Kit  kotank,  who  was  also  a  very  humane  prime.  What 
tho  place  and  season  produciul,  was  set  befor*;  us  with  all  convenient 
speed  ;  which  was  en4>ugh  to  satisfy  hunger,  and  to  fit  us  for  ri'pose.  1 
was  extremely  tired  with  this  tedious  journey,  and  it  was  the  more  irksome 
lo  me,  because  I  performed  it  in  boots,  my  sho(;s  being  worn  out,  which 
at  that  time  w(.<re  coiumunly  worn  to  walk  in  ;  .^o  that  I  was  much  more 
sleepy  tlian  I  had  been  hungry.  Tiie  alliance  I  had  newly  made  at 
Kickotank,  did  already  staiul  me  in  sonu;  stead;  for  that  it  qualified  mo 
to  a  lodging  apart  and  gave  me  a  first  taste  of  all  we  had  to  oat;  though 
tho  variety  was  not  so  great  as  I  had  seen  in  oilier  courts. 

I  passed  the  iiigiit  till  almost  day-break  in  one  entire  sleep;  and  when 
I  did  awake,  not  suddenly  able  to  c(dlect  wher<!  I  was.  I  found  myself 
strangely  confounded  to  s(!c  a  damsel  placed  close  to  my  side,  of  no 
meaner  extract  than  the  king's  eldest  daughter ;  who  had  completely 
Hnished  tho  rape  of  all  the  gold  and  silver  buttons  that  adorned  the  king 
of  Kickolank's  coat,  yet  on  my  back.  When  I  was  broad  awake,  aiul 
saw  this  was  no  enchantment,  like  those  trances  which  knights-errant  use 
to  be  in,  but  that  1  was  really  despoiled  of  what  was  not  in  my  power  to 
dispense  witiial ;  I  called  for  Jack,  and  made  him  declare  my  resentment,  • 
ami  much  dislike  of  tho  princess's  too  great  liberty  upon  so  small  an 
acquaintance  ;  which  made  mo  havo  a  mean  opinion  of  her.  Jack  showed 
more  anger  than  myself,  to  see  such  usage  by  any  of  his  country;  and 
much  more  was  he  scandalized,  that  ono  of  tlic  blood-royal  should  purloin. 
But  tiio  king,  upon  notice  of  tho  fact,  and  party  concerned  in  it,  imme- 
diately caused  the  buttons  to  be  found  out  and  returned,  with  no  slight 
reprimand  to  his  daughter,  and  tiicn  all  was  wtdl ;  and  so  much  the  better 
by  the  gill  of  such  small  presents  as  I  was  able  to  make  to  the  king 
and  princess.  Breakfast  was  given  us,  and  we  hastened  to  proceed  on 
our  journey  to  Achomack.  We  reckoned  ourselves  about  twenty-five 
miles  distant  from  Jenkin's  house,  and  I  resolved,  by  God's  help,  that 
night  to  sleep  there.  But  the  distance  proving  yet  greater  than  had 
boon  described,  and  my  boots  tcazing  me  almost  beyond  all  sufferance, 
1  became  desperate,  and  ready  to  sink  and  lie  down.  Jenkin  lulled  me 
(m  still  with  words  that  spurred  me  to  the  qui«;k ;  and  would  demonstrate 
tho  little  distance  between  us  and  his  ]>lantation,  by  the  sight  of  hogs  and 
cattle ;  of  which  species  the  Indians  were  not  masters.  I  was  fully 
convinced  of  what  he  said;  but  would,  however,  have  consented  to  a  motion 
of  lying  without  doors  on  tho  ground,  within  two  or  tiirce  flights  shot  of 
the  place,  to  save  the  labor  of  so  small  a  remainder. 

The  close  of  the  evening,  and  a  little  more  patience,  through  the 
infinite  goodness  of  the  Almighty,  did  put  a  happy  period  to  our  cross 
adventure.  A  largo  bed  of  sweet  straw  was  spread  ready  in  Jenkin's 
house  for  our  reception,  upon  which  I  hastened  to  extend  and  stretch 
my  wearied  limbs.  And  being  thus  brought  into  safe  harbor  by  the 
many  miracles  of  divine  mercy,  from  all  the  storms  and  fatigues,  perils 
and  necessities  to  which  wo  had  been  exposed  by  sea  and  land,  for  almost 
the  space  of  four  months ;  I  cannot  conclude  this  voyage  in  more  proper 
terms,  than  tho  words  that  are  tho  burthen  of  that  Paalm  of  Providence, 
3 


«4  PBR1L0U8  VOYAOE  OP  CAPTAIK  NORWOOD 

lo  U.at  .nan  wouU.  U.cre^re  P'-^;;  U. '-J,*:'^  "'«  «-'"""'  ^^^  *^' 
Ui.  w..u.lr.>us  work-  j.nU.  tho  ^'''f'"  „^  ,  Z;^;,' j^ek,  took  Rroat  care  to 

(,..r  la.Hllonl,  Jonk.n  ''  "^"^  ;;£!  ^a  honn,  we  coul.l  not  want. 
provi.U,  .n.-.a  ior  «h;  ''"'^ '''^^^^  f,^/ '^I  I  hour-  to  oat  wl.utcvor  wan 
Ah  lor  «»r  Hloinacl.H  tl.cy  wor.,  o J.c  i  ui  r.-IVcHh.Ml  willi  h1o.ii' 

H...  hdoro  uh;  .u,  hoou  as  our  w.ar.e^^    bod  c    w   r       ^^^    ^^^^^^^^  ^^.^ 
It  w»H  on  Saturday,  ^''«  —    ".yi^i,;tuVufK^aou,inions  at  Acho.nuck 
woariHouu.  ,.ilKri...u«;', ""'' ^^^      ^  /co^ty  ;  wl.id.  is  the  only  county  o.j 

„.,  ,.y  t|;o  K.^^1.,  No^^      '^J,;:-,,^  •  .,,  Virginia,  and  U  the  l>e.t 


■■W  U  I 


■-r-  '-—•»- 


>0D. 

roodnosB,  and  for 

lok  ^xi'tA  care  to 
ve  coulil  not  want, 
nat  wliatcvor  wbh 
ihIhmI  with  h1oi)|' 
(■  ciulod  ihiH  our 
lioiiH  at  Acliomaik 
ho  only  county  on 
iu,  and  18  the  b«(il 


S£V£N     TEARS 


or  A 


S  A  I  L  O  R'S     LIFE, 


AltONO   TBI 


SAVAGES  OP  THE  CAROLINE  I8LAND8. 


"In  or  about  the  yoar  1826,  I  shipped  "—says  O'Connoll,  an  Engh'jh 
sailor,  in  the  story  of  hia  lifc--"at  Sydnuy,  Now  South  Wales,  in  the  bark 
John  Bull,  wlialor,  Capt.  Barkus.     Aftor  wo  had  bocn  from  Sydney  about 
four  months,  wo  put  in  at  tiio  Bay  of  Islands,  Now  Zealand.     Bishop 
Marsdi'u,  at  that  lime  on  „  visit  to  Now  Zealand,  from  iiis  residence  at 
Paramatta,  put  on  board  of  us  a  missionary,  who  was  a|)pointcd  to  Strong's 
Island,  one   of  th«   Caroline  Archipelago,  witli  his  wife  and  daughter. 
Wo   wore  to  cruise  among  the  islands  toward  Japan,  with  the    inten- 
tion to  roacii  tlie  shores  of  Japan  a;  a  particular  season,  when  whaloK 
wor<'  supposed  to  frequent  the  sea  of  Japan.     At  eight  mouths  out,  y^■^ 
iiad  taken  about  eiglit  hundred  ban  els  of  oil,  and  wore  endeavoring  to 
make    Strong's  Island,  to  leave  our  passengers.     At  nightfall,  wo  had 
made  no  land,  but  knew  from  observation  and  the  ship's  log,  that  wo  wore 
within  a  days'  sail  of  our  destination.     Wo  were  bowling  along  uudor 
easy  sail,  the   wind  on  our  quarter,  wiirn,  at   about  eight  o'clock   in 
liio  evening,  the  vessel  struck  on  a  concealed  coral  reef,  which  is  not 
hiid  down  on  the  ciiarts.     Capt.  Barkus  was,  as  usual,  drunk  on  the 
iien-coop  when  the  vessel  struck.     In  the  presence  of  the  master,  the 
mates  can  assume  with  success  no  authority  which  it  is  his  peculiar  pro- 
vince to  exercise  ;  consequently,  with  a  drunken,  stupid  sot  for  a  master, 
tvery  one  followed  the  promptings  of  his  own  experience  or  inclination. 
Tiio  boats  wore  lowered;  but  notwithstanding  the  necessary  precipitation 
with  which  we  prepared  to  lenvo  the  vessel,  the  boat  in  which  I  escaped 
was  furnished  with  provisions  and  arms,  and  wo  were  able,  also,  to  take 
away  some   ammunition,  and  little  portable  articles.     In  the  boat  with 
myself  were  five  seamen,  and  tiio  wife  and  daughter  of  the  missionary. 
He  was  in  the  boat  with  the  captain.     In  the  four  boats  the  whole  crew 
escaped  from  the  vessel.     For  five  or  six  hours,  wo  kept  together;  but, 
when  the  morning  dawned  there  was  only  one  of  the  other  boats  discer- 
nable,  and  that  but  faintly  a  long  distance  astern,  as  wo  crested  a  wave ! 
The  sufferings  of  the  ladies  ongrossed  more  of  our  care  than  our  own 
situation,     We  had  a  sail  in  our  Iwat,  and  kept  her  away  before  it,  both 
because  of  the  comparative  comfort  of  such  a  course,  and  our  indifference 
as  to  what  point  we  stood  for.     As  I  sat  steering,  I  folded  the  shivering, 
sobbing  daughter  to  my  body  with  my  left  arm,  while  two  of  my  shipmates' 
assisted  in  protecting  her  by  placing  themselves  on  each  side.     The  mo- 
ther was  similarly  cared  for  by  the  other  seamen,.     We  tendered  them 
parts  of  our  clothing,  but  could  not  persuade  or  induce  them  to  accept 
anything  of  the  kind.     Oh,  such  a  horrid  night !     The  women  had  much 
more  to  endure  than  ourselves,  for,  beside  the  natural  weakness  of  their 

(35) 


i 


♦"-"■  *.%■'- *ie-5-#ffin-**-  .<«Aw«.':«i«ik»e«.^ 


maiuj-iwi 


iil 


m 


86  SEVEN  YEARS  OF  A  SAILOR'S  LIFE. 

frames,  and  the  delicacy  which  is  womau's  euflerinp  in  misfortune,  as  her 
ornament  in  prosperity,  they  suffered  iicut(!  pain  from  the  excoriation 
they  had  received  in  descending  to  tlie  hoa'  by  the  davit-tackh-s:  the 
.Bait-water  rendered  poignant  the  smarting  i)aiu  of  their  wounds.  IJnt  in 
all  their  affliction,  they  bore  holy  testimony  to  the  eflicacy  of  that  rtdigion 
wiiose  messengers  they  were.  If  ever  true  practice,  as  well  as  |)rof(  .<sion 
of  religion,  existed,  it  was  exemplified  in  this  family.  On  shiplward,  bo- 
fore  our  misfortune,  the  discreet  and  feeling  manner  in  wiiich  they  strove 
to  impress  upon  rude  sailors  the  truths  of  religion,  had  convinced  all  of 
their  sincerity,  at  least.  In  the  boat  we  had  more  affecting  proof.  They 
prayed  frequently  and  fervently,  and  there  were  none  to  scoff. 

Broiling  heat  succeeded  the  chills  of  night;  the  wind  abated,  and  at 
noon  we  were  becalmed— dying  witii  heat  and  fatigue,  upon  a  sea  whose 
dead  swell  was  so  tranquil,  that  its  glassy  slimy  smoothness  was  not  ruf- 
fled. Toward  night,  wc  had  a  breeze  again,  through  the  night  the  wet 
chills,  and  the  same  heat  and  calm  upon  the  next  day.  After  two  days' 
and  three  nights'  exposure,  the  daughter  died  about  ten  o'clock  on  the 
third  day.  For  some  hours  before,  she  had  been  apparently  unconscious 
of  her  situation :  she  had  talked  in  her  wanderings  of  her  father,  of  her 
home,  and  of  the  island  to  which  she  was  destined  on  an  errand  of  mer- 
cy: the  happy  end  of  her  pilgrimage  was  attained  without  the  toil  to 
which  she  had  in  her  yoi>th  devoted  herself  to  reach  it.  The  mother 
was,  by  suffering,  so  far  bereft  of  sensibility,  that  the  death  of  her  child 
hardly  moved  her.  She  scarcely  appeared  to  understand  us  when  we 
informed  her  of  it ;  or,  if  she  did,  the  announcement  was  received  with 
a  sort  of  delirious  joy.  With  as  much  attention  to  the  forms  of  civilized 
society,  as  our  situation  would  permit,  we  committed  the  body  to  the 
ocean.  We  at  first  intended  to  wrap  the  corpse  in  our  sail ;  but  the  pru- 
dence of  a  portion  of  the  crew,  who  objected  to  exposing  the  living  to 
save  a  form  for  the  dead,  prevailed.  The  mother,  in  her  weak  state, 
hardly  uttered  a  comment,  and  in  a  few  hours  followed  her  daughter. 
Her  body  was  also  consigned  to  the  deep. 

Upon  the  next  morning  after  these  melancholy  duties  to  the  two  mar- 
tyrs to  religion,  we  made  the  land.  We  had  been  in  the  boat  three  days 
and  four  nights,  but,  rejoiced  as  wc  were  to  make  the  land,  no  immediate 
prospect  of  profiting  by  it  appeared,  for  it  was  circled  with  a  coral  reef, 
in  which  it  was  past  noou  before  we  discovered  an  opening.  Effecting 
a  passage,  Wc  entered  a  smooth  basin  of  water,  and  saw  hundreds  of 
canoes  launching  and  putting  off  to  us.  They  would  approach  within  a 
short  distance,  then  suddenly  retreat,  and  at  length  conuncnced  shower- 
ing stones,  arrows,  and  other  missiles  upon  us.  We  threw  ourselves  in 
the  bottom  of  the  boat,  and  when  they  had  satisfied  themselves  that  we 
could  or  would  offer  no  resistance,  they  were  emboldened  to  make  a  rush 
upon  the  boat,  which  they  towed  to  the  beech.  After  we  were  landed, 
they  stripped  us  of  our  clothing,  and  took  everything  out  of  the  boat, 
whale-irons,  tubs,  muskets,  etc.  The  boat  was  then  hiiulcd  upon  the 
beach,  and  our  company,  six  in  number,  were  led  to  the  canoe-house. 

We  were  seated  in  the  center  of  the  house,  upon  mats ;  and  yams, 
bread-fruit,  plantains,  bananas,  fish,  bits  of  cold  game  of  some  sort,  were 
brought  to  us.  The  building  was  filled  in  every  chink  by  natives,  seated; 
the  men  with  crossed  legs,  like  Turks,  and  the  women  on  their  heels. 
A  constant  buzz  of  conversation  ran  through  the  assembly,  each  talking 
to  his  next  neighbor,  and  gesticulating  vehemently.  The  interjection,  or 
sound,  indicative  of  pleasure  or  surprise  among  the  .Indians,  is  a  cluck, 


•  < 


IS  LIONIZED  BY  THE  ISLANDERS. 


isfoittine,  as  lici 
tlio  excoriation 
iivit-lackles:  the 
lounds.  But  in 
f  of  tliat  religion 
oil  as  prol'i  .<sion 
)n  shipboavJ,  bo- 
vliicli  thoy  slrove 
convinced  all  of 
ng  proof.     They 

acotf. 

d  abated,  and  at 
ipon  a  so  a  whose 
ess  was  not  vuf- 
liG  night  the  wet 

After  two  days' 
n  o'clock  on  ihv 
cntly  unconscious 
ler  father,  of  her 
in  errand  of  iner- 
ithout  the  toil  to 

it.  The  mother 
eath  of  her  child 
land  us  when  wc 
vas  received  with 
forms  of  civilized 
I  the  body  to  the 

sail ;  but  the  pra- 
ising the  living  to 
1  her  weak  state, 
ved  her  daughter. 

js  to  the  two  mar- 
he  boat  three  days 
land,  no  immediate 

with  a  coral  reef, 
•pening.  Effecting 
I  saw  hundreds  of 

approach  within  a 
ommenced  shower- 
threw  ourselves  in 
themselves  that  we 
sncd  to  make  a  rush 
sr  wo  were  landed, 
ig  out  of  the  boat, 
n  hiiuled  upon  the 
tlic  canoe-house, 
m  mats;  and  yams, 
c  of  some  sort,  were 
ik  by  natives,  seated; 
men  on  their  heels, 
aembly,  each  talking 

Tiio  interjection,  or 

Indians,  is  a  cluck, 


37 


and  of  this  sound  there  was  abundance,  but  we  were  at  that  tiiiio  at  a  loss 
how  to  interpret  it.  Parties  of  two  or  three  would  come  .lown  to  where 
we  sat,  walking  with  their,  bodies  bent  almost  doul>lo.  They  took  jiold 
of  our  persons  very  famiiiaiiy,  women  and  men,  and  gave  frcmunt  .^l.icks 
ot  admiration  at  the  hliio  veins  whicli  were  marked  through  our  skius  on 
parts  of  the  bodies  wiiicli  iiad  not  been  usually  exposed  to  be  bronzed 
by  the  sun.  My  comrades  feared  the  Indians  were  cannibals,  and  that 
this  examination  was  to  <liscover  whether  we  were  in  good  roastin.r  case  • 
it  horrible  supposition,  which  was  strengthened  by  tiio  building  of^two  or 
three  wood  hres,  covered  with  small  stones.  Their  fear  was  so  exces- 
sive, that  they  gave  themselves  up  as  lost;  but  as  I  had  been  somewhat 
acquainted  with  the  manners  of  the  inhabitants  of  other  islands,  I  rea- 
soned, from  the  apparent  good  humor  of  these  people,  that  they  intended 
us  no  harm.  '' 

In  a  sort  of  desperate  feeling  of  recklessness,  I  determined  to  try  the 
experiment  of  dancing  upon  our  savage  audience.     I  proposed  it  to  my 
comrades,  and  they  endeavored  to  reason  me  out  of  what  they  esteemed 
criminal,  thoughtless  conduC,  in  the  view  of  a  horrid  death.     The  pros- 
pect was  none  of  the  most  agreeable,  certainly;  but  I  was  determined 
on  rny  experiment,  despite  their  remonstrances.     I  accordingly  spruna  to 
my  feet  and  took  an  attitude  ;  a  cluck  of  pleasure  ran  through  the  sava- 
ges, and  one  of  them,  readily  understanding  my  intention,  spread  a  mat 
tor  rne.     I  struck  into  Garry  Owen,  and  figured  away  in  that  famous  jig, 
to  the  best  of  my  ability  and  agility,  and  my  new  acquaintances  were 
amazingly  delighted  thereat.    There  was  no  loud  acclamation,  but  anxious 
peering   and  peeping  over  each  other's  shoulders,  the  universal  cluck 
sounding  all  over  the  house.     Before  my  dance  was  «nished,  the  cause 
tor  which  the  fires  were  built  became  apparent,  to  the  no  small  relief  of 
my  comrades.     It  was  ascertained  that  the  roasting  preparations  were 
made,  not  lor  us,  but  for  some  quadrupeds,  which  we  aflerward  found 
w-ere  dogs.     Other  preparations,  such  as  the  pounding  of  iago,  roastins 
of  game,  etc.,  were  making  for  a  feast.     In  three  or  four  hours  all  was 
ready.     After  my  dance  was  concluded,  we  were  separated  from  each 
other,  each  of  us  making  the  nucleus  of  a  group  of  natives,  who  could 
not  sufficiently  admire  and  examine  him.     Food  was  sent  us,  and  iago. 
Of  the  latter  I  could  not  drmk;  it  was  unpleasant  in  taste,  and  a  verv 
strong  narcotic  in  effect.  ^ 

We  were  now  all  completely  reassured ;  the  conduct  of  the  natives 
to  us  was  all  that  uncultivated  kindness  and  hospitality  could  prompt. 
*or  three  or  four  days  it  was  with  us  a  continual  feast,  islanders  crowd- 
mg  trom  all  directions  to  see  the  white  strangers.  Upon  the  fourth  day 
after  our  landing  there  was  an  arrival  of  a  fleet  of  canoes,  the  head  and 
other  chiefs.  We  were  again  inspected  by  the  new-comers,  and  it  was 
my  fortune  to  be  selected,  with  my  shipmate,  George  Keenan,  by  the 
principal  chief.  The  other  four  of  my  comrades  were  also  appropriated ; 
ITso  dWidT^'*^'  *'''*'^*'^  *''  brought  on  shore  in  the  boat,  were 

On  the  morrow,  my  new  friend,  or  master,  or  owner— I  do  not  know 
exactly  how  he  considered  himself— left  the  island  upon  which  we  landed, 
taking  with  him  Keenan  and  myself.  Eight  or  nine  hours  carried  us  to 
hiB  island,  where  new  feasting  and  lionizing  awaited  us.  A  grand  feast 
celebrated  the  return  of  the  chief  to  his  house,  at  which  I  repeated  the 
nsh  Jig  which  had  taken  so  well  upon  my  first  landing.  I  have  no  doubt 
that  in  my  heels  was  found  the  attraction  which  led  the  chief  to  select 


38 


SEVEN  YEARS  OF  A  SAILOR'S  LIFE. 


me  from  among  my  comrndcn.  Upon  the  next  day  after  his  return,  he 
rpatorcd  to  Cicorgn  and  mo  our  "ditty  bags,"  the  only  property  I  had 
preserved  from  the  wreck.  In  that  bag,  were  two  odd  volumes  of  Jane 
Porter's  Scottish  Chiefs,  and  a  little  shaving-glass. 

The  shaving-glass  did  not  survive  long.  While  it  lasted,  I  kept  it  sa- 
<Tod  to  the  eyes  of  the  island  aristocracy,  never  permitting  plebeian 
Jiazers  access  to  it.  I  carried  it  with  me  on  all  my  rounds  of  visits  to  the 
•  hicfs,  and  the  exclamations  of  those  who  were  favored  with  a  peep  at 
the  magic  glass,  were  amusing  enough.  As  many  as  could  look  in  at 
once,  would  peep  over  each  other's  shoulders,  twisting  thoir  features  into 
the  most  grotesque  expressions,  and  clucking  with  delight.  They  imag 
iuod  the  reflection  of  their  visages  was  caused  by  spirits  behind  the  glass; 
consequently,  some  awe  was  mingled  with  their  delight.  It  is,  however, 
a  curious  fact  for  the  student  of  mental  philosophy,  that  their  respect  for 
those  genii  did  not  prevent  their  destroying  the  frame  of  the  glass,  one 
day  in  my  absence,  and  scraping  off  tlie  quicksilver,  to  detect  the  spirits 
in  their  hiding-place,  and  meet  them  all  at  onco! 

We  had  been  about  three  days  at  our  new  residence,  when  some  of  the 
natives  began  showing  us  their  tattooed  arms  and  logs,  and  making  signs 
not  entirely  intelligible  to  us  at  first,  though  their  meaning  became  after- 
ward too  painfully  marked.  On  the  fourth  or  fifth  day,  George  Keenan 
and  myself  were  put  on  board  of  a  canoe,  with  six  natives.  They  pad- 
dled a  short  distance  along  the  shore  of  the  island,  and  then  turned  into 
a  creek,  wide  at  the  mouth,  but  soon  narrowing  till  there  was  not  room 
for  two  canoes  abreast.  At  length  we  reached  a  hut  on  the  banks  of  the 
creek,  landed,  and  entered  it,  directed  by  our  conductors,  who  remained 
outside.  No  person  was  there  to  receive  us,  and  for  half  an  hour  George 
and  I  busied  ourselves  in  guesses  and  speculation  as  to  the  end  to  which 
all  this  was  tending. 

At  length  our  suspense  was  relieved — ended,  I  should  say — by  the  arri- 
val of  five  or  six  women  bearing  implements,  the  purpose  of  which  we  were 
soon  taught.  George  was  made  to  sit  in  one  corner  of  the  room,  and  I  was 
seated  in  another,  half  the  women  with  me,  and  the  residue  with  my  com- 
rade. One  of  my  women  produced  a  calabash  of  black  liquid ;  another 
took  my  left  hand,  squeezing  it  in  hers,  so  as  to  draw  the  flesh  tight 
across  the  back.  Then  a  little  sliver  of  bamboo  was  dipped  in  the  liquid 
and  applied  to  my  hand,  upon  which  it  left  a  straight  black  mark.  The 
third  beauty  then  produced  a  small  flat  piece  of  wood,  with  thorns  pierced 
through  one  end.  This  she  dipped  in  the  black  liquid,  then  rested  the 
points  of  the  thorns  upon  the  mark  on  my  hand,  and,  with  a  sudden  blow 
from  a  stick,  drove  the  thorns  into  my  flesh.  One  needs  must  when  the 
devil  drives,  so  I  summoned  all  my  fortitude,  set  my  teeth,  and  bore  it 
like  a  martyr.  Between  every  blow  my  beauty  dipped  her  thorns  in  the 
ink.  I  was  too  much  engaged  in  my  own  agreeable  employment  to  watch 
my  comrade,  but  George  soon  let  me  hear  from  him.  He  swore  and 
raved  without  any  attention  to  rule ;  the  way  he  did  it  was  profane,  but 
not  syntactical  or  rhetorical.  He  wished  all  sorts  of  bloody  murder  and 
plagues  to  light  upon  his  tormentors,  prayed  that  the  islands  might  be 
earthquake-sunken,  hoped  forty  boats'  crews,  from  a  squadron  of  armed 
ships,  would  Ifljid  and  catch  the  blasted  savages  tormenting  the  king's 
subjects.  All  this  availed  nothing  but  to  amuse  the  women ;  and  even  I 
could  not  forbear  a  smile  at  his  exclamations.  The  operators  suspended 
this  work  to  mimic  him — mocked  his  spasmodic  twitches  of  the  arms  and 
horrkl  gestures.     He  was  a  standing  butt  for  it  long  afterward,  and  when 


_t,  .;-jMmm':w»'»-' 


mM  i^tf  itfjMiiftiaaitf 


HOW  I   WAS  TATCOED. 


39 


or  his  return,  he 
ly  property  I  had 
vnlumeH  of  Jane 

ted,  I  kept  it  sa- 
rmitting  plebeian 
ids  of  visits  to  the 
1  with  a  peep  at 
could  look  in  at 
their  features  into 
ght.  They  imag 
5  behind  the  glass; 
.  It  is,  however, 
t  their  respect  for 
of  the  glass,  one 
detect  the  spirits 

when  some  of  the 
and  making  signs 
ling  became  after- 
r,  George  Keenan 
itives.  Tliey  pad- 
i  then  turned  into 
ere  was  not  room 
n  the  banks  of  the 
jrs,  who  remained 
alf  an  hour  George 
)  the  end  to  which 

d  say — ^l)y  the  ai  ri- 
3  of  which  we  were 
he  room,  and  I  was 
iiduo  with  my  coni- 
ick  liquid ;  another 
aw  the  flesh  tight 
jped  in  the  liquid 
black  mark.     The 
ivith  thorns  pierced 
d,  then  rested  the 
vith  a  sudden  blow 
ids  must  when  the 
teeth,  and  bore  it 
her  thorns  in  the 
nployment  to  watch 
He  swore  and 
was  profane,  but 
bloody  murder  and 
islands  might  be 
iquadron  of  armed 
nenting  the  king's 
omen;  and  even  I 
perators  suspended 
les  of  the  arms  and 
fterward,  and  when 


the  natives  wished  to  revile  him,  they  would  act  the  tattooing  scene,  ending 
with  the  exclamation,  "Narlic-a-Nutt  mucha  purk," — Narlir-a-iNutf  (his 
name)  is  a  coward;  "Jim  Arochc  ma  coo  mot," — Jim  Chief  hravr! 

After  my  executioner  had  battered  my  hand  awhile,  she  wiped  it  with 
a  sponge.  I  hoped  she  had  finished;  but  no!  She  held  my  hand  up, 
squinted  at  the  lines,  as  a  carpenter  would  true  a  board,  then  she  com- 
menced again,  jagging  the  thorns  into  places  where  she  thought  the  mark 
was  imperfect.  Tiie  correction  of  tiie  work  was  infinitely  worse  than  the 
first  infliction.  In  about  an  hour  and  a  half  the  hand  was  finished,  and 
the  women  left  us,  taking  away  their  tools.  Before  they  lefl  us,  however, 
they  smeared  the  tattooed  part  with  cocoa-nut  oil,  and  then  patted  pulver- 
ized coal  upon  it.  This  was  repeated  often,  till  there  was  a  thick  crust 
of  coal  and  oil,  completely  concealing  the  flesh.  The  healing  properties 
of  charcoal  are  familiar  to  chemists.  The  reader  has  noted,  perhaps, 
that  it  will  delay  the  putrefaction  of  butcher's  meat ;  and,  indeed,  some 
over  economical  liousewifes  know  how  to  restore  tainted  meat  by  an  ap- 
plication of  it.  The  women  gone,  something  was  sent  us  to  eat,  and  wc 
flattered  ourselves  that  our  punishment  for  the  day  was  over.  However, 
the  afternoon  brought  a  fresh  bevy  of  these  tender  ladies,  who  continued 
operations  upon  the  left  arm.  At  night  wc  were  pointed  to  some  mats 
and  informed  that  we  must  sleep  there. 

On  the  next  morning  the  gout-puffed  hand  of  the  canon  of  Gil  Bias 
would  not  have  been  a  circumstance  in  size  to  mine ;  though  the  color 
of  my  flesh,  maturated,  and  grimed  with  charcoal,  hardly  looked  so  aristo- 
cratic as  a  delicately  swelled,  gouty  limb  Another  squad  of  these  savage 
printers  followed  our  breakfast.  George  was  outrageous  in  his  protesta 
tions,  and  howled  and  gesticulated  earnestly  against  a  repetition ;  and  I 
did  not  spare  entreaty.  The  prayer  of  his  petition  was  granted,  but  my 
reluctance  availed  nothing.  For  a  reason  of  which  I  then  knew  nothing, 
they  made  gestures  that  I  must  stand  it — ^there  was  no  escape.  George 
was  let  off,  but  not  without  unequivocal  expressions  of  disgust  at  his 
cowardice  and  effeminacy.  He  was  indeed  incapable  of  enduring  it;  his 
blood  was  bad;  but  physical  disability,  among  all  savages,  is  quite  as  much 
a  disgrace  as  a  misfortune. 

After  fin  hing  the  left,  operations  were  commenced  upon  my  right  arm. 
It  is  unnecessary  to  go  into  details ;  eight  days  were  occupied  in  the 
process  upon  different  parts  of  my  body.  My  legs,  back,  and  abdomen, 
were  marked  also,  and  to  enable  them  to  operate  I  was  compelled  to  lay 
extended  upon  a  mat.  The  hair  upon  my  body  was  twitched  out  with  sea- 
shells — a  process  which  was  performed  as  expeditiously  upon  my  person 
as  the  same  ground  can  be  cleared  of  pin-feathers  on  geese  by  a  dextrous 
cook.  I  often  thought  I  should  die  of  these  apparently  petty,  but  really 
actually  painful  inflictions.  George  was  compelled  to  remain  with  nic, 
not  only  during  the  eight  days  the  tattooing  was  going  on,  but  for  the 
month  afterward  that  I  was  obliged  to  remain  at  this  hut  for  my  flesh  to 
heal.  During  this  time  the  application  of  the  oil  and  charcoal  was  con- 
tinually repeated,  till  I  resembled  in  skin,  if  not  in  shape,  the  rhinoceros. 

I  had  supposed  that  my  tattooing  was  over,  but  I  had  not  been  ashore 
three  hours,  before,  by  the  chiers  direction,  one  of  his  daughters  prepared 
to  mark  mo  still  more.  She  tattooed  a  ring  upon  my  right  breast,  another 
upon  my  left  shoulder,  and  two  about  my  right  arm.  This  was  but  the 
prick  of  a  needle  to  the  extensive  printing  business  which  had  been 
prosecuted  upon  my  body  at  the  tattoo-house,  and  I  made  no  complaint. 
The  feasting  coutinued  during  the  day ;  many  dogs  barked  their  last ; 


tfS-! 


J 


lJ 


40 


SEVEN  YEARS  OF  A  SAILOR'S  LIFE. 


ia(ro  in  abundiincc  was  mauled  to  cxpross  its  juice;  and  my  comrade 
lor  Ills  fiib,  iuid  myself  lor  my  heels,  were  in  oxcellont  odor  with  thu 
natives.  1  enjoyed  this  much  better  than  my  comrade;  fell  into  the  spirit 
of  it,  and  danced  like  mackupon  every  visit  from  stranj,'ers;  George  sup- 
plying viio  music,  and  tiie  spectators  duckin},',  or  hrealting  out  into  an 
unsuri-nissed  lauf,'hofdeli),'iit.  (ieorye's  music  saved  him  much  coniumely, 
which  he  would  otherwise  have  received  for  his  cowardice  in  the  tattoo- 
house.  ,        ,        T  .  .  . 

So  wore  the  second  day.  It  was  not  until  night  that  I  began  to  suspect 
to  what  it  all  tended.  At  night  1  learned  that  the  young  lady  who  im- 
printed the  last  mentioned  marks  upon  my  arm  and  breast  was  my  wifo! 
that  last  tattooing  being  part  of  the  ceremony  of  marriage.  Upon  the 
third  morning  my  bride  led  mo  away  to  the  bath,  and  the  day  was  spent 
in  feasting  and  dancing,  as  upon  the  two  days  preceding ;  only  that  the 
third,  being  the  climax,  was  more  of  a  day  of  rejoicing  than  the  two 
preceding.  There  was,  however,  no  (juarreling  or  disturbance,  no  uproar 
or  disorder.  The  liquor  expressed  from  jago  is  a  tremendously  powerful 
narcotic,  and  drinking  it  in  large  quantities  produces  deep  and  stupid  sleep. 
George  also  was  provided  with  a  wife ;  but  his  unwillingness  to  submit 
to  the  process  of  tattooing  wedded  him  to  a  woman  of  no  rank.  She  how- 
ever, proved  a  good  woman  lo  him.  My  futher-iu-law  was  Ahoundel-a- 
Nutt,chief  of  the  island  of  Nutt,  and  the  most  powerful  duel  on  the  group 
of  islands  inclosed  by  the  reef,  set  down  on  the  charts  as  one  island, 
Ascension,  but  called  by  the  natives  Bonabee.  He  did  not  have  the  grace 
to  "ivc  me  a  separate  establishment  however,  for,  during  the  whole  time 
I  remained  upon  the  island,  1  resided  under  the  same  root  with  him.  He 
gave  me  his  own  name,  Ahoundel,  but  I  was  oftener  colled  Jcm-aroche. 
George  Keenan's  island  name  was  Narlic.  •    •,      r 

1  never  had  more  reason  to  complain  of  my  wife  than  the  majority  ol 
people  in  civilized  countries  have.  She  was  only  about  fourteen  years 
of  age,  atlcctionate,  neat,  faithful,  and,  barring  too  frequent  indulgence 
in  the  flesh  of  baked  dogs,  which  would  give  her  breath  something  ot  a 
canine  odor,  she  was  a  very  agreeable  consort.  During  my  residence 
upon  the  island  she  presented  me  with  two  pretty  little  demi-savages,  a 
little  girl,  and  a  boy,  who  stands  a  chance,  in  his  turn,  to  succeed  his 
grandfather  in  the  government  of  the  island. 

Although  my  father-in-law  never  permitted  me  a  house  distinct  froci 
his,  but  kept  me  as  one  of  his  own  household,  with  a  host  of  other  con 
nections— a  knight  of  his  majesty's  bedchamber— for  there  was  no  division 
wall  in  the  hut,  and  I  slept  on  a  mat  next  him;  my  wife's  dower  in  canoef , 
Nigurts,  (slaves,)  and  other  Caroline  personal  property,  with  the  improv)- 
ment  of  real,  was  far  from  inconsiderable.  She  assumed  a  task  new  i  o 
her,  and  one  of  course  which  she  could  have  had  no  idea  of  before— that 
of  an  instructress  in  the  language.  I  was  a  tolerably  apt  scholar,  but  my 
teaclier  had  a  very  critical  ear,  and  the  least  deviation  from  the  island 
pronunciation  created  vast  merriment  both  for  her  and  others  present. 

My  wife  accompanied  me  in  ray  walks  and  in  my  canoe  excursions; 
always  at  my  side,  and  looking  up  to  me  affectionately.  Her  father,  who 
was  a  practical  joker,  contrived,  in  the  excursions  in  which  he  accompanied 
us  during  the  lengthened  honeymoon,  to  pop  upon  places  where  he  knew 
that,  although  my  name  and  fame  had  preceded  me,  the  residents  had 
never  seen  me.  He  would  direct  me  to  enter  a  house  suddenly,  with  a 
howl,  and  strike  an  attitude.  It  would  invariably  send  all  the  occupants, 
usually  women,  Bying  out  at  every  place  of  egress.    The  sight  of  Ahoundel 


'^ 


PYKAMID  OF  U0NE3. 


41 


and  my  comrade 
lent  odor  with  tho 

loll  into  tiic  spirit 
ij^ers ;  George  sup- 
salting  out  into  an 
iinuicli  coniuinoly, 
rdicu  in  tho  tattoo- 

I  began  to  suspect 
)ung  lady  who  im- 
rcast  was  my  wife! 
irriage.  Upon  the 
1  the  day  was  spent 
ling ;  only  that  the 
icing  than  the  two 
turbancc,no  uproar 
lendously  powerful 
cp  and  stupid  sleep, 
llingness  to  submit 
10  rank.  She  how- 
w  was  Ahoundel-a- 
1  chief  on  the  group 
arts  as  one  island, 
1  not  have  the  grace 
ring  the  whole  time 
roof  with  him.  He 
called  Jem-aroche. 

lan  the  majority  of 
(OUt  fourteen  years 
i:equent  indulgence 
3ath  something  of  a 
Liring  my  residence 
ttle  dcmi-savages,  a 
iirn,  to  succeed  his 

bouse  distinct  froci 
a  host  of  other  con 
there  was  no  division 
'e's  dower  in  canoe? , 
ty,  with  theimprov5- 
umed  a  task  new  i  o 
idea  of  before — ^that 
apt  scholar,  but  my 
ion  from  the  island 
ad  others  present, 
y  canoe  excursions; 
y.     Her  father,  who 
hich  he  accompanied 
aces  where  he  knew 
e,  the  residents  had 
ise  suddenly,  with  a 
nd  all  the  occupants, 
'he  sight  of  Ahoundel 


on  liio  outside,  enjoying  a  hearty  laugh,  would  remove  fear,  and  this 
rude  method  of  introdiiclion  .supplied  both  parties,  tlie  visitors  and  the 
visited,  with  rare  amusenient.  Imagine  the  efl'eit  wiiich  would  be  pro- 
duced on  a  parly  of  American  or  European  ladies  by  the  siiddtMi  appari- 
tion of  .-in  Albino  under  sucli  circumstances,  and  you  will  have  some  idea 
ot  the  frigiit  of  tiie  islanders. 

To  excursijMis  without  him  Ahoundel  was  very  averse.     H(!  would,  ^t 
answer  to  my  inquiries  about  the  other  islands,  tell  me  they  were  inhabited 
l)y  cannibals,  and  assure  me,  tiiat  if  I  ventured  away  from  him  I  should 
certainly  be  eaten.     George  and  I,  if  we  took  excursions,  did  so  in  a 
canoe  borrowed  of  fishermen,  because  we  could  not  launch  our  own  un- 
perceived.    Afraid  of  being  eaten,  our  trips  were  at  first  confined  altogether 
to  Nutt,  the  island  upon  which  we  resided;  circumnavigating  it,  and  pad- 
dling up  tlie  creeks.     When  we  were  near  a  settlement,  George  would 
take  his  fife  and  make  its  shrill  notes  echo  in  the  still  valleys  and  moun- 
tains.     "Narlic!   Narlic!   Narlic!    Narlic!"    wt    would  soon  hear  the 
natives  shouting,  as  they  came  running  down  to  tho  creek  side,  "  Narlic, 
cudjong!   cudjoug!"     Cudjong  was   the   name  which   the   natives  had 
bestowed  upon  George's  fife.     The   shore   would   soon  bo    lined  with 
breathless  listeners,  and  while  I  kept  the  canoe  just  in  motion  enough 
to  avoid  tlie  banks,  George  would  play  some  of  his  sweetest  tunes.     We 
were  always  invited  to  land,  and  usually  did  so.     As  soon  as  I  left  the 
boat  came  my  turn  ;  1  was  besieged  to  dance,  and  as  I  always  refused  to 
land  except  when  intending  to  astonish  the  natives  with  a  reel  which  might 
liave  passed  for  clever,  even 

— "  at  the  fair  of  nato  Ologhecn," 

I  usually  complied  with  their  request. 

There  is  one  species  of  fish  universally  held  sacred  by  the  islanders, 
a  species  of  eel,  inhabiting  the  fresh  water.  Keenan  and  myself  had 
resided  upon  Nutt,  and  eaten  at  many  feasts,  beside  the  regular  domestic 
fare,  but  in  all  this  eating  no  eels  had  furnished  their  share.  To  our 
inquiries  why  this  fish  enjoyed  such  a  peculiar  and  universal  exemption, 
the  only  answer  had  been  "  Major-howi !"  This  we  knew  was  a  partial 
defense  for  all  fish,  and  not  being  aware  that  the  respect  for  eels  was 
more  strenuously  insisted  upon  than  that  shown  their  cousins,  the  dwellers 
in  salt  water,  wc  determined  upon  indulging  ourselves  in  a  feast  upon 
them ;  taking  the  precaution,  however,  not  to  invite  any  of  our  copper 
friends  to  be  of  the  party. 

We  selected  for  the  occasion  a  fine  night,  and  with  elbowed  sticks  poked 
the  fiah  out  of  the  water  at  a  sudden  bend  in  a  brook.  Unlike  the  ells 
which  were  used  to  being  skinned,  these  were  not  so  much  as  used  to 
being  caught,  and  having  enjoyed  an  immunity  from  the  snares  of  the 
hsher,  from  time  immemorial,  our  trouble  was  in  avoiding  to  take  too 
many,  rather  than  in  catching  enough  for  our  purpose.  Building  a  fire 
and  broiling  them  in  an  unoccupied  house,  wo  had  a  sit  down  alone,  and 
demolished  them  with  an  appetite  which  was  not  abated  by  the  circum- 
Btaaces  under  which  we  feasted — the  wise  man  having  recorded  his 
opmion  that  "stolen  waters  are  sweet."  Our  feast  finished,  we  wiped 
our  mouths,  and  returned  to  our  island  friends  with  all  the  conscious 
rectitude  of  rogues  undiscovered. 

We  had  neglected  the  precaution  of  concealing  the  bones,  and,  with  u 
aptitude  for  detecting  sin  like  that  which  characterizes  some  civilized 
people,  some  of  the  natives  recognized  in  the  bones  the  fragments  of  the 


42 


SEVEN  YEARS  OF  A  SAILOR'S  LIFE. 


forbidden  fiHh.    Our  first  intiiiuitioi.  of  tl.o  <liscovcry  was  taken  from  seeing 
the  natives  repairing  to  the  house   and    not  at  first  umlerstandmg  the 
reason  of  it,  wo  fell  in  upon  the  tide.     When  wo  reached  the  hut    we 
found  men,  women  and  children,  kneeling,  or  completely  prostra  e  l.eating 
.heir  breants,  and  rocking  to  and  fro,  or  rolhng  on  the  floor.     Ot  the  noise 
they  mad.>,  wc  had  been,  of  course,  apprised  by  our  ears  before  ve  readied 
the  lioiise,  and  had  concluded  that  some  accident  or  sudden  death  was 
the  reason  of  die  outcry.     Nothing  was  there  liowevcr-no  broken  bonca 
but  the  bones  of  the  eels;  the  pyramid  of  which,  as  George  and  I  had  left 
it,  might  indeed  have  caused  cries  of  surprise  that  two  persons  could  have 
left  such  testimonials  of  appetite;  but  as  the  aspect  of  afl^airs  looked  ikc 
an  expression  of  something  more  than  surprise,  we  esteemed  it  prudent 
to  keep  our  own  counsel.     For  two  or  three  days  was  the  lamentation 
continued;  it  flew  from  place  to  place  and  from  hut  to  hut;  on  every  side 
was  weeping  and  lamentation.     George  and  I  thought  we  saw  some  looks 
indicative  ot- suspicion,  and  when  the  bones  were  tairly  buried  by  the  chiefs 
orders,  and  the  hubbub  ceased,  we  felt  relieved  from  a  load  of  fear  which 
had  been  sufficient  to  give  lis  a  distaste  for  eels;  which  operated  better 
for  their  safety,    as  far  as  wo  were  concerned,  than  all  the  acts  passed 
by  the  legislature  of  Massachusetts  have  done  for  the  shad  and  alewives 

in  Taunton  River.  .     ^   , 

Upon  one  occasion,  when  I  was  sick,  a  journey  \yas  projected,  as  was 
the  usual  course  with  invalids.  I,  however,  refused  to  be  cured  in  such 
a  way,  preferring  case  and  quiet.  All  the  preparations  having  been  inade 
for  the  journey,  it  was  taken  without  me.  I  thought  my  wife  might  have 
had  the  grace  to  remain  at  home  with' her  sick  spouse,  but  she  chose  to 
accompany  her  father.  Upon  her  return  I  had  pretty  we  1  i-ecovered,  and 
I  welcomed  her  by  taking  my  wedding  g.ft-a  few  blue  beads-from  her 
basket,  and  breaking  them  between  two  stones,  before  her  eyes  As  soon 
as  I  had  done  the  mischief,  Laowni  ran  from  the  house  to  a  stone  m  the 
edge  of  the  water,  where  she  sat  down  and  commenced  crying  like  an 
infant.  I  followed,  and  endeavored  to  pacify  her,  but  it  was  of  no  use 
The  only  answer  she  made  was  to  kick  like  a  spoiled  child  The  tide 
flowed  in,  till  she  was  in  water  to  her  elbows;  then  I  was  enabled  to  coax 
her  away,  but  still  she  ceased  not  bellowing  for  her  beads.     If  I  had 

bitten  ofl-  her  finger,  it  would  certainly  have  g/'«^^'*l/^Vr';.t  tho.S 
I  went  to  sleep  and  left  her  weeping.  She  had  refused  to  eat,  though 
fish  and  the  most  delicate  bits  of  a  murdered  puppy  had  been  off-ered  her. 
Happening,  however,  to  awake  at  midnight,  I  detected  her  solacing  her 
anil  not,tike  Mrs.  Oakley,  on  boiled  chickens,  but  like  a  delicate  savage, 
In  a  dog's  -Irumstick.  I  said  nothing,  thinking  the  return  of  her  appetite 
was  a  good  omen;  but  when  I  waked  again  in  the  morning,  clouds  and 
darkness  still  sat  upon  the  countenance  of  Laowni. 

The  day  long  she  wore  the  same  sulks,  giving  me  an  occasional  look 
of  anything  but  affection,  but  not  vouchsafing  a  word.  At  night  1  took 
George  with  me,  and  instead  of  sleeping  in  the  canoe-house,  whidi  was 
then  Ahoundel's  quartet-,  went  to  his  house  proper,  /here  we  built  a 
small  fire  for  its  light,  and  just  as  we  had  propounded  to  each  o  her  the 
Ze  condusion  that  his  Majesty  of  Nutt  and  fanj.ly  were  not  in  the  best 
humor  we  were  surprised  with  a  visit  from  that  dignitary  himself,  accom- 
pSd  by  a  native  Sho  was  particularly  indebted  to  me  for  detecting 
him  in  stealing  ray  knife,  and  two  others,  all  armed  with  spears.  Without 
,Z^  a  word  they  sat  down  at  a  litUe  distance,  biting  the.r  nether  lips, 
as  19  always  their  custom  when  vexed  or  m  a  passion.    I  spoke  to  them, 


E. 

s  taken  from  scoinjii 
uiulorstiuul'mK  the 
sachnd  the  hut,  wc 
!ly  prostrate,  heating 
floor.  Ot*  the  noise 
rs  before  vo  readied 
,r  sudden  death  was 

51 no  broken  bones 

icorge  and  1  had  left 
>  persons  could  have 
o(  atfairs  looked  like 
esteemed  it  prudent 
was  the  lamentation 
to  hut;  on  every  side 
lit  we  saw  some  looks 
yburicdbythechicrs 
\  a  load  of  fear  which 
khich  operated  better 
n  all  the  acts  passed 
the  shad  and  alewives 

was  projected,  as  was 
d  to  be  cured  in  such 
ions  liaving  been  made 
ht  my  wife  might  have 
3use,  but  she  chose  to 
tty  well  recovered,  and 
blue  beads— from  her 
>rc  her  eyes.     As  soon 
house  to  a  stone  in  the 
nenced  crying  like  an 
but  it  was  of  no  use. 
oiled  child.     The  tide 
1 1  was  enabled  to  coax 
her  beads.     If  I  had 
-cd  her  less.     At  night 
refused  to  eat,  though 
y  had  been  oflfered  her. 

feted  her  solacing  her 
t  like  a  delicate  savage, 
e  return  of  her  appetite 
le  morning,  clouds  and 

mo  an  occasional  look 
word.     At  night  I  took 
lanoe-house,  which  was 
,peT.     There  we  budt  a 
inded  to  each  other  the 
lily  were  not  in  the  best 
lignitary  himself,  accom- 
fed  to  me  for  detectmg 
d  with  spears.    Without 
biting  their  nether  bps, 
i,8ion.    I  spoke  to  them, 


RIDINQ  A  HOBBT.  ^ 

and  inquired  the  reason  of  the  visit,  but  received  not  a  word  in  answer. 
George  shivered  beside  mo  like  a  leaf,  though  I  assured  him  ho  need 
fear  notiting,  as  the  visit  was  undoubtedly  intended  solely  for  mc.  At 
length  our  agreeable  state  of  suspense  was  relieved  by  the  appearance 
of  Laowni,  who  beckoned  them  outside,  and  we  saw  nothing  more  of 
them.  It  was  two  or  three  days  afterward  before  the  reconciliation  be- 
tween myself  and  wife  was  completed,  as  I  took  it  upon  me,  upon  the  most 
approved  civilized  plan,  to  become  sulky  when  she  relented.  This  lesson, 
however,  taught  me  better  than  to  trifle  again  seriously  with  the  property 
or  comfort  of  a  wife,  whose  father  might  inflict  summary  punishment 
upon  me  without  being  amenable  for  it  to  any  power.  Such  I  afterward 
ascertained  was  the  intention  of  the  visit.  Ahoundel  lofl  the  canoe-house 
with  a  determination  to  put  me  to  death,  and  it  was  the  intercession  of 
Laowni,  who  followed  the  party,  that  saved  mc.  Upon  the  whole,  the 
adventure  had  a  good  effect.  Ahoundel  respected  the  courage  with  which 
I  faced  him,  though  God  knows  it  was  as  much  in  outward  seeming  as 
genuine;  and  respected  the  firmness  which  led  me  to  maintain  my  ground, 
even  after  the  threat  of  death. 

After  I  had  some  time  resided  with  these  savages,  I  happened  acciden- 
tally to  feel  a  sick  man's  pulse.  This  was  noted  by  the  observant  natives, 
and  I  was  called  upon  to  explain  what  it  meant,  and  why  I  did  it.  I  gave 
them  the  best  illustration  in  my  power,  beating  time  to  show  them  how 
fast  the  pulse  should  beat,  and  telling  them  that  anything  faster  or  anything 
slower  was  "no  good."  The  beating  of  the  pulse  at  the  wrists  was  aremark- 
able  discovery  to  them ;  all  the  old  women,  and  indeed  all  the  young, 
made  a  dive  at  the  wrists  of  every  one  when  first  suspected  of  ill  health. 
Once  on  the  scent,  they  followed  it,  and  detected  the  throbbing  of  the 
temples ;  so  if  there  was  not  room  enough  at  the  wrists  for  all  exami- 
ners, a  portion  would  settle  on  his  head.  It  was  really  amusing  to  see 
how  like  civilized  people  they  could  ride  a  hobby  to  death.  Inquiries 
ceased.  As  phrenologists  are  said  to  read  a  man's  whole  character 
without  other  data  to  proceed  upon  than  the  external  developments  upon  his 
head,  so  the  native  professors  of  the  new  art  of  pulse-feeling  wished  only 
to  find  rest  for  the  finger  on  the  patient's  body.  Ho  or  she  would  find 
rest  only  when  the  tormentors  were  asleep;  the  sleep  of  the  patient  being 
of  too  little  consequence  to  interrupt  the  medical  examinations  of  the 
thousand  friends. 

An  islander  sick  is  an  object  ghastly  enough.  His  original  sallow  face  is 
smeared  until  it  is  resplendent  in  ghastliness.  The  accompanying  objects, 
the  gloomy  visages  of  the  attendants,  and  their  howling  and  moaning, 
give  such  scenes  a  character  gloomy  as  the  most  inveterate  old  lady 
lover  of  sorrow,  rendered  doubly  sorrowful  by  exaggeration  and  anticipa- 
iton,  could  desire.  If  possible,  I  was  always  called  to  pronounce  whether 
a  patient  would  live  or  die;  and,  by  caution  in  pronouncing  judgment, 
and  care  in  forming  it,  my  word,  as  I  gained  experience,  was  considered, 
with  the  islanders,  life  or  death  to  the  patient.  By  a  favorable  opinion, 
confidently  pronounced,  I  question  not  I  saved  many  lives,  as  the  natives 
would  redouble  their  eflbrts  when  hope  was  encouraged,  and  the  patient's 
imagination,  thus  relieved,  would  assist  the  recovery. 

With  these  people,  after  George  and  I  had  become  habituated  to  their 
customs,  and  learned  to  appreciate  their  character,  we  resigned  ourselves 
to  circumstances,  and  were  content,  in  the  absence  of  almost  all  hope 
of  escape,  to  be  happy.  In  about  a  year  from  our  arrival,  Ahoundel  grew 
a  little  less  cautious  ibouX  our  wandering;  a  forced  remission  of  care,  as 


.<^.fc-.r  Tii>li»n»-'-^ 


• 


\ 


«4 


SEVEN  YEARS  OF  A  SAILOR'S  LIFE. 


we  had  become  too  well  acquainted  with  the  poople  to  believe  tliem  all 
cannibals.  Still  he  inaistcd  upon  our  being  fruquently  in  his  company. 
The  difficulty  with  Laowni,  detailed  in  a  preceding  page,  my  father- 
in-law's  conduct,  in  which  lie  was,  I  suspect,  instigated  by  Namadow,  lefl 
my  situation  not  quite  so  pleasant  as  betbro.  Ahoundel  secmod  inclined 
to  repair  his  harshness  with  over  aiTection,  and  it  was  with  much  difficulty 
George  and  I  obtained  permission  to  leave  Nutt  even  for  twenty-lbur 
hours. 

Outside  the  reef  which  bounds  Bonabee,  the  island  we  were  upon,  arc 
two  other  islands,  one  called  by  the  natives  Hand,  about  twenty  miles 
distant ;  the  other  Pokeen,  about  sixty  miles  distant.  The  latter,  called 
un  the  charts  Wellington  Island,  is  inhabited;  Hand  is  not.  The  inhabi- 
tants of  Wellington  Island  resemble  those  of  Bonabee,  except  that  they 
are  addicted  to  cannibalism,  a  practice  which  is  unknown  on  lk)nabee, 
except,  perhaps,  so  far  as  tasting  an  enemy's  heart  goes.  Keenan  and 
myself  visited  it  once,  and  found  it  bounded  by  a  reef,  through  which 
there  is  but  one  passage.  We  were  detained  by  a  storm  longer  than  we 
bargained  for,  being  weather-bound  ten  days.  Upon  Wellington  Island 
we  remained  nearly  six  months. 

I  did  not  believe,  till  my  visit,  that  the  natives  of  Wellington  Island 
were  cannibals ;  then  I  had  ocular  demonstration.  It  seemed  with  them 
an  ungovernable  passion,  the  victims  being  not  only  captives,  but  presents 
to  the  chiefs  from  parents,  who  appeared  to  esteem  the  acceptance  of 
their  ch'Mren,  for  a  purpose  so  horrid,  an  honor.  Shortly  after  our  return 
fVom  Pokeun,  or  Wellington  Island, our  four  comrades,  Johnson,  Brayford, 
Thompson  and  Williams,  paid  us  a  visit,  as  had  been  their  occasional 
custom.  At  these  meetings  wo  sparred,  danced,  sung,  and  conversed  in 
English,  relating  to  each  other  our  various  experience  and  discoveries  in 
the  language  of  the  people,  and  their  character. 

Upon  this  occasion  my  comrades  proposed  to  George  and  me  that  we 
should  leave  Nutt,  and  spend  a  twelvemonth  with  them,  dividing  the  time 
with  the  different  chiefs  with  whom  they  were  quartered,  and  devoting 
the  first  month  to  an  excursion  from  island  to  island.  This  proposal  was 
eagerly  embraced  by  us.  I  had  frequently  expressed  to  Ahoundel  a  wish 
to  the  same  effect,  giving  as  a  reason  my  weariness  of  the  monotony  of  an 
abode  upon  one  island,  but  he  uniformly  refused  his  consent.  My  visit 
to  Wellington  Island  was  protracted,  by  the  strength  of  the  north-east 
trades,  much  beyond  his  pleasure,  and,  although  I  was  an  involuntary 
absentee,  and  cf  course  not  liable  to  blame,  that  long  absence  had  so 
proved  the  need  of  my  presence  to  him,  that  it  made  him  averse  to  my 
going  from  his  sight:  a  fatherly  solicitude  that  was  horribly  annoying. 
Knowing,  therefore,  the  certain  answer  to  an  application  for  leave  of  ab- 
sence, 1  determined  to  take  liberty  without.  What  I  fancied  a  good 
opportunity  soon  offered.  Ahoundel  and  his  whole  household,  and  con- 
nections, launched  the  canoes  for  an  excursion  or  visit.  I  was  excused 
from  the  party  on  account  of  the  presence  of  my  friends,  who  declined 
accompanying  Ahoundel.  When  they  were  fairly  off,  we  stepped  into 
the  canoe,  but  had  hardly  got  under  weigh,  when  a  rascally  native,  who 
had  evidently  been  watching  us,  shoved  his  canoe  off,  and  prddled  before 
us  like  lightning,  shoving,  or  rather  poling  his  canoe  over  the  shallows, 
and  working  like  a  windmill  in  a  gale  with  his  single  paddle  in  the  deep 
water.  When  he  reached  a  creek  or  inlet,  into  which  we  knew  Ahoundel 
bad  turned,  he  shot  up  the  opening,  and  we  began  to  see  his  intention, 
«nd  the  meaning  of  the  hoobooing  he  had  kept  up  as  he  {receded  us< 


mA'i^mt  ^■m^tH'^iaStafi^ 


FE. 

!  to  believe  them  all 
Illy  in  his  company. 
ig  page,  my  father 
ed  by  Nainadow,  left 
ndel  sceinod  inclined 
I  with  much  dillicidty 
even  for  twonty-lbur 

id  wo  were  upon,  arc 
,  about  twenty  miles 
t  The  latter,  called 
lis  not.  The  inhabi- 
tbee,  except  that  they 
inknown  on  Bonabee, 
t  goes.  Keenan  and 
I  reef,  through  which 
storm  longer  than  we 
M)n  Wellington  Island 

,  of  Wellington  Island 
It  seemed  with  them 
y  captives,  but  prescnta 
;em  the  acceptance  of 
Shortly  after  our  return 
des,  Johnson,  Brayfordj 
[  been  their  occasional 
sung,  and  conversed  in 
ence  and  discoveries  in 

Seorge  and  me  that  we 
them,  dividing  the  time 
martered,  and  devoting 
nd.    This  proposal  was 
ised  to  Ahoundel  a  wish 
,8  of  the  monotony  of  an 
1  his  consent.     My  visit 
ength  of  the  north-east 
*h  I  was  an  involuntary 
fat  long  absence  had  so 
made  him  averse  to  my 
was  horribly  annoying, 
plication  for  leave  of  ab- 
[What  I  fancied  a  good 
ole  household,  and  Con- 
or visit.     I  was  excused 
»y  friends,  who  declined 
lirly  off,  we  stepped  into 
on  a  rascally  native,  who 
!  off,  and  prddled  before 

;anoe  over  the  shallows, 
lingle  paddle  in  the  deep 
which  we  knew  Ahoundel 
Jan  to  see  his  intention, 
t  up  as  he  i  receded  us. 


THE  KSCAPE  AND  PURSUIT.  45 

In  a  f'uw  riiomonts  we  saw  the  canoes  of  Alioiindcl  in  pursuit.  Wo  used 
paddles  and  sail,  and  crack(!d  on,  cstocming  it  more  a  frolic  than  any- 
thing,' <Ih('.  Ah  we  had  the  start,  and  the  cano(>8  of  the  island  diHi'r  l)ut 
liuie  in  speed,  it  wuh  nearly  two  hours  before  they  iiad  ncared  us  enough 
to  ho  within  hailing  distance.  They  then  commenced  fair  promises  if  we 
would  stop,  offering  us  fish,  and  bread-fruit,  and  yams,  and  using  all  thr 
lojjic  of  persuasion  of  which  they  wore  capable.  Still  wo  cracked  on; 
but  Ahoundel's  canoe  at  length  shoved  alongside  of  us,  upon  the  weather 
or  outrigger  side,  and  we  gave  up  the  race  as  useless.  My  friend  Naina- 
dow was  the  first  to  lay  hold  of  the  outrigger,  and  gave  us  the  first  intima- 
tion of  their  rough  intentions,  by  endeavoring  to  capsize  us.  We  hung  to 
windward  to  trim  the  boat,  and  finding  his  strength  ineffectual  to  upset  it, 
ho  had  the  brazen  impudence  to  climb  on  the  olatform  with  the  intention 
to  board  us.  In  the  heat  of  the  moment  I  administered  a  settler  with  my 
list,  which  knocked  him  into  the  water.  Then  half  a  dozen  of  the  Indians 
laid  hold  of  our  outrigger  at  once,  and  esteeming  it  useless  to  struggle 
against  such  odds,  we  all  jumped  out  of  the  canoe.  Others  of  AhoundePs 
fleet  had  by  this  time  gathered  around  us,  and  the  Indians  commenced 
beating  us  with  the  flat  sides  of  the  paddles  whenever  we  showed  our 
heads.  Our  canoe  was  smashed  to  smithereens,  and  my  comrades  were 
allowed  to  climb  into  others  in  the  fleet,  without  much  beating;  indeed, 
they  were  assisted  in;  but  I  did  not  fare  so  well.  Ahoundel  made  frequent 
feints  with  his  spear,  and  so  did  others,  but  not  one  was  thrown,  nor 
had  any  person  any  such  murderous  intention;  as  I  afterward  learned 
their  orders  were  to  frighten  and  beat,  but  not  to  hurt:  a  consoling  cir- 
cumstance, of  which  I  had  not  then  the  benefit,  but  considered  myself  a 
case.  During  all  this  time  my  father-in-law  was  upbraiding  me  with  my 
ingratitude,  reminding  me  of  my  rank,  connections,  wife,  and  the  benefits 
he  heaped  upon  me.  I  protested  my  purpose  was  only  to  make  an  ex- 
cursion witii  the  intention  to  return.  The  paddle  pounding  had  ceased 
afler  the  first  rude  attack,  and  this  conversation  was  carried  on,  or  rather 
his  scolding,  while  I  was  eyeing  the  spears,  and  dodging,  in  anticipation 
of  the  expected  blows.  I  made  several  attempts  to  climb  into  AhoundePs 
canoe,  but  my  'articular  friend,  who  had  by  this  time  been  fished  out 
of  the  water,  rapped  my  fingers  with  his  paddle  as  soon  as  they  clasped 
the  gunwale.  The  fleet,  which  had  received  additions  from  Nutt,  of 
people  who  came  out  from  curiosity,  seeing  the  fray,  now  turned  toward 
Nutt  again ;  and  Jem  Aroche,  Moonjob  as  he  was,  was  fain  to  crawl  into 
the  canoe  of  a  native,  and  return  to  the  house  of  his  father.  My  ship- 
mates accompanied  me,  and  Ahoundel,  satisfied  that  I  should  not  repeat 
my  attempt  to  escape,  proceeded  on  his  excursion.  I  should  have  men- 
tioned, that  no  women  accompanied  our  pursuers,  as  the  precaution  was 
taken  to  set  them  ashore  before  the  boats  started  in  pursuit. 

Three  or  four  days  passed  before  Ahoundel  and  his  party  returned. 
During  that  time  I  had  ample  opportunity  for  reflection,  and  came  to  the 
conclusion,  that,  considering  the  stealthy  circumstances  under  which  I 
left  Nutt,  the  chief  had  reason  for  his  jealousy  of  me.  Nay,  I  could  not 
help  acknowledging  to  myself  that  my  punishment  was  not  altogether 
undeserved,  as  my  treatment  of  my  father  had,  to  say  tho  least,  been 
unhandsome.  When  the  party  returned,  Laowni  immediately  sought  me 
upon  landing,  as  she  had  heard  vague  rumors  of  my  adventure,  and  was 
not  sure  that  I  was  not  killed.  She  was  overjoyed  to  see  me,  rubbed  her 
nose  against  mine,  threw  herself  on  my  neck,  and  fairly  wept  tears  of 
joy  at  my  safety.     Ahoundol  himself  made  a  sort  of  half  apology,  and 


■»<t)iit  ii^XT.  [f— I  •  ilUm 


ja'9^ 


46 


SEVEN  YEARS  OF  A  SAILOR'S  LIFE. 


excused  himself  by  rncapitiilating  tho  suspicious  circumstances  against  mn 
Laovvni  was  clamorous  in  her  complaints  ofmy  treatment,  and  even  appealed 
to  her  father  by  asking  him  how  he  would  like  such  usage  if  he  was  a 
stranger  in  I^ondon. 

Laowni  questioned  all  the  particulars  of  tho  attack  out  of  mo,  and 
worked  herself  into  such  a  rage  with  Nomadow,  tho  friend  who  struck 
my  hand,  that  she  ran  up  to  him,  and  struck  him  with  her  codjic,  or 
small  wooden  knife.  It  was  a  severe  blow,  too,  she  dealt  him,  doing  her 
savage  notions  of  friendship  more  credit  than  her  sex.  He  had  no  refuge 
but  flight,  and  the  others,  who  had  been  busiest  in  abusing  me  at  the  time  of 
the  encounter,  noticing  the  reconciliation  with  Ahoundel,  did  not  aAerward 
venture  into  the  canoe-house  when  I  was  present,  till  they  imagined  they 
had  propitiated  me  with  presents.  Ahoundel  was  much  better  pleased 
with  Laowni's  attack  upon  Nomadow  than  I  was.  He  called  her  "  brave  *^ 
for  it;  not  exactly  to  her  face,  but  as  any  father  among  us  would  rather 
commend  than  regret  the  pranks  of  a  spoiled  child ;  for  such  was  Laowni, 
his  only  daughter.  Nomadow  was  so  severely  wounded  by  her,  that  his 
death,  occurring  within  a  couple  of  months,  was  attributed  to  the  com- 
bined effects  of  his  bodily  injury  and  his  shame  at  being  punished  by  a 
woman. 

Our  shipmates  lengthened  their  visit  some  days  after  their  capture  . 
under  the  apparently  suspicious  circumstances  of  running  away  with 
George  and  me.  Ahoundel  had  the  justice  to  present  them  with  a  new 
eanoe,  the  civility;  to  invite  them  to  prolong  their  visit,  and  the  delicacy 
to  restore  their  property  so  soon  aAerthe  explanation,  that  their  visit  could 
not  seem  a  detention  forced  by  the  lack  of  means  to  escape.  Not  the 
least  interesting  among  our  occupations  and  amusements  on  the  island 
was  conversation  with  the  natives,  and  watching  the  avidity  with  which 
they  swallowed  whatever  we  told  them,  and  the  dexterity  with  which  they 
applied  the  information  thus  gained  to  the  improvement  of  their  arts; 
always  excepting  when  it  interfered  with  such  part  of  their  customs  as 
were  based  on  their  religion.  It  was  a  practice  with  us  to  impress  their 
minds  with  an  idea  of  the  power  of  the  chiefs  of  England  and  America. 
We  told  them  of  musketry  and  of  cannons,  but  never,  with  the  guns  in 
our  hands,  (Auld  convince  them  that  those  guns  were  the  death-dealing 
engines,  of  which,  from  tradition,  they  had  some  idea.  Our  powder  was 
all  spoiled  in  the  boat,  before  we  landed. 

In  illustrating  geography  to  my  adult  scholars,  I  drew,  upon  bark,  a 
rough  skeleton  outline  of  America,  large,  a  small  spot  for  England,  and 
to  show  them  the  comparative  size  of  their  own  islands,  a  small  dot.  Thi&, 
however,  would  not  suffice  to  make  them  understand,  till  they  inquired 
how  many  day's  journey  it  required  to  go  round  America  and  England. 
To  the  first  I  assigned  an  indefinite  time,  very,  very  long — too  many  daya 
to  be  counted.  My  inquirers  would  cluck,  cluck,  in  astonishment. 
England  (not  to  let  her  appear  too  insignificant)  I  bounded  ,by  a  ycarV 
traveling,  the  name  England  comprising  the  three  kingdoms.  They  would 
then  revert  to  their  own  speck  in  the  ocean,  almost  incredulous  to  thu 
statement  that  other  inhabited  spots  so  much  exceeded  it  in  size. 

Some  months  after  this,  we  were  informed  that  Wajai-a-Hoo,  the  chief 
of  a  neighboring  island,  had  declared  war  against  Ahoundel-a-Nutt,  un 
account  of  my  marriage.  It  appeared  that  Laowni  was  promised  to  hint 
previous  to  my  arrival.  Tho  daughter  never  much  affected  the  matcii, 
as  Wajai  was  old,  and  the  husband  already  of  something  like  a  dozen. 
It  may  be  to  her  disgust  for  that  union,  quite  an  much  as  to  my  own  good 


Wj&t-V'iVaM.^Jt-^fi^ 


stances  agninst  mo 
,  and  oven  appealed 
usage  if  ho  was  a 

:k  out  of  mo,  and 
friend  who  struck 
with  hor  codjic,  or 
ealt  him,  doing  her 
He  had  no  refuge 
ng  me  at  the  lime  of 
cl,  did  not  afterward 
.  they  imagined  they 
nuch  better  pleased 
)  called  her  "brave" 
ong  us  would  rather 
or  such  was  Laowni, 
ided  by  her,  that  his 
iributed  to  the  com- 
)eing  punished  by  a 

i  after  their  capture 
running  away  with 
lent  them  with  a  new 
isit,  and  the  delicacy 
I,  that  their  visit  could 
to  escape.     Not  the 
sements  on  the  island 
le  avidity  with  which 
:terity  with  which  they 
ivement  of  their  arts; 
rt  of  their  customs  as 
ith  us  to  impress  their 
Elngland  and  America, 
iver,  with  the  guns  in 
vere  the  death-dealing 
iea.    Our  powder  was 

I  drew,  upon  bark,  a 

spot  for  England,  and 
ads,  a  small  dot.  Thib, 
tand,  till  they  inquired 
America  and  England, 
•y  long — too  many  days 
uck,   in  astonishment. 

I  bounded  by  a  year't^ 
:ingdom8.  They  would 
nost  incredulous  to  tht; 
leded  it  in  size. 

Wajai-a-Hoo,  the  chief 
ist  Ahoundel-a-Nutt,  on 
ni  was  promised  to  him 
uch  affected  the  match, 
something  like  a  dozen 
nnrh  as  to  my  own  good 


laLAND  WARFARE  47 

looks,  that  I  owed  my  marriage  to  her.  Bo  that  as  it  may,  Ahoundel. 
alter  stating  tho  case,  asked  mo  if  I  was  willing  to  tight;  and  as  I  saw  00 
honorable  mode  of  escape^  and  am  a  native  of  a  country  whoso  hoys  havt; 
no  very  decided  aversion  to  a  bit  of  a  row,  I  consented ;  but  George 
sliowcd  the  wiiite  feather,  and  positively  refused. 

Preparations  were  immediately  set  on  foot  to  visit  him,  and  "  carry  the 
war  into  Africa,"  by  answering  Wajai's  challenge  at  his  own  door. 
Natives  to  the  number  of  about  fifteen  hundred  were  mustered,  from  Nutt 
and  two  contiguous  small  islands,  called  Hand  and  Param.  Each  canoe 
was  furnished  with  smooth  stonos,  which  were  stowed  in  the  bottom,  and 
each  native  was  furnished  with  a  sling,  a  spear,  a  bow  and  arrows,  and 
war-club.  The  spears  are  from  five  feet  to  eight  in  length,  and  barbed 
with  tho  back  bone  of  a  fish,  preserving  five  or  six  joints,  with  the  pro- 
truding bones,  like  arrow  barbs.  The  clubs  arc  made  of  heavy  wood  and 
notched,  about  eighteen  inches  or  two  feet  in  length.  Tho  natives  wore 
dressed  in  their  best  savage  articles  of  adornment,  their  heads  dressed 
with  flowers,  but  no  paint  was  put  upon  their  flesh,  except  the  everlasting 
smearing  with  cocoanut  oil  and  curry. 

The  day  and  place  had  been  appointed  with  all  the  circumstance  of  a 
duel,  or  rather  of  an  ancient  joust  at  arms,  with  tho  exception  that  there 
was  no  stipulation  or  limitation  as  to  force  on  either  side ;  each  party 
bringing  all  the  strength  he  could  muster.  Treachery  sometimes  occurs 
in  island  warfare,  and  attacks  by  surprise  arc  made ;  seldom,  it  is  true, 
but  often  enougli  to  induce  those  who  are  aware  that  they  have  enemies 
to  be  on  their  guard.  This  engagement  with  Wajai  was,  however,  a  fair 
tight,  preceded  by  a  challenge  and  its  acceptance,  and  of  course  Wajai 
was  prepared  to  receive  us,  though  with  an  inferior  force. 

His  canoes  were  ranged  in  the  water,  in  front  of  his  settlement,  and  as 
soon  as  we  wore  near  enough  to  distinguish  features,  our  cliief,  Ahoundel, 
and  Wajai  sprung  simultaneously  to  their  feet,  upon  the  platforms  of  their 
canoes,  and  flourishing  their  spears,  set  up  a  shout  of  defidnce,  the  conches 
blowing  an  accompaniment.  The  inferior  chiefs  upon  both  sides  then 
rose  and  joined  in  the  cry,  and  the  engagement  commenced  with  hurling 
the  stones  with  slings.  The  stones  are  seldom  less  than  a  pound  in 
weight,  and  are  thrown  with  tremendous  precision,  tho  parties  being  from 
thirty  to  forty  yards  apart.  Several  canoes  were  broken  and  sunk  on  both 
sides,  and  many  men  killed.  The  stones  exhausted,  arrows  and  spoars 
followed;  the  parties  nearing  each  other,  till  the  battle  was  canoe  to  canoe, 
and  hand  to  hand.  The  natives  would  seize  each  other  by  the  hair,  and 
thrust  with  a  small  wooden  spear  or  lance,  without  barbs,  and  cut  the  fleah 
with  sharp  shells.  In  tho  onset  Wajai  was  killed  by  one  of  the  party  in  our 
canoe.  A  shout  of  joy  on  one  side,  and  a  murmur  of  grief  on  the  other, 
suspended  the  battle  a  moment ;  but  it  was  soon  renewed  with  unabated 
fierceness.  At  length  we  forced  a  landing,  and  the  vanquished  or  broken 
foe,  failing  to  prevent  it,  also  sprung  on  shore,  and  disputed  every  inch 
of  ground,  to  the  very  doors  of  their  houses.  The  land  engagement  was 
fought  with  the  jagged  spears  and  tho  short  war-clubs.  It  may  be  neces- 
sary here  to  state  that  direct  thrusts  are  seldom  made  with  these  spears; 
they  are  generally  used  for  striking,  and  inflict  mangling  wounds  in  the 
flesh.  The  clubs  which  arc  worn  in  the  belt,  like  a  North  American 
Indian's  tomahawk,  are  the  last  resort,  but  arc  never  hurled. 

An  hour  and  a  half  of  hard  fighting  brought  us  to  the  estate  of  Wajai. 
The  women  had  long  before  deserted  the  houses,  taking  with  them  such 
of  their  effects  as  they  could  con^'eniently  transport,  and  the  men,  fairly 


'4 


m 


m- 


48 


BEVEN  TEARS  OP  A  SAILOK'S  LIKE. 


overpownrud,  fled  to  tlio  interior.  No  attempt  hnd  boon  nimln  \  i  tak<: 
prisonnrH  on  t>itlu;r  nidrt,  nnd  tlin  tuf;itivcH  wcrii  not  purHticd.  'I'lin  nntivvH 
of  Uunalxin,  ncvrr  nlauKtitor  in  rold  lilood  nlli'i  a  too  ('r>aHi!M  to  reHJHt. 
Our  party  plundered  tliu  hounefl  of  whatever  movahlim  were  lel\,  Het 
tire  to  them,  and,  returninf(  to  the  beach,  brolte  up  the  c.unoeH  of  the  foe, 
and  takin;;  with  un  tiio  iipearR,  mats,  nnd  otii'<T  plunder,  we  returned  to 
Nutt.  We  broiifjht  back  such  of  our  own  dea<i  an  we  could  tind,  and  the 
liody  of  Wujai  and  other  rhiefH,  who  fell  upon  tite  other  aide. 

For  the  credit  of  a  pco|)le  whoso  character  in  generally  huniano,  for 
uucultivated  savaf^eg,  I  iiluudd  rejoice  to  stop  here ;  but  the  truth  cotiipels 
mo  to  Hpeak  of  a  cuatorn  ditferiuK  ao  entirely  from  their  unuiil  character. 
that  I  am  at  a  ioaa  to  account  for  it.  Ujton  the  next  day  atler  our  return 
there  wftH  a  fi^aat  held.  The  uaual  preparations  of  ja^o  and  do^  veniHon 
wore  made,  and  the  bodies  of  Wajai  and  his  chiofH  were  burned ;  but 
previously  to  the  entire  cotisumption  of  tho  liodios  by  tire,  the  heart  of 
Wajai  was  taken  out,  and  presented  to  the  chiefs  on  a  Inr^e  plantain  leaf 
Whether  it  was  oaten,  or  <;ven  tasted,  I  cannot  say,  as  I  was  not  |)rrscnt  at 
tho  dis^ustin^  ceremony.  The  presumption,  iiowcver,  is,  the  eating  the 
hoarts  of  tho  chiefs  killed  in  war  is  a  custom  with  them.  Of  this  I  can 
spoak  only  so  far  ns  I  have  spoken,  having  had  but  one  opportunity  for 
ascortainin),'.  No  other  part  of  the  liody  than  the  heart  was  oaten,  (ind  tiiut 
rather  as  a  ceremony  than  a  gratification. 

It  was  in  the  early  part  of  the  month  of  November,  1833,  that  I  discov- 
ered a  vessel  from  Nutl ;  the  tirst  vessel  that  i  am  positive  of  having  seen 
while  on  tho  island  of  Bonabec.  My  comrades  ol^  n  said  they  saw  vesscl.s, 
and  I  frequently  imagined  that  I  did,  but  none  npproached  near  enoujjh 
for  us  to  distinfruish  their  class.  It  was  about  sunrise  in  the  rnornin^L.' 
whon  I  first  discovered  her,  and  i  called  up  George  inunediatcly.  Wc  ran 
to  the  top  of  the  nearest  hill,  and  anxiously  watched  her,  as  well  as  the 
mist  and  occasional  rain  would  permit,  for  it  was  a  dull  morning.  Ailer 
wo  had  satisfied  ourselves  that  it  was  a  European  or  American  vessel,  wo 
ran  down  to  the  chief  and  informed  him  tiiat  there  was  a  vessel  in  the 
otfing,  and  that  we  wisiicd  to  board  her.  Ho  was  not  half  so  much  elated 
ai.  receiving  the  information  as  we  werfc  in  imparting  it.  He  eyed  mo 
some  moments.  "What!"  said  he,  "uship?  No,  no."  I  repeated  my 
assurance,  and  led  him  to  the  hill.  My  wife  and  tho  whole  household 
followed.  (je6rge  and  I  bounded  about  for  joy,  skipping  up  tho  hill,  as 
if  our  feet  could  not  serve  us  fast  enough.  I'ln'  pace  of  our  companions 
offered  something  of  a  contrast;  they  were  still  incredulous,  and  my  wife 
and  father  were  evidently  hoping  airainst  the  truth  of  my  discovery,  as 
they  saw  in  my  joy  anything  but  a  pleasant  indication  of  my  feelings 
respecting  remaining  upon  tho  island.  1  pointed  out  the  vessel,  and  satis- 
fied them  that  it  was  not,  as  they  butiposcd,  and  hoped  it  might  be,  a  native 
war-canoe.  I  repeated  my  request  >r  a  canoe,  assuring  Ahoundel  that 
I  would  make  the  vessel  ^^moondie,'"  literally,  "«/  rfotrn,"  or  come  to  an 
anchor.  At  the  canoe-house,  whither  Ahoundel,  Laowni,  my  children, 
and  others,  followed  me,  Ahoundel  granted  his  unwilling  consent  that  1 
should  go  off  to  tho  vessel,  following  it  up  with  questions,  while  Laowni 
anxiously  watched  the  express  on  of  my  face  for  an  answer.  "  Do  you 
love  your  wife?  your  children?  Do  you  love  them  much,  very  much? 
Will  you  certainly  return  ?"  To  all  this  I  answered  yes,  yes;  ond  my  heart 
smites  mc  now,  as  I  recollc(  ihc  gratified  expression  of  my  wife's  coun- 
tenance upon  receiving  the  ansurance.  A  large  canoo  was  prepared  tu 
lauucli,  but  the  tide  was  out.     We  were  obliged  to  wait  for  it  two  full 


.IKK. 

[i  bo<:n  iiiniln  I  >  take 
uirMUiiil.  'I'lio  unlives 
I  foo  iraHCM  to  rrsiMt. 
>vnl)l(!N  woro  loft,  Hot 
tho  f.uiiocH  of  tin;  fo«, 
imlcr,  w«'  retiirnod  to 
tvo  coiiUI  tind,  antl  the 
lUhur  Hill)', 
pcnnrally  liiimano,  for 

hut  thf>  truth  coriipGU 
thoir  unuiil  chnractcr. 
tt  duy  allor  our  return 

jnjjo  and  <1ok  venison 
Lifn  were  huruod;  hut 
i  hy  lire,  tho  heart  of 
n  a  liir^e  plantain  leaf 
aH  1  was  not  present  at 
ever,  is,  the  eating  the 
I  thorn.  Of  this  I  can 
It  one  opportunity  for 
iart  was  eaten,  (ind  that 

or,  1833,  that  I  discov- 
positive  of  having;  noon 
n  said  thc^  saw  vcsscl.s, 
proachod  near  enough 
mnriso  in  tho  rnorninji; 
immediately.  Wo  ran 
led  her,  as  well  as  the 
1  dull  morninR.  After 
»r  American  vessel,  wo 
ere  was  a  vess<.>l  in  the 
not  half  so  much  elated 
rting  it.  Ho  eyed  mo 
,  no."  I  repeated  my 
d  tho  wholo  household 
(kipping  up  tho  hill,  as 
)ac<'  of  our  compajiions 
credulous,  and  my  wife 
ith  of  my  discovery,  as 
lication  of  my  feelings 
)Ut  tho  vessel,  and  satis- 
ped  it  might  bo,  a  native 
issuring  Ahoundel  that 
t  dou-n,"  or  como  to  an 
,  Laowni,  my  children, 
mwilling  consent  that  1 
uestions,  while  Laowni 

an  answer.  "  Do  you 
lem  much,  very  much? 
d  yes,  yes;  and  my  heart 
ision  of  my  wife's  coun- 

canoo  was  prepared  to 
1  to  wait  for  it  two  full 


* 


Ik 


^>* 


■•'f  Jr  . 


I 


liA^'^s*^^^^*'*''®*^'*"^''^^^ 


^— i*s^jrtt«flr«*?^a«'-- 


ifii*j(^i'j,'iLri  I*" 


THE  SPY,  OF  SALEM.  ^g 

hours!    Oh  the  impatience  we  felt!  the  snnil.Iilf«  nrn»,<>..     r  .•      • 

At  It..^  h  the  tide  served  us  to  launch  the  canoe.     Ahoundel  anrf 

before  we  could  exchange  a  word  with  them      I  «h„.  u  i?  •        ,' 

u.,but  my  haLds  and  aVmsKe  tfe^L  o^f  Kate^r^'i'^^'/P*'" 


.*.«-«h*w*«  -vimMfoe-^tm^  v*^  ,^,  ^ 


50 


SEVEN  YEARS  OF  A  SAILOR'S  LIFE. 


nearly  together.  The  outrigger  was  thrown  upon  the  ledge  at  the  sccoud 
or  third  roll,  and  had  we  clung  to  it  we  should  have  been  dashed  to  pieces 
among  the  rocks,  by  the  force  with  which  wu  should  have  been  driven. 
The  young  chief  had  reached  the  Icdgo  before  us,  and  between  our  forced 
plunges  we  could  see  him  encouraging  ua  by  swinging  his  mat.  After 
being  thus  swamped  five  or  six  times  we  reached  the  rocks,  more  dead 
than  alive,  and  crawled  where  the  water  had  least  force.  Here,  taking 
the  pole  of  the  outrigger,  which,  as  before  stated,  had  preceded  us,  I 
attached  my  mat  to  it,  and  made  signals  of  distress.  On  board  the  schooner 
they  paid  no  heed  to  it,  although  she  stood  at  one  time  almost  within  hail 
of  us.  Taking  us  for  natives,  and  supposing  us  used  to  such  mishaps, 
her  master  thought  we  could  manage  for  ourselves ;  had  he,  however, 
been  inclined  to  assist  us,  no  boat  would  have  lived  in  the  surf.  We  were 
two  or  three  hours  on  the  reef  before  we  were  discovered  by  the  natives; 
then  some  fishing  canoes  came  to  us  from  the  inside,  where  the  sea  was 
comparatively  nothing,  and  the  reef  approachable,  and  took  us  otT.  One 
of  the  party,  the  native  who  remained  with  the  canoe,  was  drowned,  his 
body  being  picksd  up  a  day  or  two  afterward  among  the  rocks  which 
formed  the  reef. 

Upon  reaching  Nutt,  Ahoundel  was  astonished  with  the  story  of  our 
escape.  The  young  chief  described  our  conduct  to  him,  and  his  astonish- 
ment was  increased,  that  two  white  men  should  prove  better  or  more 
fortunate  swimmers  than  a  native  fisherman.  We  were  weakened,  and 
bruised,  and  sore,  as  the  reader  will  readily  conceive  ;  but  our  bodily 
sulTeriag  was  forgotten  in  our  mental  anxiety,  as  the  last  light  of  day 
showed  us  the  schooner  standing  off  shore.  Would  she  return?  The 
night  long  we  ])ussod  in  anxious  doubt,  and  were  out  with  the  dawn  to 
look  for  the  sail.  At  length  I  saw  her,  just  a  speck.  Heavens!  how  my 
heart  leaped!  A  half  hour  more  and  the  tide  was  right.  The  vessel, 
standing  in,  was  now  fairly  visible,  and,  prepared  with  a  fresh  load  of 
tortoise  shell  and  provisions,  with  George  and  two  natives  for  companions, 
I  set  sail  again.  As  we  went  out  by  the  reef,  we  were  forcibly  reminded 
of  our  escape  of  tbo  preceding  day,  by  a  fleet  of  canoes  which  were 
paddling  as  near  the  reef  as  they  dared,  in  search  of  the  body  of  the 
drowned  man.  When  we  reached  the  schooner  she  was  hove  to,  with 
her  boarding  nettings  up,  and  her  men  mustered,  with  boarding  pikes  and 
muskets  in  hand,  or  at  hand.  Two  or  three  other  canoes  got  along  side 
at  the  same  time  that  we  did,  and  others  were  coming  off.  Upon  the 
day  before  no  natives  had  been  allowed  to  board  the  vessel,  though  a 
barter  trafiic  for  yams  and  bread-fruit  was  opened  between  the  canoes  and 
those  on  board  the  vessel.  We  passed  under  her  stern,  and  I  read  the 
name,  "  Spy,  of  Salem."  She  was  brig  rigged  forward,  and  schooner  aft. 
Fusing  round  to  her  weather  bow,  I  song  out,  "  Shipmates,  throw  us  a 
ropers  end,  will  you  ?''  There  was  a  bustle  on  deck,  a  buzz  of  surprise, 
but  DO  answer,  and  in  a  moment  I  heard  somebody  exclaiming,  "Captain, 
the  natives  on  this  island  speak  English!**  The  anxiely  to  get  a  peep  at 
tt8  through  the  boarding  netting  was  now  redoubled,  forward  and  afl. 
One  of  the  men,  ailer  much  hesitation,  threw  us  a  rope,  and  the  captain 
came  to  the  gangway  and  asked  us  on  board,  requesting  us  to  keep  the 
natives  in  the  canoe,  which  we  did.  The  captain  did  us  the  honor  to 
Mhip  the  side-ladder  for  us,  and  Qeorge  and  I  needed  no  second  invitation 
to  come  on  deck,  but,  taking  up  the  tortoise  shell  with  us,  directed  the 
natives  to  pass  up  the  yams.  To  my  first  question  the  captain  answered 
that  the  nune  of  the  island  waa  Asceosion,  the  group  being  laid  down 


•  - «K'"   '  •  iiM«iiii»'i'ifirr — f.-r'-^i'--— ——-'--- ■-^^- 


\ 


THE  SPY  FIRES  UPON  THE  NATIVES. 


51 


ilge  at  the  second 
,  dashed  to  pieces 
ave  been  driven, 
etwcen  our  ibrccd 
,g  hia  nmt.     Alter 

rocks,  more  dead 
ce.     Here,  taking 
ad  preceded  us,  1 
board  the  schooner 
i  almost  within  hail 
Ito  such  mishaps, 
•  had  he,  however, 
^hesurf.     We  were 
ered  by  the  natives; 

where  the  sea  was 
d  took  us  off.  One 
e  was  drowned,  his 
ng  the  rocks  which 

ith  the  story  of  our 
lim,  and  his  astonish- 
,rove  better  or  more 
were  weakened,  and 
eive  ;  but  our  bodily 
the  last  liglit«f  day 
Id  she  return?     Ino 
out  with  the  dawn  to 
Heavens!  how  my 
3  right.     The  vessel. 

with  a  fresh  load  of 
latives  for  companions, 
,ere  forcibly  reminded 
kf  canoes  which  were 
ch  of  the  body  of  the 
ahe  was  hove  to,  with 

ith  boarding  pikes  and 
I  canoes  got  along  side 
homing  off.  Upon  the 
[d  the  vessel,  though  a 
Vetween  the  canoes  and 
r  stern,  and  I  read  the 

w&tA,  and  schooner  att. 

Shipmates,  throw  us  a 

■ck,  a  buzz  of  surprise, 
exclaiming,  "Captain, 

tnxiclytogetapeepat 

ibled,  forward  and  att. 
I  a  rope,  and  the  captain 
questing  us  to  keep  the 
Sin  did  us  the  honor  to 
ded  no  second  invitation 
,11  with  us,  directed  the 
m  the  captain  answered 
group  being  laid  down 


a.s  one  island  on  the  chart.  He  inquired  particularly  into  our  story,  and 
prococded,  while  lie  did  su,  to  offer  us,  with  a  sailor^^  liospittility,  a  rum- 
iiior  of  grog,  it  was-  tlie  first  I  had  tasted  for  years,  of  course,  and  a  bare 
hwallow  of  it  i)urned  my  throat,  flushed  my  face,  and  played  the  deuce 
witli  my  head  altogetlier.  Poor  (ieorge  was  even  worse  flabborgusted 
tliau  1  was. 

In  answer  to  Captain  Knight's  inquiries,  I  assured  him  of  the  peaceable 
character  of  tlie  islanders,  and  that  there  was  abundance  of  tortoise  shell 
and  beche  Ic  incr  for  commerce,  and  yams,  bread-fruit,  water,  and  wood, 
for  provision  upon  the  islands.  In  a  short  time  Captain  Knigiit  expressed 
a  willingness  that  I  should  permit  my  natives  to  come  on  board,  and  we 
dropped  the  canoe  astern.  Other  natives  were  not  so  fortunate;  they 
huddled  about  the  vessel,  and,  coveting  iron,  strove  to  pull  out  the  iron 
work  under  the  chains  with  their  hands.  The  schooner  filled  away  again, 
and  we  stood  off  with  a  fleet  of  canoes  in  tow,  dashing  and  plashing 
through  the  water,  their  outriggers  foul  of  each  other,  and  getting  contin- 
ually carried  away.  I  dined  on  board,  with  George,  at  the  cabin  table. 
The  condiments  of  my  own  furnishing,  with  the  salt  provisions,  ship  bread, 
and  butter,  of  the  ship's  stores,  furnished  a  more  savory  meal  than  I  had 
sat  down  to  for  many  a  day.  I  undertook  to  pilot  the  Spy  inside  the  reef 
to  an  anchorage,  at  Captain  Knight's  request.  At  four  or  five  o'clock  in  the 
evening  she  came  to  an  anchor  in  the  harbor  of  Matalaleme.  By  the 
natives  who  went  that  night  to  Nutt,  I  sent  Ahoundel  a  large  broadax 
and  an  adz,  and  to  Laowni  I  sent  beads,  red  kerchiefs,  and  other  trinkets; 
while  George  and  I  remained  on  board,  afraid  to  trust  ourselves  on  shore 
again. 

In  the  morning  the  vessel  was  again  surrounded  by  canoes,  and  Captain 
Knight  purchased  of  the  natives,  through  me  as  an  interpreter,  tortoise 
shell  and  other  articles,  and  one  canoe,  which  he  purposed  to  carry  away 
na  a  curiosity.  This  was  dropped  astern  and  fastened  by  a  rope  to  the 
counter.  In  about  two  hours  from  tiie  time  of  purchasing  some  of  the 
natives  slipped  into  it,  and  before  we  were  aware  were  making  oft"  with  it, 
induced  probably  by  some  island  superstition.  Captain  Knight  immedi- 
ately fired  upon  the  thieves,  and,  lowering  a  boat,  sent  some  men  in 
pursuit;  but  it  would  have  been  impossible  to  have  overtaken  them,  even 
if  the  water  had  not  been  ttw  shallow  in  places  for  the  keel  of  the  boat. 
Captain  Knight  now  began  to  fear  that  the  natives  intended  to  take  his 
vessel,  although  George  and  I  assured  him  to  the  contrary,  and  told  him 
that  their  worst  fault  was  an  irresistible  propensity  to  thieve,  where  they 
saw  articles  they  so  earnestly  coveted.  We  represented  to  him  that  harsh 
treatment  might  bring  about  the  very  event  he  dreaded,  and  that,  at  any 
rate,  the  next  vessel  which  came  within  their  reach  would  suffer  for  his 
conduct.  Still  he  was  nervous,  agitated,  and  acted  like  one  beside  him- 
self, begging  me  to  prevent  treachery  and  keep  the  natives  quiet.  In- 
stead of  acting  like  a  discreet  person,  which  had  he  done,  he  might  have 
lain  at  Matalaleme  weeks,  with  profit,  he  blowed  out  the  brains  of  a  native 
who  was  climbing  in  at  the  cabin  windows,  and  threw  out  the  body. 
Luckily  for  Captain  Knight,  the  murdered  man  was  a  common  man,  ao 
that  the  dissatisfaction  of  the  natives  amounted  only  to  a  murmur;  had  he 
been  a  chief,  the  capture  of  the  vessel  and  murder  of  the  crew  would  have 
atoned  for  his  death.  It  did  not  seem  long  to  intimidate  them,  but  after 
they  had  clamorously  inquired  of  me  the  cause  of  his  death,  and  I  told 
them  it  was  for  thieving,  they  seemed,  in  a  measure,  satisfied  that  it  was 
just.    During  the  time  that  the  Spy  lay  at  Matalaleme  no  natives  were 


,e-aij;sa<jEiiT«^y 


-2  SEVEN  YEARS  OP  A  SAILOR'S  LIFE. 

permitted  to  come  upon  her  dock,  but  stood  in  the  chams^and  jn^their 

Loos.     No  chiefs  of  not.  cun.e  off  to  the  ves«  I  ^at^^  ^.^^^  I  ^^^ 

adopted  by  their  friends,  \P^"^f"™.^ieous  a  measure  could  not  have 
andV'cy  of  the  P-P/j«'^:\^;,,;Vrt "X^^^  after  the  native  was 
beencarr.cdout  by  an  the  islands^  .^^^  ^^^  foretop,  charged 

shot  in  the  cabm,  » j™''"  'r^^"',*?,,'!  Every  fresh  arrival  of  canoes  put 
with  nails,  slugs,  ^"^.■^"^^f^i'fi^^^^  commenced  hostilit  es, 

Captain  Knight  m  add.tiona  P^*":^^^^^^^  Constant  persuasion, 

and  even  I  began  to  have  fear  for  he  conHequenc^     ^^  ^^ 

and  even  the  exercise  of  authority,  was  n  J        .  '^j^^  ^„r„i„g  the 

a  rush  upon  the  veBBol,  by  the  naUves      At  abo  ^.^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^^^ 

Spy  got  under  way,  ."^"^  ,^^P^''°  f  "J niyself  to  take  arms  against  people 
natives,  and  even  wished  ^^f  "*i».  "'^^^  protectors.  We  flatly  refused, 
who  had  for  five  y^a"  been  our  friends  and  protec  o  ^^^^  ^^^ 

The  musket  shots  were  answered  ^J  °c^;««>;^^^^^^  but 

canoes,  none  of  >vh,ch  took  effect,    aveo^^^^^  butslightly.    Dunng 

from  being  spent,  or  sorne  oyer  caus^^^^^^^  ^^  ^^^^^^  .^^^^^^^^^  than 

all  the  time  the  """.^^'^  °l*J^f„,  ^Tv/rsation  and  pa 
diminished,  and  I  was  >°  ;°"™^^°7Sf  ^^^^^^    tici-tic  (petty  chie  ) 
They  complamed  of  ^^^ ^J^^^^.'Y"^  °  „ot  to  blame  for  it,  and  appealed  to 
of  the  vessel.     I  answered  that  1  was  noi  lo  u  ^  anxious 

Sem  for  the  fact  that  I  had  "«*  J^^lf  i^^eT  ^^^^  to  Ahoundel. 

that  a  good  report  of  my  conduct  «n°uW  be  earn  ^^  ^^^ 

"^  As  ^?e  beat  out-for  the  wind  ws  against  u^^fl^-t^^  ^^^  ^^^ 
canoes,  nothing  daunted  by  th«  death  oi  i  ^^^^  ^^  ^  ^^^^^^ 

put  off/or  us  from  variou^  parts^^^^^  oWelf  startling.  It  rang  from 
report  in  the  harbor  of  .^?\*''V^f  p'.^bably  for  the  first  time;  that  genera- 
rock  to  rock,  fd  from  hill  to  h lU ,  P^^^^'^^y  j^j  „f  the  use  or  character 
tion  of  the  islanders,  **3X'erEi"y  was  doubled  by  his  want  of 
lf=edg?o«e^ttrw^H^^^^^^^^  -^e  conduct  of 

''VhriU  of  a  fresh  fleet  putting  off  towa^^^^^^^^^^ 
desperate.     He  ««"*  a  hand  w>th  a  ™atchj^nto 

the  sail,  and  sent  ^^e  charge  »^^^^^^^  ^^„„,,.    There 

1  saw  several  natives  drop  like  dogs  over  V  ^    survivors;  but  the 

rose  a  howl  of  mingled  ^,*g«  "^"^^J^^^^e  Ss  fell  back,  and  though 
cruel  expedient  answered  the  purpose     t^e  ^^^^^^      j^  ^^^ 

they  followed  us  far  outs.de  the  reef,  ^^  ^^J^^ «       ^^  ^^^  ^^^^^     jj^j 
pasWe  through  the  reef  we  nmowlpj^^^  ^^^^  d 

ir^ngi^'sSX^s^^^^^^         ^-  ^^'^  ^"^^^ '' ''' 

islanders.  „  „„♦  ,on«iitfld    The  mast  was  strained,  and 

The  shot  from  the  foretop  was  not  '«P«*X;„  the  backstays  by  the  run, 

the  sailor  who  officiated  as  gunner  c«n«  ^own  the^J^^^yj^h  occurred 

protestinghewouldnot  agamfire   he  8w^^^^  J  ^^  unpleasantly 

Suring  my  connection  .^l^^X  Captan  Knight.  Knowing  perfectly 
as  the  butchery  of  my  tnends  oy  ^ap"^"  .  .  »  ^j^  t,  unt  I  they  were 
Z  language  and  character  of  the  people,^  la^ewthat^ 

roused  to  revenge  by  the  death  of  the  "^tY/l^^J^J^^^^  have  been  guarded 


'  %*(i«r»5«(a*«***»«»»''-'' 


:-BS»««S*^<^'9«»WW»««««*****«***^ 


VILLAINY  OF  CAPTAIN  KNIGHT. 


53 


g,  and  in  ihcir 

1 a  precaution 

wWj  the  habits 
:  could  not  have 
r  the  native  was 
brctop,  cliarged 
,1  of  canoes  put 
Bnced  hostilities, 
3tant  persuasion, 
r  part,  to  prevent 
the  morning  the 
f,  to  fire  upon  the 
ns  against  people 
We  flatly  refused. 

hurled  from  the 
ick  the  mate;  but 
L  slightly.    During 
er  increased  than 
.y  with  the  natives, 
■a-tic  (petty  chief) 
it,  and  appealed  to 
jm.     I  was  anxious 
back  to  Ahoundel. 
;t  after  fleet  of  the 
res  who  had  fallen, 
,  echo  of  a  musket 
tling.     It  rang  from 
t  time;  that  genera- 
te use  or  character 
ed  by  his  want  of 

to  safe  conduct  of 

ide  Captain  Knight 
oretop,  cleved  up 
hickest  of  the  fleet, 
heir  canoes.    There 
e  survivors;  but  the 
•ell  back,  and  though 
tt  distance.    In  the 
eon  the  rocks.    Had 
ould  have  answered 
American  or  English 
probably  be  sacrificed 

ito  the  power  of  th« 

mast  was  strained,  and 
backstays  by  the  run, 
thing  which  occurred 

me  so  unpleasantly 
Knowing  perfectly 
►  that,  until  they  were 
aht  of  farther  mischiet 

ily  have  been  guarded 
taken  did  not  answer. 


[  proposed  to  Captain  Knight,  as  we  entered  the  harbor,  that  the  vessel 
should  lay  there  a  month  or  six  weeks,  informing  him  of  the  quantities 
of  beche  le  mor  which  I  proposed  to  cure  for  him,  taking  the  requisite 
tools  from  the  vessel.  I  did  not  expect  that  anything  but  peace  and  good 
fellowship  between  the  natives  and  the  crew  of  the  vessel  would  grow  out 
of  the  visit;  but  the  hasty  and  cruel  conduct  of  Captain  Knight  marred  it 
all.  I  was  grieved  at  the  death  of  the  the  natives;  but  I  was  astonished 
at  the  efl'rontery  with  which  Captain  Knight  called  upon  us  to  fire  upon 
our  friends.  We  told  him  we  were  anxious  to  get  away  from  tlic  island, 
but  that  we  should  prefer  to  be  set  on  shore  again,  rather  than  purchase 
our  freedom  by  such  an  abuse  of  friendship. 

Fairly  out  of  the  harbor  of  Matalaleme,  the  deportment  of  Captain 
Knight  materially  changed  toward  us.  lie  was  no  longer  the  supplicant 
for  intercession  with  the  natives,  but  the  master,  imposing  his  authority  upon 
us  in  every  possible  manner.  In  about  fourteen  days  we  made  Guam, 
one  of  the  Marian  Islands,  whore  Captain  Knight  would  have  left  us,  but 
the  authorities  would  not  permit  it.  By  the  way,  I  should  have  mentioned 
that  the  ship's  cook  was  set  ashore  at  Matalaleme,  with  his  own  consent, 
and  I  directed  the  natives  into  whose  canoe  he  stepped  to  carry  him  to 
Ahoundel,  and  treat  him  well,  for  my  sake.  Whether  he,  and  the  four 
comrades  whom  I  left  upon  the  islands,  did  not  fare  worse  for  Captain 
Knight's  conduct,  I  had  no  means  of  ascertaining;  but  must  do  the  natives 
the  justice  to  express  the  opinion,  based  upon  a  knowledge  of  their  char- 
acter, that  they  have  too  much  benevolence  and  perception  of  right  and 
wrong  to  abuse  known  friends  for  the  conduct  of  strangers,  though  those 
strangers  were  of  their  color  and  language. 

After  leaving  Guam,  I  had  some  altercation  with  Captain  Knight,  which 
resulted  in  no  very  agreeable  consequences  to  myself.  During  the  whole 
passage  I  had  been  sick,  from  a  cold,  exhaustion,  fatigue,  and  derange- 
ment of  my  whole  system,  from  the  change  of  diet.  Under  my  right  arm 
was  a  large  and  very  painful  swelling.  One  night  I  had  the  watch  from 
eight  to  twelve,  the  first  two  hours  of  which  I  spent  on  the  topgallant  yard, 
upon  the  lookout.  When  I  came  down  I  laid  myself  on  the  forecastle  by 
the  heel  of  the  bowsprit,  exhausted,  and  in  agony  from  the  swelling  under 
my  arm.  Captain  Knight  came  forward,  and  at  the  first  intimation  I  had 
of  his  proximity  was  a  kick.  "What  business  have  you  here  asleep,  sir?" 
I  pleaded  my  weakness  and  ill  health,  and  the  suffering  I  had  already 
endured  by  the  lookout  at  the  masthead.  He  collared  me,  and  I  returned 
his  grasp  with  interest;  he  freed  himself  from  me,  went  aft,  and  returned 
with  a  brace  of  pistols  in  his  hand,  threatening  to  shoot  me.  I  told  him 
to  do  it ;  that  I  was  tired  of  life,  and  would  willingly  die.  He  then  let 
m(j  alone  for  the  night,  and  indeed  wo  had  no  more  words,  but  he  hove 
to  near  the  first  land  we  made,  lowered  the  boat,  and  ordered  mo  into  it. 
George  insisted  upon  accompanying  me,  to  which  Captain  Knight  at  first 
objected,  but  afterward  consented.  He  then  sent  the  second  mate  and 
two  men  with  directions  to  leave  the  two  Irish  villians  (he  used  a  worse 
word)  anywhere— on  a  rock,  or  a  sand-bank,  but  not  to  bring  them  on 
board  again.  This  was  in  the  straits  of  Barnardino.  Upon  reaching  the 
shore  wo  found  bullocks  grazing,  but  saw  no  house,  or  shelter  of  any  kind, 
and  persuaded  the  second  mate  to  take  us  back.  He  did  so,  and  upon 
returning  to  the  vessel  told  the  captain  that  he  could  not  drive  us  from  the 
boat,  but  that  we  insisted  upon  coming  back. 

We  were  taken  on  board,  and  the  vessel  filled  away  again.  I  very 
foolishly,  as  the  event  proved,  threatened  Captain  Knight  that  I  would 


5iS.l?^?J&*;^"g 


,^ 


.Kf'-MHMMP 

'if 


54 


SEVEN  YEARS  OP  A  SAILOR'S  LIFE. 


'; 


represent  to  the  authorities  at  Manilla  his  treatment  of  the  Indiana  at 
Ascension,  and  his  abuse  of  me.  Upon  arrival  at  that  port  he  anticipated 
'no,  making'  ail  sorts  of  charges  against  us,  as  runaways  from  punishment 
at  New  Holland,  pirates  who  strove  to  cause  the  capture  of  his  vessel  by 
the  Indians,  and  mutineers  on  board.  Upon  being  boarded  by  the  cap- 
tain of  the  port  at  Manilla,  just  as  we  thought  we  had  reached  the  end 
of  our  vexations  and  were  in  a  way  to  return  home,  we  were  agreeably 
surprised  by  a  present  of  leg  safety-chains,  and  were  placed,  ironed,  in 
the  bows  of  the  captain  of  the  port's  barge. 

Captain  Knight  soon  came  down  over  the  side,  and  seated  himself  under 
the  awning  in  the  stern  sheets,  with  the  captain  of  the  port,  the  quarantine 
and  custom-house  officers;  and  as  we  sat,  we  could  perceive  we  were  the 
objects  of  the  conversation.  We  bore  this  talking  at,  some  time  in  silence, 
but  tiring  of  it,  I  requested  George  to  play  his  flute;  which,  by  the  way, 
as  a  memento  of  his  residence  on  Ascension,  he  had  taken  care  to  keep 
with  him.  Accordingly  he  struck  up  St.  Patrick's  Day  in  the  Morning, 
Garry  Owen,  and  divers  other  merry  Irish  tunes,  to  the  astonishment  and 
edification  of  the  boatmen,  and,  after  awhile,  to  the  amusement  even  of 
the  officers  in  the  stern  sheets.  We  were  pulled  in  this  way  alongside 
half  a  dozen  vessels  which  had  just  entered  the  harbor,  and  endured  the 
gratification  of  being  pointed  out  to  their  crews  ..s  felons : — a  story  we 
took  every  opportunity  to  contradict.  The  feelings  of  the  sailors  were, 
of  course,  with  us,  and  their  half-expressed  and  doubtful  sympathy  was 
grateful,  when  all  the  rest  of  the  world  were  disposed  to  frown. 

After  being  paraded  in  this  way  about  the  harbor  for  half  a.  day,  we 
were  landed,  and  marched  with  military  honors  up  the  street.  Wo  had 
reached  a  church — were  famished  with  hunger,  having  eaten  nothing  since 
morning,  and  faint  with  exposure  to  the  heat  of  a  broiling  sun.  "  Is  it 
vespers  you  arc  taking  us  to?  Well,  prayer  after  fasting."  The  captain 
of  our  escort  pointed  to  the  opposite  side  of  (lie  street,  and  there,  fronting 
(he  church,  stood  a  loss  agreeable  resort  for  sinners;  one,  like  the  church, 
not  always  sought  voluntarily — tiie  calabozo.  They  had  the  impoliteness 
to  fasten  the  door  at  our  backs  when  we  entered. 

Upon  entering,  we  found  ourselves  in  a  sort  of  reception  room,  more 
convenient  for  its  purposes  than  genteel,  or  elegantly  furnished.  It  was 
separated  from  the  rest  of  the  prison  by  an  iron  grating,  through  which 
the  friends  of  the  prisoners  conversed  with  them.  Through  this  grating 
we  saw  a  large  hall,  tenanted  by  prisoners,  but  were  ourselves  passed 
up  a  flight  of  stone  steps,  communicating  with  the  second  story.  At  the 
end  of  the  room  opposite  the  entrance  was  an  altar  and  crucifix ;  and 
we  were  curious  as  to  what  was  coming  when  we  were  led  toward  it. 
The  marvel  ceased,  however,  when  a  door  near  the  crucifix  was  opened, 
and  we  were  ushered  into  the  jailor's  office,  and  requested  to  favor  him 
with  our  autographs  in  his  album.  This  done,  we  were  returned  into 
the  common  hall,  and  an  allowance  of  rice  served  out  to  us. 

All  this  time  we  had  no  precise  knowledge  of  the  charges  made 
against  us,  although  we  knew  it  was  something  in  which  Captain  Knight 
had  a  hand.  Upon  the  aext  day  the  interpreter,  who,  by  the  way,  had 
honored  us  with  his  company  until  he  saw  the  key  safely  turned  upon 
us,  paid  us  a  visit.  From  him  we  learned  what  the  reader  has  already 
been  informed,  that  there  were  three  distinct  charges,  either  of  which 
was  sufficient  to  authorize  the  affectionate  care  taken  of  us;  namely, 
piracy,  escape  from  Botany  Bay,  and  mutinous  conduct.  We  inquired 
whether  we  should  have  a  trial,  and  how  soon ;  to  which  he  replied,  that 


•»l>ll».l<3»   .>Ji»l,,«iyjj^i^Jj;„tl^y,r~y^^^*aMg.S-^'-»»^ 


'\ 


PUT  IN  PRISON  AT  MANILLA. 


65 


the  Indians  at 
he  anticipated 
3m  puniahnjcnt 
tf  his  vessel  by 
led  by  the  cap- 
sached  ll>e  end 
were  agreeably 
aced,  ironed,  in 

sd  himself  under 
I,  the  quarantine 
■ive  we  were  the 
3  time  in  silence, 
lich,  by  the  way, 
lien  care  to  keep 
in  the  Morning, 
istonishmcut  and 
uscment  even  of 
lis  way  alongside 
and  endured  the 
ons:— astory  we 
the  sailors  were, 
ful  sympathy  was 
o  frown. 

■or  half  a  day,  we 
:  street.  We  had 
atcn  nothing  since 
liling  sun.  "Is  it 
ig."  The  captain 
ind  there,  fronting 
e,  like  the  church, 
d  the  impoliteness 

option  room,  more 
urnishcd.     It  was 

ng,  through  which 

irough  this  grating 
ourselves  passed 

ond  story.  At  the 
and  crucifix;  and 
ere  led  toward  it. 
ucifix  was  opened, 
lested  to  favor  him 
/ere  returned  into 
t  to  us. 

the  charges   made 
ch  Captain  Knight 
lo,  by  the  way,  had 
safely  turned  upon 
reader  has  already 
3S,  either  of  which 
;enof  us;  namely, 
luct.     We  inquired 
lich  he  replied,  that 


es, 


wo  probably  should.  Of  Capt.  Knight  we  saw  nothing,  after  leaving 
him  at  the  landing,  except  one  day,  when  he  passed  the  prison,  and  I 
took  the  liberty  to  hail  him  by  name,  adding  sundry  expletives  and  titles, 
more  applicabtn  and  graphic  th.'.n  melodious  and  beautiful.  Days  passed, 
and  as  a  sort  of  desperate  amusement,  1  commenced  writing  letters  of 
complaint,  and  sending  them  out,  directed  to  any  English  or  American 
resident  whose  name  I  could  learn.  The  rial  a  day,  which  was  allowed 
us  from  some  source  I  n>  ver  could  precisely  learn  what,  to  provide  our 
provender,  was,  afler  awhile,  taken  off,  and  we  were  served  with  rice 
daily,  and,  once  or  twice  a  week,  beef  and  fish. 

Sailors,  many  of  whom  visited  us,  were  in  the  frequent  practice  of 
making  us  small  presents.  With  the  money  thus  obtained,  we  sent  and 
purchased  bread  and  meat,  but  the  eyes  of  Argus  were  necessary  to 
prevent  too  frequent  verification  of  the  proverb,  "  many  a  slip  'twixt  cup 
and  lip.'*  Even  afler  our  bit  of  meat  was  in  the  pot  with  the  rice,  and 
we  were  superintending  its  cooking,  some  dextrous  Chinese  thief  would 
whip  it  out  with  his  chop-sticks,  if  our  eye  strayed  from  it  one  moment. 
Each  of  the  prisoners  is  obliged  to  prepare  his  own  food,  in  a  portion  of 
the  prison  set  apart  for  that  purpose. 

All  sorts  of  ingenious  modes  of  punishment  were  practiced  upon  the 
prisoners  for  misdeeds  while  there.  It  would  almost  seem  the  Chinese 
ingenuity  of  torture,  tempered  by  a  little  more  regard  for  humanity  than 
the  officers  of  his  Celestial  Majesty  possess.  Stocks,  confining  the  culprit 
in  all  sorts  of  positions,  many  of  which  were  as  ludicrous  as  uncomforta- 
ble, clogs,  irons,  and  collars,  and  devices,  the  description  of  which  would 
tire,  were  in  continual  exercise.  Flogging  was  going  on  all  day,  but  the 
poor  devils  of  Chinese  came  in  for  more  than  a  proportionate  share  of  it, 
and  the  blows  were  laid  on  with  more  hearty  good-will,  as  they  were 
heretics. 

To  give  variety  to  our  life,  we  had  an  occasional  opportunity  of  seeing 
a  tenant  in  the  pillory,  opposite  the  prison.  Here,  too,  during  the  time 
we  lay  in  jail,  we  saw  two  or  three  executions,  done  in  a  manner  to 
which  the  Turkish  bowstring  is  tender  mercy.  I  shall  spare  the  reader 
the  description  of  a  method  of  strangulation  the  most  horrible  possible; 
only  remarking,  that  in  a  country  where  the  oflUce  of  the  executioner  is 
so  directly  instrumental  to  the  death  of  the  criminal,  and  his  duty  so 
cruel  and  protracted,  it  is  no  wonder  that  even  criminals,  the  most  debased, 
despise  the  hangman. 

At  the  rear  of  the  prison  tan  a  river  or  canal.  On  the  opposite  bank 
stood  a  church,  and  near  this  lay  what  appeared  to  us  a  pile  of  human 
bones.  When  I  tired  of  watching  the  passengers  in  the  street  in  front, 
I  looked  out  upon  the  church,  and  noted  that  no  Catholics  passed  it 
without  making  a  genuflection.  At  night,  the  spot  was  marked  by  a 
taper  burning  before  the  image  of  some  saint,  and  I  found  myself  fre- 
quently looking  toward  that  church.  I  wondered  if,  among  the  bones 
there  preserved  upon  consecrated  ground,  there  lay  the  relics  of  any 
person  so  much  the  sport  of  fortune  aa  myself,  who  had  fallen,  unwept 
and  unattended,  in  a  strange  land.  During  no  period  of  my  residence 
upon  the  Carolines  had  I  felt  so  utterly  dispirited  and  forsaken,  as  I  did, 
at  times,  in  the  prison  at  Manilla.  I  had  made  repeated  applications  for 
trial,  besieged  every  person  whose  address  I  could  learn  with  letters; 
the  only  effect  of  which  was  to  bring  two  English  merchants  to  the 
prison,  to  tell  us  that,  as  we  came  in  in  American  vessel,  as  part  of  her 
crew,  they  could  do  nothing  for  as.     The  American  consul,  and  Mr. 


-tw*r-W5r??t'!^??*' 


± 


"f^rg^"^  ^? ,  '^&'-:*-;--:'rr^*«i»wf^>r- 


.1 


SEVEN  TEARS  OF  A  SAILOR'S  LIFE. 

Sturgis,  an  American  resident,  visited   us  in  about  a  week  after  our 
committal. 

We  were  not  without  amusement.  George  had  brought  his  violin  and 
flute,  of  course,  and  I  had  not  forgotten  the  exercise  of  my  heels. 
Then,  in  the  various  assemblage,  there  was  ample  amusement  in  watch- 
ing tiic  different  disposal  of  time,  according  to  character.  The  Chinese 
were  most  of  them  merchants,  in  a  small  way,  vending  tobacco,  betel, 
and  other  "  notions,''  as  a  Yankp^    would  say,  and  there  is  no  better 


word  in  the  world.  Stock  in  trade  was  not  wanting,  while  there  was  a 
chance  to  exercise  their  expert  fingers  in  tricks  of  sleight-of-hand. 
Others  would  operate  as  barbers,  tailors — they  had  a  thousand  resources 
for  busy  idleness.  Spanish  blood  showed  itself  in  games  of  chance — 
cards,  draughts,  dominoes — and  the  parties  would  sit  as  gravely  and 
intently  engaged  as  if  they  had  been  recreating  in  the  palace  of  a  gran- 
dee. An  occasional  industrious  one  wove  hats ;  and  cooking  their  pilau 
was  the  periodical  occupation  of  all  hands. 

I  indulged  in  an  occasional  game  of  draughts  with  one  of  my  fellow- 
prisoners,  a  Spaniard.  It  did  very  well,  till,  one  day,  ho  tried  to  cheat 
me  out  of  the  game.  The  stake  was  not  worth  quarreling  about,  but  it 
was  the  point  of  pride.  We  wrangled,  I  collared  him,  and  was  reported. 
As  a  punishment,  I  was  ordered  into  the  lower  prison,  and  George,  my 
shadow,  was  moved  with  me.  This  apartment,  sacred  to  the  lowest 
rogues,  was  by  no  means  so  light  and  pleasant  as  the  upper  one.  There 
is  a  choice,  even  in  prisons. 

Here  I  resumed  the  amusement  of  dispatching  letters;  continuing  it 
until,  one  day,  the  deputy  jailor  came  to  me  with  orders  to  put  mc  in 
close  confinement.  [  resisted,  and  in  the  scufllo  was  severely  bruised, 
and  my  rigging  dismantled.  Preparatory  to  my  solitude,  and  to  give  me 
food  for  reflection  during  its  continuance,  I  was  seized  down  to  a  bench 
and  beaten  with  cowhides.  Upon  entering  the  cell  which  was  to  be  my 
temporary  residence,  I  found  that  the  happiness  of  entire  solitude  was 
to  be  denied  me,  and  was  compelled  to  accept  the  society  of  a  Spanish 
ofliicer,  who  was  waiting  transportation  to  Cadiz,  and  trial  for  murder 
upon  his  own  confession. 

Previous  to  my  committal  to  the  cell,  two  attempts  were  made  to 
compel  me  to  ship  on  board  vessels,  one  of  which  was  the  Dash,  an 
American  brig  or  barque,  I  have  forgotten  which.  She  was  bound  to 
the  Fejees;  but,  as  I  had  already  had  enough  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  I 
peremptorily  refused  to  sign  articles,  and  was  remanded  to  prison.  The 
other  was  a  Spanish  vessel,  and  I  declined,  in  terms  more  positive  than 
polite,  to  go  in  her.  The  American  consul  gave  me  a  rating  for  annoying 
the  residents  with  letters,  and  for  refusing  to  go  away  by  the  opportu- 
nities he  provided  for  me.  After  these  adventures  I  was  confined  in  the 
cell,  as  before  stated,  and  could  not,  in  my  own  mind,  avoid  connecting 
them  as,  at  least,  partial  cause  and  efiect. 

The  burden  of  my  complaint  had  been  the  delay  of  a  trial.  Why  was 
no  attempt  made  to  substantiate  the  charges  made  against  me?  Why  no 
opportunity  given  me  to  disprove  them?  The  treatment  I  endured 
would  have  been  adequate  punishment  for  any  crime  short  of  willful 
murder.  Beaten,  half-starved,  and  worse  than  dl,  thrust,  ironed,  into  a 
noisome  cell  with  a  murderer  ;  a  portion  of  the  time  bolted  to  the  floor 
of  that  cell,  and  upon  three  successive  Sabbaths  paraded  with  my  room- 
mate to  prayers,  before  all  the  prisoners,  who  classed  me  with  the  mur- 
derer ;  and  all  this  without  the  show  of  any  reason,  or  the  pretense  of 


"'^<l»n'^j^^^:^w.'^■>J  KJVywmai.^ 


rj^«B5!Paiiiiiaas»ste*! 


I 


week  after  our 

»ht  his  violin  and 
ise  of  my  heels, 
serocnt  in  watch- 
■r.     The  Chinese 
ig  tobacco,  betel, 
lere  is  no  better 
hile  there  was  a 
>f  aleight-of-hand. 
lousand  resources 
imcs  of  chance — 
lit  as  gravely  and 
,  palace  of  a  gran- 
cooking  their  pilau 

one  of  my  fellow- 
,  he  tried  to  cheat 
reling  about,  but  it 
,,  and  was  reported, 
and  George,  my 


crcd  to  the 
upper  one 


lowest 
There 


itters;  continuing  it 

orders  to  put  roe  in 

aa  severely  bruised. 

lude,  and  to  give  me 

ed  down  to  a  bench 

which  was  to  be  my 

entire  solitude  was 

society  of  a  Spanish 

tnd  trial  for  murder 

mpts  were  made  to 
was  the  Dash,  an 
She  was  bound  to 
the  Pacific  Ocean,  1 
ided  to  prison.  The 
1  more  positive  than 
a  rating  for  annoying 
way  by  the  opportu- 
"  was  confined  in  the 
id,  avoid  connecting 

I  of  a  trial.    Why  was 
kcainstmet    Why  no 
Treatment  I  endured 
trime  short  of  wiUful 
I  thrust,  ironed,  into  a 
\e  bolted  to  the  floor 
Laded  with  my  room- 
ted  me  with  the  mur- 
,  or  the  pretense  o\ 


THRUST  INTO  THE  DUNGEON. 


57 


it.  So  formal  charge  was  ever  made,  or,  if  made,  was  ever  prosecuted. 
Upon  our  egress  tioin  the  prison,  Mr.  Sturgis  gave  George  and  ine  five 
dollars,  and  the  consul  procured  us  a  passage  to  Macao  in  a  Spanish 
ship. 

The  prison  was  a  miniature  Pandemonium — a  little  hell,  where  the 
worst  passions  and  propensities  of  the  brutal  officers  who  managed  it 
had  license  unrestrained.  1  have  been  fastened  in  a  {losition  painiul  of 
itself,  my  lugs  extended  and  arms  confined,  wliilc  two  brutes  adminis- 
tered llagcllation  witii  heavy  cowhides.  In  the  struggle  wliich  preceded 
my  being  thrust  into  the  dungeon,  my  body  was  so  completely  denuded 
of  clothing,  that,  in  the  cold,  damp  cell,  I  was  fain  thankfully  to  accept 
the  comfort  uf  a  portion  of  the  mat  of  the  miserable  felon  who  was  the 
occupant  of  the  cell  with  me.  Even  the  sorry  privilege  of  perambula- 
tion about  my  narrow  quarters  was,  during  a  portion  of  the  time,  denied 
me.  Heavy  irons  upon  my  feet,  bo't-ig  them  about  three  feet  apart, 
were  connected  with  a  chain  to  my  lei  arm,  compelling  me  to  keep  the 
arm  straigiit  by  my  side,  when  I  stood  erect.  The  bolt  between  my  legs 
was,  during  about  a  week  of  the  three  I  spent  in  the  cell,  fastened  to  a 
ring-bolt  in  the  floor.  The  food  served  me  there  was  a  miserable  pit- 
tance of  half-boiled  rice,  floating  in  three  times  the  quantity  of  water 
necessary  to  cook  it.  This,  with  two  small  broiled  fish,  was  barely  sufii- 
cient  to  sustain  my  miserable  existence.  Never,  during  my  life,  did  I 
80  utterly  despair  as  when  confined  in  this  horrid  hole,  seeing  no  person 
except  my  convict  companion,  save  when,  upon  the  Sabbath,  I  walked  in 
my  irons  to  the  altar,  to  see  the  institutions  of  religion  profaned  in  a 
place  where  its  dictates  were  utterly  set  at  naught.  For  all  this,  decency 
would  seem  to  require,  at  least,  the  form  of  an  examination  upon  the 
charges  preferred  by  Capt.  Knight;  but  no  such  form,  to  give  my  con- 
finement a  color  of  justice,  ever  took  place.  Upon  my  liberation,  the 
Spy  had  been  sold,  and  Capt.  Knight  had  left  Manilla.  His  unsupported 
word  had  been  sufficient  to  throw  mo  into  the  power  of  these  demons, 
and,  careless  of  my  fate,  he  left  me  th  .ire.  The  inquiry  may  be  made, 
why,  if  my  confinement  was  so  irksome,  I  did  not  gladly  embrace  the 
first  opportunity  to  escape  from  it.  To  this  I  answer,  that  the  worst  part 
of  my  punishment  did  not  take  place  till  after  I  had  so  refused,  and  that 
my  principal  reason  for  refusing  was  my  unwillingness  to  leave  George, 
unfriended,  in  a  prison.  We  had  been  together  so  long,  and  had  become 
so  endeared  to  each  other  by  a  participation  in  good  and  ill  fortune,  that 
to  separate  was  even  more  painful  than  to  endure  the  worst  that  the 
prison  would  inflict.  I  knew  that  no  constitution,  even  the  most  iron, 
could  long  bear  up  under  the  hard  usage  and  scanty  food ;  the  records 
were  before  me  in  the  names  of  British  and  American  citizens  carved 
on  the  guard-bed.  Under  many  of  these,  survivors  had  written  the  date 
of  the  death  of  the  persons  who  cut  them  there  ;  and  the  mate  of  the 
Spanish  vessel  in  which  I  left  Manilla,  who  was  an  American,  and  had 
himself  been  a  prisoner  in  Manilla,  informed  me  that  he  had  known 
many  instances  where  foreign  sailors  had  fallen  victims  to  the  combined 
ill  effects  of  the  climate  and  the  prison. 

Arrived  at  Macao,  we  were  thence  sent  to  Canton.  At  Canton,  we 
were  objects  of  curiosity,  and  were  visited  by  merchants  and  others  con- 
nected with  the  English  Factory ;  our  tattooing  examined,  and  our  story 
of  shipwreck  and  residence  on  the  Carolines  was  repeated  two  or  three 
times  a  day,  during  the  week  we  remained  there.  Through  those  gen- 
demen,  the  owners,  and  others  interested  iu  the  John  Bull,  probably. 


t?*^%~",r!':~«T»-Cr.-  •     ■•TT-x 


i 


58 


SEVEN  YEARS  OP  A  SAILOR'S  LIFE. 


hoard  of  the  I088  of  that  vottsel,  if  it  had  not  buforc  lionn  piihliHhod  hy 
our  Hhipinatns  who  took  the  other  Iwats.  Of  the  fateof  nny  except  thot«e 
who  eacuped  in  the  boat  with  iia,  I  have  never  heard  a  syllfiblo.  It 
may  be  thut  they  found  their  way  to  other  ialauds  in  the  Pacific,  and  it 
may  be  that  thoy  purished  at  sea. 


8U00E8SFUL  RESISTANCE  OP  THREE  SAILORS  AGAINST 
SEVERAL  THOUSAND  SAVAGES. 

Tub  Htory  of  O'Connell  well  illustrates  the  superiority  of  oven  one 
civilized  man  over  multitudes  of  hi.s  savage  fellow-men.  By  means  of 
this  superiority,  the  FSuropean,  or  American,  cast  upon  a  barbarous  shore, 
will  oi\nn,  indeed,  will  commonly,  secure  assistance  and  support  from 
those  who  must  respect  his  greater  intelligence,  and  will  desire  to  profit 
by  his  acquired  knowledge,  l>oth  so  much  superior  to  their  own.  Most 
of  the  instances  of  the  slaughter  of  sailors  or  travelers  by  the  barbarians 
of  Oceanica,  which  have  come  to  our  knowledge,  have  evinced  either 
great  imprudence  or  criminal  conduct  on  the  part  of  these  victims  of 
savage  fury.  The  following  account  of  the  successful  contest  of  three 
English  sailors  with  a  large  tribe  of  cannibal  assailants,  while  it  illus- 
trates the  superiority  of  civilized  weapons  and  civilized  courage  and 
skill,  seems  also  to  show  that  this  was  a  case  of  unprovoked  assault  of 
disapiMiintod  rage,  upon  brave  and  innocent  men. 

Mr.  Dillon  was  an  olRcer  of  the  ship  "  Hunter,"  commanded  by  Captain 
Robson,  who  had  made  many  voyages  to  the  Pojee  Islands,  and  enjoyed 
a  certain  influence  with  the  natives,  from  having  interested  himself  in 
their  dissensions  and  contests.  Bonassar,  the  chief  of  Wailca,  in  parti- 
cular, was  his  friend. 

The  nineteenth  of  February,  1813,  the  Hunter  cnmo  to  anchor  in  the 
Bay  of  VVailea,  opposite  a  small  river  which  leads  to  the  village,  lying 
at  half  a  league  distance  from  the  shore,  and  situated  upon  an  elevated 
spot. 

When  Robson  had  fairly  established  himself  in  the  harbor,  he  received 
a  visit  from  his  old  friend  Bonassar,  who  told  him  that,  in  his  absence, 
fortune  had  turned  against  him,  and  that  the  tribes  which  had  once  sub- 
mitted were  again  in  revolt,  and  had  called  to  their  aid  other  and  more 
powerful  tribes,  which  had  caused  a  bloody  and  disastrous  war.  Bonassar 
expressed  the  hope  that  the  visit  of  his  old  friend  would  help  to  improve 
his  aflfairs,  and  insinuated  that  the  necessity  of  defending  the  court  would 
prevent  the  natives  from  going  to  the  mountains  to  gather  sandal-wood 
for  the  Hunter,  unless  the  captain  would  come  to  his  assistance  against 
bis  enemies.  Boaassar's  welcoine  to  his  friend  was,  in  other  respects, 
not  less  cordial  nor  frank  than  usual.  At  this  time,  a  number  of  Euro- 
pean sailors,  either  deserters  or  shipwrecked  on  the  island,  were  in  the 
service  of  several  of  the  chiefs,  well  treated,  and  made  much  of  by  their 
savage  friends. 

Captain  Robson  sought  to  evade  the  urgency  of  Bonassar,  but  was,  at 
length,  over-persuaded  by  the  promise  of  a  supply  of  sandal-wood,  and 
lent  him  twenty  musketeers,  three  small  boats,  and  a  cannon  carrying 
two-pound  ball.  Accompanied  by  an  army  of  three  or  four  thousand 
savages,  they  made  an  attack  on  the  hostile  island  of  Nanpakob,  which 
was  soon  conquered,  and  the  dead  bodies  of  its  inhabitants,  cut  limb  from 


Wik 


m 


''5ei«#fWW'¥!»«»l>B3S««SS«SK?!*I^SS»^^ 


^'SflP^f«'S«^ 


aUCflESSFUL  RKSISTANOE  OP  THREE  SAILORS. 


59 


con  puWmhod  bj 
.f  nny  except  iUohp 
ird  a  syllfiblo.  It 
Iho  Pacific,  and  it 


iS  AOArNST 

riority  of  oven  one 
icn.     By  moans  of 
ti  a  barbarous  shore, 
I  and  support  from 
will  dosiiro  to  i)rot\t 
a  their  own.     Most 
rs  by  the  barbarians 
lave  evinced  either 
of  these  victims  of 
ful  contest  of  three 
lants,  while   it  illus- 
/ilizod   courage   and 
provoked  assault  of 

remanded  by  Captain 

Islands,  and  enjoyed 

nterested   himself  in 

of  Wailea,  in  parti- 

nmo  to  anchor  in  the 

to  the  village,  lying 

ed  upon  an  elevated 

le  harbor,  he  received 
that,  in  his  absence, 
which  had  once  sub- 
r  aid  other  and  more 
itrous  war.     Bonassar 
irould  help  to  improve 
nding  the  court  would 
>  gather  sandal-wood 
lis  assistance  against 
as,  in  other  respects, 
,,  a  number  of  Euro- 
e  island,  were  in  the 
nade  much  of  by  their 

Bonassar,  but  was,  at 
y  of  sandal-wood,  and 
ud  a  cannon  carrying 
tree  or  four  thousand 
1  of  Nanpakob,  which 
abitants,  cut  limb  from 


limb,  and  rolled  in  jjreon  Icjavoa,  wore  roastori  with  the  taro-root,  to  fur- 
nish a  feast  to  the  victors.  Koltson  had  fulHIIrMJ  his  )>art  of  thi;  contract, 
hilt  Bonassar  would  not  comply  with  his  proinisiv  Undor  ditfoinit  pre- 
tnxts,  the  loading  was  delayed,  imd,  finally,  the  nntivos  coased  to  come 
alward,  fearing  they  might  be  si'i/.ed  and  kept  ns  hostages. 

This  made  Rohson  furious,  and  he  attacked  the  fleet  of  Bonassar,  and 
i^aptured  tuurtettii  of  his  vessels.  Sul)se(|iiently  he  mti(l<>  n  more  grno- 
ral  attack,  with  the  intention  of  entirely  destroying  the  military  power  of 
the  Fejee  chief.  In  this  engagemimt  the  fatal  mistake  of  separating  his 
men  into  small  detachments  was  made,  wiiich  gave  the  cunning  savages 
an  opportunity  to  cut  them  olT  in  detail,  by  moans  of  crnt\y  amhiisrades. 
When  a  retrtMt  became  necessary,  the  small  party  to  which  Dillon  be- 
longed WHS  under  the  command  of  Noriiion,  the  mute,  who  fell,  pierced 
by  a  lance,  leaving  the  command  to  him.  Kverytliing  then  looked  des- 
|)erate  to  the  party,  and  nothing  seemed  left  but  to  sell  their  lives  as 
dearly  as  possible,  when  Dillon  perceived,  in  the  midst  of  the  plain,  an 
isolated  rock,  abrupt  and  inaccessible,  a  kind  of  fortress  placed  there  for 
their  safety — a  rampart  of  nature's  making,  to  whose  summit  the  arrows 
of  the  natives  could  hardly  reach.  To  see  this  refuge,  to  point  it  out  to 
his  companions,  and  to  direct  his  stejis  toward  it,  was  but  the  work  of  a 
moment.  Dillon  established  himself  in  this  aerie,  with  Savage,  Burhurt, 
Duprey  and  Wilson,  Europeans,  and  a  Ciiinaman,  named  Luis.  The 
rest  of  the  detachment  had  been  killed,  and  Duprey  himself  was  pierced 
with  a  lance,  beside  having  four  arrow-wounds  in  his  back.  Fortunately 
tor  these  poor  fellows,  the  rock,  accessible  only  on  a  single  side,  was 
oasy  to  defend. 

Meanwhile,  the  fury  of  the  savages  became  a  little  calmed,  and  a  parley 
was  agreed  upon.  Among  the  prisoners  taken  by  Robson.  and  carried 
on  board  the  Hunter,  was  a  brother  of  the  high  priest  of  Vai-Tea.  'I'o 
this  priest,  Dillon  proposed  an  exchange  of  the  savages,  in  confi^sment, 
for  him  and  his  companions,  which  was  agreed  to,  and  Dupioy  was  sent 
on  board,  together  with  the  priest,  to  perfect  the  arrangement.  Mean- 
time, the  chief  of  the  Fejeeans  approached  the  base  of  the  rock,  and 
sought  to  entice  the  Europeans  from  their  posts.  To  all  their  promises, 
Dillon  turned  a  deaf  ear,  and  counseled  his  companions  to  do  the  same. 
But  one  of  them,  Savage,  who  had  lived  among  them  for  several  years, 
trusting  in  their  good  faith,  descended  the  rock,  and  placed  himself  under 
the  protection  of  Bonassar,  who  welcomed  him  with  great  seeming  cor- 
diality. This  induced  Luis,  the  Chinese,  to  do  the  same,  and  to  claim 
the  protection  of  one  of  the  chiefs  to  whom  he  had  formerly  rendered 
several  services.  Thinking  that  with  these  two  examples,  Dillon  would 
be  induced  to  come  down,  they  renewed  their  solicitations,  but  in  vain. 
Then  throwing  off  their  mask,  the  savages  raised  a  great  cry,  seized 
Savage,  plunged  his  head  in  a  ditchful  of  wator,  and  speedily  dispatched 
him,  while  a  blow  from  another  of  the  murderers  made  an  end  of  the 
Chinese.  Dismembered  and  roasted,  these  poor  fellows  were  soon 
eaten  under  the  eyes  of  Dillon. 

There  now.  remained  upon  the  rock,  only  Dillon,  Burhart,  and  Wilson 
— three  men  against  many  thousand  assailants.  Thinking  they  now 
iihould  have  it  their  own  way,  the  savages  recommenced  the  attack  with 
new  fury.  Burhart,  a  skillful  marksman,  shot  twenty-seven  of  the 
aHsuilants  in  twenty-nine  shots.  Dillon  also  dispatched  a  large  number. 
Wilson  confined  himself  to  loading  the  muskets  of  his  two  companions, 
-'uon  the  outside  of  their  citadel  became  encumbered  with  dead  bodies. 


yvif^^Sf^PPSF' 


60 


SEVEN  VEARS  OP  A  SAILORS  LIFE. 


when  tlio  iinvnf;ofi,  fnarriil  of  provoking  alrnoHt  cortain  dnfltniction,  ceaacd 
further  nllink,  tor  tlio  pruHcnt,  truHtint;  tliat  tlio  darknnfln  of  ni^ht,  or 
liuntfcr,  would,  hooiict  or  liitrr,  doliVor  tliciir  victitiiH  into  tlinir  liiiiidH. 

'I'lioii  H(-(  III!!)  of  horrililr)  cannibuliHtn  worn  practiced  iiiidor  tlin  cyos* 
of  till'  l')iiro|)(<nn8.  Tint  liiiiltM  of  thuir  dond  coiiipanion.s  wnro  drawn 
from  till!  tire,  and  dividend  among  tlin  tribes,  wiio  dovoiirod  tlicm  witii 
liurrit)i<>  forocity;  but  occaflionally  cRaning  their  repaMt  to  taunt  Dillon 
and  his  companions,  with  the  as.siiranco  that  to-morrow  th(!y  also  would 
bn  riMiHtcd  and  eaten.  Tu  Dillon's  threat,  that  if  they  wnro  killed,  the 
native  prisoners  on  board  would  llkowiso  be  killed,  the  canniiials  only 
onswered,  "Bah!  bah!  Captain  Rohson  may  oat  our  friends  if  that  will 
do  him  any  good;  but  wo  will  eat  you  there  to-morrow,  any  how." 

VVIion  night  caine,  their  situation  was  painful  in  the  e.\trcmo.  They 
had  but  seventeen  cartridges  lefY,  and  the  lirst  attack  of  the  savages  must 
deliver  them  into  the  hands  of  their  pitiless  enemies.  None  of  thorn 
were  willing  to  bo  taken  alive  by  those  feeders  on  human  flesh,  and 
were  alwut  agreeing  to  ddstroy  their  own  lives,  when,  for  a  moment, 
their  hopes  wore  raised  by  seeing  a  boat  put  otf  from  the  Hunter,  ond 
steer  directly  for  tho  land.  But  what  was  their  ama/.ement  and  regret, 
when  they  saw  that  tho  commander  had  committed  tho  unpardonable 
fault  of  releasing  tho  whole  nutnber  of  prisoners,  thus  cutting  off  all 
chance  of  escape  for  them.  What  motive  could  now  induce  tho  natives 
to  spare  them,  wiion  all  fear  of  reprisals  had  been  taken  away? 

"A  little  ailcrward,"  says  Dillon,  in  his  narrative  of  these  events,  "tho 
reloased  prisoners  came  to  mo  without  arms,  led  on  by  their  priest,  who 
said  tiiat  Captain  Robsou  had  sent  a  case  of  cutlery,  and  other  things,  to 
tho  chiefs,  as  our  ransom,  to  whom  wo  were  also  ordered  to  surrender 
our  arms.  Tho  priest  added,  that,  in  case  wo  complied,  ho  would  con- 
duct us  safely  to  our  boats.  To  all  this,  I  replied,  that  while  a  breath  of 
life  remained  in  me,  I  would  deliver  my  musket  to  nobody:  it  was  my 
own  property,  and  I  should  hold  on  to  it,  certain  that  if  I  gave  it  up,  1 
should  be  treated  as  my  dead  companions  had  been.  Palling  with  me, 
the  priest  turned  to  Martin  Burharl,  and  sought  to  persuade  him  to 
acquiesce  in  his  proposal.  At  this  moment  the  idea  entered  my  head  to 
make  a  prisoner  of  the  priest,  and  either  to  kill  him,  or  to  obtain  my 
liberty  in  exchange  for  his.  Seizing  a  gun,  I  presented  it  at  the  priest, 
threatening  to  kill  him  if  he  attempted  to  escape,  or  if  any  of  his  party 
made  tho  least  movement  toward  attacking  us,  or  to  hinder  in  any  way 
our  retreat.  I  then  ordered  him  to  march  for  the  boat  in  a  direct  line, 
menacing  him  with  instant  death,  if  he  disobeyed.  He  did  as  he  was 
directed,  and  while  traversing  through  the  crowd  of  savages,  he  exhorted 
them  to  bo  quiet,  and  do  no  harm,  for  if  they  assailed  us,  we  would  kill 
him,  which  would  bring  down  upon  them  the  wrath  of  the  gods  in  the 
clouds,  who,  irritated  at  their  disobedience,  would  cause  the  ocean  to 
swallow  up  them  and  their  island.  The  natives  obeyed  his  orders,  and 
sat  down,  while  we  marrhed  toward  the  boat.  When  near  the  landing, 
the  priest  stopped  short,  refusing  to  atir  another  step,  and  saying  we 
might  kill  him  if  we  wished.  I  threatened  him,  but  without  effect.  He 
said  our  object  was  to  take  him  on  board  our  ship,  in  order  to  torture 
him.  As  we  had  no  time  to  lose,  I  ordered  him  to  stand  still,  while  we, 
marching  backward,  with  our  guns  all  pointed  at  him,  soon  reached  one 
of  our  boats.  We  were  scarcely  embarked,  before  a  cloud  of  arrows 
and  stones  darkened  the  air,  but  we  soon  found  ourselves  beyond 'the 
reach  of  their  bows  and  slings.'^ 


TO,-5rsffs?s®?a8®sJS5Str^SK3'i,^^ 


.IFK. 

in  destruction,  ccaictl 
darkn«s«  of  ni>{ht,  or 
\n  into  tlmir  liiinds. 
iced  under  tlio  cyos 
iipaniouH  were  drawn 
D  dovoured  llicm  witli 
repant  to  taunt  Dillon 
orrow  thoy  aUo  would 

thoy  w«ro  killed,  the 
cd,  tho  cannibalM  only 
lur  friends  if  tliat  will 
)rrow,  any  how." 
1  the  extreme.  They 
ick  of  the  suvajjes  must 
«mie8.  None  of  them 
a  on  human  flesh,  and 
,  when,  for  a  moment, 

from  tho  Hunter,  and 
amazement  and  regret, 
ittcd  tho  unpardonable 
3rs,  thus  cuttin),'  off  all 
now  induce  the  natives 
n  taken  away  ? 
ve  of  those  events,  "the 
1  on  by  their  priest,  who 
ery,  and  other  things,  to 

0  ordered  to  suirender 
omplicd,  he  would  con- 
djthat  while  a  breath  of 
t  to  nobody:  it  was  my 

1  that  if  I  gave  it  up,  I 
Deen.    Failing  with  me, 
ght  to  persuade  him  to 
idea  entered  my  head  to 
kill  him,  or  to  obtain  my 
resented  it  at  the  priest, 
(e,  or  if  any  of  his  party 
or  to  hinder  in  any  way 
he  boat  in  a  direct  line, 
yed.     He  did  as  he  was 
rd  of  savages,  he  exhorted 
ssailed  us,  we  would  kill 
wrath  of  the  gods  in  the 
rould  cause  the  ocean  to 
is  obeyed  his  orders,  and 

When  near  the  landing, 
iher  step,  and  saying  we 
n,  but  without  effect.  He 
ir  ship,  in  order  to  torture 
im  to  stand  still,  while  we, 
at  him,  soon  reached  one 

before  a  cloud  of  arrows 
ind  ourselves  beyond  the 


PADDOCK'S    NARRATIVE 

BONDAGE    AMONG   THE   ARABS, 

DiTAiuira  iH«  ivviruiNai  or  m*  maitie  amp  cinr  or  iHi  lair  oewioo,  upon  tbi 
COAST  OF  SOUTH  RARBARY. 


On  the  8th  of  January,  1800,  says  Captain  Judah  Piuldock,  in  his  nar- 
rative, I  lell  Now  York  in  tho  Ship  Oswego,  of  Hudson,  of  which  I  was 
the  comniiindcr,  with  a  cargo  of  flax.sciul  and  staves  on  freight,  lutiiud  to 
Cork.  ()ur  passage  out  was  very  rough,  hut  we  arrived  there  in  21  days. 
After  lying  a  few  days  and  finding  nothing  hotter  to  employ  the  ship  in,  I 
concluded  to  ballast  her  and  go  to  the  Cnpe  do  Vcrd  Islands,  and  take  a 
load  of  salt,  skins  etc.,  for  New  York.  While  tlio  ship  was  |)reparing  for 
the  voyage,  I  was  able  to  collect  about  1200  Spanish  dollars,  In^sides  600 
dollars  in  gold.  While  in  Cork  we  iiad  heard  of  several  instances  of 
vessels  being  robbed  on  tho  coast  of  Spain,  by  vessels  bearing  the  French 
flag.  The  truth  of  these  reports  I  will  leave,  but  thought  if  they  were 
to  rob  me  of  the  1200  dollars  it  should  require  some  time  to  find  them. 
Accordingly  I  took  a  small  keg,  just  largo  enough  to  contain  tho  money, 
at  my  lodgings,  and  packed  it  snug.  At  a  late  hour  in  the  evening, 
everything  being  prepared,  I  took  the  keg  on  board  while  all  were  asleep 
but  my  officers ;  unheadcd  a  barrel  of  beef,  took  one  half  out,  put  the  keg 
in  tho  middle  of  the  barrel,  filled  it  up  again,  stowed  it  away  along  side 
tiie  keelson,  and  put  the  other  provisions  over  it  as  they  were  before. 
None  of  our  crew  knew  anything  of  this  transaction  till  some  time  after 
wo  were  wrecked. 

On  the  22d  of  March,  a  fine  breeze  at  N.  N.  W.  and  fair  weather,  we 
put  to  sea.  In  the  afternoon,  while  arranging  my  papers,  it  occurred  to 
my  mind  that  we  had  a  man  on  board  who  had  not  signed  the  shipping 
articles,  and,  sending  for  him  down,  and  presenting  them  for  signing,  he, 
to  my  astonishment,  refused,  by  saying  he  did  not  belong  to  the  ship,  and 
knew  better  than  to  sign  any  such  articles.  I  ordered  him  out  of  tho 
cabin,  and,  sending  for  the  mate,  I  told  him  his  man,  aa  I  called  him, 
refused  signing  the  shipping  articles.  Tho  mate  was  exceedingly  pro- 
voked at  it.  We  sent  for  the  man  again,  and  ho  making  use  of  the  same 
language,  I  threatened  to  put  him  ashore  on  the  first  place  we  should 
stop  at,  and  as  he  still  persisted,  we  sent  him  out  of  the  cabin  a  second 
time,  declaring  he  should  be  put  on  board  the  first  British  ship  of  war 
that  we  should  fall  in  with. 

I  will  now  relate  the  story  of  that  man's  being  in  the  ship.  A  few 
days  before  sailing  from  Cork,  I  went  on  board  the  ship,  and  saw  a 
stranger  at  the  caboose;  on  asking  the  mate  who  he  was,  he  informed  me 
he  came  on  board  the  day  before,  as  ragged  and  dirty  as  he  ever  saw  a 
man,  and  begged  to  work  his  passage  home  ;  that  he  pitied  his  condition, 
gave  him  some  pieces  of  clothing,  and  put  him  to  the  caboose,  and  had 
found  him  a  good  cook.   I  suspected  he  was  some  runaway  sailor,  and  told 

(61) 


If' 


62 


BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  THE  DESERT. 


the  mate  to  put  Iiirn  ashore,  and  went  myself  below.  As  soon  as  the  fellow 
found  ho  was  to  be  landed,  he  came  below,  and  begged  very  liard  to  go 
to  America,  saying  lie  was  very  poor,  tiiat  the  times  were  so  liard  he  could 
not  get  a  living  in  the  country  he  came  from,  and  that  Ik;  had  no  family 
nor  friends :  he  really  appeared  an  object  of  pity.  I  told  him  I  suspected 
he  was  8omo  runaway  sailor  or  soldier ;  he  denied  that  he  hau  ever  been 
cither.  I  then  concluded  to  let  him  remain  a  day  or  two  on  board,  more 
especially  as  tiie  mate  pleaded  so  hard  for  him.  When  I  went  on  shore, 
I  mimtionod  the  circumstance  to  some  of  my  friends  who  had  seen  him 
on  board,  and  thought  he  was  to  be  pitied,  and  that  I  had  better  take 
him.  I  have  been  more  particular  in  stating  this  thing,  in  order  to 
prepare  the  reader  for  what  will  be  related  concerning  that  fellow 
hereafter. 

Nothing  material  happened  from  the  time  of  our  leaving  Ireland  to  the 
.'3d  of  April,  being  then  twelve  days  from  land;  and  having  had  moderate 
and  variable  gales  with  fine  weather,  and  also  several  opportunities  to  as- 
certain the  exact  variation  of  the  compass,  we  had  every  reason  to  believe 
our  reckoning  was  right.  Toward  night  of  this  day,  as  I  was  sitting  in 
the  cabin,  and  reflecting  on  our  situation  as  to  our  passage  track,  etc.  I 
was  led  to  look  over  my  reckoning  again,  feeling  some  uneasiness  that  I 
cannot  easily  describe.  When  the  boy  brought  our  tea  down  I  took  up 
my  books  and  papers,  and  gave  him  the  table,  and  as  soon  as  his  things 
were  arranged  I  sent  him  to  call  the  mates;  it  was  now  near  dark;  he 
returned,  and  said  the  mates  were  forward  at  work,  and  could  not  come 
yet.  I  drank  some  tea,  and  laid  down  with  my  clothes  on,  thinking  to  go 
on  deck  at  8  o'clock,  which  was  near  at  hand.  Having  been  hard  at  work 
all  the  day,  I  was  somewhat  fatigued,  and  unexpectedly  fell  asleep.  I 
awoke  at  the  sound  from  striking  four  bells  ;  was  on  my  feet  feeling  for 
my  hat,  and  with  no  light  burning,  when  I  heard  an  unusually  loud  noise. 
The  first  thought  that  struck  me,  was  of  a  man  being  overboard.  Before 
getting  out  of  the  gangway  I  distinctly  heard  those  forward  crying  out, 
Breakers!  Breakers  right  ahead!  and  several  of  the  crew  were  running 
aft.  I  saw  nothing,  nor  did  I  look  forward,  but  ran  to  tlic  helm  to  put  it 
up  ;  too  late,  for  it  was  hard  down,  or  nearly  so.  I  put  my  hand  on  the 
tiller-head,  and  bore  it  hard  to  the  rail,  when,  in  a  moment,  the  ship  flew 
to,  head  to  the  wind,  our  yards  being  a  little  pointed  or  braced.  By  this 
time  all  hands  were  on  deck,  and  a  number  aft,  to  haul  round  the  after 
yards.  We  were  on  the  point  of  hauling,  when  I  discovered  her  to  fall 
air.  At  that  moment  we  hauled  up  the  mizzen,  she  having  such  quick 
Btern  way  with  the  helm  yet  down,  the  main  and  mizzen  topsail  kept 
shivering  or  edging  to  the  wind;  the  jib  and  fore  staysail  sheets  being 
hauled  flat,  she  fell  off  remarkably  quick,  every  man  using  his  greatest 
exertions.  When  she  began  to  gather  headway,  the  helm  righted  with 
the  wind  at  least  two  points  on  the  starboard  quarter,  wanting  not  more 
than  once  her  length  of  coming  round,  heading  off  shore ;  at  that  moment 
she  struck  tremendously  heavy,  all  the  cabin  windows  carne  in,  and  part 
of  the  sea  came  over  the  taflle  rail.  She  struck  twice  more  in  the  hollow 
of  the  two  next  seas,  and  floated,  runr^ng  perhaps  three  or  four  times  her 
length,  and  struck  again,  and  stopped  with  every  sea  breaking  over  us,  no 
land  in  sight,  and  we  seemingly  swallowed  up  by  the  raging  ocean 
foaming  terribly  around  us.  Her  stern  soon  drove  round,  so  as  to  bring 
the  sea  on  our  beam,  and  at  every  thump  she  rolled  oflT,  with  her  gunwale 
near  to  the  water.  By  this  time  we  saw  the  land  at  no  great  distance 
from  us. 


■'.'(^ftt'JiS?S8!fa»a-.-<.'S38, 


"':ts*j^^;  «s^?^^s^'S"saa^»'s 


DESERT. 

Vs  soon  as  tho  fellow 
Tod  very  luird  to  go 
ere  so  liard  he  could 
lat  ho  had  no  family 
told  him  I  suspected 
lat  he  had  ever  been 
■  two  on  board,  more 
hen  I  went  on  shore, 
s  who  had  seen  him 
lat  I  had  better  take 
s  thing,  in   order  to 
icerning  that  fellow 

leaving  Ireland  to  the 
having  had  moderate 
al  opportunities  to  as- 
very  reason  to  believe 
a^',  as  I  was  sitting  in 
passage  track,  etc.     I 
Dtiic  uneasiness  that  I 
ir  tea  down  I  took  up 
as  soon  as  his  things 
s  now  near  dark ;  he 
k,  and  could  not  come 
thes  on,  thinking  to  go 
ving  been  hard  at  work 
ectedly  fell  asleep.     I 
on  my  feet  feeling  for 
1  unusually  loud  noise, 
ng  overboard.    Before 
le  forward  crying  out, 
he  crew  were  running 
m  to  the  helm  to  put  it 
put  my  hand  on  the 
moment,  the  ship  flew 
;ed  or  braced.     By  this 
to  haul  round  the  after 
1  discovered  her  to  fall 
ahe  having  such  quick 
id  mizzen  topsail  kept 
B  staysail  sheets  being 
nan  using  his  greatest 
the  helm  righted  with 
rter,  wanting  not  more 
f  shore ;  at  that  moment 
dows  came  in,  and  part 
wice  more  in  the  hollow 
1  three  or  four  times  her 
aea  breaking  over  us,  no 
p  by  the  raging  ocean 
ve  round,  so  as  to  bring 
ed  off,  with  her  gunwale 
ad  at  no  great  distance 


INSUBORDINATION  OF  THE  CREW. 


G3 


We  had  now  recovered  a  littlo  from  our  friglit,  when  I  desired  tho  men 
to  go  into  the  hold  and  shovel  the  ballast  in  shore,  to  prevent  her  rolling 
otV;  in  the  meantime  those  of  us  left  on  deck  braced  our  yards  as  hard 
aback  as  could  be  done,  to  keep  iier  on.  In  half  an  hour,  with  the  assis- 
tunco  of  tho  sails  and  by  shifting  the  ballast,  she  had  heat  up  so  high  on 
l!ic  rocks  as  to  lay  pretty  still;  yet  every  sea  rolled  some  part  of  it  on 
di'ck.  Before  as  much  of  tho  ballast  was  shifted  as  I  wished,  one  of  our 
men  came  on  deck  in  great  haste,  and  informed  me  that  the  ship  wad 
sinking,  the  water  coming  in  amain:  it  was  some  time  before  I  could  con- 
vince him,  that  though  siie  might  be  filling,  she  could  not  sink  any  lower, 
being  already  on  the  rocks. 

We  were  in  this  situation  some  short  time,  saying  very  little  to  each 
other,  standing  by  the  mizzen  mast  and  holding  to  the  rigging  that  was 
hanging  all  around  us,  when  two  or  three  of  our  men  came  aft,  and  asked 
me  on  what  coast  we  were  stranded?  I  told  them  my  fears  were  that 
wo  were  on  the  coast  of  Barbary,  but  I  had  a  faint  hope  that  it  was  ono 
of  the  Canary  islands;  that  daylight  only  would  determine  it,  and  we  must  be 
patient  for  its  approach.  It  was  now  about  midnight.  One  of  them  told 
me  that  those  forward  thought  the  ship  would  go  to  pieces  before  morning. 
[  used  every  argument  in  my  power  to  convince  him  of  their  error,  telling 
him  the  ship  was  sound,  and  as  strong  as  wood  and  iron  could  make  her; 
that  she  never  had  a  cargo  in  her  before  this  one;  that  she  had  been 
employed  in  the  whale  fishery  from  tho  time  she  was  new,  and  had  never 
been  overstrained.  He  returned  forward  only  for  a  short  time,  when 
several  of  them  came  aft,  and  proposed  to  go  ashore :  that  proposal  made 
me  shudder.  I  told  them  it  would,  from  every  appearance,  be  present 
death  to  attempt  it,  as  we  now  had  a  considerable  view  of  the  hideous 
rocks  within,  and  could  plainly  see  the  imp'acticableness  of  ascending 
them,  and  that  another  important  point  to  be  considered  was,  in  case  they 
should  land  in  safety,  the  boat  would  be  dashed  to  pieces;  that  she  was  a 
very  large  long-boat,  new,  .ind  never  afloat;  that  in  her,  with  a  temporary 
deck,  which  could  be  made  in  a  few  hours,  we  all  might  either  land  there, 
or  go  to  any  other  place  we  should  choose;  and  that  if  we  were  on  the 
coast  of  Barbary,  it  would  be  absolutely  necessary  for  us  to  have  a  craft 
to  get  to  the  Canaries  or  some  other  place,  having  no  reason  to  expect 
much  mercy  from  the  natives  of  that  country. 

This  reasoning  I  thought  would  have  a  good  effect,  and  so  it  seemed 
at  first,  for  all  was  quiet.  But  very  soon  a  new  proposition  came,  and 
that  was  to  cut  away  the  masts,  as  by  their  standing  there  would  be  danger 
of  the  ship's  coming  to  pieces;  and  they  told  me  if  I  would  consent  to 
have  them  cut  away,  they  would  stay  till  morning.  I  ordered  my  second 
mate  to  take  the  carpenter's  ax  from  the  tool-chest  on  deck  and  begin 
cutting  away.  When  I  saw  the  mast  was  about  half  cut  off,  I  told  one 
of  them  to  get  into  the  mizzen  chains  and  cut  the  lanyards  and  let  them 
go.    He  got  into  the  chains  and  cut  one  lanyard,  and  raised  himself  up 

very  deliberately  and  said,  "It  is  all nonsense,  we  will  go  ashore." 

As  grating  as  that  expression  was^  prudence  forbade  my  making  a  reply, 
or  noticing  it.  They  all  assembled  again  under  the  lee  of  the  long-boat, 
the  officers  excepted,  and  held  a  council.  We  soon  saw  them  getting  up 
the  boat-tackles  to  the  fore  and  main  yards.  I  began  then  to  reason  with 
them  upon  the  impropriety  of  that  measure,  when  the  only  reply  I  heard, 
was,  "We  are  in  duty  bound  to  take  care  of  ourselves,  and  not  stay  here 
iind  drown."  I  went  aft  to  my  mates,  who  had  said  but  very  little  during 
the  time  we  had  been  in  this  situation,  aad  asked  them  their  opinion  of 


* 


if^s&ii:^^ 


64 


BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OP  THE  DESERT. 


the  measure  that  was  about  to  be  pursued.  If  I  recollect  aright,  my 
second  mate,  who  was  a  good  young  man,  said  he  should  prefer  staying 
by  the  ship.  On  the  contrary,  the  chief  mate,  without  hesitation,  said  it  was 
his  opinion  that  we  should  take  the  boat,  and  land;  that  he  had  once  been 
shipwrecked  in  the  West  Indies ;  when  choosing  to  stay  by  the  wreck 
ratlicr  than  to  leave  it,  he  very  narrowly  escaped  death,  and  had  then 
made  up  his  mind,  that,  in  a  like  situation,  he  would  always  leave  the 
wreck  the  first  opportunity:  yet  that,  in  the  present  case,  seeing  how 
anxious  I  was  to  stay  by  the  wreck,  he,  although  of  the  contrary  opinion 
iiimsclf,  would  have  been  silent  if  I  had  prevailed  on  the  crew  to  have 
stayed.  He  was  an  excellent  seaman,  a  firm  determined  man,  and  had 
krpt  our  men  under  the  best  discipline. 

Matters  by  this  time  were  all  settled.  Go  ashore,  was  the  word;  the 
tackles  were  soon  on  the  yards,  and  the  boat  hoisted  out.  So  great  was 
the  haste  on  leaving  the  ship,  that  neither  provisions  nor  water  were  put 
I  hove  in  one  trunk,  and  took  my  gold,  which  had  been  always  under 


m 


mv  pillow.     So,  off  we  pushed,  and  rowed  toward  the  land,  and  the  nearer 
it  wc  gained,  the  more  hideous  was  the  appearance.     We  succeeded  at 
last  in  reaching  the  rocks,  when  two  men  jumping  out,  without  the  boat's 
rope,  the  under-tow  was  so  strong  that  it  carried  the  boat  half  way  back 
to  the  ship,  where  she  was  placed  broadside  to  the  sea,  and  was  near 
filling.     Our  oars  were  so  well  plied  the  second  time,  that  we  soon  reached 
the  rocks  again,  when  two  men  having  the  rope,  jumped  on  them,  and 
were  assisted  by  the  first  two,  who  had  acted  before  out  of  fear,  rather 
than  from  any  unfeelingness  toward  their  shipmates;  and  now  assisted  to 
hold  the  boat  in  a  situation  for  us  all  to  get  safe  on  the  rocks;  which  done, 
every  one  with  all  his  strength,  hauled  the  boat  as  far  up  as  possible. 
We  then  crawled  over  those  slippery  rocks,  perhaps  from  ten  to  twelve 
feet  high,  to  a  sand  bed,  a  little  beyond  which  appeared  a  high  hill,  upward 
of  a  hundred  feet  in  altitude.     There  we  wrung  the  water  from  our  clothes, 
and  walked  the  sand  some  time,  when  my  mates  and  myself  ascended 
this  sand  hill;  it  being  dark,  we  could  see  nothing,  nor  did  we  expect 
to  see  anything  except  the  light  of  fire.     After  walking  a  little  while  on 
this  mountain  of  sand,  we  descended  again  to  the  place  where  our  men 
had  remained,  who  had  forgotten  their  cares  in  sound  sleep.    As  to  our- 
selves, we  walked  the  sand  all  that  night,  bemoaning  our  condition,  being 
pretty  well  assured  that  we  were  in  no  other  place  than  the  coast  of  Bar- 
bary.     The  ship  was  in  sight,  with  all  sails  standing;  the  wind  blew  very 
fresh  about  four  points  on  shore,  and  we  thought  it  probable  that  her  masts 
would  go  by  the  board  before  morning;  a  light  was  burning  in  the  cabin. 
On  the  morning  of  the  4th  of  April,  as  soon  as  the  day  began  to  dawn. 
I  ascended  the  high  mountain  of  sand,  and  there  remained  till  near  sunrise. 
What  could  I  see?  A  barren  sand,  without  either  tree  or  shrub,  or  the  least 
appearance  of  vegetation,  dreary  in  every  respect;  and  at  a  distance  back, 
a  long  range  of  mountains  extending  east  and  west.     Turning  my  view 
toward  the  ocean,  and  beholding  the  ship  lying  in  the  surf  with  her  sails 
aloft,  while  thirteen  of  my  shipmates  were  standing  together  before  my 
eyes!  I  laid  myself  down  on  the  sand,  and  gave  vent  to  my  grief  by  a 

flow  of  tears.  ,    ,  ,  ,    ,       j  •  •      i 

As  soon  as  I  had  composed  myself  a  little  I  descended,  and  joined  my 
crew,  who  were  waiting  with  the  greatest  anxiety  to  know  what  I  had 
seen.  When  I  had  related  my  tale,  and  giving  my  opinion  as  to  our  hopes 
of  the  future,  we  began  to  devise  means  to  get  back  to  our  ship.  Upon 
examining  our  long-boat,  we  found  her  garboard  streak  was  staved  aad 


m 


'**fl«3!9^*) 


''-T0mmf 


ESERT. 

■collect  aright,  my 
A\\d  prefer  staying 
sitation,  said  it  was 
,  he  had  once  been 
stay  by  the  wreck 
lath,  and  had  then 
I  alvays  leave  the 
t  case,  seeing  how 
he  contrary  opinion 
m  the  crew  to  have 
ined  man,  and  had 

,  was  the  word;  the 
out.     So  great  was 
nor  water  were  put 
1  been  always  under 
land,  and  the  nearer 
We  succeeded  at 
lit,  without  the  boat's 
B  boat  half  way  back 
e  sea,  and  was  near 
that  we  soon  reached 
umped  on  them,  and 
re  out  of  fear,  rather 
;  and  now  assisted  to 
le  rocks;  which  done, 
s  far  up  as  possible. 
'  )S  from  ten  to  twelve 
3d  a  high  hill,  upward 
ater  from  our  clothes, 
and  myself  ascended 
ig,  nor  did  we  expect 
dking  a  little  while  on 
[place  where  our  men 
d  sleep.    As  to  our- 
.  our  condition,  being 
than  the  coast  of  Bar- 
;  the  wind  blew  very 
fobable  that  her  masts 
burning  in  the  cabin, 
le  day  began  to  dawn, 
ained  till  near  sunrise. 
|e  or  shrub,  or  the  least 
ind  at  a  distance  back, 
it.    Turning  my  view 
the  surf  with  her  stiu 
[g  together  before  my 
vent  to  my  grief  by  a 

Lended,  and  joined  my 
jy  to  know  what  I  had 
Lpinion  as  to  our  hopes 
Lk  to  our  ship.  Upon 
fstreak  waa  staved  aad 


THE  SHIP  ABANDONED. 


65 


s-liattcrod  for  several  feet,  and  that  a  hole  in  anotlior  plank  had  been 
l)!()ki;n  tlirougli  by  tlio  sharp  corner  of  a  rock  and  tliat  slio  lay  from  ten 
la  litltieii  foot  bcslow  where  it  was  posaibie  to  repair  her;  wliile  a  fine 
yaw  I  of  sixteen  feet  was  hanging  in  the  tackles  over  tiie  stern  of  the  ship. 
The  poor  fellow  who,  the  night  before,  was  the  ringleader  in  tlie  project 
litr  laudiii^r  at  all  events,  was  now  the  first  to  exclaim;  "Had  we  done  aa 
tlic  captain  advised  us,  we  should  now  have  been  in  a  situation  to  go  any- 
wliere  in  no  line  a  boat  as  thisP'  Upon  wliich,  1  took  occasion  to  caution 
liiin  ami  all  the  others  against  disobedience;  there  being  then  no  greater 
proof  necessary  than  that  before  their  eyes  to  convince  them  all  of  the 
error  they  had  committed. 

Our  first  object  was  to  get  back  to  the  ship  for  a  supply  of  provisions 
aiid  water,  and  also  of  spars  and  tackles  to  raise  the  long  boat  for  repairs; 
we  feeling  in  hopes  that  all  could  be  effected  before  any  discovery  of  us 
should  be  made  by  the  natives.  Marks  of  horses  and  asses  were  visible 
on  the  beach,  but,  from  appearances,  it  had  been  some  considerable  time 
since  they  had  been  there.  One  of  our  sailors  said  he  could  swim  to  the 
shi]>,  which  was  at  a  distance  of  not  more  tliau  a  hundred  yards.  He 
made  many  attempts,  but  failed;  the  difficulty  was  in  getting  beyond  the 
breakers.  The  next  attempt  was  made  by  black  Sam,  who,  after  two  or 
tliree  hard  efforts,  succeeded  in  getting  through  the  breakers,  but  hia 
strougth  was  so  much  exhausted  that  he  sunk.  Next,  two  or  three  of  our 
meu  went  in,  following  the  undertow,  or  recession  of  the  surf;  then  they 
[)lii(i,i(od  in  and  seized  hold  of  Sam,  and  found  no  difhculty  in  returning, 
u.s  tilt;  first  surf  hove  them  all  up  together,  and  those  on  the  shore  helped 
them  out.  lie  was  entirely  helpless  and  apparently  almost  gone:  we  laid 
!iim  on  Mie  rocks,  face  down,  and  by  moderately  rolling  and  moving  him 
lie  was  made  to  discharge  much  water  from  his  mouth,  and  in  a  few  hours 
recovered  so  far  as  to  walk  a  little.  Several  others  attempted  it,  but  all 
their  atttMnpts  proved  abortive. 

The  next  plan  was  to  make  a  rafl,  in  order  to  pole  off  to  the  outer  side 
of  the  breakers.  Timber  for  that  purpose  was  not  lacking,  as  many  parts 
of  a  wreck  were  lying  along  shore,  as  far  each  way  as  the  eye  could 
discern.  We  took  part  of  the  lower  yard  of  a  heavy  ship,  along  with 
some  pieces  of  small  .'pars,  enough  for  our  purpose,  and  lashed  them 
together  with  the  boat's  rope;  when  the  second  mate,  a  very  strong  man, 
and  two  good  sailors,  with  each  an  oar  for  a  pole,  launched  them  off. 
However,  afler  a  fair  trial,  we  found  it  imiiossible  to  gain  the  ship.  I  was 
tiion  about  taking  my  turn  to  swim,  and  to  gain  the  ship  by  a  method  I 
had  seen  practiced  by  the  Portuguese  at  Madeira,  when  they  went  off 
shore  merely  for  their  amusement;  that  was,  to  follow  the  receding  water 
as  low  as  possible,  and  dive  or  dart  through  the  breaker,  and  when  once 
got  without,  the  difhculty  was  surmounted.  But  my  mate,  afler  observing 
to  me  that  we  were  all  so  weak  with  fatigue  and  want  of  water,  that  if 
we  did  not  board  the  ship  very  soon  we  never  should  at  all;  he  proposed 
trying  himself  the  experiment  first,  and,  in  case  of  failure,  that  I  should 
make  the  last  trial.  Accordingly  he  stripped  and  followed  down,  and  in 
less  than  five  minutes  from  the  time  of  starting  he  was  at  the  ship. 

It  was  not  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  a  general  rejoicing  took  place. 
The  rudder  was  unhung,  which  served  very  well  as  a  bridge  for  him  to 
pass  on  to  the  cabin  windows,  where  he  entered  her.  As  soon  as  ho  had> 
quenched  his  burning  thirst  he  came  on  deck,  made  the  deep  sea-line  fast 
to  an  oar,  and  darted  it  ashore;  and  that  served  as  a  hauling-linc  for  others 
to  get  off  by;  three  went  off  by  it,  with  directions  how  to  pass  our  goods. 
5 


:0ssm0!^ 


m 


BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  THJ!  DESERT. 


on  uhoru.  Having  a  cask  of  wlialo  line  on  deck,  I  ordered  a  Hinj,'Io  block 
to  be  made  fast  to  tiic  mizzcn  topmast  iicad,  arid  tlirough  it  rove  tiii^  line, 
sending  tiin  end  ashore,  and  keeping  the  bite  on  deck. 

They  scuttled  the  water-casks  in  the  hatchway,  which  were  found  floating 
in  the  Ii6ld;  filled  all  the  jugs  and  kegs,  and  put  what  bread  waE>  found 
between  decks  in  bags,  and  run  them  aloil  by  this  line;  as  they  veered 
wo  hauled:  by  keeping  a  taut  line  our  goods  were  landed  dry.  The 
whole  of  the  provisions  saved  by  us  consisted  of  about  forty  pounds  of 
bread,  a  small  quantity  of  potatoes  and  onions,  and  a  bag  of  Indian  corn; 
our  otiier  dry  provisions  were  in  the  lower  hold  and  destroyed  by  the  salt 
water.  Being  placed  high  on  the  rocks,  we  succeeded  in  landing  every- 
thing perfectly  dry  which  would  be  injured  by  the  wot.  In  tlie  same  man- 
ner we  landed  our  clothes,  beds,  etc.,  together  with  a  spare  foresail  for  a 
tent.  In  that  alfair  of  landing  our  goods  we  committed  an  act  of  imprudence 
which  I  cannot  forbear  mentioning  as  a  caution  to  others  wlio  may  be 
unfortunately  placed  in  the  like  circumstances.  The  mate  sent,  among 
other  things,  my  case,  containing  six  gallons  of  equal  parts  of  rum,  gin, 
and  brandy,  and  a  hamper  of  port  wine  and  porter.  At  the  moment,  I  did 
not  think  it  any  harm  to  have  this  liquor  sent  ashore :  but  more  of  this 
matter  in  its  place. 

A  little  after  sunset  our  men  landed  in  the  yawl,  leaving  a  rope  fast  to 
the  ship  with  one  end  to  the  shore.  In  the  meantime,  iiaving  erected  our 
tent,  we  boiled  some  meat,  and  had  a  good  supper  prepared.  At  eight 
o'clock  we  divided  ourselves  into  watches,  and  set  the  watch,  who  were 
to  sit  or  stand  outside  of  the  tent,  and  be  relieved  every  two  liours,  with 
orders,  in  case  of  any  person  or  persons  approaching,  to  wiikc  us  up  in 
the  tent,  and,  if  possible,  to  secure  them  without  noise.  All  things  being 
arranged,  my  mates  and  myself  concluded  to  begin  early  in  the  morning, 
and  to  land  every  article  that  should  be  necessary  for  repairing  the  Iroat, 
which  we  thought  might  be  repaired  in  two  days  so  as  to  be  ready  for  our 
departure;  as  we  had  new  canvas  sufficient  for  putting  on  her  a  canvas- 
deck  supported  by  carlings  or  beams.  It  was  late  before  we  went  to  sleep. 
At  dayligiit,  on  tiiie  6th,  the  watch  called  all  hands,  and  we  went  to  work. 
A  little  before  breakfast  I  took  a  turn  on  the  hill  with  my  glass.  The  sun 
shone  on  the  mountains,  which  made  a  very  handsome  appearance.  I  had 
a  strong  desire  to  know  whether  there  were  any  inhabitants  there;  if  there 
wore  any,  the  chance,  I  thought,  was  very  much  against  our  getting  off 
before  being  discovered.  I  mentioned  this  thing  to  my  mates,  who,  with 
me,  thought  well  of  sending  a  man  on  that  errand.  One  soon  volunteered 
to  go;  and  as  soon  as  breakfast  was  over  he  took  a  bottle  of  water  and 
two  cakes  of  bread,  and  started,  with  orders  to  keep  a  bright  lookout, 
and  in  case  he  discovered  any  persons,  to  conceal  himself  from  their  view, 
and  return  as  soon  as  he  could.  We  had  a  compass  on  shore,  by  which 
we  found  that  the  shore  lay  due  east  and  west;  and  ten  or  twelve  miles 
westward  of  us  a  Cape  projected  into  the  sea  in  a  very  square  bluff. — 
Not  knowing  where  we  were,  I  proposed  for  one  man  to  walk  westward 
and  survey  that  Cape,  intending  to  get  the  altitude  of  the  sun  at  noon,  to 
ascertain  our  latitude,  and  if  from  where  we  saw  the  bluff  the  land  shaped 
southerly,  he  should  follow  it  along  aa  far  as  only  to  give  time  to  return 
at  night.     I  thought  if  that  was  Cape  Nun,  he  would  find  Nun  river. 

This  second  man  was  soon  ready  to  start,  with  the  same  stock  of  pro- 
visions and  water,  and  bearing  the  same  orders  as  the  first  one.  By  this 
time  we  had  commenced  landing  the  carpenter's  tools,  and  the  materials 
for  raising  the  boat,  etc    Every  man  seemed  disposed  to  do  his  duty 


^^^^m^%tm-^iim^jm&mmmmi-mv/mmmmMm(&i^^ 


I 


SERT. 

11  it  rovo  tills  lint;. 

vere  fouud  floating 
t  bread  was  found 
ic;  as  they  veered 
landed  dry.     The 
lit  forty  pounds  of 
)ag  of  Indian  corn; 
stroyed  by  the  salt 
d  in  landing  every- 
In  the  same  man- 
spare  foresail  for  a 
II  act  of  luiprudence 
others  who  may  be 
,  mate  sent,  among 
I  parts  of  rum,  gin, 
Lt  the  moment,  1  did 
a :  but  more  of  this 

caving  a  rope  fast  to 
J,  having  erected  our 
prepared.  At  eight 
the  watch,  who  were 
very  two  hours,  with 
na,  to  wake  us  up  m 
se.  All  things  being 
jarly  in  the  morning, 
or  repairing  the  Iwat, 
IS  to  be  ready  for  our 
ting  on  her  a  canvas- 
fore  we  went  to  sleep, 
and  we  went  to  work, 
h  my  glass.  The  sun 
le  appearance.  1  naa 
ibltants  there;  if  there 
gainst  our  getting  oft 

0  my  mates,  who,  with 
One  soon  volunteered 

1  a  bottle  of  water  and 
keep  a  bright  lookout, 
imself  from  their  view, 
iss  on  shore,  by  which 
ind  ten  or  twelve  imles 

a  very  square  bluff.— 

man  to  walk  westward 

e  of  the  sun  at  noon,  to 

le  bluff  the  land  shaped 

y  to  give  time  to  return 

lid  find  Nun  river. 

the  same  stock  of  pro- 

,  the  first  one.    By  this 

tools,  and  the  materials 

lispoaed  to  do  his  duty 


PAT  AND  THE  DANE  MISBEHAVE. 


67 


freely,  but  so  many  little  accidents  happened  that  we  got  along  very  slowly : 
what  was  done  before  dinner  did  not  amount  to  much,  nor  did  we  think 
of  a  quadrant,  our  minds  being  occupied  about  things  of  more  importance. 
In  the  aflernoon  we  progressed  considerably  well,  and  by  night  we  were 
prepared  to  commence  repairing  the  boat,  which  was  to  be  begun  the 
next  morning.  Some  time  before  night,  with  the  glass  I  saw  a  person 
on  the  beach,  a  long  way  to  the  westward,  and  soon  made  him  out  to  be 
our  man;  it  being  then  at  least  three  hours  sooner  than  I  had  expected 
him.  As  he  approached  nearer,  I  discovered  that  he  walked  quick;  and 
fearing  some  bad  news,  I  went  on  to  meet  him.  As  soon  as  we  were 
near  enough  to  speak  to  each  other,  I  asked  him  what  was  the  matter 
with  him,  for  he  really  looked  frightened.  He  asked  me  if  I  knew  what 
kind  of  people  inhabited  this  country.  I  told  him  I  did  not,  but  was 
apprehensive  they  were  the  Arabs.  He  said,  they  are  man-eaters!  Upon 
asking  him  how  he  knew  it,  he  replied,  about  twelve  miles  from  us  is  that 
Cape  you  see  there:  I  went  on  it,  and  there  I  saw  a  heap  of  human  bones, 
and  near  them  a  fire  had  been  made  within  a  few  days;  and  adding,  the 
Lord  have  mercy  on  us!  he  began  to  weep.  In  a  short  time  he  collected 
himself,  when  I  told  him  I  did  not  believe  these  people  were  man-eaters, 
though  the  fire  near  human  bones  certainly  indicated  something  like  it, 
and  that  if  he  told  the  story  in  the  tent  I  should  despair  of  getting  away; 
that  our  people  would  fall  into  a  state  of  despair,  and  nothing  would  be 
done.  He  made  me  a  solemn  promise  not  to  mcntioti  anything  of  the 
kind,  and  I  believe  he  was  true  to  that  promise. 

After  this,  we  returned  to  the  tent,  where  our  people  were  all  assembled, 
waiting  for  supper.  We  observed  that  Pat  had  as  much  to  say  as  any  of 
them,  and  that,  ever  since  we  landed,  he  had  taken  some  liberties  unbe- 
coming a  man  in  his  station,  and  unsuitable  to  the  gloomy  condition  we 
were  in. — I  examined  the  liquor-case,  and  found  it  had  not  been  opened 
since  noon,  when  each  man  had  a  small  allowance  of  rum.  After  supper, 
and  near  dark,  we  went  upon  the  hill,  to  look  out  for  the  man  who  had 
been  dispatched  to  the  mountains,  and  stayed  about  the  place  till  quite 
dark,  but  had  no  sight  of  him.  We  became  very  uneasy  about  him;  some 
were  of  the  opinion  that  he  had  been  devoured  by  wild  beasts,  and  others 
that  he  had  found  inhabitants  on  the  mountains  who  detained  him.  This 
talk  lasted  half  an  hour,  and  we  then  returned  to  the  tent,  where  we  all 
joined  in  conversation  on  the  subject  of  our  departure;  every  one  agreeing 
that  the  long-boat  might  be  nearly  ready  in  one  day  more,  if  every  exertion 
were  made;  and  of  that  I  had  no  reason  to  doubt.  The  next  topic  of 
discourse  was  concerning  the  parts  of  the  wreck,  which  we  had  noticed 
to  be  lying  along  shore.  The  man  from  the  Cape  said  he  had  seen  almost 
every  part  of  a  ship,  in  his  way  to  and  from  the  Cape,  and  had  observed 
particularly  that  the  iron  had  been  taken  from  the  wood;  that  circumstance 
we  also  had  noticed  in  viewing  the  yards,  cross-trees,  etc.,  which  lay 
within  our  ship.  We  all  concluded  that  the  event  of  that  shipwreck  could 
not  have  been  a  long  time  past,  as  the  blacking  on  the  yards  was  not  entirely 
chafed  off. 

At  dawn  of  day  on  the  6th,  we  found  no  person  on  the  watch;  when, 
upon  examining  into  this  matter,  it  was  found,  that  Pat  and  one  of  the 
Danes  had  been  called  at  twelve  to  watch  till  two;  and  that  those  appointed 
to  watch  from  two  to  four  had  not  been  called.  This  discovery  immedi- 
ately led  us  to  the  two  most  unfeeling  of  mortals,  Pat  and  the  Dane,  who 
were  found  behind  the  tent,  and  in  such  a  condition  as  to  be  unfit  to  be 
talked  to.    Upon  which,  without  the  least  hesitation,  I  took  my  case  out 


''■^.  >>.#KMiaat«ahi 


68 


BONDAOK  AMONO  THE  ARABS  OF  THK  DESERT. 


Ill^i 


':  li'i; 


of  the  tent,  and  turned  each  bottle  up-end  down:  then  I  opened  the  ham 
per,  and  destroyed  every  bottle  of  wine  and  porter;  doing  this  in  the 
presence  of  ail,  when  only  one  dissented,  and  he  a  very  sober  man.  Thus 
was  ended,  as  I  thought,  every  opportunity  for  intoxication  in  our  company. 
We  all,  excepting  the  two  sleepers,  commenced  our  labor,  rigging  tr.citles, 
erecting  shears,  etc.,  in  order  to  raise  the  boat.  In  the  meantime,  I  took 
a  lookout  on  the  hill  for  our  absent  man,  but  saw  notiiing  of  him,  and 
returned  to  the  tent,  and  called  all  hands  to  breakfast,  which  was  prepared 
without  the  assistance  of  Pat,  who  had  risen,  and  taken  a  copious  draught 
of  water;  after  which  he  joined  the  party,  declaring  most  solemnly  that 
neither  he  nor  his  watchmate  had  tasted  a  drop  of  liquor  that  aight.  All 
the  reply  was,  a  round  of  such  vulgar  sailors'  blessings  as  are  commonly 
bestowed  on  such  occasions.  Thinking  that  a  thing  of  the  kind  could  not 
happen  with  us  again,  1  judged  it  most  prudent  to  quiet  the  men,  by 
telling  them  that  although  a  great  crime,  it  was  not  an  unpardonable  one; 
that  our  situation  demanding  alj  our  strength,  wc  had  none  to  waste  in 
altercations,  and  so  must  make  the  best  of  it. 

I  found,  dur'ng  the  morning,  that  most  of  the  crew  thought  it  advisable 
to  give  the  two  delinquents  a  little  corporal  punishment;  but  in  a  moment 
as  it  were,  our  attention  was  called  to  viewing  a  strange  track  of  man. 
When  we  retired  from  breakfast,  the  person  who  had  been  at  the  Cape 
the  day  before,  discovered  the  track  of  a  man  without  shoes,  and  calling 
to  one  of  our  men,  he  asked  him  if  any  of  them  had  been  barefooted 
yesterday;  and  was  answered  in  the  negative.  Upon  hearing  that  question 
and  the  answer,  I  went  to  him,  and  soon  was  convinced  that  we  had  been 
visited  the  night  before.  We  followed  the  tracks  of  two  men:  they  had 
come  down  the  hill  from  the  southwest,  and  walked  round  to  the  mouth  of 
the  tent,  and,  after  floing  around  the  tent,  had  returned  by  the  way  they 
came,  walking  bacK  over  the  hill  nearly  in  the  same  line  they  had  come  in. 
I  followed  them  beyond  the  hill  neqr  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  conjecturing  it 
likely  that  they  were  in  ambush,  but  found  it  not  so,  from  the  shape  of  the 
track;  for  as  soon  as  they  got  over  the  hill  they  ran,  which  appeared  by 
their  steps  being  longer,  and  the  impression  of  their  feet  in  the  sand 
deeper.  What  makes  their  getting  off  undiscovered  the  more  remarkable, 
they  had  a  dog  with  them,  and  we  had  a  hog  lying  on  the  sand  before  the 
tent.  Had  the  dog  barked,  some  of  us  must  have  heard  it.  So  again, 
had  the  watch  done  their  duty  (as  probably  they  would,  if  there  had  been 
no  liquor  in  the  tent)  they  would  have  seen  those  men  approaching,  and 
giving  us  notice  of  it,  we  might  have  secured  them,  and  kept  them  in 
confinement;  that  would  have  doubled  our  diligence,  and  in  one  day  more 
we  might  have  been  at  sea. 

ft  was  now  nine  o'clock,  and  our  man  for  the  mountains  still  missing. 
We  called  all  hands  together  upon  this  gloomy  occasion.  Our  poor  sailors 
aat  silent  at  this  meeting;  without  uttering  a  word,  they  all  looked  up  to 
me  as  their  counselor.  I  observed  to  them  that  the  two  men  who  had 
discovered  us  would  probably  return  in  a  short  time  with  such  numbers 
as  would  overpower  us,  and  then  might  do  with  us  as  was  most  for  their 
interest,  er  as  best  suited  their  caprice;  that,  according  to  my  calculation, 
if  the  Cape  we  saw  was  Nun,  our  distance  to  St.  Cruz,  on  a  straight  line, 
was  not  more  than  a  hundred  and  eighty  miles;  and  allowing  one  fourth 
part  for  going  in  such  a  serpentine  line,  as  we  had  reason  to  expect,  we 
might  reach  there  in  ten  days  by  easy  marches;  and  that  five  bottles  of 
water  and  twenty  biscuits  a  man  would  support  nature;  more  than  which 
we  could  not  take  with  conveaience.    Every  one  agreed  to  the  plan 


SERT. 

opened  the  ham 
iloing  this  in  the 
ober  man.     Thua 
n  in  our  company. 
ir,  rigging  tr.cltles, 
meantime,  I  took 
(thing  of  him,  and 
hich  was  prepared 
a  copiojis  draught 
lost  solemnly  that 
)r  that  aight.     All 
i  as  are  commonly 
the  kind  could  not 
quiet  the  men,  by 
unpardonable  one; 
I  none  to  waste  in 

bought  it  advisable 
;  but  in  a  moment 
nge  track  of  man. 
been  at  the  Cape 
shoes,  and  calling 
id  been  barefooted 
jaringthat  question 
i  that  we  had  been 
two  men :  they  had 
and  to  the  mouth  of 
dd  by  the  way  they 
le  they  had  come  in. 
nile,  conjecturing  it 
om  the  shape  of  the 
which  appeared  by 
ir  feet  in  the  sand 
le  more  remarkable, 
the  sand  before  the 
eard  it.     So  again, 
id,  if  there  had  been 
in  approaching,  and 
I,  and  kept  them  in 
and  in  one  day  more 

intains  still  missing, 
•n.  Our  poor  sailors 
hey  all  looked  up  to 
le  two  men  who  had 

with  such  numbers 
.8  was  most  for  their 
Dg  to  my  calculation, 
uz,  on  a  straight  line, 
1  allowing  one  fourth 
reason  to  expect,  we 
d  that  five  bottles  of 
re;  more  than  which 

agreed  to  the  plan 


THE  MAN  FROM  TUE  MOUNTAINS. 


69 


mimediatoly,  and  to  take  our  chance  of  meeting  with  obstructions  on  the 
way;  and  the  matter  being  settled,  all  as  one  set  to  work  at  making  knap- 
sacks. While  tiiat  was  going  on,  I  took  one  man  with  me  and  buried  in 
the  sand  all  our  muskets,  powder,  shot,  etc.  Some  of  the  sailors  objected 
to  that  measure,  by  saying  we  might  have  occasion  for  our  guns  to  shoot 
the  wild  beasts  that  might  annoy  us.  But  I  told  them  that  a  musket  of 
ours  seen  by  an  Arab  might  cost  us  our  lives,  as  it  would  carry  a  hostile 
appearance  at  least,  and  that  in  our  warmth  we  might  be  led  to  make  an 
improper  use  of  our  weapons.  They  at  last  pleaded  for  a  pistol.  I, 
however,  buried  the  whole,  and  laid  a  stone  over  the  place. 

By  this  time  the  man  from  the  mountains  made  his  appearance,  coming 
along  shore  from  the  eastward,  and  when  he  joined  us  we  were  nearly 
ready  for  a  march :  we  all  stopped  our  business  to  hear  his  story.  He  said 
he  had  traveled  at  least  fitly  miles,  had  ascended  the  mountain,  but  had 
made  no  discovery  of  much  consequence.  He  made  ahearty  breakfast  while 
one  of  his  shipmates  was  fixing  a  knapsack  for  him. 

During  all  the  time  the  arrangement  was  making  I  was  left  ignorant 
as  to  what  part  of  the  luggage  I  should  carry  myself.     The  sailors  had 
agreed  among  themselves  that  I  should  walk  unencumbered,  and  that  my 
part  of  the  burden  should  be  borne  by  them.     Wlien  informed  of  this  I 
concluded  to  carry  my  spyglass  and  umbrella,  and  a  copper  teakettle 
lull  of  water  to  be  used  first,  and  some  chocolate  and  sugar  in  my  pockets 
to  use  in  case  we  should  be  so  fortunate  as  to  find  water  on  our  journey' 
When  It  was  announced  that  we  were  all  ready  for  a  march,  I  changed 
my  clothes,  put  on  a  pair  of  fine  worsted  stockings,  a  pair  of  new  corduroy 
pantaloons,  a  pair  of  new  half  boots,  a  new  linen  shirt  and  neck  handker- 
chief,a  silk  vest,  a  nearly  new  superfine  broadcloth  coat,  and  a  new  beaver 
hat;  a  gold  watch  I  took  along  with  me,  and  also  put  in  my  pocket  gold 
of  the  value  of  600  dollars.     This  done,  I  called  my  men  to  me,  and  gave 
them  the  remainder  of  my  clothing.     Black  man  Jack  had  previously 
taken  some  fine  shirts  into  his  pack  for  me,  wliich  he  did  without  my 
knowledge  or  direction.    When  they  had  all  helped  themselves  with  the 
best  of  my  clothing  left  in  the  trunk,  they  discovered  two  pieces  of  tabinet 
in  the  bottom  of  it,  and  asking  me  what  it  was,  I  told  them  it  was  two 
gown-patterns  which  I  had  bought  in  Ireland  for  my  wife,  and  that  it  was 
best  to  let  it  alone,  for  they  had  luggage  enough  already.    Jack,  who  was 
at  a  little  distance  from  the  trunk,  on  discovering  the  matter  we  were 
talking  about,  rushed  forward,  and  got  hold  of  the  pieces,  saying,  "Master, 
my  mistress  shall  wear  these  govms  yet^    I  told  him  he  had  already  too 
much  to  carry,  and  that  his  mistress  would  never  see  those  patterns 
Me  shall,  master,  depend  on  t<,"  replied  Jack,  "they  are  too  pretty 
to  leave  Acre,"— and  he  packed  them  up.     Little  did  I  then  think  my  wife 
would  ever  see  either  of  those  pieces;  but  she  did,  and  that  same  tabinet 
she  has  occasionally  worn  to  this  day.     When  nearly  ready  for  a  start, 
my  mate  wrote  up  the  log-book  and  1  finished  my  journal;  corn  was  put 
m  the  place  for  the  hog  to  eat,  and  water  to  drink.    All  things  were  now 
prepared,  and  we  on  the  point  of  moving,  when  one  of  the  sailors  said, 
Let  us  depart  under  flying  colors;"  the  others  joined  him,  and  we  were 
detained  till  they  had  erected  a  pole  on  the  hill,  and  hoisted  a  verv 
nandsome  ensign. 

At  about  ten  o'clock,  we  started  on  our  march.  After  a  fatiguing  walk 
ot  two  hours,  over  a  deep  road  in  one  of  the  valleys,  we  all  sat  down  to 
rest  ourselves.  I  took  that  opportunity  to  furnish  every  man  with  one 
and  the  same  story  to  tell  in  case  we  should  be  separated.     This  Ithought 


70  BONDAGE  AMONG  THB  ARABS  OF  THE  DESERT. 

necessary,  bccauHe  contradictory  accountB  Kiven  by  us  would  be  likely  to 
expose   .;  to  greater  suffcrinfis  than  wo  mifiht  have  to  endure  jf  the  stones 
of  us  al  HhouW  prove  consistent  with  each  other.     Accordingly  we  agreed 
to  "ay  that  the  ship  was  the  Oswego,  of  Liverpool,  bound  from  Cork  to 
the  Cape  deVerd  islands  after  a  load  of  salt,  and  from  thence  to  ISew 
York    and  to  give  our  names  as  they  were,  and  all  call  ourselves  Engl.sh- 
mon  ■  I  told  tJem  the  reasons  for  substituting  Liverpool  lor  New  York  as 
To  hoinc  of  our  ship,  and  for  calling  ourselves  Engl.shmen  lu^io^Aoi 
tnerkans,  were,  tha^ho  English  had  a  considerable  trude^^^^^^ 
narticularly  at  Mogadore;  that  some  of  their  ships  I  had  known  to  Have 
oaSatSt  C,uzl  that  I  never  had  heard  of  but  one  American  vessel 
rading  there;  tha  ,  without  doubt,  the  English  had  a  consul  both  at  St. 
Cru    and  Mogador;,  and  perhaps  at  other  places  on  the  coast.     Moreover 
I  enjoined  tSpon  them,  in  case  of  separation,  that  it  should  be  the  s  udy 
of  every  one  I  learn  the  language  of  those  we  should  fall  among  to 
Cive  notice  to  any  Christian  when  an  opportunity  offered  for    he  satety 
of  the  whole.     I  cannot  but  think  the  English  reader,  considering  tla- 
forlorn  condition  I  was  in,  will  excuse  my  claiming  the  protection  of  his 
flag,  by  assuming  a  false  national  name.  <-i„:uj  „„u 

We  dined  on  dry  bread.     One  of  our  sailors  having  a  leg  of  bo'ied  «« U 
nork,  1  persuaded  him  to  throw  it  away,  as  it  would  increase  his  thirst 
We  each  took  from  the  copper  toakettle  a  small  tumbler  of  water,  which 
we  had  aieadybegun  to  kSow  the  value  of.     About  two  o'clock  we  began 
our  march  easlward  on  the  hard  sand;  and  traveled  till  alter  sunset,  when 
we  Imd  a  quiet  sleep  till  morning.    On  the  third  day's  """ch  and  tor  some 
reason  which  I  do  not  recollect,  one  man  and  myself  were  left  a  lU  t 
behind,  or  did  not  start  with  the  rest;  they  were  a  n""t^«'\  f^ ^  ™'^°^ 
al>ead  ^hen  we  started.     The  man  was  the  same  one  who  had  been  sen 
to  view  the  Cape  which  we  had  taken  for  Nun.     We  did  not  take  their 
track,  but  to  shorten  the  distance,  went  a  little  «°!^hward.     About  fifty 
yards  from  some  uninhabited  cabins  he  saw  a  pile  of  human  bon^s  on  our 
left,  and  exclaimed,  "O  Lord  protect  us;  look  at  these  bones!  now  do 
you  believe  I  saw  human  bones'at  the  Cape?"     We  stopped  only  for  a 
minute,  when,  within  ten  feet  of  us,  there  was  a  pile  ot  human  bones 
Having  but  an  imperfect  view  of  them,  I  can  only  say  there  were  rnany 
to  spetk  safely,  I  should  think  as  many  as  could  be  contained  in  a  hogs- 
head.    Yet,  considering  the  agitation  of  mind  I  was   in,  't  would   be 
nothing  strange  if  the  quantity  were  three  times  as  great,  or  but  halt  so 

fitreat  as  it  appeared  to  me.  ,      .  .  .  ^         *.,„„„ 

*  Our  men  were  still  at  some  distance  ahead,  which  gave  to  us  two  an 
opportunity  to  converse  together  concerning  that  and  other  things  which  we 
had  seen.     He  told  me  he  had  not  mentioned  what  he  had  seen  at  the  Cape 
to  any  one  but  myself,  and  that  his  opinion  as  to  tae  cause  of  the  bones 
being^here  was  not  Altered;  "and  now,"  said  he,  "this  is,  to  iny  mind 
a  coSiirmation  of  the  fact  that  we  are  among  cannibals,  as  in  several  places 
about  these  huts  there  have  been  fires,  but  not  recently."     Our  distance 
from  the  ship,  by  calculation,  was  now  fifty  miles.     We  soon  fell  into  a 
quTt  sleep,  and  were  awoke  by  nothing  else  but  the  changing  of  tbe 
watch.     It  so  happened  that  Pat  and  the  Dane  were  on  the  watch;  those 
Uvo  who  had  done  us  so  much  injury,  and,  in  the  oP'»'o.°  "^  f^^J^JJ^^^ 
least,  prevented  us  from  getting  away  in  our  boat,  by  their  be. ngdunk 
and  asleep  when  we  were  discovered  by  the  two  Arabs  «P«ken  ot  be  o  e^ 
who  otherwise  might  have  been  secured.     At  the  dawn,  on  he  e.ghlh,  ^^ e 
were  awakened  by  an  unusual  noise,  which  started  the  whole  crew.     1  h« 


^^ai<Si*«ii>.*».»e':"r  «-!»*»»--' 


.-li.-te-WKit»'«"-^'''-^('"-    - 


;rt. 

uld  be  likely  to 
ire  if  the  stories, 
ingly  we  uyreeil 
d  from  Cork  to 
thonce  to  New 
rsclvcfl  EngUsh- 
br  New  York  aa 
imen  instead  of 
ie  on  that  coast, 

known  to  have 
American  vessel 
maul  both  at  St. 
)ast.  Moreover, 
,uld  be  the  study 
d  fall  among,  to 
;d  for  the  safety 

considering  the 
protection  of  his 

leg  of  boiled  salt 
crease  his  thirst, 
r  of  water,  which 
o'clock  we  began 
alter  sunset,  when 
arch,  and  for  some 
were  left  a  little 
quarter  of  a  mile 
vho  had  been  sent 
did  not  take  their 
k-ard.     About  fifty 
iman  bones  on  our 
se  bones!  now  do 
stopped  only  for  a 
■  of  human  bones, 
there  were  many; 
jntained  in  a  hogs- 
s   in,  it  would   be 
:eat,  or  but  half  so 

gave  to  us  two  an 
ler  things  which  we 
ad  seen  at  the  Cape 
cause  of  the  bones 
his  is,  to  my  mind, 
as  in  several  places 
ly."     Our  distance 
iVe  soon  fell  into  a 
he  changing  of  the 
m  the  watcli;  those 
pinion  of  several  at 
■  their  being  drunk 
)8  spoken  of  before, 
'n,onthe  eighth,  we 
whole  crew.     The 


PAT'S  CA.SE  APPEARS  DESPERATE. 


71 


cause  of  it  wiis  soon  obvious  cnougli;  the  two  watchmen  were  quarrelling 
al)OUt  the  otiicr  drink,  Strange  as  it  may  appear,  Pat  had  carried  a  bottle 
of  gin  in  his  pack,  which,  on  a  former  examination,  had  passed  vory  well 
for  water,  the  color  being  the  same;  all  along  until  this  time  those  watch- 
mates  were  equally  concerned  in  the  fraud.  Pat  was  now  too  drunk  to 
stand;  the  other  not  so  drunk,  and  his  story  we  got,  which  was  as  follows . 
— When  they  robbed  the  case  on  the  beach,  they  put  away  in  the  sand 
one  bottle,  over  and  above  what  they  had  drank,  and  when  we  filled  our 
packs  at  the  sliip,  he  (the  Dane)  mnnuged  it  so  as  to  put  that  bottle  in  PatV 
knapsack,  and  Pat  promised  to  keep  it  until  wc  should  arrive  at  a  place 
where  we  might  drink  plenty  of  water,  and  while  on  this  watch,  Pat  said 
they  could  finish  it  without  being  discovered.  They  opened  the  pack  (a 
deed  whicli  had  never  been  allowed  except  all  were  pr(;sont)  and  took  out 
the  gin,  and  along  with  it  a  bottle  of  water,  and  sipped  out  of  each  awhile; 
so  thirsty  they  were  in  sipping,  in  about  e«pial  portions,  that  Pat  finished 
the  water,  and  tliey  then  took  out  another  bottle  of  water.  By  this  time  the 
operation  of  tiic  gin  was  so  powerful  that  Pat  challenged  the  wiiolc  to 
himself.  A  battle  ensued;  and,  in  their  struggle  for  the  gin,  they  overset 
the  half-packed  knapsack  on  the  rocks,  and  broke  several  bottles:  the 
noise  that  this  made  awoke  us  all.  Judge  of  our  consternation,  having 
hcforn  this  not  the  least  idea  of  any  licpior  being  in  our  camp. 

Pat  was  very  drunk:  the  Dane  said  lie  had  advised  him  not  to  take  the 
bottle  out  at  that  time,  hut  to  wait  till  we  should  find  water;  but  Pat  in- 
sisted that  the  gin  was  his,  and  he  would  take  a  drink,  and  give  him  one, 
and  then  put  it  up  again;  that  the  taste  of  the  gin  created  thirst,  which 
before  was  very  severe,  and  was  what  tempted  them  to  steal  a  little  water, 
intending  himself  to  drink  only  a  little,  and  then  put  all  away  again;  that 
Pat  swore  he  would  finish  it,  and  drink  as  much  as  ho  had  a  mind  to; 
and  that  when  remonstrance  was  in  vain,  he  (the  Dane)  thought  he  would 
drink  too,  but  declared  he  was  very  sorry  for  it.  Our  men  were  so  exas- 
perated, 1  did  believe  if  I  had  not  been  there  Pat  would  have  been  stoned 
lo  death,  and  that  there  was  not  one  of  them  but  would  have  been  willing 
to  cast  the  first  stone.  This  was  the  second  grand  oficnse;  and  they  all 
declared  it  was  more  than  ought  to  be  borne  by  human  beings.  I  was 
left  alone  to  plead  Pat's  cause;  and  it  was  merely  to  save  his  life  that  I 
did  it,  for  I  confess  my  feelings  were  wrought  up  to  a  high  pitch  against 
that  most  unprincipled  and  unfeeling  rascal :  yet  if  any  violence  had  been 
done  him,  I  should  have  been  censured  by  the  community  as  the  supposed 
cause  of  it.  Had  I  been  otherwise  situated  with  tiie  crew,  or  in  tiie  same 
situation  as  the  rest  of  them,  it  is  very  probable  that  Pat  would  have  fared 
badly,  but  not  worse  than  hia  deserts.  Pat  was  too  drunk  to  stand,  and 
after  waiting  an  hour  for  him  to  come  to  himself,  a  motion  was  made  at 
last,  and  carried  without  a  dissenting  voice,  to  take  away  what  little  of 
water  and  bread  there  was  left  in  his  knapsack,  and  march  off  and  leave 
him.  I  then  proposed  to  them  to  leave  him  his  share  of  each;  but  being 
overpowered  by  numbers,  we  took  our  departure,  and  left  the  poor  object 
lying  on  the  ground  to  die  a  martyr  to  gin.  We  had  proceeded  not  more 
than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  when  I  prevailed  on  them  to  stop,  and  one  of 
them  returned  back  with  me,  and  we  took  him  up,  one  under  each  arm,  and 
lugged  him  along  to  our  company,  whose  wrathful  dispositions  toward 
him  were  not  in  the  least  abated.  I  told  them  it  would  be  less  cruel  to 
murder  him  on  the  spot  than  to  leave  him  to  linger  out  his  but  few  days 
in  misery.  They  remained  inflexible:  whereupon  one  of  them  gave  me  a 
part  of  his  history,  which  they  had  had  from  himself  on  the  passage,  a 


-^StiSlfri&K 


72  BONDAGE  AMONG  THB  ARABS  OF  THE  DESERT. 

lilUo  before  wo  wore  wrecked;  this  wa.  it:-In  1799,  and  the  begin 
n  ng  of  1800,  he  commanded  a  company,  con8i«t.ng  o  thono  svl.o  wore 
3d  the  InBurgenUi;  he  boasted  ol^ having  destroyed,  by  cutlmg  iho.i 
"  oats  a  n»n.be?  who  adhered  to  the  king',  party;  that  at  one  tun.-,  he 
amr£  company,  in  a  dark  night,  murdered  '"f ««"Xm  MfoL"  d  " 
of  persons  whom  thoy  had  caught  m  a  house,  "and  -—  them,  >«  ""m^^'  » 
would  have  done  more  had  I  had  it  in  my  power;"  these  murderou.  deeds 
he  had  committed  in  the  neighborhood  o»' Wexford,  in  Ireland. 

When  this  horrid  tale  was  ended,  they  sa.d,  this  fellow  deserves  dl   he 
nunishmont  that  wc  can  inflict  upon  him;  and  at  the  same  time  the  coun- 
fcnanco  of  every  man  of  them  was,  on  that  occasion,  «oc-ry. narked 
with  revenge,  that  I  thought  Pat's  case  was  desperate.     lie  by  H  is  t"ne 
was  able  to  walk.     All  this  morning  had  been  lost  to  us,  and  what  was 
more  lo  be  lamented,  was  the  loss  of  a  great  part  of  our  vvatev;  we,  how- 
ever" commenced  our  march,  keeping  near  to  the  foot  of  t  'c  "lountain 
On  this  morning  I  heard  more  murmuring  among  our  men  than  all  ol  .t 
out  toccther  that  had  been  since  our  landing;  and  the  whole  of  this,  .is  1 
fhought,  was  rbe  attributed  to  Pat's  conduct.     ARcr  dra,rp„g  a  ong  very 
Iwfy  t  iTnoon,  and  seeing  several  fresh  tracks  ou  the  sand,  all   leading 
wSard  as  before,  wc  b.ll^ame  more  and  more  in  tear  ol  rneetmg  tl  e 
nat  ves"  ncl  ascen.l'ed  to  tlie  topof  a  sand  hill  to  take  some  1'"  ^-  -1.-1- 
ment  and  to  look  out  for  travelers,  the  weather  being  extremely  hot,  with 
"ve  V  ligh    b?eeze.     Wo  ate  a  little  bread,  and  drank  but  a  httle  water; 
L  grea  was  our  thirst  the  appetite  craved  but  little  food.     Every  moiuem 
Kvered  more  discontent;  and,  with.a  view  to  get  a  return  ot  imnnony 
in  ou    1  tt lo^amp,  so  much  disturbed  the  night  before,     proposed  for  us 
aU  to  take  a  nap      It  was  agreed  to:  I  then  had  the  handle  ot  niy  un.brcl la 
;  uck  into  the  sand,  and  as  it  was  large  it  served  as  a  canopy  for  the  heads 
of  five  or  six  of  us.     The  most  of  them  fell  asleep  in  a  few  inmutes      My 
/wn  anxiety  was  too  great  for  me  even  to  slumber.     1  lay  till  tsvo  o'clock, 
and  then  awoko  them,  who  appeared  all  to  have  been  ^^fft'S  '^'l- 

The  first  object  with  me  was  to  prepare  and  march  fo/ward;  but  therf. 

^Doeared  a  kind  of  backwardness  to  making  preparations  for  our  departure, 

;K  as  had  been  uncommon  in  like  cases,  and  it  was  attended  with  in- 

Snct  murmuring.     I  had  not  tiie  least  conception  of  the  cause,  till  a 

t  I?h  ,rTy"ng  on  tt  his  work  of  one  of  the  leaders  in  it-lhe  same  man 

/ho  had  been  spokesman  in  the  affair  of  cutting  away  the  masts,  gc  t.ng 

/wayT,  lon^Ioat,  etc.     He  looked  me  full  in  the  face,  and  w.th  an 

adible  voice%poke  to  me  these  words,  as  near  as  I  can  recollect:  -We 

•  avo  been  now  throe  days  since  leaving  the  wreck;  we  get  along  very 

low  and  in  a  very  few  days  our  water  will  all  be  spent,  and  then  it  will 

.  e  tooTite  to  go  back  to  the  wreck  where  there  is  plenty  of  it,  and  wc  are 

r:'"ofMre'meTr'r:e^to  me  that  if  he  could  only  find  a  Uving 

■.,ring  of  cool  water,  he  should  be  willing  to  lie  down  by  it  and  die  there 

ith  hunscr-  that  the  value  of  water  he  had  never  known  before.     Another 

■  id  In  anyo  her  case  he  would  bo  willing  to  follow  me;  but  as  it  now 

'.■^'  he  could  not  consent  to  go  another  stop,  and  die  in  the  burnmg 

:,',Ss  wh  ch  were  almost  insufferable  to  his  feet.     Afler  spending  a  whole 

■  our  in  this  most  painful  of  all  debates,  they,  nearly  all  as  one  were 
"reed  to  go  b™ck  to  the  place  where  there  was  P«^ty  of  water,  and  take 

'  ;e7r  chance  of  what  might  follow.     Whereupon  I  advised  them  all  to  go 

■  ?ck  and  in  case  the  nafives  wore  not  come  down  to  use  every  exertion 
;  repa"r  the  boat  to  be  ready  for  sailing;  and  I  said  to  them  that  I  would 


lERT. 

and  the  begin 
those  who  wore 

by  cuttin},'  ll>eii 
t  al  one  time,  he 
inately  a  number 
hem,"  he  said,"! 
murderous  deeds 

rehind. 

w  deserves  all  the 
no  time  the  coun- 
10  clearly  marked 
Ho  by  tliis  time 
us,  and  what  was 
r  water;  we,  how- 
t  of  the  mountain, 
men  than  uU  of  it 
ivliole  of  tliis,  us  1 

i  saud,  all  heading 
3ar  of  mciitin},'  tlio 
some  little  refresh- 
extremely  hot,  with 
c  but  a  little  water; 
jd.     Every  moment 
.  return  of  harmony 
J,  I  proposed  for  us 
adle  of  my  umbrella 
lanopy  for  the  heads 
I  few  minutes.     My 
lay  till  two  o''clock, 
refreshed. 
I  forward;  but  there 
ns  for  our  departure, 
19  attended  with  in- 
of  the  cause,  till  a 
n  it — the  same  nian 
ly  the  masts,  getting 
)  face,  and  with  an 
can  recollect:  "We 
;  wc  get  along  very 
icnt,  and  then  it  will 
•nty  of  it,  and  we  are 

lid  only  find  a  living 
n  by  it  and  die  there 
wn  before.  Another 
w  me;  but  as  it  now 

die  in  the  burning 
tier  spending  a  whole 
arly  all  as  one,  were 
nty  of  water,  and  take 
.dvised  them  all  to  go 
to  use  every  exertion 

to  them  that  I  would 


ATTACK KD  AND  UOIiUllD  IIY  THE  AUAHS. 


78 


go  on  mysolf,  and  if  I  siinuld  find  people  friendly  to  ux,  I  had  money 
enough  to  hire  cixtiiels,  and  would  send  for  ihciii.  No  Hooiicr  was  tiiig 
said  than  tin;  itiiu-k  man  .lark  (who  had  be(Mi  sitting  silent  before)  .said  to 
me,  "Master,  if  you  go  on,  I  will  go  loo."  Tliat  was  settled.  I  liiouglit 
we  could  travel  to  Ht.  C'ruz  in  five  tiays  at  furthest.  Kvery  park  was 
opened  for  making  a  division  of  the  water;  tlii'  rest  all  agrcieing  that  wo 
should  takr;  a  larger  proportion  than  tliiMnselves.  At  tiiat  moment  Sam, 
the  oth(T  black  man,  said,  "If  you  go.  Jack,  I  too  will  go."  That  being 
settled,  we  proceeded  on  in  making  the  division  of  water;  bread  seeming 
scarcely  thought  of,  ho  thirsty  were  wo  all.  When  the  bottles  were  aU 
counted,  there  appeared  only  two  bottles  and  a  half  to  a  man,  which  showed 
that  nt.'arly  half  had  been  destroyed  or  lost.  Before  llu-  ilivision  or  appor- 
tionment of  tlie  wat(;r  iiad  br;en  gone  through  witii,  Pat  solicited  permission 
to  join  me.  which  1  then  refused  to  grant  him.  Upon  which,  my  mate 
took  m<^  asid(%  and  oiiserved  to  me,  that  if  I  woidd  not  take  him  along,  he 
must  sundy  suffer  dciath;  that  they  were  so  exasperated  a,','ainst  him,  that 
he  (the  mate)  could  not  bo  able  to  prevent  their  taking  away  his  life;  that 
he  knew  what  had  l)e(>n  their  standing  with  each  other  for  some  time,  and 
was  not  willing  to  be  implicated  with  others  in  the  acts  of  violence  that 
might  be  committed  upon  the  body  of  that  man.  I  now  saw  that  poor 
Pat  would  be  in  a  bad  situation  if  I  were  to  go  off  and  leav<!  him;  and 
from  that  consideration  alone  was  I  induced  to  accept  of  his  company. 

Wc  part(!d  at  about  five  o'clock,  and  among  my  little  company  not  a 
word  was  uttered  for  more  than  half  an  hour.  About  half  past  six  I  saw 
a  movement  ahead,  and  so  sudden  was  my  stop,  that  the  man  next  behind 
me,  not  observing  it,  was  near  throwing  me  down.  In  a  moment  we  were 
all  huddled  together,  i  sa\{\\.oX\\Qm, Hide  yourselves:  men  ahead!  As 
we  were  veering  off  from  the  foot-path,  those  ahead  saw  us,  and  stopped; 
we  were  then  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  each  other.  VVith  my  glass 
I  saw  them  looking  steadfastly  at  us.  Their  number  appeared  to  us  greater 
than  it  really  was,  and  as  we  thought  they  wc^re  looking  at  us  to  ascertain 
our  number,  wo  placed  ourselves  in  a  situation  to  be  counted  by  them. 
We  stood  in  that  hopeless  situation  for  more  than  ten  minutes,  not  knowing 
nor  thinking  what  ste|).s  to  take.  Jack  said  to  me,  "Master,  let  us  run." 
1  told  him  to  stand  still,  for  running  would  be  useless,  and  I  believed  our 
onemies  only  wanted  to  know  our  strength  in  order  to  approach  us.  If 
you  altar  your  position,  said  I,  that  may  lead  to  our  ruin;  but  if  you  will 
stand  firm,  I  will  go  to  them  alone  and  know  our  fate.  They  were  all  agreed 
to  do  as  I  had  bidden  them.  When  I  had  advanced  only  a  few  paces,  one 
of  them  called  out,  "If  they  kill  you,  what  shall  we  do?"  I  only  replied, 
be  quiet. 

I  now  walked  moderately  toward  these  barbarians,  with  my  umbrella  under 
one  arm,  and  the  spyglass  in  my  hand.  The  nearer  I  approached  them, 
the  more  frightful  they  appeared,  but  I  knew  it  could  answer  me  no  good 
purpose  to  stop.  When  I  was  within  a  hundred  yards  of  tliem,  they  all, 
as  with  one  motion,  dropj)ed  their  packs,  hove  off  their  outer  garments, 
■in  1  made  toward  me  in  a  swift  run.  As  soon  as  they  had  come  within  a 
ff  w  yards,  I  held  out  my  right  hand  in  token  of  friendship.  Of  that  they 
t'lok  no  notice,  but  passed  by  me  as  swift  as  it  could  be  possible  for  men 
^0  run.  My  poor  shipmates  stood  motionless;  and  when  the  monsters 
were  come  near  enough  to  grasp  them,  their  attack  began.  While  I  waa 
walking  toward  them,  in  a  quick  pace,  I  perceived  my  three  companions 
were  down  on  the  ground,  and  the  ferocious  i)arbarians  at  work  upon  them 
with  their  daggers,  which  glittered  in  the  sun.     As  they  were  passing  by 


»M^    »VM.v.'"r<-#.^ 


-"■rr'^'^-^.^r 


74  nONDMlK  AMONl.  TilK  AUAHS  OK  THE  DKSKKT. 

"tt:^  tllofhad  pai.l  any  nttcntion  ...  uu,  th.-y  ripped  "pon  tl.o  pack^ 

mrnmiMm 

l^iili 

times  to  obtain  tho  plunder  found  on  mo,  than  l  snoum     umj 

iSi'vo  wcajon,  and  that  made  them  so  ^^^^^^f^i.^^rr  pLTnp 
Thov  asked  us  many  questions,  which  wo  did  not  undcrstana,  i-cpew'nfe 
ovc7s"  era!  times  tL'same  words,  particularly  the  words  Sa^enaRcn. 
etc      These  words  we  soon  after  found  out  the  mean  ng  of.     1  her  ^gure, 

fnd  foTiciou:  look,  to  say  nothing  of  f,t  thttTev^hav:  read 'i^ 
and  even  exceeded  in  savageness,  anything  that  I  ever  have  reaa   in 

""IftoMhaf  rcS  trial  was  over,  my  burning  thirst  seemed  more  u. 
tokr  bio  thin  before,  and  as  the  bottles  of  water  that  had  been  th^o^ 


■  -"^Mw^'lttifcVt*-;***** 


L 


4KKT. 

r  nocki.     Whll"> 

of  my  l>«»t>f  «■"'"" 
kTh.n  I  was  com" 
otlicr  cxprcliit""' 
i,«.  aiul)t»licii>  work 
inaiiuMl  tor  ixnir  m 
nil  nroHc  on  Ui«^ir 
tluMi  rnllfil  10  III) 
,w.-r.'«l  no.     l^l'"" 
[,r  in  cullinK  away 
not  know  a  (luicktr 

vA  open  llio  packs', 
the  Hpoil.     Having 
mU  of  uiyHolf,  nn( 
alk«(l  partly  round 
^9  for  keeping  thsit 
lofenil  myself.     W'' 
for  a  fiw  ininutcH. 
Jero  inakinj?  toward 
:  ine,  tiger-liko;  my 
tontion.     No  soontT 
with  tho  \itmo8t  tury 
nrtide  out;  wIk-U  one 
ihc  fob,  ami,  through 
iloons.     In  a  moment 
cing  upon  mo,  each 
,  and  took  it,  pocket 
;  them  longer,  by  ten 
should  have  been  in 
hcs  badly.     AlUhis 
ot  where  I  bad  drop- 
lia  mauling  was  gone 
m  examined  the  spy- 
doubt,  that  this  glass, 
had  ever  seen,  was  a 
about  attacking  ine- 
indcrstand,  repeating 
words  Sapena,  Ratf, 
,ingof.     Their  figure, 
,ior.  were  as  savage, 
I  ever  have  read  in 

lirst  seemed  more  in- 
hat  had  been  thrown 
ind,  I  took  up  one  ot 
■^iv  thirst  beinf,' not  yet 

k  two  thirds  of  it,  when 
tie  from  my  mouth,  ana 
»  During  this  sitting 
as  to  what  they  should 
us,  and  asked  us  many 
them,  to  know  the 


CRUKL  TREATMENT. 


T» 


number  of  um.  By  mnking  marks  on  the  ground,  wn  informed  tlxMn  that 
our  nutnbrr  iitnoiintiMl  to  ten;  not  meaning  for  (hem  to  inrhult'  oiirKelvt>H 
ill  ih  it  niiiiilMT.  'I'liry  wi!<li('(l  to  know  if  the  runt  of  our  crew  hud  guuM; 
Hiiii  by  tlic  sli.iki'  of  the  lioiid,  we  nnHwered,  tliey  hud  not.  Tliiir  next 
iiniuiry  Wiis  of  the  pl;i(;<^  where  liiy  our  ship,  wliich  they  ciiih'd  Salliiiii, 
or.  Ill  li':ist,  we  understood  i'  ho.  VVu  pointed  westward;  and  ihi'ii  pointing 
ti>  iii<>,  th<'\  a-iki'ij  nic  if  I  w'<re  R,ai.<<,or  Rice,  which  I  iiiidrrstood  to  nicun 
I  iijitiin  or  MiMstcr.  As  well  as  I  couUI  make  myself  understiHxl,  i  answered 
ilii'ir  ijiiestion  in  the  atlirmative.  Finally,  they  incpiired  for  money,  and 
we  I'lulcavored  to  make  tluMU  ix'liuvi-  llu!r<>  was  none  in  tlit;  ship.  Wlum 
tlii^  had  /gathered  from  us  all  this  information,  they  talked  with  oiii>  another 
a  few  minutes,  and  tlicii,  as  fast  as  thi^y  could,  they  gath(;red  all  tiie  lug- 
;,'age  togctiier  <'X(('|)t  tho  water,  and  mad<;  ii  up  in  the  best  manner  the 
lime  would  admit  of,  loaded  it  into  our  hacklod  knapsacks,  and  gave  each 
of  us  a  load.  It  was  now  the  dusk  of  the  (ivening,  and  wii  wer«!,  as  wo 
.lupposed,  from  filly  to  sixty  miles  from  the  ship  when  they  gave  tho  word 
Romar,  which  signifies,  (Jo  on. 

With  the  word  Humar  there  came  a  blow,  and  a  push  forward.  Thoy 
endeavored  to  get  us  on  a  run,  and  for  that  purpose  beat  us  cruelly;  it 
was  cruel  indeed  to  force  us  on  faster  than  a  moderate  walk,  oxtremely 
fatigued  as  w(!  were  when  we  started.  My  companions,  to  save  me  from 
those  cruel  beatings,  managed  it  so  as  to  fall  into  the  rear  in  order  to  got 
mo  ahead,  and  so  take  the  blows  themselves;  but  tho  Arabs  discovering 
that  management,  put  a  stop  to  it.  Thus  driven  on,  wc  continued  to  travel, 
as  I  should  judge,  till  ten  or  eleven  o'clock,  when,  through  extreme  fatigue, 
I  fell  on  rny  face  in  the  sand,  and  no  sooner  did  my  companions  sec  it, 
than  they  fell  also;  upon  which  our  beating  was  increased  to  such  a  de- 
gree that  I  thought  we  should  never  rise  more.  Alter  allowing  us  a  short 
rest,  it  seemed  that  they  meant  to  make  up  for  lost  time;  the  word  Bomar 
was  oftener  repeated,  followed,  of  course,  with  stripes.  As  that  was  the 
first  time  I  had  ever  carried  a  pack,  and  as  mine  was  heavier  than  any 
of  the  rest,  the  endurance  of  the  toil  came  harder,  perhaps,  to  me  than  to 
my  companions.  Jack  perceived  it,  and  without  my  once  complaining 
of  the  burden  I  was  compelled  to  bear,  he,  having  the  lightest  one,  and 
being  much  the  stoutest  man,  proposed  to  me  that  we  should  exchange 
packs.  Accordingly  wo  stopped  for  that  purpose;  but  our  drivers  were 
as  much  bent  against  that  arrangement  as  we  were  for  it.  Jack  told  them, 
by  signs,  that  he  waa  tho  stoutest  man,  but  they  insisted  that  we  should 
go  on  as  we  were;  and  while  that  litigation  was  at  tho  highest,  wc  both 
dropped  our  packs,  and  tho  exchange  was  made  by  us,  but  not  without 
our  smarting  under  the  lash. 

After  this,  they  pushed  us  on  again  with  all  speed.  Wc  soon  foimd 
out  their  object;  six  of  our  men  being  in  sight  on  the  plain  about  two 
miles  off.  Wc  wore  goaded  on  by  the  two  men  who  had  us  in  their  charge, 
and  our  thirst  was  so  burning  that  we  waddled  along  as  fast  as  wc  could, 
in  hopes  of  getting  some  water  from  our  men.  Those  Arabs  were  within 
half  a  mile  of  our  men  before  they  were  seen  by  them;  they  ran  at  least 
five  times  as  fast  we  could  get  along.  The  moment  our  men  saw  them 
they  stopped,  expecting,  from  a  view  of  their  ferocious  lookp,  and  of  the 
guns  in  their  hands,  that  their  own  time  was  short;  and  having  yet  some 
water  left,  they  drank  every  drop  of  it  before  the  Arabs  got  hold  of  them. 
In  an  instant  they  were  all  down  upon  the  ground,  and  thought  themselves 
destined  to  slaughter;  just  as  myself  and  my  little  company  had  thought 
of  ourselves,  when  we  wore  in  the  like  circumstances.    By  the  time  they 


i 

J 


7^^ 


76  BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  AKAbS  OF  THE  DESERT. 

were  stripped  of  their  treasure,  and  bad  got  up,  we  were  near  them,  when 
there  was,  with  them,  a  general  rejoicing;  their  seemg  us  ahve  g.vngthem 
hopes     irsoon  as  ^e  could  be  heard,  we  cried  out  for  water,  and  be.ug 
answered  there  was  none,  we  dropped  down,  not  thinking  .t  possible  for  us 
Sl^e      We  lay  groaning,  and  crying  out  for  water  and  at  the  same  time 
^u  Tmbs  were  in  excruckting  pain  from  fatigue;  the  merciless  oarbanans 
u"en  gave  us  what  remained  in  the  skin,  which  was  not  enough  to  we 
our  thmats      At  last  they  got  us  all  ten  together,  which  they  (the  Arabs) 
suppo  ed,from  what  I  had  told  them  the  day  before,  was  our  whole  num- 
bTh  appeared  from  the  story  of  my  mates,  that,  upon  parting  with  us. 
?hev  had  cEkted  to  walk  nearly  all  the  night;  that  four  ot  the  men 
would  not  aaree  to  that,  as  they  had  rather  sleep,  and  therefore  lay  down 
for    hat   nupose.     The  mates  thought,  that  tiiough  we  did  not  see  nor 
hear  eaci  other,  yet  we  must  have  been  very  near  those  four  men  about 

""  Thifmatter  being  settled,  the  word  Bomar  sounded  again  in  our  ears; 
such  meTodious  voices  I  neverheard  before  nor  since.     I  do  not  mean  to 
be  undo  stood  that  their  voices  were  charming  as  re.specte.    ourselves. 
We  cried  for  water,  they  forced  us  up;  we  pointed  to  the  ship,  in  hopes 
Ly  would  go  ther^,  and  let  us  get  along  as  fast  as  we  could.     It  was  now 
about  noon-  the  sun  beat  down  with  such  extreme  heat  tiia  the  sand  was 
almost  insufferable.     We  marched  on,  and  saw  nothing  till  we  were  on 
?hT  hill   within  fifty  rods  of  the  ship.     Everything  was  t aken  away  except 
our  ho.  wh  ch  lay  dead,  and  blasted,  and  noisome  to  ti.e  smell;  shot,  no 
^«.Kth'vThP  Arabs  the  very  day  we  left  the  wrr>ck.     The  yuwl  lay  on  the 
Jocks'  w  th  hetoars  in  her,^^!  as  she  was  left;  the  toresail  was  cut  off 
a^   ilh  up  as  a  man  could   reach  if  standing  on  the   bellfry.     They 
mus    h  ^passed  off  to  her  by  swimming.     While  our  captoi^  were 
rsvin"   themselves  with  fiUing  their  skins  with  bvackish  water  from  an 
o?ddl  they  had  dug  out  of  the  bank,  our  four  poor  tellow-sufferers 
mad^  the  r  appearance  on  the  hill.     They  looked  down  witli  astonish- 
ment, having  fiad  no  knowledge  of  our  bondage,  nor  of  the  Arabs  being 
fihltXco      One  of  the  Arabs  got  .ight  of  them,  and  gave  a  yell.     Up- 
ward of  fifty  o?  those  ruffians  r'an  u?,  the  hill,  and  took  them  down 
Tnd  stHpped^hem  of  their  luggage.     Those  four  were  P--" ««/  \°J^"', 
with  us  while  we  stayed,  which  was  about  halt  an  hour.     Poor  follows. 
£v  weplb  itteTly  upon  being  told  that  we  were  to  depart  and  leave  them 
with  but  litte  hopes  of  our  Iver  seeing  one  another  again  m  this  wor  d 
rnrouble      At  the  sound  of  the  word  Bomar,  we  took  o    one  another  an 
affectionate  leave,  promising  that  whoever  of  us  should  h»Pl>en  to  be 
Redeemed  from  ou    bondage,  he,  or  they,  would  endeavor  to  obtain    he 
TedempUon  of  the  rest.     Not  one  of  us,  while  continuing  o  hreathe    he 
breath  of  life,  can  yet  have  forgotten,  or  wdl  ever  foi get,  that  trying 
n  oment      Poor  Pat  was  reminded,  before  we  parted  of  l.is  having  been 
the  cause  of  our  distress.     He  was  prudent  er.ough  to  make  no  reply^ 
At  sunset  the  remaining  ten  of  us,  along  with  seven  Arabs,  ascended  the 
i^ll  agaS,  a^d  for  the  last  time;  but  whither  or  where  going,  that  was 

our  first  and  deepest  concern.  „   ,    .  i     .     i   »„  ♦!  ,  ,„oof 

After  this  they  dispatched  off  one  of  thfeir  men,  who  took  to  th-  west- 
wa  d  on  the  run  Within  about  an  hour  he  returned  and  another  along 
with  h?m,  who  had  a  camel.  On  the  camel  they  loaded  all  the  luggage, 
Tve  out  the  word  Bomar,  pointed  eastward,  and  cried  out,  Swearak 
The  word  Bomar  was  ver,;  familiar  to  our  ears;  t^e  word  Swearah  was 
new  tTus      They  turned  the  camel  eastward,  which  to  us  was  a  matter 


■  -■*aia.i<>^'.jw^»"f  %» 


,*'.-K*-icBi»«im*- 


^^«st;.,^j|  •'  .^-i*»-*]*- 


^Mi^  kjiHi:  ^i*Sai«fi.- 


;SERT. 

;  near  thein,  when 
9  alive  giving  tliem 
r  water,  and  being 
ig  it  possible  for  us 
i  at  the  same  time 
crciless  barbarians 
lot  enough  to  wet 
h  they  (the  Arabs) 
ras  our  whole  nuni- 
Dn  parting  with  ub. 
at  four  of  the  men 
therefore  lay  down 
ve  did  not  sec  nor 
3SC  four  men  about 

i  again  in  our  cars; 
.     I  do  not  mean  to 
Gspectec'  ourselves. 
J  the  ship,  in  hopes 
could.     It  was  now 
■  at  that  the  sand  was 
iinjl  till  wo  were  on 
s  taken  away  except 
}  the  smell;  shot,  no 
The  yawl  lay  on  the 
;  foresail  was  cut  off 
the   bellfry.     They 
)c  our  captors  were 
ackish  water  from  an 
poor  fellow- sufferers 
down  witii  astonish- 
1-  of  the  Arabs  being 
.11(1  gave  a  yell.     Up- 
lul  took  them  down, 
cro  permitted  to  talk 
hour.     Poor  fellows! 
epart  and  leave  them, 
r  again  in  this  world 
ok  of  one  another  an 
should  happen  to  be 
ndeavor  to  obtain  the 
linuing  to  breathe  the 
er  forget,  that  trying 
,d,  of  his  having  been 
gh  to  make  no  reply. 
.r  Arabs,  ascended  the 
dierc  going,  that  was 

who  took  to  til.  west- 

led,  and  another  along 

laded  all  the  luggage, 

cried  out,  Swearah. 

e  word  Swearah  was 

ich  to  us  was  a  matter 


JOURNEY  OVER  THE  DESERT.  77 

of  great  joy,  as  that  was  the  only  direction  from  which  we  could  derive 
»ny  hope  of  relief.  That  sudden  hope,  or  ratiicr  siiadow  of  iuipe,  infused 
in  us  such  a  general  joy, that  everyone  seemed  to  show  some  considerable 
degree  of  animation;  wiiereas  we  had  been  utterly  dejected  before.  We 
continued  our  journey  all  tliat  night.  When  the  sun  was  about  an  hour 
liigh  we  made  a  halt  in  a  valley  formed  by  two  sand-drifts.  We  were 
oxtremely  tired,  having  walked  all  the  night  witiiout  sleep  or  rest.  About 
ten  o'clock,  an  Arab  that  had  left  us  at  dayligiit,  joined  us  again,  bringing 
with  him  about  half  a  bushel  of  sweet  berries,  and  a  brute  animal,  such 
as  we  could  not  name.  It  was  about  the  size  of  a  half-grown  goat;  the 
iiead,  skin,  and  legs,  they  took  off  immediately ;  after  which  they  opened 
their  game,  quartered  it,  laid  it  on  the  sand,  covered  it  over  with  hot  sand, 
and  made  a  fire  upon  it  with  some  dry  sticks.  They  reached  the  guts, 
just  as  they  were,  for  us  to  cat.  We  were  very  liungry,  but  did  notsuffdr 
30  much  from  hunger  as  from  thirst.  Tiiis  food  being  warm  and  moist, 
we  chesved  the  guts,  after  sucking  off  the  fat;  little  thinking  it  was  to  be 
our  last  meal  for  five  days.  The  meat  was  soon  cooked,  and  being  in 
expectation  of  getting  a  share  of  it,  we  privately  buried  the  remaining 
part  of  the  guts  in  the  sand.  We  begged  earnestly  for  water,  but  they 
took  no  notice  of  it.  After  they  had  devoured  their  meal  of  meat  and 
sand  mixed  up  together,  they  hove  us  the  bones,  on  the  whole  of  which 
there  was  not  a  single  ounce  of  meat. 

We  then  renewed  our  journey,  traveling  all  day.  Toward  night  we 
each  of  us  got  about  one  pint  of  the  sweet  berries  ;  they  were  about  the 
seize  of  whortleberries,  the  stone  or  pit  being  in  quantity  full  three-fourths 
of  the  whole.  We  ate  them,  stone  and  all,  for  the  stones  were  not  hard 
to  our  teeth.  We  dug  for  water,  but  found  none.  At  dark  we  got  about 
half  a  gill  each  of  the  water  from  the  sack ;  that  drink  finished  it,  and  wo 
lay  down.  The  Arabs  tied  up  the  left  fore-leg  of  the  camel,  and  let  him 
go.  As  to  feed,  there  was  none.  The  night  was  very  cold,  the  contrast 
there  between  night  and  day  being  very  great.  Jack  and  myself  lay  close 
to  the  man  who  had  claimed  us  both,  and  when  I  thought  him  asleep,  I 
softly  hauled  the  blanket  partly  off  him  upon  myself.  The  moment  he 
missed  it,  he  gave  me  a  hard  thump  with  his  fist,  and  it  was  a  long  time 
before  I  got  clear  of  the  pain  which  the  blow  occasioned.  Great  as  our 
guffeiings  were,  sleep  at  last  closed  our  eyes. 

On  the  morning  of  the  eleventh,  we  were  awoke  at  dawn  of  day  by  the 
Arabs  at  their  prayers.  Prayers  being  over,  the  camel  fhiit  lay  near  us 
was  loaded,  and  we  were  obliged  to  march,  distressed  as  we  were  with 
hunger  and  thirst,  and  every  one  of  us  making  the  outcries  of  misery. 
One  of  our  sailors  discovered  at  that  time  that  he  had  in  his  pocket  a  small 
potato,  of  the  size  of  a  large  walnut;  half  of  that  he  privately  gave  me, 
and  I  thought  nothing  ever  tasted  to  me  more  pleasant.  After  marching 
&  short  time,  the  leader,  my  master,  called  out,  Umbar  —  sit  down.  We 
soon  obeyed,  and  when  seated,  they  took  a  little  meal  which  had  been 
concealed  from  our  view,  and  ate  it.  We  expected  some  small  share,  but 
got  none.  My  master  looked  very  sternly  at  me:  at  that  moment  he  got 
sight  of  my  sleeve-buttons,  and  caught  me  by  the  wrist.  I  saw  what  he 
was  after,  and  gave  them  up  as  soon  as  I  could  unbutton  my  sleeves. 
Till  this  time  I  had  not  been  deprived  of  any  of  my  wearing  apparel, 
'•xcept  what  was  in  my  sailor's  packs.  He  then  ordered  me  to  strip,  and 
necessity  obliged  me  to  comply.  My  coat,  waistcoat,  shirt,  and  neck 
iandkerchief,  were  taken  from  me,  and  laid  by  his  side.  I  begged  hard 
I'n  ray  clothes,  or  some  part  of  them,  but  to  no  effect:  the  piece  of  bread 


-;Xteamm 


*■  atVi  JUil^KKfU  - 


IS 


BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  THE  DESERT. 


happened  to  be  in  the  pocket  of  my  pantaloons.  Soon  after  this  a  general 
search  of  us  took  place.  My  fine  shirts,  which  the  sailors  had  on  them, 
were  all  taken  away;  whereas  those  who  fortunately  had  only  their  own 
shirts  on,  which  were  coarser,  and  some  of  them  not  white,  were  permitted 
to  wear  them.  After  this  business  was  over,  we  re-commenced  our  march, 
my  clothes  lying  upon  the  back  of  the  camel.  At  that  time  I  was  eating 
my  biscuit,  or  rather  grinding  it  to  powder  between  my  teeth ;  in  fact, 
the  power  of  swallowing  was  lost  to  me.  This  was  the  first  time  I  ever 
had  in  my  mouth  any  food  which  I  could  not,  after  chewing  it,  convey  to 
my  stomach ;  now  I  found  it  could  not  be  done  for  the  want  of  fluid  or 
moisture  in  my  mouth  and  throat.  My  mouth  was  so  parched  up  that  the 
biscuit  could  render  me  no  service  ;  not  the  least  morsel  found  its  way 
down ;  every  particle  was  discharged,  or  blown  from  the  mouth,  whenever 
the  upper  and  lower  jaw  opened. 

As  soon  as  the  burning  sun  had  retired  a  little  behind  the  mountains 
of  sand,  we  were  spurred  on  with  greater  haste.  When  it  had  sunk  be- 
neath the  horizon,  the  fresh  wind  cooled  the  earth,  which  became  even 
cold  before  dark.  Negro  Sam,  as  he  was  walking  by  my  side,  asked  me 
if  I  was  cold.  I  told  him  I  was.  He  then  took  off  his  blue  jacket,  and 
reached  it  to  me,  and  I  put  it  on.  After  this  he  complained  to  his  master 
that  he  was  cold  ;  whereupon  his  master  came  to  me  in  anger,  probably 
thinking  tiiat  I  had  taken  the  jacket  from  Sam  by  demanding  it  of  him. 
Sam  made  him  understand  that  I  was  not  to  suffer.  He  (the  Arab)  then 
gave  Sam  my  coat,  and  when  it  was  quite  dark  we  exchanged  coats,  and 
I  got  my  own  again.  This  evenii.g's  walk  was  worse  than  anything  we 
had  before  experienced.  About  nine  o'clock,  we  all  ascended  a  mountain, 
I  should  suppose  from  two  to  three  hundred  feet  high,  over  craggy  rocks; 
at  every  step  our  joints  seemed  to  be  diplocating.  When  we  were  on 
the  top  of  the  mountain,  the  Arabs  called  out.  Shrub  bezef.  Wo  knew 
that  shrub  was  water,  and  concluded  that  bezef  was  plenty.  That  sound 
cheered  us  all.  The  camel,  which  on  our  march  was  always  driven  ahead, 
started  off  at  full  trot,  and  all  the  Arabs  after  him,  except  one,  who  brought 
up  our  rear.  The  descent  of  this  mountain  was  ten  times  worse  than  th(> 
ascent ;  our  feet  slipping  or  giving  way  at  almost  every  step,  it  being  too 
dark  to  pick  our  road.  We  found  it,  indeed,  almost  too  much  to  be  borne, 
and  nothing  but  the  hopes  of  finding  water  could  have  kept  us  from  sinking 
under  our  troubles  and  sufferings. 

When  we  were  nearly  half  way  down  the  mountain,  we  began  to  smell 
something,  which  could  be  compared  to  nothing  I  could  think  of  but  bilge 
water  in  the  hold  of  a  ship  ;  the  nearer  we  approached  it,  the  stronger 
was  the  smell.     Before  we  had  come  to  the  water,  the  camel  had  drank 
of  it,  as  also  had  all  the  Arabs  except'  the  one  in  our  rear,  who,  taking  a 
wooden  bowl  from  one  of  his  companions,  dipped  up  the  water  and  drank 
it.     From  him  I  took  the  bowl,  dipped  it  full,  and  drank  every  drop.     My 
mates  being  by  my  side,  called  out,  "Captain,  you  will  kill  yourself r' I 
The  bowl  contained  at  least  a  gallon,  and  some  said  five  quarts.     Several 
others  of  us  drank  as  much  as  I  did  myself.     The  reader  may  be  astonished 
at  our  taking  down  such  a  quantity  at  a  draught,  and  much  more  so,  when 
he  is  informed  that  the  water  was  so  putrid  that  the  smell  of  it  reached  I 
from  a  quarter  to  half  a  mile  ;  and  that  when  drinking  it,  we  found  it  a$l 
thick  as  common  gruel  used  in  sickness.     After  all  the  rest  of  us  had! 
been  satisfied.  I  took  another  drink,  of  at  least  a  quart,  and  then  somel 
others,  if  not  all, mended  their  draught;  when  we  all  lay  down  by  the! 
side  of  the  pond,  and  slept  finely;  I  think  I  never  enjoyed  a  fiu^t  night^F^ 


..•*rrf*.»«*wT*»**«(^—  »>.  -AlV.-).-- 


lESERT. 

,  after  this  a  general 
ailors  had  on  them, 
^ad  only  their  own 
[lite,  were  permitted 
jmenced  our  march, 
at  time  I  was  eating 
,  my  teeth ;  in  fact, 
the  first  time  I  ever 
hewing  it,  convey  to 
the  want  of  fluid  or 
)  parched  up  that  thfi 
TiorBel  found  its  way 
the  mouth,  whenever 

lehind  the  mouiitains 
When  it  had  sunk  be- 
,  which  became  even 
by  my  side,  asked  mc 
F  his  blue  jacket,  and 
mplaincd  to  his  master 
me  in  anger,  probably 

demanding  it  of  him. 
He  (the  Arab)  then 
,  exchanged  coats,  and 
orse  than  anything  we 
U  ascended  a  mountain, 
ligh,  over  craggy  rocks; 
„      When  we  were  on 
";ubbezef.    Wo  knew 
as  plenty.    That  sound 
as  always  driven  ahead, 
;xcept  one,  who  brought 
en  times  worse  than  thP 

every  step,  it  being  too 
St  too  much  to  be  borne, 
ave  kept  us  from  sinkmg 

itain,  we  began  to  smell 
ojuidthink  of  but  bilge 
cached  it,  the  stronger 
er,  the  camel  had  drank 
1  our  rear,  who,  taking  a 
i  up  the  water  and  drank 
'^  drank  every  drop.     »> 
you  will  kill  yourselfr 
.aid  five  quarts.     Several 
reader  may  be  astonished 
and  much  more  so,  when 
,t  the  smell  of  It  reached 
rinkingit,wefound»ta 

5r  all  the  rest  of  us  had  I 
t  a  quart,  and  then  som 

,  J  all  lay  down  by  th 
,er  enjoyed  a  fiu.r  night  f 


JOY  AT  MEETING  A  WHITE  MAN. 


79 


sleep  in  all  my  life.  This  dny's  travel  we  computed  at  thirty-five  miles. 
One  of  our  men,  who  had  been  used  to  driving  a  team,  thought  our  cal- 
culation wa?  moderate. 

At  dawn  of  day,  on  the  twelfth,  we  were  awoke,  as  usual,  by  the  voices 
of  the  Arabs  saying  their  prayers.  When  these  were  over,  they  began 
to  load  the  camel,  which  appeared  almost  double  the  size  he  was  of  the 
preceding  evening.  He  refused  to  drink  this  morning.  Toward  evening, 
we  saw,  for  the  first  time,  some  small  shrubs,  appearing  like  our  dwarf 
thorn  bushes.  The  camel  seized  hold  of  the  tops  and  little  branches, 
which  he  ate  with  avidity;  they  were  dry,  so  that  in  breaking  them  with 
our  hands  we  could  discover  very  little  moisture  within  the  bark.  Such 
as  they  were,  we  chewed  the  twigs,  but  could  not  expect  any  sustenance 
from  them.  As  soon  as  the  camel  had  eaten  what  they  thought  proper, 
we  were  driven  on  again.  The  sun  was  hot,  and  we  were  near  perisliing, 
when  on  a  sudden  two  of  thoin  started,  and  ran  off  in  a  north-enstorn 
direction,  we  draj^ging  ourselves  along  after  tliem.  As  soon  as  they  hiid 
ascended  one  of  the  hillocks,  we  discovered  that  they  were  much  engaged, 
appearing  to  be  gathering  something  from  the  face  of  the  earth.  We 
doubled  our  diligence,  and  soon  came  to  the  place,  and,  to  our  astonish- 
ment, we  found  about  a  quarter  of  an  acre  of  ground  thinly  covered  with 
barley  in  the  milk,  of  about  eighteen  inches  in  height.  The  Arabs  all 
fell  to  work  to  gather  and  eat ;  we  followed  their  example,  and  the  grain 
being  full  of  milk,  we  were  able  in  a  few  minutes  to  raise  moisture  enough 
in  our  mouths  and  throats  to  aid  us  in  swallowing. 

The  next  two  days  of  our  miserable  lives,  were  spent  in  traversing  a 
desolate  country,  without  food  or  water,  and  with  a  burning  sun  striking 
down  upon  our  naked  bodies.  About  noon  of  the  fifteenth,  upon  our 
ascending  a  rising  ground,  we  beheld,  at  no  great  distance,  a  large  num- 
ber of  tents,  to  which  we  were  marched  in  apparent  triumph.  As  soon  as 
we  had  approached  to  within  about  a  hundred  yards  of  those  tents,  we 
were  ordered  to  sit  down,  and  were  surrounded  with  men,  women,  and 
children,  to  the  number  of  from  seven  hundred  and  fifty  to  a  thousand. 
The  crowd  around  us  prevented  all  circulation  of  the  air,  so  that  we  were 
nearly  suffocated,  and  at  the  same  time  were  ready  to  peridh  with  thirst, 
and  all  begging  for  water,  our  masters  being  out  of  sight.  After  suffering 
for  half  an  hour  in  this  horrid  situation,  we  perceived  a  great  bustle  on 
the  outside  of  the  assembly  that  surrounded  us,  the  cause  of  which  we 
were  not  long  at  a  loss  for.  The  loud  noise  drew  nearer  and  nearer  to 
us,  till,  very  soon,  to  our  astonishment,  we  heard  a  voice  inquiring  in  plain 
English,  "Where  are  they?  Where  are  they?''''  It  was  not  a  dream. 
A  young  man,  once  white,  got  through  the  crowd  at  last.  It  was  an 
English  youth  of  about  nineteen,  his  skin  deeply  burnt  with  the  sun. 
without  hat  or  shoes,  and  his  nakedness  covered  with  only  a  few  rags. 
The  first  words  uttered  to  us  by  this  frightful  looking  object  were  "  WAo 
are  you?  My  friends!  my  friends  f''  the  tears  running  down  his  cheeks. 
I  would  have  risen  to  salute  him,  but  was  too  feeble.  He  sat  down  by 
my  side ;  we  all  shook  hands  with  him,  and  began  our  conversation.  We 
told  him  who  we  were,  and  he  in  return  gave  us  an  account  of  himself; 
the  Arabs  meanwhile  interrupting  him  every  now  and  then,  to  get  our 
tale  of  him.  In  turn,  he  satisfied  them  who  had  inquired  of  him  where 
we  were  wrecked,  how  much  money  and  goods  we  iiad  on  board,  where 
it  was  now,  how  much  those  mountaineers  (as  they  called  our  owners) 
had  got,  and  so  on.  George,  for  that  was  his  name,  freely  informed  us 
as  to  himself,  that  he  was  the  steward  of  a  ship  called  the  Martin  Hall. 


„ri3t^  — ■ 


^^T^^itV 


80  BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  THE  DESERT. 

of  lioudon,  cast  away  upon  that  coast  more  than  a  year  before ;  that  one 
of  tlie  crew  was  killed  by  the  natives,  and  the  captain  he  supposed  was 
drowned;  that  part  of  the  crew  had  been  marched  back,Mn  a  south-east 
f'ircction,  to  a  place  they  called  Elic  ;  that  another  part  had  been  earned 
to  Swcarah,  and  tiiere  ransomed  ;  that  four  of  liiem  yet  remamcd  among 
the  wandering  Arabs,  who  had  been  very  cruel  to  them ;  that  none  of 
them  but  himself  belonged  to  the  tribe  he  was  in  ;  that  two  boys  were 
not  far  off;  one  other  boy  he  had  not  heard  from  lately,  but  believed  he 
was  distant  not  many  days'  march.  "  This,"  said  George,  "is  all  I  can 
tell  you  about  our  poor  unfortunate  crew,  b\it  I  have  no  doubt  that  some 
of  them  have  been  murdered,  for  I  heard  they  did  not  find  a  ready  sale 
for  all  that  were  carried  to  Elic,  and  that  our  sailors  became  turbulent 
there,  and  a  quarrel  ensued  ;  the  Arabs  themselves  acknowledged  that 
several  of  our  men  were  wounded  in  the  fray:  but  these  cursed  monsters 
will  lie  like  dogs,  and  there  is  no  believing  them  ;  what  makes  me  think 
they  were  mur'dered,  I  have  lately  beard  that  some  of  tiieir  shoes  and 
hats  have  been  seen  in  that  neighborhood."  This  story  of  George  excited 
our  utmost  attention,  thougli  it  was  frequently  interrupted  by  the  Arabs 
during  the  whole  of  the  time. 

Hitherto  not  a  drop  had  been  given  us  to  drink,  and  George  now  told 
the  Arabs  that  we  were  suffering  with  thirst ;  but  it  only  made  .aem  laugh. 
Upon  this,  he  started  on  through  the  crowd,  and  brought  us  about  two 
quarts  of  milk  and  water.     This  we  divided,  I  believe  very  equally,  by 
Vach  of  us  sipping  a  little,  and  then  reaching  it  to  his  next  neighbor. 
That  delicious  beverage  occasioned  such  warm  expressions  of  gratitude 
as  I  had  never  heard  before;  each  of  us,  in  his  own  style,  ejaculating  his 
thanks  to  poor  George,  and  then  to  our  Father  in  heaven.     Though  the 
quantity  was  small,  still,  by  taking  it  in  that  way,  every  drop  felt  in  our 
famished  stomachs  as  a  cordial.     No  sooner  had  the  inquisitive  Arabs 
drawn  off  from  us,  than  I  inquired  of  George  where  Swearah  was?     He 
said  he  never  could  learn,  the  Arabs  having  always  evaded  answering  that 
?n(iuiry,  and  seemed  angry  whenever  he  put  the  question  to  them  ;  but  he 
believed  it  was  Mogadore.     He  then  asked  me  about  the  coast  where  the 
English  had  their  trade  ;  observing  to  me  that  some  of  tiie  Arabs  often 
journeyed  eastward,  and  after  an  absence  of  two  or  three  weeks,  returned 
with  certain  English  manufactures,  such  as  combs,  loooking-glasses,  beads, 
scissors,  knives,  powder,  guns,  and  so  on.     I  replied,  as  St.  Cruz  was 
nearer,  and  a  port  where  a  trade  was  carried  on  by  European  nations,  I 
rather  thought  that  that  must  be  Swearah.     He  said  he  had  never  heard 
them  so  much  as  name  St.  Cruz  ;  and  I  answered  it  was  the  Portuguese 
name,  and,  by  inquiring,  he  might  find  out  what  the  Arabic  name  was. 
George  appeared  very  much  delighted  with  our  company,  and  no  doubt 
had  hopes  that  we  inight  be  the  means  of  his  ransom  from  slavery. 
Speakin"  of  the  ones  who  then  had  us  in  their  keeping,  he  said  to  me, 
"These  fellows  do  not  belong  here  to  our  tribe, nor  anywhere  hereabouts; 
they  were  here  about  ten  or  twelve  days  ago  ;  I  remember  them  very  well ; 
they  got  supper  here,  and  went  off  the  next  day,  traveling  westward ;  they 
are  hunters,  and  poor  dogs,  depend  upon  it.     I  will  find  out  where  they 
belong,  and  let  you  know.     Come,"  he  says,  "let  us  go  to  the  tents,  and 
I  will  beg  some  meal  and  water  for  you  ;  and,  if  my  old  master  will  let 
me  stay  with  you  till  night,  I  shall  be  glad.     I  was  watching  his  flock, 
and  when  you  had  arrived,  ho  sent  for  me,  and  put  some  one  else  there 
in  my  place."     We  all  rose  up,  and  on  our  approaching  the  tents,  George 
called  out,  "There  is  our  chief!  he  has  been  gone  these  three  weeks,  and 


,.  ^»,Sfi,,-je^«li«-*t^^«rtiS«L~.N^r-art«M»«««^ 


5ERT. 

before ;  that  one 
no  supposed  was 
k,Mn  a  south-east 
had  been  carried 

remained  mnony 
,ni ;  that  none  ot" 
at  two  boys  were 
yr,  but  believed  he 
)r^e,  "is  all  I  can 
o  doubt  til  at  some 

tind  a  ready  sale 
became  turbulent 
cknowledged  that 
le  cursed  monsters 
It  makes  me  think 
)f  tlioir  shoes  and 
r  of  George  excited 
pted  by  the  Arabs 

il  George  now  told 
y  made  .aem  laugh, 
(ught  us  about  two 
ro  very  equally,  by 
his  next  neighbor. 
Bssions  of  gratitude 
tylc,  ejaculating  his 
aven.     Though  the 
[ry  drop  felt  in  our 
3  inquisitive  Arabs 
Swearah  was?     He 
adod  answering  that 
ion  to  them  ;  but  he 
the  coast  where  the 
of  the  Arabs  often 
reo  weeks,  returned 
iking-glasses,  beads, 
d,  as  St.  Cruz  was 
European  nations,  I 
le  had  never  heard 
was  the  Portuguese 
Arabic  name  was. 
ipany,  and  no  doubt 
nsom  from  slavery, 
ping,  he  said  to  me, 
lywhere  hereabouts; 
nber  them  very  well ; 
ling  westward ;  they 
find  out  where  they 
go  to  the  tents,  and 
old  master  will  let 
watching  his  flock, 
some  one  else  there 
ng  the  tenU,  George 
ese  three  weeks,  and 


INTERVIEW  WITH  AHAMED. 


81 


t 


I  suspect  ho  is  from  Swearah."  IIo  (the  chief)  came  hastily  to  us,  and 
inquired  who  wc  were  ;  and  was  told  l)y  George  that  ho  and  ourselvc? 
were  all  brothers.  The  old  man  looked  smilingly  on  this  occasion,  and 
George  told  him  wc  were  suffering  for  victuals.  He  replied,  "Thoy  shall 
have  some  boiled  meal  directly."  By  this  time  the  whole  male  part  of 
the  tribe  were  assembled  round  their  chief;  and  George,  imdcrstanding 
the  Arabic,  learned  from  what  was  said,  that  he  was  from  Swearah.  Afloi 
(tcorgc  had  collected  from  his  master  all  the  information  he  could  upon 
tliat  subject,  he  told  us  the  men  that  were  our  enslavers  were  hunters; 
that  tli(!y  belonged  to  a  degraded  tribe  of  Arabs,  distant  four  days'  journey, 
pointing  to  the  south-east,  and  about  one  day's  journey  from  Elic  ;  and 
tliut  they  were  about  to  start  off  the  next  morning  for  their  home,  and  take 
lis  along  with  ihem.  We  all  as  one  declared  ourselves  unable  to  go  further, 
and  that  we  had  rather  die  on  the  spot  than  attempt  to  advance  another 
i<tcp.  I  told  George  that  when  these  hunters  had  first  found  us  they 
appeared  to  have  made  up  their  minds  to  put  us  to  death,  or  at  least 
siiowod  signs  of  such  an  intention,  by  re-priming  their  gims,  etc.  At  that 
moment  the  hunters  were  engaged  in  conversation  with  many  of  the  tribe, 
and  George,  to  satisfy  himself  as  to  that  matter,  went  and  spoke  with 
them  about  it.  The  old  man,  who  appeared  to  be  the  head  one  of  the 
gang,  acknowledged  that  at  the  time  of  plundering  us,  it  was  their  intention 
to  destroy  our  lives,  but,  on  reconsideration,  ho  said  to  them  they  had 
better  let  us  live,  in  order  that  we  might  pilot  them  to  our  wreck,  and 
alter  that  they  could  dispose  of  us  as  best  suited  them. 

By  this  time  the  chief,  whose  name  was  Ahamed,  and  who  had  been 
engaged  elsewhere  for  some  time,  came  to  sec  us  again,  bringing  with 
him  another  English  boy,  named  Jack ;  he  was  about  thirteen  or  fourteen 
years  old,  covered  with  rags  and  vermin;  he  spoke  the  Arabic  perfectly. 
We  talked  to  the  chief  through  him  as  an  interpreter,  for  a  short  time, 
and  then,  having  found  that  I  was  what  they  called  Rais,  he  took  me  and 
Jack  away  to  a  little  distance  from  all  the  rest  of  the  company,  in  order 
to  find  out  where  we  had  buried  our  money  and  goods.  Upon  my  telling 
him  that  we  had  neither,  he  refused  to  believe  it.  I  told  him  our  ship 
was  bound  for  the  Cape  de  Verds  for  a  load  of  salt ;  that  that  article  was 
very  cheap  there  ;  that  what  money  those  hunters  had  taken  from  us  was 
sufficient  for  purchasing  a  load  for  our  ship.  This  story  of  mine  he 
seemed  not  to  believe  ;  he  thought  that  all  ships  carried  either  money  or 
goods,  or  both,  and  he  had  learned  from  the  hunters  who  brought  us  on, 
that  the  Arabs  at  the  ship  found  nothing  in  her  but  sand.  The  sand  I 
told  him  was  ballast,  and  that  a  ship  could  not  sail  without  ballast.  Neither 
did  he  believe  that.  He  then  said,  if  I  would  tell  him  where  our  money 
wad  he  would  buy  us  all  of  these  men,  and  feed  us  well  at  his  tent;  and 
nfler  the  tribe's  leaving  the  wreck,  which  would  be  shortly,  as  he  judged 
from  having  learned  that  they  would  soon  burn  her  for  the  sake  of  her  iron; 
that  then  he  would  go  down  and  take  away  the  buried  treasure,  and  return 
and  carry  us  to  Swearah.  I  judged  it  most  prudent  to  persist  in  my  first 
story,  thinking  if  I  should  tell  him  there  was  money  in  a  beef  barrel,  it 
could  do  us  no  good,  but  probably  harm,  as  it  might  have  led  off  this 
chief,  and  one  of  us  with  him  perhaps,  to  the  wreck,  when,  in  all  proba- 
bility, he  would  find  her  in  ashes.  When  we  were  about  parting,  it  being 
then  in  the  evening,  I  entreated  him  to  buy  us  all,  and  told  him  he  would 
be  well  paid  for  all  his  expenae  and  trouble. 

I  returned  to  the  place  our  men  were  at^  where  I  found  Larra  a  fin« 
mulatto  boy,  one  that  George  had  ipoken  to  me  about,  aged  nearly  sixteen-. 


H 


82 


BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  THE  DESERT. 


years.  lie  understood  about  as  much  Arabic  as  George,  but  neither  ol 
them  near  as  much  as  .Tacit.  IIo,  Jack,  (said  the  two  otiier  boy's  to  me,) 
always  joins  witli  the  Arabs  in  their  prayers,  and  is  more  an  Arab  than  a 
Christian,  and  you  must  be  guarded  against  him,  for  he  is  a  little  treache- 
rous lying  rascal,  and  ever  prefers  the  company  of  these  devils  iiere  to 
ours,  and  has  made  mischief  among  us,  and  if  he  and  ourselves  quarrel 
togetiicr,they  always  take  Jack^s  part,  and  that  makes  him  the  more  saucy. 
I  was  glad  to  find  out  Jack^s  character  so  early.  George  and  Larra  stayed 
with  us  till  near  midnight ;  by  them  I  found  that  whenever  the  Arabs 
came  home  after  their  journeyings,  they  used  to  talk  of  Consul  Gwyn, 
tashcr  Court,  tasher  Jackson,  lasher  Foxcrofl,  and  others.  The  word 
Usher  I  concluded  must  mean  merchant ;  and  the  proper  names  being 
English,  I  only  wanted  to  know  where  Swearah  was,  to  make  out  a  story 
that  might  carry  with  it  some  marks  of  truth. 

Before  we  got  a  delicious  breakfast,  we  were  visited  by  most  of  the 
tribe,  who  made  their  observations  concerning  our  worth,  rating  some  of 
us  at  something  considerable^  and  others  at  nothing  at  all,  but  concluded 
that  we  were  of  no  great  value  taken  altogether.  On  the  contrary,  the 
men  that  had  us  for  sale  praised  us  up,  saying  we  were  as  good  as  any 
Christian  dogs  they  had  ever  seen.  Some  time  about  ten  o'clock  next 
morning,  George  and  Larra  who  had  been  every  moment  watching 
the  motions  of  the  Arabs,  came  in  haslo,  to  inform  us  we  were  all  for 
sale,  and  that  some  were  actually  sold  ;  observing  that  Rais  and  the 
blacks,  as  well  as  several  others,  remained  unsold,  their  price  being  too 
high.  Larra  entreated  me  to  go  to  their  sale  and  plead  for  myself,  and 
mentioned  that  boy  Jack  had  a  great  deal  to  say  about  us  there.  I  thought 
it  best,  however,  to  remain  quiet  awhile,  lie  (Larra  )  continued  begging 
me  to  go,  and  said  if  I  were  to  be  carried  ofT,  there  would  b«  no  chance 
of  a  ransom  for  George  and  himself.  After  the  sale  was  partly,  or 
mostly  gone  through  with,  Ahamed  came  to  me,  bringing  Jack  along  with 
him,  as  an  interpreter,  and  taking  me  aside,  lie  asked  me  if  I  had  any 
friend  in  Swearah?  I  told  him  I  had  a  number  of  friends  there.  "Have 
you,"  said  he,  "ever  been  there  yourself?"  I  answered.  Yes.  "Who  do 
you  know  there  ?"  I  answered  Consul  Gwyn,  and  a  number  of  merchants. 
Court,  Jackson, Foxcroft,  and  some  others,  English,  French,  and  Spaniards. 
"What  sort  of  a  man  is  Consul  Gwyn?"  said  he  to  me.  Being  determined 
to  make  no  mistake,  I  answered  generally,  he  is  a  good  man.  This  vague 
answer  did  not  satisfy  him,  and  he  told  me  I  must  describe  him.  As  1 
thought  our  all  depended  upon  my  correctness  in  this  particular,  I  felt 
embarrassed,  and  he  discovered  my  embarrassment;  when,  collecting 
myself  u  little,  I  told  him  it  was  some  years  since  I  had  seen  the  Consul. 
but,  according  to  the  best  of  my  recollection,  he  was  about  my  own  height, 
but  rather  fatter.  Turning  to  Jack,  he  says,  "That  is  all  right,"  and 
locking  his  fingers  together,  off  at  a  distance  from  his  own,  he  says, 
"His  belly  is  so  big."  This  fiction  of  mine  Jack  believed  as  much  as 
Ahamed. 

Ahamed  then  asked  me  what  I  would  give  him  over  and  above  what 
the  Consul  would  give,  if  he  should  buy  me?  1  answered,  if  he  would  buy 
us  all,  and  then  set  his  price,  I  would  think  on  it.  Upon  this  he  said  to 
me,  "The  mountaineers  will  not  sell  the  blacks  at  any  price,  for  they  are 
as  good  travelers  as  themselves  ;  they  are  men  that  you  Christian  dogs 
have  taken  from  the  Guinea  country,  a  climate  that  suits  them  best,  ;<  kI 
you  were  going  there  to  get  more  of  them,  and  are  worse  than  the  Aral  ■<■ 
who  enslave  you  only  when  it  is  God's  will  to  send  you  on  our  coasi " 


ESERT. 

:ge,  but  neither  oi 
other  boya  to  me,) 
ore  an  Arab  than  a 
!  is  a  little  troache- 
lese  devils  here  to 
i  ourselves  quarrel 
iiim  the  more  saucy. 
ge  and  Larra  stayed 
henever  the  Arabs 
i  of  Consul  Gwyn, 
others.     The  word 
iroper  names  being 
to  make  out  a  story 

sited  by  most  of  the 
rorth,  rating  some  of 
at  all,  but  concluded 
3n  the  contrary,  the 
were  as  good  as  any 
out  ten  o'clock  next 
ry  moment  watching 
n  us  we  were  all  for 
g  that  Rais  and  the 
their  price  being  too 
plead  for  myself,  and 
It  us  there.     I  thought 
•a) continued  beggmg 
fe  would  bo  no  chance 

sale  was  partly,  or 
iging  Jack  along  with 
sked  me  if  I  had  any 
ricnds  there.  "Have 
ered,  Yes.    "Who  do 

number  of  merchants. 

>ench,  and  Spaniards. 
Being  determined 

_man.  This  vague 
describe  him.  As  1 
this  particular,  I  felt 

•nt;   when,  coUectmg 
had  seen  the  Consul. 

i  about  my  own  height, 

-hat  is  all  right,"  and 

,m  his  own,  he  says, 
believed  as  much  as 

„  over  and  above  what 
tweredjifhewouldbuy 

1  Upon  this  he  said  to 
any  price,  for  they  are 

lat  you  Christian  dogs 
at  suits  them  best,  Y'' 
.  worse  than  the  Aral"; 
td  you  on  our  coasi 


PADDOOK  AOREBS  TO  PURCHASE  HIMSELF. 


88 


Never,  I  must  confess,  did  I  feel  a  reproach  more  sensibly — that  a  great 
many  wearing  the  Christian  name  did  force  away  from  their  homes,  and 
carry  into  perpetual  slavery,  the  poor  African  negroes,  and  thereby  made 
themselves  worse  than  Arabs,  I  well  knew  was  but  too  true.  However, 
standing  on  my  own  defense,  I  said,  in  reply,  that  was  not  our  business : 
to  which  boy  Jack  answered,  "h  was  our  business  ;"  and  in  that  he  spoke 
the  truth,  for  the  ship  he  belonged  to  was  engaged  in  the  Guinea  trade. 

The  chief  demanded  of  me  again,  that  I  should  say  how  much  I  would 
give  him  ;  but  at  last  he  set  the  price  himself,  by  counting  over  his  fingers 
till  he  came  to  the  number  forty.  I  was  at  a  loss  to  know  what  it  signified, 
when  Jack  told  me  he  supposed  it  meant  dollars.  I  agreed  to  it,  and  that, 
in  addition  to  the  sum  mentioned,  I  would  give  each  of  his  two  wives  a 
looking-glass,  comb,  beads,  and  some  other  things.  The  next  thing  with 
him  was  the  security.  I  told  him  my  word  was  sufficient,  and  that  I  had  no 
other  security  to  give.  He  then  asked  Jack  in  what  manner  a  Christian 
took  an«oath7  It  was  some  time  before  Jack  understood  the  question, 
and  not  until  he  was  told  by  him  that  a  Mohammedan  swore  by  his  own 
board  ;  and  by  the  prophet.  Jack  then  said  to  him,  "A  Christian  swears 
by  the  Bible,  and  that  oath  he  holds  inviolable."  Jack  went  on  to  compare 
the  Bible  to  the  Alcoran.  As  no  Bible  was  to  be  come  at,  I  told  him  I 
could  make  oath  as  well  without  the  Bible  as  with  it;  and  this  satisfying 
liim,  I  then,  with  an  audible  voice,  called  my  Maker  to  witness,  that  as 
soon  as  we  should  be  ransomed  in  Swcarah,  I  would,  in  addition  to  what 
the  Consul  should  pay  for  our  ransom,  give  him  forty  dollars,  and  for  his 
two  wives  two  small  looking-glasses,  two  combs,  two  pair  of  small  scissors, 
each  a  large  bunch  of  beads,  and  a  knife  for  himself,  and  as  much  tobacco 
as  he  could  smoke  all  the  way  back.  When  this  was  gone  through  with, 
he  asked  Jack  if  he  believed  me.  He  told  him  our  God  was  the  same  as 
his  God,  and  he  might  depend  on  my  oath  being  held  as  sacred  by  me, 
as  his  own  oath  would  be  held  by  himself.  Thus  the  matter  ended,  after 
we  had  been  detained  about  it  for  a  full  hour.  Ahamed  then  went  to  the 
mountaineers,  and  finished  the  bargain  for  us  all,  except  the  two  blacks, 
for  they  would  not  part  with  them.  How  the  purchase  wan  paid,  or  in 
what,  we  never  could  find  out.  This  evening  the  boy  Jack  paid  us  a 
short  visit,  when  Larra  advised  him  to  be  more  with  us,  and  not  keep 
company  so  much  with  the  Arabs.  To  this  Jack  replied,  he  could  have 
as  much  meal  as  he  wanted  while  with  them,  and  that  he,  Larra,  was 
always  quarreling  whenever  he  was  with  him.  Larra  now  saw  the  ne- 
cessity of  courting  his  friendship.  Whenever  they  two  talked  together 
about  London,  Jack  used  to  reproach  his  own  mother  there,  telling  Larra 
that  she  was  a  bad  woman,  and  he  did  not  wish  ever  to  see  her  again. 
All  this  I  thought  made  against  us,  aa  it  gave  romn  to  mistrust  Jack  of 
being  inclined  to  the  side  of  the  Arabs  ;  I  therefore  urged  upon  both  of 
them  the  necessity  of  their  harmonizing  for  our  general  safety  and 
welfare. 

On  the  eighteenth,  in  the  morning,  there  appeared  an  uncommon  stir 
in  the  tribe.  The  horses  were  brought  up,  and  rigged  out  in  great  style ; 
all  was  glee,  male  and  female  running  from  tent  to  tent ;  our  English 
boys  were  in  as  great  surprise  as  ourselves.  For  the  sake  of  information, 
Larra  and  George  went  after  Jack,  who  of  course  was  knowing  to  the 
cause  of  this  great  muster.  Jack  was  not  to  be  found  then,  but  soon  after 
the  little  villain  came,  and  informed  us  there  was  to  be  a  wedding  that 
day :  this  quieted  our  minds.  Upon  this  time  he  and  Larra  fell  into 
(amiliar  discourse  between  themselves  aa  follows. 


i 


M  BONDAGE  AMOKO  THE  ARABS  OP  THK  DESERT- 

Jack.  You,  Larra,  know  Afdallah,  that  fellow  that  murdorod  his  wife 
about  two  weeks  ago. 

Larra.  Oh,  yes,  I  remember  all  about  it. 

Jack.  Well,  he  is  going  to  marry  that  short,  thick,  yellow  girl,  that  lives 
in  that  tent  there ;  you  know  who  I  mean. 

Larra,  Oh,  yes,  I  know  her. 

This  conversation  between  the  two  boys,  excited  in  mc  a  curiosity  to 
know  the  story  of  that  murder,  and  Larra  related  it  to  me.  "  AI)out  two 
weeks  ago,'*  said  Larra  to  me,  "this  fellow  went  into  his  tent,  and  asked 
his  wife  where  his  knife  was.  She  told  him  she  had  lent  it  to  such  a  one, 
naming  a  man  belonging  to  the  tribe.  Do  you  not  know,  he  said,  that 
you  have  no  business  to  meddle  with  anything  belonging  to  me  ?  She 
acknowledged  she  had  not;  that  she  was  sorry  if  it  had  displeased  him, 
and  would  go  immediately  and  fetch  the  knife  back.  He  made  no  other 
reply  to  her  than  by  saying,  I  will  see  if  I  cannot  have  a  wife  who  will 
obey  my  commands  better  ;  1  always  told  you  not  to  meddle  with  anything 
of  n^ine.  Having  a  club  in  his  hand,  he  struck  her  upon  the  breast ;  she 
fell,  and  he  continued  to  maul  her  as  long  as  them  was  any  breath  in  her 
body.  Neither  man  nor  woman  went  near  them,  although  her  cries  and 
screams  were  heard  through  the  whole  tribe.  That  evening,"  continued 
Larra,  "we  went  to  the  funeral,  and  observed  what  was  done  there.  The 
women  measured  her  length,  her  breadth  across  her  arms,  and  her  whole 
thickness,  with  as  much  exactness  as  they  could,  and  then  thoy  dug  a 
grave  to  fit  hor,  digging  if  no  deeper  than  the  measure  of  her  breadth, 
and  put  her  in  sideways,  all  naked  ;  then  the  women,  standing  upon  the 
body,  trod  it  down  with  their  feet,  till  the  upper  part  of  it  was  just  level 
with  the  surface  of  the  earth ;  after  which,  they  all  fell  to  gathering  stones 
to  cover  the  body  with,  so  as  to  prevent  its  being  removed  by  the  wild 
beasts." 

I  asked  Larra  what  followed  in  regard  to  the  murderer.  The  account 
ho  gave  me  was  this: — "The  next  day  after  the  murder  was  committed, 
the  chief  assembled  all  the  principal  men  of  the  tribe  to  examine  into  the 
case.  The  murderer  was  called  before  the  council,  and  heard  in  his  own 
defense  ;  he  voluntarily  related  the  facts  as  they  were,  and  was  then  dis- 
missed for  a  few  minutes.  Upon  this,  the  chief,  who  always  speaks  first 
in  such  cases,  gave  his  opinion.  "Afdallah,"  says  Ahamed  to  his  coun- 
selors, "has  not  acted  agreeably  to  the  law ;  he  should  first  have  com- 
iplained  to  me  of  the  disobedience  of  his  wife,  and  if  she  should  persist 
therein,  he  would  then  have  been  at  liberty  to  punish  ,her  according  to  his 
pleasure.  For  breaking  the  law  in  not  making  his  complaint  beforehand 
to  me,  he  is  worthy  of  punishment ;  wherefore,  my  sentence  is,  that  he  be 
fined  four  sheep,  seeing  his  flock  is  small,  and  that  those  sheep  be  dressed 
for  our  supper  tornight."  Larra  added,  "the  murderer  was  sent  for,  his 
sentence  was  pronounced,  and  he,  without  uttering  a  word,  had  his  flock 
brought  up,  killed  the  four  sheep,  and  the  company  ate  them — and  we, 
you  know,"  added  he,  addressing  himself  (o  Jack,  "got  the  heads."  After 
Larr«  had  gone  through  with  his  story,  I  desired  him  to  look  ont  for  the 
bride  and  the  bridegroom.  He  went  to  the  place  where  the  tribe  was 
assembled,  a  few  rods  south  of  cor  tent,  where  he  found  the  women  pre- 
preparing  the  bride  for  her  nuptials :  and  soon  after  they  all  made  their 
appearance.  We  then  walked  toward  the  crowd,  taking  a  circuit  round 
their  roar,  full  as  nigh  them  as  it  was  prudent  for  us  to  approach.  The 
couple  stopped,  fronting  a  man  who  officiated  in  the  capacity  of  a  priest ; 
ho  read  over  to  them  a  passage  engrared  on  a  board,  taken  originally  from 


■i<j*^vMiviMm'immfmr4!'jim0iommiitiv>  i 


"~^ 


SERT. 

lurderod  his  wife 

How  girl,  that  liveB 


I  mc  a  curiosity  to 
me.  "  About  two 
Ilia  tent,  and  asked 
sntitto  sucliaone, 
mow,  he  said,  that 
ging  to  me?  She 
lad  displeased  him. 

He  made  no  other 
ave  a  wife  who  will 
leddlo  with  anything 
pon  the  breast ;  she 
as  any  breath  in  her 
lough  her  cries  and 
Dvening,"  continued 
19  done  there.     The 
arms,  and  her  whole 
ind  then  they  dug  a 
)ure  of  her  breadth, 
1,  standing  upon  the 
t  of  it  was  just  level 

II  to  gathering  stones 
removed  by  the  wild 

derer.     The  account 
irder  was  committed, 
e  to  examine  into  the 
and  heard  in  his  own 
■re,  and  was  then  dis- 
lo  always  speaks  first 
Ahamed  to  his  coun- 
ould  first  have  com- 
if  she  should  persist 
.1  her  according  to  his 
complaint  beforehand 
sentence  is,  that  he  be 
hose  sheep  be  dressed 

derer  was  sent  for,  his 
I  a  word,  had  his  flock 
ly  ate  them — and  we, 
rot  the  heads."     After 

m  to  look  out  for  the 
where  the  tribe  was 

found  the  women  pre- 
er  they  all  made  their 

taking  a  circuit  round 

OB  to  approach.  The 
.le  capacity  of  a  priest ; 
d,  taken  originally  from 


11 


le 


A  WEDDIKO  IN  THE  DESERT.  || 

the  Alcoran,  and  Joined  their  hands,  using  a  ceremony  of  words  that  we 
could  not  distinctly  hear,  by  which  pronounced  them  husband  and  wife. 

A  tout  liad  hven  previously  prepared  by  the  bridegroom ;  on  it  was  dis- 
played a  whito  flag  or  fly  ;  he  took  his  bride,  who  had  been  blindfolded 
by  the  priest,  with  a  piece  of  cloth  tied  over  her  eyes,  led  hor  to  his  tent, 
-^nt  her  down  on  a  mat,  and  said  to  her,  "You  are  at  home."  Then  he 
\  fi  licr,  and  returned  to  the  place  where  the  ceremony  was  performed, 
:iiul  hud  a  white  cloth,  in  the  form  of  a  turban,  tied  round  hia  head  ;  after 
which  hn  joined  with  the  company,  in  their  singing,  shouting,  and  firing 
of  ;:,Mins ;  most  of  the  company  taking  part  in  this  merriment.  When 
night  came,  the  whole  company  went  to  his  tent,  but  none  of  them  entered 
it,  not  cv(in  himself;  instead  of  which,  they  formed  in  a  circle  in  the  front 
of  it,  where  was  prepared  a  groat  feast,  consisting  of  boiled  meal  and  milk, 
along  witii  several  sheep,  cooked  and  eaten  without  spice  or  sah.  Their 
feasting  continued  till  after  midnight,  when  the  company  having  retired, 
the  bridegroom  visits  his  spouse,  takes  ofi*  her  blind,  shows  himself  to  her 
by  the  light  of  the  fire,  to  satisfy  her  that  there  is  no  mistake  as  to  the 
identity  of  his  person,  and  then  blinds  her  again,  and  retires.  She  con- 
tinues in  this  condition  of  utter  darkness  for  the  term  of  one  week.  During 
the  whole  of  this  week,  after  the  first  duy,  all  the  women  that  choosu  it 
visit  her;  one  of  their  number  is  appointed  to  cook  the  victuals,  and  pur- 
form  all  the  other  domestic  duties,  until  the  spouse  is  brought  out  to  the 
light  of  day,  when  she  beholds,  as  hor  husband,  a  capricious  vagalK>nd, 
and  a  bloody  monster,  for  the  least  deviation  from  whose  mandate  she 
is  liable  to  suflTer  death. 

On  the  morning  of  the  22d,  Ahamed,  and  with  him  half  a  dozen  of  the 
tribe,  came  to  our  place  of  residence,  and  brought  along  about  two  yards 
of  red  flannel,  and  inquired  if  any  one  of  us  was  a  tailor  ?  adding,  we  woro 
to  march  on  the  next  morning,  and  must  make  Jack  some  clothes.  Over- 
joyed by  that  piece  of  information,  we,  by  means  of  sending  Jack  for 
them  among  the  tribe,  were  furnished  with  scissors,  thread,  and  needles — 
not  indeed  equal  to  what  are  used  at  our  tailors^  shops ;  the  thread  was 
too  large  for  the  needle,  but  by  singlmg  it  we  made  out  with  our  sewing, 
though  but  badly.  In  a  few  hours,  however.  Jack  was  rigged  up  with  a 
red  jacket  and  trowsers  ;  but,  unexpectedly  to  us,  the  little  fellow  despised 
them,  and  would  rather  have  had  his  old  rags  again.  The  time  now  hung 
very  heavy  on  us  all,  and  we  were  wishing  for  to-morrow.  Toward  night 
we  found  out,  for  the  first  time,  to  whom  in  reality  we  severally  belonged, 
and  also  discovered  by  Jack  that  we  had  often  been  bought  and  sold 
among  them.  As  hitherto  they  had  had  no  labor  for  us  to  perform,  they 
had  thought  it  immaterial  whether  we  should  know  or  not,  how  we  were 
disposed  of  among  themselves,  or  who  of  them  in  particular  were  our 
owners.  It  now  appeared  that  we  eight,  together  with  the  three  English 
boys,  were  owned  by  about  twenty  of  these  Arabs ;  and  as  to  myself,  I 
perceived  I  was  in  the  hands  of  the  most  unfeeling  vagabond  in  the 
whole  tribe. 

George,  who  had  been  occupied  for  several  days  past  in  keeping  his 
master^s  herds  and  flocks,  came  to  us  this  evening,  and  told  us  his  master 
had  been  uncommonly  good  to  him  for  the  last  day  or  two  ;  and  now,  says 
he,  I  am  to  have  as  much  meal  for  to-morrow  as  I  can  eat.  We  informed 
him  that  we  were  to  march  off'  for  some  place  or  other  the  next  morning. 
That,  said  he,  is  a  mistake,  for  my  master  told  me  you  were  to  remam 
here  several  days,  and  that  when  you  go,  I  shall  go  too.  Poor  George, 
however,  was  left  behind.    The  next  morning,  to  vit,  the  a3d,  Ahamed 


l»fl.»r*"-JJl"''l.    • 


tiaBW^g'.aigS jWr^W^'-'tW  •-■UtW; ■!  m.'!  i' >  »  -vtrr 


t*^»)>M^Mi«l>JW-* 


BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  THE  DESERT. 


told  us  wo  were  to  travel  on  to  Iuh  iiold  of  ^'rain,  wlicro  he  sliuuld  Ix  with 
lis  in  a  week's  time.  On  wc  went,  and  the  only  object  we  regiotted 
parting  with  waa  hapless  George  ;  him  I  pitied  from  my  heart. 

We  were  already  fancying  ourselves  half  redeemed,  when  my  new 
master  began  to  let  me  know  I  must  obey  him  in  particular.  He  was  one 
of  the  most  ugly  looking  rascals  among  the  whole  tribe,  and  his  conduct 
was  no  l)ettor  than  his  looks.  W(  had  been  traveling  together  all  the 
day,  before  wo  could  learn  to  which  of  them  each  of  us  belonged.  'J'he 
dilliculty  of  our  learning  it  of  them,  was  owing  to  their  ignorance  of  arith- 
metic, and  their  inability  to  inform  us  that  we  had  been  disposed  of  in 
joint  shares  ;  for  instance,  five  of  them  owning  three  of  us.  As  our 
course  was  northerly,  we  had  hopes  of  soon  seeing  the  seacoast.  Late  in 
the  atlernoon  we  came  in  sight  of  tents,  which,  as  they  were  placed  in  a 
valley,  we  had  approached  near  before  we  discovered  them.  We  came 
toward  them,  undiscovered  till  within  about  a  hundred  yards,  when  we 
all  sat  down  on  a  sand  hill,  excepting  our  principal  man,  who  was  Ahamed^a 
brother,  and  he  stood  up  for  some  time  before  any  of  the  people  of  the 
tents  perceived  him.  No  sooner  did  they  see  him  and  us,  than  there 
seemed  among  them  a  great  stir,  which  was  made,  no  doubt,  by  their  looking 
for  their  chief.  Soon,  however,  there  came  to  us  a  venerable  looking  old 
man,  mostly  dried  up,  who  accosted  our  chief  man  thus: — "Where  are 
you  from?  where  bound?  are  these  the  Christian  dogs  I  have  heard  so 
much  of?  what  are  you  going  to  do  witii  them?" — and  so  on.  The  answers 
were — "Wo  are  from  the  edge  of  the  desert,"  pointing  soulh-wcst ;  "we 
belong  to  the  tribe  of  Ahamcd ;  wc  arc  bound  to  sucli  a  place,"  pointing 
north-cast,  "to  cut  our  grain;  these  Christians  that  you  see  are  going 
along  with  us,  and  when  the  harvest  is  over  we  shall  make  a  market  of 
them."  "All  well,"  says  the  old  man,  "come  along  with  me  and  sup,  and 
stay  the  night ;  you  are  welcome." 

The  venerable  looking  old  Arab  having  pronounced  his  cordial  invitation, 
on  we  marched  ;  and  by  this  time  the  whole  tribe  was  out,  men,  women, 
and  children.  They  all,  even  the  children,  had  something  to  say  of  us  ; 
but  we  were  now  become  so  used  to  the  scurrilous  language  of  such 
people,  that  we  paid  no  attention  to  it,  but  seated  ourselves  among  their 
tents  on  the  sand.  We  begged  for  water,  having  had  but  very  little  of  it 
all  that  day,  and  our  stock  being  now  exhausted.  We  had  eaten  only 
once,  if  eating  it  may  be  called,  for  that  meal  consisted  of  a  little  raw 
barley-flour  wet  up  pretty  thin,  so  as  to  be  drank  rather  than  eaten ;  this 
we  swilled  down  clean,  and  licked  the  bowl  :  the  whole  quantity  for  us 
eleven  was  what  might  be  a  full  meal  for  one  large  pig.  Our  appetites 
were  very  keen,  and  this  swill  tasted  good  to  us,  and  lay  well  on  our 
stomachs,  as  did  everything  else  that  we  had  eaten  or  drank.  Many  a 
time,  and  even  hundreds  of  times,  had  we  cause  to  return  thanks  to  God 
for  this  great  blessing — a  good  appetite  for  whatever  food  or  drink  we 
could  find,  and  a  good  digestion  of  it. 

Soon  afler  we  had  made  a  stop  at  this  place,  the  chief,  and  many  of  his 
tribe,  formed  a  circle,  and  began  their  chat,  accompanied  with  the  pipe. 
When  finding  themselves  short  of  tobacco,  I  heard  my  name,  Raia,  called 
aloud,  and  upon  my  looking  toward  them,  the  master  of  my  mates  made 
a  sign  to  me  that  they  had  no  tobacco,  by  putting  his  finger  in  the 
bowl  of  the  pipe.  This  application  was  made  to  mo  in  particular,  because 
at  the  beginning  of  our  journey,  I  had  been  appointed  tobacco  carrier. 
There  was  about  a  pound  of  tobacco,  rolled  up  snug,  and  put  in  a  small 
skin,  about  the  size  of  a  cat's,  and  which  was  made  in  the  manner  of  an 


'■M»r"»<»..«i«B .-^ffl'iyti.Kif »j«!iftH» uir  ia.TaWr.W'ttWg-- rw?w4S3»^*SB«ft5i«»?^nrtSBe»^^^ 


!SE"T. 


THE  ARABS  OPINION  OP  CHRISTIANS. 


•r 


he 
joct 


should  Ix  with 
\vc   rcgiDttcd 
r  heart. 
)d,  when  my  new 
ilar.     He  was  one 
3,  and  his  conduct 
g  together  all  the 
IS  belonged.     The 
ignorance  of  arith- 
sen  disposed  of  in 
10  of  us.     As  our 
seacoast.     Late  in 
|f  were  placed  in  a 

them.  We  came 
)d  yards,  when  wo 
whowasAhamed'a 
f  the  people  of  the 

and  us,  than  there 
ubt,  by  their  looking 
!ncrablc  looking  old 
thus: — "Where  are 
igs  I  have  heard  so 
oon.  The  answers 
:ig  south-west ;  "we 
li  a  place,"  pointing 

you  see  are  going 
[I  make  a  market  of 
rith  me  and  sup,  and 

hiscordial  invitation, 
IS  out,  men,  women, 
ething  to  say  of  us  ; 
IS  language  of  such 
rselves  among  their 
1  but  very  little  of  it 
Wc  had  eaten  only 
sted  of  a  little  raw 
her  than  eaten ;  this 
ihole  quantity  for  us 
pig.     Our  appetites 
ind  lay  well  on  our 
or  drank.      Many  a 
eturn  thanks  to  God 
er  food  or  drink  we 

lief,  and  many  of  his 
anied  with  the  pipe, 
y  name,  Raia,  called 

of  my  mates  made 
ig   his 'finger  in  the 

particular,  because 
ted  tobacco  carrier. 

and  put  in  a  small 
in  the  manner  of  an 


i>&s^i^»~ 


old  fashioned  pouch  ;  this  I  reached  to  him,  and  taking  out  as  much  of  it 
as  lillod  his  pipe,  he  returned  it  to  mo.  Their  conversation  was  on  gene- 
ral subjects.  Larra,  ugreoably  to  the  arrangement  previously  made 
between  him  and  mc,  was  listening  to  it,  but  could  gather  nothing  of 
intorcHt  relative  to  our  future  destiny.  Indeed  they  frequently  spoke  of 
us,  hut  in  such  a  manner  as  often  reminded  me  of  the  old  adage.  Listeners 
seldom  hear  any  good  of  themselves.  That  saying  was  verified  here 
completely — the  heads  of  tlieir  discourse  concerning  us  were,  that  we 
were  a  poor,  miserable,  degraded  race  of  mortals,  doomed  to  the  ever- 
lasting punishment  of  hell-fire  after  death,  and  in  this  life  fit  only  for  the 
company  of  dogs  ;  that  our  country  was  so  wretchedly  poor,  wo  were 
always  looking  out  abroad  for  sustenance ;  and  ourselves  so  base  as  to  go 
to  the  Coast  of  Guinea  for  slaves  to  cultivate  our  land,  being  not  only  too 
lazy  to  cultivate  it  ourselves,  but  too  stupid  to  loarn  how  to  do  it ;  and 
finally,  that  if  all  the  Christians  were  ol)ligod  to  live  at  homo,  their  race 
would  soon  be  extinct;  that  those  belonging  to  Christian  countries, being 
dependent  on  the  other  countries  for  almost  everything  necessary  to  sup- 
port naturenvith,  they  make  for  sale  such  things  as  guns,  powder,  knives, 
and  so  on,  all  which  the  world  might  do  well  enough  without ;  and  then 
they  barter  these  things  away  to  people  abroad  for  the  necessaries  of  life. 

Upon  the  24th,  uncommonly  early  in  tlie  morning,  we  started  away,  in 
an  cast-north-east  course,  and  traveled  very  fast  for  travelers  in  our 
condition.  Before  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  we  had  become  very 
thirsty,  as  well  as  hungry.  We  had  taken  along  with  us  no  water,  and 
but  little  meal;  and  while  we  were  begging  for  water,  or  for  victuals, they 
snarled  out  to  us,  Cooly  mackan,  shrub  mackan — no  victuals,  no  drink — 
and  hurried  us  along.  By  eleven  o'clock,  the  heat  of  the  sun  was  almost 
insufff  rable ;  we  sat  down  only  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then  were  driven 
on  again.  We  were  fast  approaching  a  rocky  mountain  lying  on  our  right, 
appearing  to  be  at  least  two  hundred  feet  in  height.  We  perceived  where 
this  mountain,  seeming  to  have  broken  asunder,  formed  two  separate  hills, 
with  a  valley  between  them ;  and  when  wo  were  at  no  great  distance 
therefrom,  some  of  tiie  Arabs  left  us  and  ran  ahead,  while  others  were 
forcing  us  on  as  fast  as  possible.  When  we  came  abreast  of  this  valley, 
to  our  astonishment  we  saw  a  reservoir  of  water,  and  the  Arabs  who  had 
started  ahead  of  us  drinking  at  it.  We  soon  got  to  it,  and  when  came 
our  own  turn,  which  of  course  was  the  last,  we  drank  no  small  quantity, 
and  all  of  us  sat  down  at  our  drinking  place.  The  Arabs  then  mixed 
together  some  raw  meal  and  water,  and  ate  of  it ;  after  which  they  gave  us 
some,  and  on  it  wc  made  a  sumptuous  breakfast  about  noon,  having  eaten 
nothing  before  from  the  time  of  our  scanty  supper,  that  is  in  fifteen  hours. 
Wjien  we  were  about  to  leave  this  place,  which  we  all  regretted  to  leave 
so  soon,  one  of  them  took  the  bowl  that  we  had  been  drinking  out  of,  and 
rubbed  the  inside  of  it  over  with  sand,  and  put  it  bottom  upward  upon  a 
stone  which  had  been  left  projecting  out,  just  on  the  inside  of  the  door- 
way ;  and  no  doubt  it  was  left  there  for  that  purpose.  Then  commenced 
our  march,  yet  not  before  they  had  gone  through  with  their  long  prayers, 
which  in  a  great  measure  consisted  of  thanksgiving  for  the  benefits  of 
that  fountain. 

On  the  morning  of  the  26th,  we  were  awakened  earlier  than  usual,  no 
signs  of  day  being  then  visible  in  the  firmament.  Immediately  after  the 
prayers  were  over  we  started  on,  when  the  north  star  was  still  in  sight ; 
our  course  was  from  north-east  to  east-north-east.  Thirst  and  hunger 
wore  sufferings  not  now  to  us,  but  their  cravings  were  now  severe  indeed. 


.B«»w.°e>8ii!a»»aMi3*'^'*Mii>^i'iu  jL<j  juc ..  - 


88 


BONDAGE  AMOlfO  THE  ARABS  OP  THE  DESERT. 


Ill 


.Mmiit  noon  wn  h.iw  adwnllin((,  built  ofstono  ;  on  approac.irnut  whir.li,  we 
foM-iil  it  containtid  a  vory  Inrife  family,  or  rather  Moviiral  fiuailiuH.  IJndor 
iho  wail  W(!  Hcntcd  oursolvoH,  and  woro  viowod  by  thcin  all  ;  and  liid  the 
rnurtificntidii  (if  mortititsd  wo  could  bo  by  anything  they  could  h  ly)  of 
linariii;^  tlir  Hiiino  kind  ot  romarks  upon  U8,  that  had  been  niad<  Woforo 
from  tiiiK!  to  timo,  after  our  leaving  Ahimcd's  tribe.  Wo  howev  r  jjot 
of  thnin  HHitu!  boiled  meal,  the  romains  of  the  Arabs^  brcakfiiHt,  and  in  it 
waH  a  little  butter ;  it  was  to  us  a  raro  diah,  though  a  very  scanty  ono, 
b(!ing  not  tnore  than  ^-nuugh  for  two  men.  At  a  aniall  diHtaiice  from  thir 
houMe  wax  a  piero  of  b&iley,  of  about  ten  acres.  This  was  the  first  inhi- 
bited building  that  rrlji^hi  be  called  a  house,  which  wo  had  seen  since 
our  landing,  and  this  was  the  first  considerable  piece  of  barley  either 
grown  or  growing.  There  was  also  here  a  little  garden,  in  which  we 
saw  Honin  fiti:;  looking  pornpions  and  onions,  but  could  got  none  of  Ihcm. 
Upon  leaving' this  i)lace,  we  ascended  a  high  hill,  covere»l  with  barley; 
on  the  sutnmit,  we  discovered  at  a  great  distance  off,  the  •ci,  and  as  that 
was  the  clement  we  were  so  much  accustomed  to,  the  sight  of  it  seemed 
to  infuse  joy  into  every  br(!ast.  The  Arabs  pushed  us  on  till  near  sunset, 
when  we  were  brought  to,  and  were  informed  that  wo  now  v/^'o  on  the 
ground  belonging  to  Ahamed.  and  that  the  piece  of  grain  that  now  lay 
before  us  was  his.  L';>on  viewing'  it,  1  thou<{ht  it  contained  at  leafU  one 
hundred  acres,  but  ad  I  had  not  been  accustomed  to  meusaiing  land,  I 
might  have  been  wide  from  the  mark  in  my  calculation  ;  tliough,  at  any 
rate,  it  was  the  largest  field  of  grain  I  ever  saw.  Our  Arabs  informed 
(/<!  that  wo  were  to  stay  with  them  there  till  that  grain  was  cui  and  secured; 
and  now,  said  they,  we  will  see  what  Christians  can  do.  I  told  Larra 
the  re  was  some  numagemcnt  for  us  to  attend  to  on  this  occasion  ;  that 
if  wo  w  jre  to  go  to  work,  and  do  our  best,  it  would  be  tiio  means  ol^  per- 
potuaiing  our  slavery.  Ho  was  of  the  same  opinion.  I  tiien  e.xhorted 
all  my  men  to  make  it  seem  to  these  Arabs  as  if  they  were  unused  to  that 
kind  of  labor,  and  that  if  tiicy  should  bo  compelled  to  work,  they  must 
take  care,  while  at  it,  to  do  their  employers  no  good  ;  telling  them  that 
the  obtainment  of  our  ransom  would  depend  upon  our  strict  adherence 
to  this  plan — and  upon  that  point  wo  were  all  agreed. 

Early  on  the  moning  of  the  27th,  the  sickles  that  they  brought  with 
them  were  made  ready,  and  all  hands  of  us  were  ordered  out  to  work. 
On  hearing  my  name  in  particular  called,  I  told  them  I  never  had  cut 
grain,  nor  had  over  done  any  work  of  the  kind;  that  I  was  a  shipmaster, 
and  had  been  learned  nothing  else.  For  this  1  received  their  curses  and 
threats,  but  with  a  determination  not  to  heed  them.  In  the  meantime 
Larra  said  to  me,  "they  are  determined  to  try  you ;  I  heard  them  say, 
if  Rais  works,  his  men  will,  for  he  is  the  head  devil  among  them.^'  I  told 
Larra  he  might  tell  them  from  me,  that  I  would  not  work,  that  I  was  in 
their  power,  and  they  might  do  with  mc  as  they  pleased ;  that  Ahamed 
had  promised  to  carry  us  all  to  Swearah,  for  the  purpo.je  of  our  being 
ransomed  there,  and  I  had  pledged  myself  to  make  him  full  compensation 
for  all  his  expenses  and  trouble.  To  this  they  replied,  that  Ahamed  had 
ordered  them  to  make  us  work  till  the  grain  was  cut  and  secured,  and  if 
I  would  not  work  they  would  shoot  me.  The  boy  Jack  was  present,  and 
interposed,  by  observing  he  heard  them  say,  if  I  would  not  begin,  and  my 
men  follow  me,  they  would  put  me  to  death  first,  and  the  others  should 
share  the  same  fate.  I  told  Jack  to  tell  them  they  might  do  as  they 
pleased  ;  I  would  take  my  chance  in  regard  to  the  consequences  of  ray 
refusal.     I  do  not  wish  to  'make  myself  appear  in  this  case  aa  the  man  to 


""**?**%*-" 


•^'^'^-^f^^^ist^ms^mm.. 


tESERT. 

roacliiiuf  wliicli,  we 
kl  fiirrtiliuH.  IJndor 
rii  all  ;  nnd  liid  the 
lliey  could  Miy)  of 
been  made  boforo 
Wo  liowcv  r  |{ot 
brcakfiiHt,  and  in  it 
a  very  scanty  one, 
I  diHtaiico  from  thtt 
I  WQH  tlio  first  inhi- 
vo  had  seen  since 
:e  of  barley  either 
irden,  in  which  we 

pot  none  of  I  hem. 
verod  wilii  barley ; 
iio  <'ci,  and  aH  that 
I  sijiht  of  it  seemed 

on  till  near  sunset, 
B  now  v,"'!)  on  the 
grain  that  n)w  lay 
itained  at  IcafU  one 

meas.iiinK  land,  I 
on  ;  tiiough,  at  any 
ur  Arabs  iufurmod 
as  c\u  and  secured; 

do.  I  told  Larra 
this  oroasion  ;  that 

tiio  moans  of  per- 

I  tiien  exhorted 

vero  unused  to  that 

to  work,  they  must 

;  telling  thcrn  that 
IT  strict  adherence 

they  brought  with 
dered  out  to  work, 
m  I  never  had  cut 

was  a  shipmaster, 
cd  their  curses  and 

In  the  meantime 
I  heard  them  aay, 
ong  them.^'  I  told 
work,  tiiat  I  was  in 
sed ;  that  Ahamed 
rpode  of  our  being 
(I  full  compensation 
I,  that  Ahamed  had 
nd  secured,  and  if 
:k  was  present,  and 
I  not  begin,  and  my 

the  others  should 

might  do  as  they 
>nsequences  of  ray 
case  as  the  man  to 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


<ipJb 


i/.. 


Z 


^ 


& 


1.0 


I.I 


■-1^    12.5 
1^    112.2 


1^ 

if  1^ 


III 


1.8 


1.25    |U   III  1.6 

.4 6"     

^ 

Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


\ 


'q 


iV 


f 


^\ 


f\ 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


'■fm^^Smi^^^d^^^'^^^^^^^^^^'^f^^^''^^^''^^^^^^^''^^'  ' 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


^■iyji^yfew^;aj;-^^:t^v'a^^gr,^j:3?i 


: 


PAT  SWELLS  UP  MARVELOUSLY. 


89 


bravo  all  danircrs.  The  fart  was,  both  myself  and  my  crew  were  at  that 
time  redticfd  to  more  skeletons,  with  fatigue  of  body  and  troubles  of  mind, 
all  which  made  life  the  lews  desirable  to  us  ;  and  beside,  I  thought  there 
would  bo  loss  danffor  of  their  throats  being  put  in  execution  on  account 
ofthf^  al)sonre  of  Ahamed. 

This  controversy  lasted  an  hour,  and  they  got  my  men  into  the  field  at 
last.  Some  of  them  could  handle  a  sickle  as  well  as  themselves  ;  one 
of  whom  (bring  the  man  I  wiis  fearful  would  be  of  the  most  service  to 
them)  I  told  to  cut  his  own  fingers,  as  if  by  accident.  They  all  under- 
stood my  meaning,  and  it  was  not  long  after  my  men  had  been  dragged 
into  the  field,  before  I  found  they  were  doing  very  well,  I  mean  well  for 
our  own  purposes.  Some  by  accident,  and  some  intentionally,  perhaps,  cut 
their  fingers  and  hands  with  their  sickles,  and  made  loud  complaints;  while 
others,  who  were  gathering  up  the  grain  for  binding,  did  it  in  such  a  waste- 
ful manner  that  their  work  was  a  real  damage  to  the  owner.  Upon  this 
the  Arabs  took  away  the  sickles  from  those  of  them  that  had  been  reaping, 
and  set  them  to  hauling  the  grain  up  by  the  roots.  They  did  so,  but  laid 
it  in  the  worst  form  that  was  poasiblo.  By  managing  things  in  this  way, 
they  beat  the  Ishmaelites,  and  got  the  victory.  Our  poor  fellows  suffered 
very  much  for  a  short  time  ;  but  at  last  they  were  all  driven  out  of  the 
field,  wheri  we  all  assembled  together  at  the  place  where  the  reapers  had 
begun  their  business.  Being  myself  strongly  impressed  with  the  belief 
that  our  obstinacy  in  this  case  was  the  only  way  to  obtain  our  freedom,  I 
thought  it  my  duty  to  exhort  them  all  to  stand  "firm  in  the  resolution  we 
had  taken.  I  was  the  more  thoroughly  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  this 
course  of  conduct,  by  two  circumstances  ;  the  one  was,  there  were  at  that 
time  immense  fields  of  standing  grain,  which  required  a  great  many  labor- 
ers, and  the  other  circumstance  was,  the  plague,  as  I  had  repeatedly 
heard,  had  swept  off"  the  inhabitants,  which  made  laborers  scarce.  Ilence 
I  concluded  that  if  we  should  make  ourselves  serviceable  to  our  oppressors, 
we  should  be  kept  by  them,  at  least  long  enough  to  answer  their  present 
purpose,  and,  perhaps,  several  of  us  for  life. 

Soon  afler  the  Arabs  had  started  off"  to  their  work  the  second  time,  Pat 
was  missing.  We  all  wondered  (for  none  of  us  could  tell)  what  had 
become  of  Pat.  In  about  two  hours  he  returned,  marvelously  changed 
in  looks,  and  especially  as  to  his  bulk  ;  for  he  had  eaten  such  a  quantity 
of  stirabout,  as  he  called  it,  that  his  body,  about  the  waist,  was  swollen 
to  double  the  size  it  was  when  he  left  us.  His  story  was  this ;  while 
there  was  going  on  with  us  the  conversation  about  working  in  the  barley- 
field,  he  took  himself  off",  first  going  round  a  little  knoll,  then  keeping 
himself  in  a  valley  till  he  thought  he  was  far  enough  off"  to  be  out  of  his 
taskmasters'  view,  and  finally  ascending  the  highest  hill  then  in  sight, 
where  ho  saw  a  large  house  in  the  next  valley,  and  the  men,  at  that  instant, 
going  from  it  into  the  grain-field.  As  soon  as  he  could  do  it  with  safety, 
he  descended  the  hill,  and  when  near  the  house,  he  saw  the  women,  and 
stopped.  They  looked  at  him,  and,  probably  having  a  knowledge  of  our 
being  in  the  neighborhood,  were  not  alarmed.  He  durst  net  approach 
them  nearer,  for  fear  of  giving  alarm  to  the  men.  In  that  situation,  he 
thought  to  draw  their  compassion  toward  him  by  making  to  them  signs 
of  hunger ;  but  that  was  of  no  avail.  Whereupon  he  mounted  a  large 
:4tone,  and  fell  to  singing  and  dancing.  This  tooK  with  them;  in  a  moment, 
as  it  were,  they  all  came  about  him,  women  and  children,  some  bringing 
him  milk  and  others  stirabout.  He  ate  all  that  was  first  brought  himfand 
craved  more,  which  they  continued  to  furnish  him  with  as  long  as  he 


90 


BONDAGF,  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  THE  DESERT. 


danced  and  sung,  and  that  was  as  long  aa  lie  could  oat  and  move.  After 
his  iic  was  ovnr,  lio  took  as  mucli  with  him  as  ho  could  carry  m  his  hands, 
and  lea  tlicin,  and  came  back  by  the  way  ho  wont,  undiscovered  by  the 
Arubsof  the  otlior  sex.  .   ,     ,   ,      ■ 

Some  of  our  men  were  desirous  of  trying  their  luck  by  the  same  means, 
but  tlynking  it  imprudent,  I  dissuaded  them  from  it.     Ilavmg  all  that  day 
received  nothing  to  eat,  and  anticipating,  as  we  then  did,  anotuer  coh 
nigiil's  lodging,  we  all  fell  to  work  (as  loose  stones  were  plenty  there,)  and 
built  a  stone  wall,  three  or  four  feet  high,  and  perhaps  ten  feet  long,  as 
a  lee  to  defend  us  from  the  cold  of  the  night-wind.     We  had  it  nearly 
completed  as  the  Arabs  came  in  sight ;  when  each  dropping  his  sickle, 
they  ran  to  us  in  a  great  passion,  abused  us  as  usual,  and  not  only  hove 
our  wall  down,  but  threatened  us  with  severe  boatings  in  case  we  should 
presume  to  set  ourselves  about  that  work  again.     In  vaiu  did  we  rernon- 
strato  against  this  cruel  treatment  of  theirs,  in  not  only  keepmg  us  without 
food  and  drink,  but  exposing  us  unsheltered  to  the  cold  night-wmds;  it  was 
in  vain  we  told  them  we  could  not  live  under  such  extreme  hardships. 
Their  only  reply  was,  "go  to  work,  and  then  you  may  eat."     And  agam, 
it  was  in  vain  to  tell  them  that  we  could  not  work  on  the  land,  that 
the  sea  was  our  element.     They  were  deaf  to  all  wo  could  say,  and  not 
the  least  relief  would  they  afford  us.     At  length  they  went  to  their  work 
a^ain,  and  when  once  out  of  sight,  we  feeling  our  situation  to  be  truly 
dTstrossing,  hold  a  sort  of  council,  to  devise  what  steps  were  necessary  to 
bo  taken  by  us  before  it  should  be  too  late.     A  part  of  us  no  doubt  had 
some  inclination  to  go  into  the  field  to  work;  but  at  last  we  were  unan- 
imously of  the  opinion  that  our  best  plan  was  to  movo  off  to  the  eastward 
in  a  body,  and  abide  its  consequences.     Things  being  thus  arranged,  1 
took  the  lead,  and  all  the  rest  followed.     We  had  proceeded  about  eighty 
rods  from  the  field  when  they  discovered  us,  and,  in  a  moment,  each  drop- 
pin<T  his  sickle,  theyran  for  their  guns,  and  seizing  these  weapons,  they 
ran^ftor  us,  calling  aloud  for  us  to  stop.     We  paid  no  attention  to  them, 
but  moved  on  as  fast  as  possible.     The  hindermost  one  got  a  knock  from  a 
musket,  as  several  of  the  rest  of  us  did  after  him,  and,  finally,  we  were 
stopped,  and  held  a  parley  with  them.     They  threatened  us  with  death, 
but  we  were  now  past  the  fear  of  that;  our  lives  had  become  burthensome 
to  us,  by  means  of  our  sufferings,  and  of  our  ceaseless  dread  of  perpetual 
slavery.     They  ordered  us  back,  but  we  refused,  at  all  hazards,  pleading, 
earnestly  and  repeatedly,  the  promise  made  to  me  by  Ahamed.     When 
they  found  we  would  not  go  back,  they  said  we  should  be  put  where  they 
could  alwavs  find  us,  and  then  marched  us  on.     After  we  had  walked 
through  the'  fields  about  two  miles,  we  came  to  a  large  habitation  ;  there 
we  wore  stopped,  under  the  walls,  when  one  of  them  went  in  at  the  gate- 
way.    As  the  gate  was  open,  the  whole  of  the  residents  there  soon  came 
out  to  look  at  us,  and  the  stuff  thai  was  made  use  of  by  their  tongues,  it 
is  not  only  improper  to  mention,  but  indecent.     However,  with  a  woman 
who  occupied  an  inner  room,  a  bargain  was  made,  that  she  should  keep 
us  till  Ahamed  should  come,  at  a  given  sum,  by  the  day.     This  matter 
being  settled,  the  Arabian  reapers  returned  to  their  field.    We  soon  found 
that  a  part  of  this  establishment  belonged  to  Ahanied,-and  that  Salear, 
wliich  was  the  name  of  the  woman,  was  his  sister. 

During  our  stay  here  we  were  visited  every  day  by  one  or  more  of  our 
masters,  the  reapers,  who,  when  going  back,  never  omitted,  as  I  can 
recollect,  to  give  our  keepers  a  charge  not  to  let  us  ramble  abroad,  for 
fear,  as  they  said,  of  notice  of  it  being  given  to  some  one,  who  they 


DESERT. 

Bt  and  move.  After 
Id  carry  in  his  hands, 
andiscovercd  by  the 

by  the  same  moans. 

Having  all  that  day 
m  did,  anotiicr  cold 
ire  plenty  there,)  and 
ips  ten  feet  long,  at* 
I.  We  had  it  nearly 
dropping  his  sickle, 
d,  and  not  only  hove 
IS  in  case  we  should 
1  vain  did  we  remon- 
y  keeping  us  without 
d  night-winds;  it  was 

extreme  hardships. 
ly  eat."  And  again, 
rk  on  the  land,  that 
e  could  say,  and  not 
y  went  to  their  work 
situation  to  be  truly 
ps  were  necessary  to 
t  of  us  no  doubt  had 
t  last  we  were  unan- 
ro  off  to  the  eastward 
iing  thus  arranged,  1 
oceeded  about  eighty 
1  moment,  each  drop- 

these  weapons,  they 
no  attention  to  them, 
ne  got  a  knock  from  a 
and,  finally,  we  were 
itened  us  with  death, 
become  burthensome 
ss  dread  of  perpetual 
all  hazards,  pleading, 
by  Ahamed.  When 
lid  be  put  where  they 
After  we  had  walked 
rge  habitation  ;  there 
n  went  in  at  the  gate- 
lents  there  soon  came 
>f  by  their  tongues,  it 
>wever,  with  a  woman 
that  she  should  keep 
le  day.  This  matter 
ield.  We  soon  found 
nedj'and  that  Salear, 

)y  one  or  more  of  our 
er  omitted,  as  I  can 
IS  ramble  abroad,  for 
some  one,  who  they 


LA8T  FAREWELL  OF  SALEAR. 


01 


suspected  would,  in  such  case,  rob  them  of  their  property,  by  stealing  us 
away.  On  the  29th  of  April,  we  having  then  been  two  or  three  days 
ia  tlii.s  horrible  place,  Ahamed  arrived  here,  bringing  with  liim  Bob, 
aiioliier  Knglisli  boy,  belonging  to  the  Martin  Hall.  The  poor  boy  was 
rediiciHl  to  a  mere  skeleton.  There  was  such  a  rejoicing  between  him 
and  tin;  other  two  boys,  his  shipmates,  as  it  would  be  difficult  to  describe. 
Tlioy  fawiK'd  around  him,  and  asked  him  twenty  questions  in  the  time  he 
could  answer  one.  We  mixed  with  them,  and  heartily  partook  of  their 
joy — at  this  happy  meeting  even  Ahamed  seemed  pleased.  Bob  said  it 
must  have  been  six  months  since  he  had  heard  a  word  from  any  of  the 
crow,  and  lie  had  supposed  them  all  dead. 

The  next  morning,  Ahamed  appearing  in  a  little  better  humor  than 
the  evening  before,  I  asked  him  when  he  intended  to  carry  us  toSwearah? 
He  answered,  as  soon  as  his  barley  should  e  all  cut  and  secured,  all 
which  was  nearly  done  already.  Upon  this,  he  soon  went  off,  and  returned 
to  us  again  about  noon,  and  with  iiim  came  several  Arabs,  to  whom,  as  it 
seemed,  he  was  selling  tobacco.  As  I  was  much  attached  to  tobacco,  I 
begged  him  for  a  small  piece  to  chew.  He  refused  at  that  time,  but  a 
little  piece  he  gave  to  Larra,  who  put  it  in  his  mouth,  which  displeasing 
Ahamed,  he  said,  "Christians  are  bad  in  everything;  tobacco  is  made  to 
smoke,  and  nobody  but  a  Christian  dog  would  cat  it." 

On  the  morning  of  the  first  of  May,  I  took  a  seasonable  opportunity  to 
mention  to  Ahamed,  that  as  his  grain  was  all  secured,  he  now  would  be 
at  leisure  to  march  us  on  to  Swearah.  Salear  being  present  at  the  time, 
she  told  her  brother  that  I  had  promised  to  send  her  on  from  that  place  a 
looking-glass,  a  comb,  and  a  large  handkerchief.  He  looked  at  me  with 
a  smile,  and  asked  me  if  I  really  intended  to  give  her  the  things  she 
mentioned?  I  told  him  I  did  ;  and,  moreover,  that  I  would  give  her  some 
beads  and  rings  for  her  fingers.  "Now  I  believe  you,"  replied  Ahamed ; 
"you  shall  go  soon,  and  you  shall  ride  the  horse  I  bought  for  Bob,  as  Bob," 
added  he,  "is  growing  stronger  every  day."  Salear,  since  the  time  I  had 
promised  her  some  presents  from  Swearah,  had  been  a  little  more  accom- 
modating toward  me.  In  the  dusk  of  tbe  evening,  I  found  Ahamed  with 
her,  and  the  boy  Jack  sitting  by  their  side,  and  I  ventured  to  place  myself 
among  them.  She  reminded  t»e  of  the  promise  I  had  made  her,  of  the 
glass,  and  those  several  other  things  which  the  women  there  so  highly 
value ;  and  I  at  the  same  time  solemnly  declared  to  her  that  I  would  fulfill 
that  promise.  Upon  this,  Ahamed  made  some  inquiries  of  me  with  regard 
to  the  manufactories  of  my  own  country,  which  I  answered  as  well  as  I 
could  ;  and  I  took  the  liberty  to  (ell  him  how  much  better  he  would  be 
treated  than  we  had  been,  if  by  accident  he  should  be  thrown  on  our 
shore ;  that  in  such  an  event,  instead  of  being  held  in  bondage,  and  sold 
from  tribe  to  tribe,  our  Sultan  would  have  him  conducted  bacK  to  his 
native  country  in  safety ;  whereas  he  still  held  us  in  slavery,  and  several 
persons  had  been  here  already  in  order  to  purchase  us  for  market  in  the 
interior ;  and  all  this,  notwithstanding  he  could  get  a  great  price  for  our 
ransom  from  our  Consul,  who  was  distant  only  a  few  days  journey. 

He  heard  me  out,  and  then  warmly  retorted  upon  me  as  follows :  "You 
say,  if  I  were  in  your  country,  your  people  would  treat  me  better  than  I 
treat  you :  there  is  no  truth  in  you ;  if  I  were  there,  I  should  be  doomed 
to  perpetual  slavery,  and  be  put  to  the  hardest  labor,  in  tilling  your  ground; 
you  are  too  lazy  to  work  yourselves  in  your  fields,  and  therefore  send 
your  ships  to  the  negro  coast ;  and  in  exchange  for  your  useless  trinkets, 
with  which  you  cheat  the  poor  negroes,  you  take  away  ship  loads  of  them 


y    k 


If    ill 
'\  tl 


93  BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  THE  DESERT. 

to  voiir  country,  from  which  never  one  returns  ;  and  had  your  own  ship 
osclpel  oTshore,you  yourself  would  now  hetak.ngort  the  poor  noj-rocs 
to  evSas  ing  slavery."  After  this  unpleasant  discourse  was  ended  we  sat 
^lent  for  some  time"  and  then  Ahamed  said  to  me,  "In  a  day  or  two  we 

''oL\'hrilg'o7'JhI  third  of  May,  we  wore  awakened  ear.y,  and 
found   hem  al    in  a  hurry  at  preparing  for  a  departure      At  about  e.ght 
oWk   w^  took  our  leave  of  this  horrid  place,  when  Salear  foUowo^d  us 
f„r    l,7vard   and   with  her  last  farewell,  bawled  out  to  me,  "  Rais, 
JemoL  ir  Ty  things  "To  which  I  brieflly  answered.  /  should  not  forget 
i  "•  nor  d  SVever^forget  her,nor  ever  shall  I.     She  was  about  the  ughes 
fookinTwoman  I  ever  saw;  about  four  feet  and  s.xmches  h.gh,sq".b  o 
S  mund,  ill  shaped,  petulant,  crabbed,  savagely  ferooous,  and  all  th  s 
n  the  very  worst  sense  of  the  words.     Her  dress  was  nothing  but  a  nearly 
worn  oit  hrck,  which  she  wrapped  around  her,  so  as  to  extend  Iron. 
considerab?y  ab^ve  her  knees  to  considerably  be bw  her  breasts,  wh.ch 
wereenonnously  large.     Her  cheek-bones  were  h.gh,  her  eyes  smal   and 
black   her  color  that  of  dark  copper;  her  teeth  were  fine,  and  were  the 
S  cleai  thing  we  discerned  about  her.     We  all  had  reason  enough  to 
Scmber  hor      Forget  you!  no,  no,  Salear,  I  can  never  forget  you      I 
mrnTedhcoU,  Lrfe  that  had  been  bought  for  Bob,  and  we  took  the 
So"  path  leading  down  the  valley.     By  noon  Bob  complamed  of    ut.gue^ 
Z  could  not  kip  up  with  the  company,  and  to  lum  I  gave  up  the  old 
horse   and  made  out  mvself  to  get  along  tolerably  well  on  foot. 

At  dusk  wc  got  into  a  good  path,  and  were  walking  along  very  mode- 
ratdyf  Aharedfjack,  and  mysSlf,  ahead  of  the  rest,  -hen  the  old  man 
said  if  he  got  as  much  money  for  us  as  he  ought,  he  should  be  nth.  1 
replied  to  him,  that  he  should  be  well  paid,  and  that  no  danger  was  to  be 
repiiea  lo  "''»'  ^j.         j.      jni,i„tea  silence,  he  accosted  me 

rn'K  foUowi„"g  ller  "Tlfere  is  no  confidence  to  be  placed  in  (^hris- 
?ans  fo  ^Xnever  they  come  on  shore  on  our  coast,  and  are  not  imme- 
d.a^cl'v  dTscovered  by  us,  they  bury  their  money  in  the  sand,  as  you  yourself 
Save  Inrrprevent  it  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  true  beln.vors. 
ThTs  ca^do  you  no  good,  and  it  is  our  property.  We  pray  earnestly  to 
the  Altn"ghW  God  to  send  Christians  ashore  here  ;  he  hears  our  prayers, 
and  often  sends  us  some  good  ships;  and  if  you  d.d  as  you  ong ht  o  do, 
we  should  have  the  full  benefit  of  them."  I  then  asked  h.m  it  .t  over 
happened  that  the  crews  of  the  ships  coming  ashore  there  had  all  pev.shed 
or  been  destroyed?  To  that  question  he  answere.l,  "It  Aa»  happened,  and 
U  was  tL  w  1  of  God.  If  they  had  been  spared,  they  would  I'^vo  secreted 
E  treasure,  whereas  by  destroying  the  whole  of  them,  wc  got  a  1  they 
the.r  treasure,  wn  .r  y  j    ^  ^^  ^^  ^^^  following  story :  "Once," 

S  A1..:^S,  "  h^re  Tame  ashore  a  very  large  ship.  It  being  some  tune 
Tefore  he  c  ew  were  discovered,  they  had  landed  all  the.r  property,  and 
had  CO  ered  themselves  with  their  saijs.  When  they  w-- d.-overed,  a 
«mall"  ribe  went  down  to  take  them  into  their  possession,  but  they  hred 
arour  men   and  some  of  them  they  killed.     Exasperated  by  bemg  fired 


=  L  *<Vl»*i'    -^ 


.t/^^'JiV^  -^»^  -^ 


lESERT. 

had  your  own  ship 
rt'  tlio  poor  n(«f<roe8 
8  was  ended,  we  sat 
In  a  day  or  two  we 

'akened  early,  and 
9.     At  about  eight 
Salear  followed  us 
out  to  me,  "  Rais, 
I  should  not  forget 
VTia  about  the  ugliest 
ches  high,  squab,  or 
rocious,  and  all  this 
nothing  but  a  nearly 
as  to  extend  from 
her  breasts,  which 
her  eyes  small  and 
J  fine,  and  were  the 
td  reason  enough  to 
lever  forget  you.     I 
»b,  and  we  took  the 
Tiplained  of  latigue, 
n  I  gave  up  the  old 
ell  on  foot, 
ig  along  very  mode- 
,  when  the  old  man 
e  should  be  rich.     1 
no  danger  was  to  be 
(nee,  he  accosted  me 
»  be  placed  in  (/hris- 
it,  and  are  not  immc- 
sand,  as  you  yourself 
)f  the  true  believers. 
We  pray  earnestly  to 
le  hears  our  prayers. 
I  as  yo\i  ought  to  do, 
asked  him  if  it  over 
here  had  all  perished. 
It  has  happened,  and 
'  would  have  secreted 
them,  we  got  all  they 
iwing  story :  "Onco," 
It  being  some  time 
ill  their  property,  and 
•y  were  discovered,  a 
ession,  but  they  fired 
eratcd  by  being  fired 
many  were  killed  on 
r,  fell  back,  and  sond- 
iw  endeavored  to  show 
red  the  property,  and 
to  an  understanding 
had  with  them  in  that 
by  force.     As  soon  ms 


AHAMED'S  STORY— SWARM  OF  LOCUSTS, 


93 


our  men  came  within  gun-shot,  they  were  fired  at  by  them  ;  the  fire  was 
returned,  and  all  fought  hard,  but  our  men,  not  being  able  to  get  at  tiicrn 
with  their  long  knives,  were  repulsed  the  second  time.  They  then  sent 
up  again,  and  I,  getting  information  of  it,  went  down,  with  all  my  fighting 
men.  There  were  now  three  tribes  of  us,  and  we  had  more  men  tiian  the 
Christians  ;  and  as  my  tribe  was  the  largest,  the  conunand  of  the  whole 
was  given  to  me.  We  got  down  in  the  night,  and  having  been  running 
for  three  days,  I  thought  it  best  not  to  attack  them  till  the  morning,  judging 
tiiat  when  they  should  see  our  numbers  they  would  yield  to  us.  At  day- 
light I  saw  thom,  and  made  signs  to  them  to  lay  down  their  arms,  upon 
which  their  camp  seemed  all  in  confusion.  At  the  moment  we  were 
prepared  to  attack  them  they  formed  themselves  in  a  close  body,  and 
began  to  march  oft"  eastward.  We  formed  ourselves  in  three  divisions, 
according  to  our  tribes,  and  the  chief  of  each  tribe  led  on  his  own  men. 
My  tribe,  together  with  one  of  the  other  two,  got  in  their  front,  and  the 
remaining  tribe  was  on  their  side.  Wo  all  began  our  attack  at  once,  and, 
after  fighting  a  long  time,  we  had  killed  half  of  tiiose  dogs,  and  then  the 
remnant  left  alive  laid  down  their  arms.  We  now  all  dropped  our  guns, 
and  fell  upon  them  with  our  long  knives,  and  every  one  of  them  we  killed; 
and  their  whole  number  we  found  to  be  upward  of  five  hundred. 

"After  we  had  gone  through  with  slaughtering  them,  we  stripped  them 
all,  and  left  their  bodies  lying  on  the  ground,  and  went  back  to  the  ship, 
and  found  that  they  had  landed  great  quantities  of  goods.  In  the  ship 
we  found  guns,  iroii, sails,  powder,  and  many  other  things  valuable  to  us; 
they  had  in  the  ship  large  guns,  sucii  as  they  have,  you  know,  upon  the 
walls  of  Swearah.  When  we  had  collected  all  these  things  together,  and 
burnt  the  ship,  we  sent  for  our  camels,  and  carried  theui  home,  and  sold 
them  about  the  country.  We  got  a  great  deal  of  booty,  but  we  lost  more 
than  a  hundred  of  our  men  killed  in  battle."  When  he  had  done,  I 
aaked  him  if  they  had  landed  casks,  and  whether  they  had  built  stone 
huts,  and  covered  them  with  their  sails,  and  several  other  questions  I  put 
to  him  relative  to  what  we  had  seen  near  the  harbor.  He  remained  silent 
till  he  had  heard  me  through,  and  then  turned  me  off  with  this  short 
answer — "that  is  none  of  your  concern."  Nevertheless,  I  ventured  to 
inquire  of  him  as  to  the  time  wjien  that  affair  happened.  But  his  reply 
to  me  was  the  same  as  before,  nor  could  I  ever  afterward  get  one  word 
more  from  him  about  it.  Whenever  I  attempted  it,  he  would  turn  to  Jack, 
and  ask  him  what  it  wasybr  that  1  wanted  to  know  concerning  that  matter? 
Upon  inquiry,  I  found  that  Jack  had  never  heard  this  story  before,  nor 
had  either  of  the  two  other  English  boys.  For  myself,  I  was  fully  satisfied 
that  the  crew  of  the  frigate  which  was  wrecked  on  that  coast  not  very 
long  before,  had  all  been  murdered,  and  all  my  companions  in  misfortune 
were  of  the  same  opinion. 

The  fourth  and  fifth  of  May,  we  rose  early,  and  traveled  late ;  always 
suffering  under  our  privations,  but  meeting  with  no  adventures  of  cou- 
■equence.  On  the  sixth  of  May,  so  early  in  the  morning  that  the  stars 
were  still  viaible  in  the  sky,  we  proceeded  on  in  a  south-east  course. 
About  sunrise  we  discovered  that  the  ground  ahead  was  very  black,  and 
could  not  conjecture  the  cause  ;  but  we  soon  came  to  it,  and  found  there 
a  swarm  of  locusts  traveling  southward.  The  edge,  or  side  of  them,  was 
as  straight  as  a  line ;  they  were  thicker  than  they  could  all  stand  together 
on  the  ground;  so  numerous  were  they  that  they  crawled  over  one  another's 
backs,  all  struggling  hard  to  get  along.  The  feet  of  our  camel  crushed 
them  at  every  step,  and  at  every  step  their  blood  gushed  out  in  a  manner 


u  »»v»>»MiiMii.irii'nij>»iiin,'ig|>'i'-''> "' 


f 


04 


BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  THE  DESERT. 


shocking  to  behold ;  the  moment  tlic  camel  lifted  up  his  foot,  his  footstep 
was  filled  with  living  locusts  crawling  over  the  carcasses  of  the  crushed 
ones.  Whether  we  looked  to  the  north  or  to  the  south,  we  could  see  no 
end  to  them;  they  covered  the  ground  for  about  half  a  mile  in  width ;  the 
eastern  side  of  them  was  as  straight  as  the  western.  We  saw  no '  traggling 
ones,  nor  did  they  fly ;  they  were  about  three  inches  in  length,  and  we 
concluded  that  they  were  young  ones  that  had  not  the  use  of  wings.  This 
was  the  only  swarm  of  locusts  that  wo  sow.  All  the  while  we  were  passing 
over  them,  the  Arabs  were  muttering  over  something  to  themselves. 

Not  long  after  we  changed  our  course  to  the  east-north-east,  when  I 
had  an  opportunity  of  talking  with  Ahamcd,  and  I  endeavored  to  convince 
him  (of  what  I  bad  often  tried  in  vain  to  convince  him  before)  that  there 
was  not  the  least  doubt  but  the  Consul  would  be  happy  to  see  us,  his 
brethren,  in  Swearah,  and  would  immediately  pay  for  our  ransom;  that 
it  was  not  Aw  money  which  would  be  paid  for  us,  but  money  belonging 
to  our  Sultan,  who  always  took  care  of  liis  subjects.  Ahamed's  reply  was, 
"If  I  were  sure  of  that^  you  should  have  your  freedom  in  a  few  days." 
As  wc  advanced  the  country  appeared  better ;  the  soil,  and  the  fields  of 
grain,  nearly  resembled  what  we  had  seen  before  ;  the  land,  whenever 
we  had  an  opportunity  to  examine  it,  appeared  a  fine  gravel ;  the  trees 
were  more  common,  and,  in  many  places,  were  some  small  groves,  also 
many  fig  trees,  though  with  but  little  fruit.  Very  soon  after  wc  came  to 
a  place  v/here  a  great  number  of  tents  were  struck.  We  viewed  them, 
and  found,  by  our  Arabs,  that  the  inhabitants  had  mostly  died  of  the  plague, 
and  that  when  the  tribe  became  reduced  to  a  very  few,  those  few  survivors 
took  all  the  furniture  and  turned  it  upside  down,  hauled  out  the  tent  poles, 
and  let  the  whole  fall  to  the  ground,  where  it  remained  untouched  ever 
after ;  that  such  was  tlieir  law,  that  when  a  whole  family  died  of  that 
disease,  no  one  might  take  their  bowl  to  dip  with,  even  though  he  were 
perishing  for  water,  nor  could  their  flocks  be  taken  possession  of  by  any 
process,  but  were  left  to  run  at  large,  till  some  one  unknowing  to  whom 
they  had  belonged,  takes  them  under  his  own  keeping,  and  makes  pro- 
clamation of  it  for  a  given  time,  after  which,  if  none  should  have  appeared 
to  claim  them,  they  are  to  belong  to  the  present  possessor.  Upon  our 
removing  but  a  few  rods  from  this  scene  of  desolation,  we  discovered 
their  garden^  and  getting  over  the  fence,  each  of  us  took  away  a  pompion, 
and  was  eating  of  it  with  greediness,  when  the  Arabs  perceiving  it,  they 
with  great  haste  deprived  us  of  all  that  we  had  not  yet  swallowed,  which 
was  but  a  little,  for  we  had  nearly  eaten  a  raw  pompion  each.  The  curses 
they  so  liberally  heaped  upon  us  for  this  offense  were  but  little  regarded. 
One  of  the  boys  lagged  behind,  and  got  one  large  piece  which  had  been 
taken  from  us,  a  share  of  which  fell  to  me,  and  it  tasted  really  well. 
Late  in  the  afternoon  we  came  to  a  tribe  of  about  fifty  tents,  where  we 
stopped. 

The  Arabs  were  well  received  here,  but  as  to  ourselves,  nowhere  had 
we  been  so  much  ridiculed.  The  were  not  sparing  of  their  vile  epithets, 
so  common  to  these  people,  who  had  ever  viewed  us  as  a  poor  degraded 
set  of  beings,  hardly  fit  to  live  in  the  world.  The  women  were  foremost 
in  insolence  and  abuse,  and  their  children  not  far  behind  them.  Here 
wc  got  water,  aud  a  little  raw  meal.  Ahamed  here  bought  three  asses, 
to  assist  us  along  in  our  journey ;  one  he  gave  me,  and  the  other  two  were 
used  among  us  alternately,  as  the  needs  of  our  men  required.  On  the 
morning  of  the  eighth,  we  started  on  early.  The  women  ridiculed  us  as 
wc  passed  along,  and  bawled  out  to  us,  "You  swinish  looking  dogs,  go 


^\1u^mm.^c.^^''■*•- 


!  DESERT. 

>  his  foot,  his  footstep 
masses  of  the  crushed 
luth,  we  could  bce  no 
fa  mile  in  width;  the 

We  saw  no '  trag^ling 
168  in  length,  and  wo 
B  use  of  wings.  Tills 
while  we  were  passing 
ig  to  themselves, 
istnorth-east,  when  I 
ideavored  to  convince 
lim  before)  that  there 

happy  to  see  us,  his 
for  our  ransom;  that 
but  money  belonging 

Ahamed's  reply  was, 
3dom  in  a  few  days." 
soil,  and  the  fields  of 
;  the  land,  whenever 
ine  gravel ;  the  trees 
ne  small  groves,  also 
oon  after  we  came  to 
It.  We  viewed  them, 
ftly  died  of  the  plague, 
w,  those  few  survivors 
lied  out  the  tent  poles, 
lined  untouched  ever 
e  family  died  of  that 
even  though  he  were 

possession  of  by  any 
!  unknowing  to  whom 
ping,  and  makes  pro- 
should  have  appeared 
possessor.  Upon  our 
lation,  we  discovered 
took  away  a  pompion, 
abs  perceiving  it,  they 
yet  swallowed,  which 
on  each.  The  curses 
ire  but  little  regarded, 
piece  which  had  been 

it  tasted  really  well. 

fifty  tents,  where  we 

arselves,  nowhere  had 
r  of  their  vile  epithets, 
us  as  a  poor  degraded 
women  were  foremost 
behind  them.  Here 
re  bought  three  asses, 
and  the  other  two  were 
len  required.  On  the 
vomen  ridiculed  us  as 
nish  looking  dogs,  go 


THE  CHRISTIAN  DOGS  ARE  FED. 


95 


to  your  own  country,  wn  <lo  not  wnnt  yon  horo."  TJiosn  of  us  who  rodo 
on  the  assos  were  beiiind  the  rest,  and  afior  us  in  particular  thes(!  women 
ran,  and  in  a  few  minutes  dismounted  us,  taking  the  asses  away,  and 
laughing  immoderately  all  the  time.  We  cried  out  for  help,  and  the  Arabs 
diHcovoring  the  sad  plight  we  were  in,  came  back  to  uh,  and,  with  much 
porauaHion,  regained  for  us  our  beasts,  at  the  .saiiu!  time  iilamiiij;  iis  for 
being  i)ehind.  There  was  now  in  our  view  a  lar^'c;  town,  or  city,  covering, 
1  should  suppose,  two  or  tiirco  acres  of  ground.  Tiie  walls  appoarod 
from  ten  to  twenty  feet  high  ;  on  the  north  side  wiis  a  large  breach  in  liio 
wall ;  the  Arabs  were  looking  at  it,  and  talking  alxml  it,  while  Jack  and 
myself  were  both  sitting  on  the  animals  wc  roilc,  and  Aliamed  perceiving 
UH  looking  that  way,  asked  Jack  if  there  were  such  large  cities  in  Kiiglaiid? 
The  boy  told  him  there  were  nnjch  larger  ones  there.  Upon  which  Alia- 
med went  on  to  say,  this  city  was  destroyed,  and  every  soul  put  to  death ; 
that  ho  was  at  tiio  siege,  witii  all  his  tribe,  and  lie  oxiiltingly  added,  '"wo 
spared  none,  not  even  the  children!"  I  asked  him  the  cause  of  tliat  mas- 
sacre; to  wiiich  ho  replied,  "It  contained  bad  mc.n  ;  wicked  men,  who 
feared  not  God,  and  did  not  live  like  true  mussuhneii." 

About  noon  wc  took  a  short  turn  to  the  left,  over  a  high  hill,  and  there 
wo  saw  the  sea,  and,  in  a  valley  not  far  distant,  a  great  number  of  tents. 
No  sooner  did  wo  seo  these  tents,  then  Ahamed  called  out  to  us,  in  Arabic, 
"There  is  my  brother!  you  shall  now  have  enough  to  eat."  We  ap- 
proached to  within  the  usual  distance,  and  all  sat  down  except  Ahnmed. 
As  soon  as  the  two  brothers  met,  each  put  his  right  hand  upon  tho 
head  of  the  other,  then  each  kissed  his  right  hand,  and  then  they  shook 
hands  ;  and  all  this  before  a  word  was  uttered  by  either  of  them.  When 
this  ceremony  was  finished,  the  chief  then  says  to  his  near  kinsman, 
"Doarbrother,  are  you  well?  from  whence  arc  you ?  where  are  you  going? 
how  did  you  leave  your  children?"  and,  last  of  all,  he  inquires,  "how 
are  your  wives?"  To  this  Ahamed  answers,  "Dear  brother,  I  am  directly 
from  home ;  I  am  bound  off  to  find  a  market  for  these  Christians  ;  my 
children  are  all  well ;  one  of  my  wives  is  sick ;  we  have  traveled  a  long 
way  to-day  without  food ,  these  Christian  dogs  have  been  complaining 
of  hunger,  and  I  promised  them  they  should  have  victuals  enough  upon 
our  arrival  here."  The  other  then  says,  "All  is  well ;  to-night  they  shall 
have  as  much  as  they  can  eat ;  go  to  my  tents."  This  was  a  strange  sight ; 
two  brothers,  after  a  long  absence,  meeting  together,  going  throun''  !»s 
much  ceremony  as  if  they  were  utter  strangers,  gravely  and  stea  '  Vy 
looking  one  another  full  in  the  face,  and  with  eyes  seemingly  so  pio.  ■  ;j 
as  to  pry  into  the  depths  of  each  other's  hearts : — all  this  was  very  singu.ar, 
and  at  the  same  time  there  appeared  in  it  something  of  dignity  or  grandeur. 

I  took  this  opportunity  to  beg  for  victuals,  and  Ahamed's  brother  told 
me  he  had  ordered  his  wife  to  cook  for  us  as  much  as  we  could  eat,  and 
that  it  was  now  boiling ;  he  then  left  us.  As  soon  as  he  was  gone,  one 
of  the  boys  went  to  his  tent,  and  found,  sure  enough,  a  pot  boiling.  Our 
hunger  was  so  great  that  every  minute  seemed  to  us  an  hour.  At  last, 
being  informed  that  our  meal  was  cooked,  one  of  our  boys  went  for  it,  and 
found  one  potful  only  ;  that  was  turned  out  into  a  large  bowl,  and  brought 
us  boiling  hot.  We  could  not  wait  for  it  to  cool,  but  instantly  began  to 
eat  it,  hot  as  it  was.  Reader,  if  you  have  ever  seen  a  hog  run  his  nose 
into  a  trough  of  hot  swill,  and  observed  the  queerness  of  his  behavior 
upon  it,  you  may  figure  to  yourself  the  appearance  we  made  while  eating 
this  meal  in  our  tent.  We  soon  found  the  bottom  of  the  bowl,  and  scraped 
it  out  clean  with  our  fingers. 


96 


IIONDAOK  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  THE  DE3F,RT. 


Whfin  this  bowl  wan  finished,  thn  two  brolhors  camo  to  our  tnnt,  and 
asked  us  if  we  liail  liad  oiioufih?  The  hoys  answoriMl,  Wo  havo  had  but 
one  polful,  and  liiat  is  not  half  «;nou<.'h.     llo  turned  Irorn  ns,  and  went 
to  his  tent,  which  was  not  ten  j)ac,e8  otV,  and,  in  a  very  inoderato  tone  of 
voice,  spoke  to  liis  wife  thus:  "Did  I  not  tfdl  you  to  boil  for  these  Chris- 
tians both  pots?"     She  replied,  "You  did,  but  1  thoiiKht  one  wau  as  much 
as  they  deserved."     Witiiout  uttering  anotiior  word,  he  took  up  a  heavy 
club,  and  struck  her  over  the  breast.     Slio  fell,  and  he  continued  to  beat 
her  till  wo  coidd  no  longer  hear  her  groans.     Ahamed  stood  motionless. 
Wc  besought  him  to  intercede  with  his  brother  for  her,  but  he  shook  his 
head,  and  said  nothing.     When  this  old  man  had  done  beating  his  wifo, 
ho  called  to  a  wt)man  in  the  next  tent,  and  ordered  her  to  boil  a  pot  of 
meal   for  us,  and  added,  "I  will    see  if  my  orders  cannot  bo  obeyed." 
Upon  this,  he,  together  with  Ahamed,  walked  back  to  the  place  where 
the  men  of  his  tribe  were  sitting  on  the  ground,  and  ho  seemed  as  little 
discomposed  as  if  he  had  been  beating  a  dog.     I  s(Mit  in  one  of  the  boys  to 
see  if  she  was  dead,  who  stayed  some  time,  and  I  heard  him  talking  there 
with  the   woman  that  was  cooking.     When  I  hud  called  him  back,  he 
said  she  was  still  alive,  that  her  head  was  considerably  swollen,  and  that 
her  neck  and  breasts  wore  bruised  very  much ;  and  that  the  women  there 
observed,  "She  will  die  soon,  and  to-night  we  will  bury  her." 

Presently  our  pot  of  stirabout  was  done,  and  she,  the  cook,  called  one 
of  the  English  boys  to  bring  away  the  bowl.  He  went,  and  took  it  to  our 
tent,  whore  we  agreed  to  let  it  cool,  the  craving  of  our  appetite  being  now 
somewhat  allayed.  The  boy  found  the  wounded  woman  still  alive,  but 
said  slio  was  much  more  swollen  than  when  he  had  seen  her  before.  When 
this  food  was  so  far  cooled  as  to  be  eatable,  wc  fell  to,  and  ate  the  whole, 
and  sent  the  bowl  back  to  the  tent,  with  a  message,  in  these  few  words, 
We  have  had  enough.  The  old  chief,  I  suppose,  saw  tho  bowl  returned, 
and  he  and  Ahamed  came  and  inquired  of  us  if  we  had  had  enough  ;  and, 
after  being  answered  afiirmatively,  ho  walked  to  his  tent,  and,  with  appa- 
rent indifference,  asked  the  women  if  his  wifo  was  dead.  Receiving  for 
answer  that  she  was  not  dead,  but  could  not  live  long,  he  and  Ahamed 
both  went  back  again  to  the  other  men. 

On  the  morning  of  the  ninth,  wc  were  slow  about  moving  ;  and  did  not 
start  till  sunrise.  At  the  moment  of  our  departure  1  sent  one  of  the  boys 
to  see  whether  the  woman,  so  cruelly  beaten  by  Ahamed's  brother,  was 
living  or  dead.  He  returned,  and  said  they  could  perceive  life  in  her 
yet,  but  he  was  told  by  the  one  that  had  cooked  for  us  tho  day  before, 
that  she  was  almost  gone,  and  would  die  very  soon ;  that  she  was  swollen 
to  a  great  size.  I  think  it  beyond  doubt  that  she  died  that  very  morning. 
As  we  advanced,  the  country  looked  still  better  and  better ;  the  grain-fields 
seemed  alive  with  reapers ;  it  was  not  uncommon  for  us  to  see  forty  or 
fifty  of  thorn  in  a  single  field.  About  noon,  when  we  were  upon  one  of 
the  highest  of  these  hills,  Ahamed  cried  out  thrice,  as  loud  as  he  could 
hallo,  "St.  Cruz!  St.  Cruz!  St.  Cruz!"  and  then,  pointed  to  me  a  space 
where  the  mountains  of  the  Atlas  were  fallen  away,  I  could  plainly  discern 
what  appeared  to  me  a  white  speck,  which  he  said  was  St,  Cruz.  Aha- 
med now  seemed  very  lively,  as  did  also  most  of  the  rest  of  them.  When 
an  opportunity  was  left  me  to  question  him,  I  asked  him  what  the  distance 
was  to  St.  Cruz,  and  whether  any  Christian  ships  wore  there?  To  this 
he  replied,  that  St.  Cruz  was  in  sight,  and  not  far  off,  that  there  were  no 
ships  there,  nor  had  been  for  a  long  time ;  that  all  the  ships  went  to 
Swearah.     That  ia  Mogadore,  said  I  to  him.    "Yes,"  be  answered,  "you 


DESERT. 

inn  to  our  tout,  and 
[|,  Wo  havo  had  but 
il  IVoin  na,  niul  wont 
ry  tnodorato  tono  of 
boil  lor  these  Chris- 
'ht  ono  wasj  ns  inucli 
,  ho  look  ii|>  a  hoavy 
Ih)  continnod  to  beat 
nd  Hlood  inotionlcas. 
lor,  but  b(!  sliook  his 
jno  beating  liis  wifo, 

hor  to  boil  a  pot  of 
cannot  be  obeyed." 

to  the  place  where 
1  he  seemed  as  little 
tin  ono  of  the  boys  to 
ard  him  talking  there 
called  him  back,  he 
biy  swollen,  and  that 
that  the  women  there 
ury  her." 

,  the  cook,  called  one 
:nt,  and  took  it  to  our 
ir  appetite  being  now 
/oman  still  alive,  but 
en  her  before.  When 
o,  and  ate  the  whole, 
,  in  those  few  words, 
w  the  bowl  returned, 
ad  had  enough  ;  and, 
tent,  and,  with  appa- 
dead.  Receiving  for 
3ng,  he  and  Ahamed 

moving  ;  and  did  not 
[  sent  one  of  the  boys 
hamed^s  brother,  was 

perceive  life  in  her 
or  us  the  day  before, 
;  that  she  was  swollen 
ed  that  very  morning, 
letter;  the  grain-fields 
for  us  to  see  forty  or 
we  were  upon  one  of 
,  as  loud  as  he  could 
toiatcd  to  me  a  space 
I  could  plainly  discern 

was  St.  Cruz.  Aha- 
I  rest  of  them.  When 
him  what  the  distance 
were  there?  To  this 
off,  that  there  were  no 
all  the  ships  went  to 
s,"  be  answered,  '*you 


nORIHD  srSPENSK. 


97 


«mI1  it  HO  ;  were  you  over  there?"  Yes.  "Woro  you  over  at  St.  Cruz?" 
No.  "Who  do  you  know  in  Swo;irah?"  (.'orisiil  (iwyii,  taslior  (*(Mirt, 
Jarksoii.  I'oxcron,  and  inaiiy  otliorn,  some  French,  ami  some  Spaiiiiudit! 
Turitinj,'  to  Aliaincd,  who  w;is  all  attention  to  thi.s  convorsation.  In-  .^aid 
to  him,  "Me  has  beiju  at  Sweariih,  and  has  friends  there."  lie  then 
conrludiMl  with  asking  me  irc.'onsiil  (iwyn  had  money  enough  to  ran.soui 
so  many  of  his  brothers?  Without  hesitation,  I  told  him  he  eould  raiisoni 
ten  times  our  number  if  they  were  brought  to  him;  and  I  enchnivored  to 
make  him  understand  that  the  Consul  did  not  pay  this  money  (Vom  his  own 
purse,  lint  it  was  money  belonging  to  our  Sultan,  who  placed  it  at  his 
disposal  tor  that  pur|)ose,  and,  in  case  that  he  (the  Consul)  should  at  any 
time  be  short  of  money,  it  was  only  for  him  to  borrow  of  the  rich  merchants 
till  our  Siiltau  should  send  him  more.  This  explanation  of  mine  seemed 
to  be  satisfactory  to  him,  and  our  conversation  was  here  closed.  On  the 
morning  (»f  the  tenth,  we  were  awakened  by  the  sound  of  the  voices  of  the 
Arabs  at  prayer.  We  saw  no  appearance  of  any  habitation  till  near  night ; 
and  having  traveled  over  heavy  sand,  and  the  weather  extremely  hot,  we  suf- 
fered for  water,  but  none  could  be  found.  At  length  Aliamed  told  us 
we  should  soon  come  to  a  small  tribe  of  his  acquaintance,  and  there  we 
should  faro  well.  It  was  beginning  to  be  dusk,  when,  on  our  rising  a  hill, 
wc  saw  St.  Cru/,  which  did  not  appear  twenty  miles  ofl",  though  in  that 
wc  wore  mistaken. 

At  about  eight  o'clock  wo  arrived  at  the  tribe  which  Ahamed  had 
spoken  of,  which  consisted  of  about  thirty.  We  got  hero  but  a  poor 
supper,  which  consisted  of  a  little  raw  meal  and  bad  water.  When  we 
lay  down  to  sleep,  wo  found  ourselves  watched  in  a  manner  little  diflbrent 
from  what  had  been  usual,  the  Arabs  lying  on  the  outside  of  us.  Wc 
slept  not  well:  being  not  far  from  the  sea,  and  the  wind  blowing  strong 
all  the  night,  we  lay  extremely  cold.  We  had  one  comfort,  however,  and 
a  very  groat  one;  we  now  were  beginning  to  think  ourselves  nearly  out 
of  danger,  and  that  rendered  our  sufferings  the  more  tolerable.  The 
length  of  this  day's  travel  must,  as  we  thought,  have  exceeded  thirty  miles. 
On  the  morning  of  the  eleventh,  we  started  on  half  an  hour  before  day- 
light, and  took  a  south-east  course,  and  traveled  fast.  At  the  dawn  of 
day  we  saw  St.  Cruz  far  on  our  left.  About  noon,  we  found  we  were  at 
least  eight  miles  from  the  town,  and  were  hidden  from  it  by  some  high 
sand-hills  on  our  front.  Here  we  discovered  a  few  huts  a  little  on  our 
right,  and  the  Arabs  proposed  to  go  to  them ;  while  we,  on  the  contrary, 
begged  hard  to  go  directly  on  to  St.  Cruz,  at  which  we  might  arrive  in 
two  or  three  hours.  Their  demur  about  proceeding  directly  forward, 
gave  us  considerable  uneasiness.  The  Arabs  at  last  gave  us  peremptory 
orders  to  march  to  the  huts,  and  did  it  with  apparent  anger ;  and,  as  wo 
were  not  sure  of  our  being  then  within  the  emperor's  territory,  it  was  a 
dictate  of  prudence  that  we  should  obey. 

I  soon  foiind  an  occasion  of  talking  with  Ahamed,  and  asked  him  when 
we  were  going  on?  at  the  same  time  reminding  him  that  we  had  been 
tiero  two  hours,  and  were  pretty  well  refreshed.  He  looked  me  full  in 
the  face,  and  piercingly,  as  if  he  could  read  my  heart,  and  asked  me  what 
was  my  haste?  I  pretended  I  was  not  in  much  haste,  and  told  him  it  was 
much  more  comfortable  traveling  now  than  it  was  in  the  morning,  as  the 
sun  was  fast  lowerinp.  and  the  wind  blowing  fresh,  and  we  felt  ourselves 
very  inuch  refreshed.  He  said  to  mo,  "Not  long  ago  you  were  hungry, 
and  since  that  you  have  had  nothing  considerable  to  eat ;  and  now,  hungry 
as  you  are,  you  are  desirous  to  inarch  off,  though  there  are  two  pots  of 


,111 
I'  T 


|plp^inaniijriiii|||giKis»|iirjisiBiii 


PONDAOE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  TUE  DKSERT. 


99 

victuiU  l.ollin"  for  y.-i."     At  Ww  ino.nont  of  Ahamo.rH  l.-avini;  mr    a 

M  «i   o        irnv  h.U  .-amo  „all..,.i..«  .l.-w.  t!,o  lull  ...  .1...  o  I.t  .,.!.■ 

,    h    r  V  .v.     W"  nil  1>'"1'1I'"'  "»""'  '•'"•'  "'"'  '''^'l''''''^  '""'J''  '""        ^* 
llvVVll      ..-0   von  :...•  .l..|.T...in..(l  to  <-arry  tl..-s.-  nlavs  t.j  Sss.;ar:,h  ;- 
IH  a     V.M.th.-rr  v..Hl.T.lay,a.ul  i.t.-n.lc.d tohav  ^cmm,  you  la.s   ,..;- ,t ;  l.u 
v,u  to  k    1..'  l...v"r  road,  nn.l  «o  I  miHHo.l    you:  this  ...orn.nK  I  lynrd 
o.    o     au     ,.l   n.l...lto  l.av.  sen  you  bcforn  you  ha.l  rro.«nd  this  wat.,r- 
,w    .'r  i    L  no.  too  late  yet.     You  may  now  r.st  aHHuro.l  hat  tl.o  (.,ns 

•     not   a  .so.n  Ih-s-  Cluiitians.     But  a  low  clays  ago,  an  old  man,  a  f  «nd 
•  „i    .   r       -diroctlv  frotn  Swoarah  ;-ho  told  mo  ho  sawHcvcra   Chr  8- 

ia  I  ;"  n  that  town,  whom  the  Consul  rofuH.-d  to  rauHcun,  n.ul^  that  ho 
\ral)  who  canlo.l  them  to  that  market  could  «ot  no  pay  for  th.-m  at  all 
i.ut  f  V  will  only  r<.-croHS  the  river  in  time,  you  may  sell  every  one  9f 
V  ,  s  '.'u  a^.laco  south  of  hero,  and  which  is  within  three  days'  march^ 
^Z  .«  .0  has' taken  off  ho  many  of  our  men.  that  there  are  not  enough 
,f  then  l.lVtocut  and  harvest  Buch  abundant  crops  as  our  Cod  .n  his 
„oor"s  hath  hestowed  upon  US,  and  these  men  1  know  can  soon  learn 

"'  Qui  Arabian  masters  said  but  little  in  reply  to  this  harangue,  but  with 
us  t  no  wu'  a  «oneral  vociferation  against  it.  At  no  t.mo  before  this, 
11 1  ^,<irrcdu.  interfere  in  their  conversation  ;  but  now  we  were  driven 
fo  eX  nit?o     and  pleaded  as  for  onr  lives.     The  English  boys  took  the 

ad    s^Si^^^^  in  Arabic,  they  refuted  all  that  the  tellow  hud 

is  ad  they  asserted  that  I  was  well  known  m  Swearah,  and  had 
friends  there  enough  to  redeem  us  all.  In  this  condition  of  horrid  sus- 
Snse  wo  wore  lofTfor  half  an  hour,  when  Ahamed  came  back,  and  told 
Es  that  none  of  our  masters  had  consented  to  sell  to  the  fellow,  cxcep 
ThVowner  of  Ilussoy,  my  mate,  and  that  ho  (Hussey's  master)  had  agreed 
o  sen  h  m  and  tuWome  himself.  I  tri^d  to  find  out  the  pr.ce  ..e  was 
La  for    but  could  not.     My  poor  companion,  llusscy,  shed  tears  in 

b  'ndt'c e'lS  tie  restof  uslproared  in  S-at  d^trc.s  A.  to  A  amc^^^ 
ill  he  said  on  the  occasion  was,  "I  cannot  help  it."  After  a  short  siltncc, 
mv  r^ate  put  on  his  manly  resolution,  and  said,  "Let  it  be  so  ;  I  must  go, 
buyout  e'paration  will  belery  short ;  I  will  be  ,n  St.  Cruz  m  the  morning^J 
To  nart  with  him  in  this  manner  was  more  than  we  could  bear.  Boy  Jack 
was'^o  tTbe  tr^  ed,  but  as  he  understood  the  Arabic  much  better  than 
. dJher  of  the  o  her  boys,  I  thought  it  best  to  make  use  of  h.m  as  my  mouth ; 
^°l„l„  1  /Jirpcted  him  to  go  to  Ilussey's  master,  and  tell  him  if  he 
accordingly  I  directed  h,m  to  ^ow  y  j^^^^^  ^hat  the  Consul 

rSte  away  ove?the  hill,  and  out  of  our  sight,  in  as  great  a  rage  as  it  was 
nosaible  for  a  barbarian  or  savage  to  show. 

"^On  the  morning  of  the  twelfth,  the  sun  was  fully  up  before  we  had  got 
fairiv  und™  iav  For  several  miles,  and  to  within  two  or  three  miles  of 
s"irZ%7^rHned  the  downward  course  of  the  'i'e^  a^jj^on  we 
Uinied  S  the  right,  in  a  direction  for  that  city,  which  had  a  formidable 
InMarancr  It  WM  situated  on  the  peak  of  a  very  high  hill,  formed  by 
Xe  for  defensTand  on  the  side  that  met  our  view  were  embrasures 
jSguns ;  \iZ  natural  for  u.  to  conclude  that  this  was  the  emperor  s 


:  DKSKRT. 

imod'j^  li'iiviii!;  nir.  a 
lill  oil  tlx'  ollii-r  m'kU' 
iindy  ln'iird  liiin  fay. 
lavcii  »<>  Swfiiriili; — I 
.i,  you  last  iii^'lil ;  t)iit 
thin  inoniiii),'  I  h<'artl 
(I  rro!*!*"'*!  this  wiittT — 
nHiircd  that  llio  ( 'oimiil 
ro,  an  old  man,  a  fi  iond 
'  hu  8aw  Bovcrul  Cliris- 
o  rnnHoin,  and  that  the 

0  pay  for  tln-in  at  all ; 
mny  sell  every  one  9f 
thinthrco  days' march, 
it  ihorc  are  not  enough 
■ops  as  our  («od  in  his 

1  know  can  soon  learn 

this  harangue,  but  with 
U  no  time  before  this, 
)ut  now  wo  were  driven 
3  Knglisli  boys  took  the 
all  that  the  fellow  hud 
vn  in  Swearah,  and  had 
condition  of  horrid  sus- 
led  came  back,  and  told 
ill  to  the  fellow,  except 
ley's  master)  had  agreed 
find  out  the  price  he  was 
Ilusscy,  shed  tears  \n 
istress.     As  to  Ahamcd, 
"     After  a  short  silence, 
Let  it  be  80  ;  I  must  go, 
}t.  Cruz  in  the  mornmg. 
e  could  bear.     Boy  Jack 
Arabic  much  better  than 
use  of  him  as  my  mouth ; 
istcr,  and  tell  him  if  he 
ly  honor  that  the  Consul 
m  for,  and  that  over  and 
arrival  at  Mogadoro.     In 
;k  did  his  duty  faithfully, 
,  till  after  Ahamed,  the 
erpreter,  had  had  a  long 
•e-crossed  the  river,  and 
as  great  a  rage  as  it  was 

Uy  up  before  we  had  got 
lin  two  or  three  miles  of 

the  river,  and  then  we 

which  had  a  formidable 

ery  high  hill,  formed  by 

ir  view  were  embrasures 

this  was  the  emperor  s 


PROSPECTS  OF  LinERTY. 


M 


frontier  town.  When  wo  had  come  within  two  or  throo  hundred  yards 
of  thn  Inwnr  town,  wo  saw  a  man  skipping  down  ovrr  the  rnckM,  and  ad- 
vancing toward  the  lower  town  with  great  spood,  having  a  gun  in  his  hand. 
Ah  Honn  as  ho  had  cnme  within  call,  ho  ordered  us  to  stop  ;  we  all  stopped 
at  a  littlo  distance  from  thn  nearest  houses,  and  he  demanded  of  uh  who 
wo  wore.  On  receiving  from  the  Arabs  an  answer  to  this  (juestion,  he, 
demanded  the  name  of  our  chief.  To  which  Ahamed  answered  tliat  he 
was  chief,  and  he  gave  him  his  name,  and  my  namo  was  called  for 
next.  Upon  which  he  said  to  me,  "You  are  to  appear  before  the  governor 
immediately."  My  bosom  swelled  with  joy  at  these  words.  I  called  to 
Larra,  and  bado  him  follow  mo.  I  forgot  my  inability  to  jump,  and  to 
rim,  and  how,  in  my  fccbin  and  emaciated  condition,  I  made  tho  ascent 
so  quick,  is  beyond  my  power  to  tell.  When  we  had  arrived  at  the  gate 
of  tho  battery,  which  was  in  a  very  short  time,  Larra  observed  to  me, 
"Captain,  tho  water  runs  off  your  face,"  which  wns  a  circumstance  that 
I  had  not  perceived  before.  Wo  entered,  I  directly  following  tho  soldier, 
Larra  next,  and  Ahamcd  last. 

In  this  room  of  refuge,  where  we  had  so  happily  arrived  at  last,  were 
sitting  on  a  bench  three  well-looking  men,  of  much  lighter  color  and 
stouter  frame  than  tho  Arabs,  and  one  of  them  was  holding  in  hi.s  hand 
a  long  spyglass.  They  ordered  us  to  sit  down,  and  wo  did  so;  seating 
ourselves  in  the  middle  of  the  room,  which  was  probably  from  twdvo  to 
sixteen  feet  square,  while  Ahamcd  (not  chief  now)  squeezed  himself  up 
in  one  corner.  Looking,  as  I  did,  all  around  the  room,  I  saw  a  door  back 
of  us  that  was  shut.  Wo  sat  silent,  for  near  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  these 
men  all  the  time  fixing  their  eyes  upon  us.  At  last,  Larra  breaking 
silence,askcdmeifIthought  anyone  of  these  men  was  the  governor.  I  told 
him  I  thought  he  was  not  there.  Then  one  of  them  asked  mo  in  English 
if  I  were  an  Englishman?  and  upon  my  replying  that  I  was,  he  said, 
"You  and  the  boy  both  look  like  Spaniards."  I  answered  him,  including 
Larra  with  myself,  we  aro  English.  Speaking  very  slow  and  distinctly, 
he  asked  me  to  what  part  of  England  our  ship  belonged?  where  wo  were 
bound,  and  what  after?  how  large  a  ship  she  was?  how  many  poles  she 
had?  what  goods  were  on  board?  and  how  much  money  we  had  with  us?  In 
answer  to  these  queries,  I  told  him  the  ship  belonged  to  Liverpool,  was 
bound  to  the  Cape  de  Verd  islands  for  a  load  of  salt,  that  she  was  a  con- 
siderably large  ship,  but  not  very  large,  that  she  had  three  poles,  (masts,) 
had  no  goods,  and  but  a  little  money,  barely  enough  to  buy  a  load  of  salt. 
Ho  asked  me  if  there  was  no  salt  in  Liverpool?  I  told  him  we  had  large 
quantities  of  it  there,  but  that  the  salt  which  we  were  going  after  was  of 
anotll^r  kind,  made  in  a  hot  climate  by  the  heat  of  the  sun,  and  that  we 
were  to  carry  it  to  a  foreign  country,  far  away  to  the  westward,  where  it 
was  worth  more  money  than  the  Liverpool  salt.  "Well,"  he  said,  "the 
next  time  you  come  along  this  coast  keep  further  off;  ships  with  three 
poles  should  not  come  so  near;  formerly,  when  we  had  trade  at  St.  Cnii, 
the  large  ships  always  laid  off  a  great  way  from  shore."  At  that  moment 
we  heard  a  noise  without,  when  the  IMoor  thil  had  been  questioning  me, 
instantly  says,  "The  governor  is  coming.'*  As  he  entered  the  room,  I 
arose,  and  addressed  him  in  English,  jast  as  I  should  have  done  if  he 
had  understood  that  language,  the  Moor  in  the  taneantime  interpreting  to 
him  what  I  said.  He  returned  my  salatation,  and  invited  me  to  sit  down, 
which  I  did. 

He  was  a  stout,  portly,  well-looking  man,  about  six  feet  high  and  nearly 
fifty  years  old,  of  a  light  copper  color,  with  a  short  bushy  beard,  and  wore 


? 


I  :".":'.'r 


100 


nONDAOE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  TUP.  DKRERT. 


a  clean  white  haick,  and  neat  morocco  slippors  ;  his  pleasinf,',  imnly  look 
prepossessed  mo  in  iiis  favor;  all  his  qiieHtions  to  me  were  [MMlincnt  .md 
distinct.  The  Moor  told  him  in  Arahic  the  suhatance  of  the  int(Mro;,Mti()ii.' 
which  he  had  put  to  me,  and  tlirn  tlii'  jjnvernor  wi^iit  onto  ask  me  hiinscif 
scvei  ill  (picstions  al)ont  my  shipwreck, the  cause  of  it,  the  time  it  nappfMrd. 
and  wlicther  the  Arabs  there  present  had  any  of  the  i;old  tliat  1  liad  lost 
Atlor  I  had,  by  and  tiiroiigh  Larra,  answered  all  tiuse  >|nestioiis  to  his 
satisfaction,  ho  asked  me  how  this  Aral)  (Aliaincil)  liad  treated  inr-? 
Without  waiting  for  a  reply,  he  (•ontinuod  on,  and  said,  "These  Arabs 
are  all  a  set  of  tiiicves,  robbers,  and  murderers,  and  from  time  immcino- 
ria!  they  have  been  at  war  with  tiic  Moors  as  well  as  w  itii  all  others  within 
their  reach,  and  if  they  have  not  treated  you  well,  I  will  keep  you  licire  a 
few  days,  wlien  I  shall  be  going  myself  to  Swearaii,  and  will  take  you 
along  with  me  and  deliver  you  up  to  the  Consul."  Ahamed  trembled,  as 
I  could  plainly  perceive.  I  then  answered  the  question  he  had  put  to  me 
regarding  our  treatment  by  Ahamed,  telling  him  that  Ahamed  and  his 
companions  had  bought  us  of  a  hunting  party,  and  had  paid  a  considerable 
sum  for  us,  and  had  not  treated  us  so  well  as  perhaps  tiiey  ought,  but  I 
had  no  doubt  they  would  do  better  in  this  respect  for  the  time  to  come, 
and  being  so  near  Swearah,  I  preferred  going  on  with  them.  lie  then 
asked  if  I  was  hungry?  I  am  both  hungry  and  very  thirsty,  was  my  reply. 
Upon  this  he  turned  to  the  soldier  that  stood  behind  him,  and  ordered 
some  drink  for  me,  telling  him  not  to  be  long  after  it.  In  a  few  minutes 
he  returned,  with  some  sweet  milk  mixed  with  water,  of  which  we  drank 
freely.  I  was  about  to  reach  the  kettle  to  Ahamed,  but  the  governor 
forbade  it,  saying,  ^^That  fellow  don't  drink  from  my  kettle^  The  kettle 
was  of  copper,  and  scoured  to  a  high  polish.  After  Larra  had  drank,  I 
set  it  down,  and  then  came  the  victuals.  It  was  a  dish  of  coscoosoo,  which 
is  a  favorite  dish  with  Moors ;  on  it  lay  a  whole  quarter  of  a  fat  goat,  the 
sight  of  which  ajtonished  me.  The  quantity  of  fo.>d  in  this  aish  was 
greater  than  our  whole  company  of  eleven  had  eaten  for  three  days  together. 
The  smell  was  to  us  as  deliciously  fragrant  as  can  possibly  be  described. 
I  looked  ^t  it  for  some  time,  when  the  governor  and  Larra  both  speaking 
to  me  at  the  same  moment,  said,  "Captain  why  do  you  not  eat?"  The 
truth  was,  I  was  afraid  to  eat ;  for  so  keen  was  my  appetite,  that  had  I 
fully  gratified  it  with  feeding  on  such  an  excellent  dish,  I  do  believe, 
empty  as  my  stomach  ;hen  was,  it  would  not  only  have  been  the  means 
of  my  going  no  further,  but  would  have  killed  mc  outright.  When  we 
began  to  eat,  all  their  eyes  were  fixed  upon  us.  I  ate  in  a  manner  as 
sparing  as  I  could  possibly  bring  myself  to,  and  finding  Larra  inclined  to 
be  ravenous,  I  repeatedly  told  him  not  to  eat  like  a  hog.  One  of  the 
Moors  who  understood  that  expression,  interpreted  it  to  the  governor, 
who  laughed  heartily,  which  did  not,  however,  disturb  Larra  at  all,  but 
ne  still  bolted  it  down  with  all  speed.  In  the  dish  lay  a  knife,  with  which 
I  cut  off  some  of  the  meat,  and  ate  it,  and  drank  a  little  milk  and  water, 
and  so  quitted  it,  while  feeling  nearly  as  hungry  as  when  I  had  begun.  At 
first  the  governor  urged  me  to  eat  more,  but  when  I  mentioned  to  him 
the  state  of  my  stomach,  he  said,  "You  have  been  prudent." 

The  governor  was  absent  about  half  an  hour,  when  he  came  to  the  door, 
with  nearly  a  dozen  thin  loaves  of  bread,  which  he  reached  to  me,  and  I 
do  think  they  were  the  whitest  I  ever  saw.  I  took  them,  and  stowed  them 
away  about  me,  and  returned  him  thanks  for  this  noble  present.  He  took 
the  street,  and  walked  back  to  the  battery,  which  probably  was  his  audience 
chamber.     There  he  addressed  himself  to  Ahamed  in  these  words :  "You 


n  DKSERT. 

is  iileasing,  mini y  look 
mo  wore  jMMliiKiiit  ;incl 
CO  of  llie  iiiU'iroijiitiou!- 
lit  OH  to  ask  nic  hiiiisclC 
it,  thctiiiioit  h!ii)p(.'.ii'il. 
Ilie  t,'old  that  1  luid  lost 

tlx  so  v|uostioiis  1o  liin 
neil)  iiail  treated  mo? 
id  said,  •■Thoso  Aial)s 
iid  from  time  iinmcmo- 
as  witli  ail  others  witliin 
,  I  will  keep  you  hcsro  a 
irah,  and  will  take  you 
Ahamcd  troiublcd,  aa 
lestiou  lie  had  put  to  me 
I  that  Ahamed  and  his 

had  paid  a  considerable 
>rhap9  they  oujfht,  but  I 
ct  for  the  time  to  come, 
,n  with  them.     He  then 
ry  thirsty,  was  my  reply, 
chind  him,  and  ordered 
tor  it.     In  a  few  minutes 
ifater,  of  which  we  drank 
lamed,  but  the  governor 
;  my  kettle.''     The  kettle 
(\.fter  Larra  had  drank,  I 
,  dish  of  coscoosoo,  which 
quarter  of  a  fat  goat,  the 
[>f  fo.>d  in  this  aish  was 
E;n  for  three  days  together, 
an  possibly  be  described, 
and  Larra  both  speaking 
'  do  you  not  eat?"     The 
s  my  appetite,  that  had  I 
ellent  dish,  I  do  believe, 
inly  have  been  the  means 
1  mc  outright.     When  we 
us.     I  ate  in  a  manner  as 
I  finding  Larra  inclined  to 
t  like  a  hog.     One  of  the 
jreteu  it  to  the  governor, 
>r,  disturb  Larra  at  all,  but 
lish  lay  a  knife,  with  which 
nk  a  little  milk  and  water, 
r  as  when  I  had  begun.     At 

when  I  mentioned  to  him 
jeen  prudent." 
,  when  he  came  to  the  door, 
zh  he  reached  to  me,  and  I 
ook  them,  and  stowed  them 
lis  noble  present.  He  took 
h  probably  was  his  audience 
amed  in  these  words :  "You 


AIIAMED  SWEARS  BY  HIS  BEARD. 


101 


I  command  to  fake  these  Ciiristians  to  Swearah,  and  deliver  them  over  to 
their  Consul  without  any  unnecessary  delay  ;  in  three  days  after  this  you 
are  to  arrive  there  ;  use  them  in  the  best  manner  you  possibly  can  ;  and 
now  depart."  The  governor  was  standing  when  he  uttered  this  mandate. 
Ahamcd  was  sitting  when  I  left  him,  nor  had  h«',  according  to  Larra's 
account,  stirred  an  inch  sinco  that  time  ;  but  upon  hearing  the  orders  of 
the  governor,  he  fell  upon  his  knees,  or  rather  advanced  on  them,  up  to 
the  governor,  and  kissed  the  hem  of  his  garment.  When  I  joined  the 
men  who  had  been  my  companions  in  distress,  I  found  them  feasting 
sumptuously ;  they  had  fine,  white,  fresh  loaves  of  bread,  with  dry  dates 
and  water,  set  bcforo  them,  and  no  doubt  by  the  governor's  order.  In- 
stantly upon  my  appearance,  every  one  of  them  was  desirous  of  knowing 
from  me  what  reception  I  had  met  with  ;  but  so  overcome  was  I  at  our 
good  fortune,  that  I  could  only  tell  them  we  were  safe.  We  were  then 
all  life  and  spirits,  thanking  God  for  our  deliverance  thus  far.  The  Arabs 
with  the  camels  had  been  detained  by  the  governor's  order,  as  a  party 
connected  with  us,  and  they  were  in  great  haste  to  proceec  on.  We  were 
very  quickly  provided  with  such  kinds  of  saddles,  or  riding-seats,  as  could 
be  procured,  which  were  mean  at  best.  Some  us  had  none,  but  luckily 
for  myself,  I  got  some  rubbish  quilted  on  behind  the  hump,  so  high  as  to 
form  a  tolerable  seat. 

When  it  was  near  noon  of  the  second  day  after  we  had  left  St.  Cruz, 
we  met  with  six  or  eight  men  together,  who  were  traveling  westward. 
Whether  they  were  Arabs  or  Moors  we  did  not  know ;  in  some  respects 
these  two  kinds  of  people  appear  alike;  their  color  does  not  differ  a  great 
deal,  and  some  of  the  wild  Arabs  shave  their  heads  like  the  Moors.  Our 
Arabs  had  some  talk  with  these  travelers,  which  none  of  us  took  notice 
of,  as  our  minds  were  at  rest  as  regarded  our  reaching  Swearah.  They 
separated,  and  we  walked  on,  and  presently  Ahamed  seemed  to  bo  agitated 
with  something,  and  muttered  to  himself  as  he  went  along,  but  none  of  us 
regarded  it.  At  length,  while  he,  Larra,  and  myself,  were  close  together, 
he  broke  out  in  a  passion,  and  expressed  himself  thus:  "I  swear  by  my 
beaid  (taking  hold  of  it  with  his  hand)  I  will  carry  you  no  further  than 
that  house,"  pointing  to  one  that  was  near  by.  "I  have  heard,  by  a  man 
I  can  believe,  the  Consul  will  not  ransom  any  more  Christians,  and  I  am 
sorry  I  ever  brought  you  here ;  by  the  expense  of  my  purchasing  you  of 
the  mountaineers,  and  the  provision  I  have  made  for  you,  you  have  de- 
stroyed all  my  substance.  You  told  me  the  Consul  would  redeem  you, 
and  now  1  find  I  am  cheated,  and  you  shall  go  no  further." 

Larra,  with  all  dispatch,  interpreted  to  me  this  complaint  and  threat 
of  Ahamed,  and  added,  "he  has  taken  the  oath  tiiat  is  most  sacred  among 
the  Mohammedans," — meaning  his  swearing  by  his  beard.  By  this  time 
we  had  arrived  at  the  gate  of  a  large  dwelling,  and  we  were  marched  into 
the  yard,  which  contained  perhaps  half  an  acre ;  in  the  rear  of  which  was 
a  small  cabin  about  twelve  by  twenty  feet.  Having  arrived  at  this  prison 
of  ours,  Ahamed  said  to  me,  "Here  you  are  to  remain  until  the  money 
for  your  ransom  be  paid  down."  I  attempted  to  reason  with  him,  but  he, 
and  all  the  rest  of  them,  were  as  cross  as  curs. 

The  Arabs  were  now  very  peevish,  and  what  seemed  to  occasion  their 
uncommon  peevishness  at  this  time,  they  could  not  devise  what  measures 
to  take  with  us.  We  suspected  they  were  trying  to  collect  strength  to  get 
us  back  into  their  own  territory.  Soon  after  this,  a  lusty  Moor  with  a 
clean  haick  and  morocco  slippers,  whom  we  suspected  to  be  a  magistrate, 
came  into  the  yard.    He  approached  us,  calling  out  Christiano,  as  usual, 


>1 


'1 


:|l 


^'t'MH";'  ;>;_;  .ojii.  'ijay.fi'i"" 


102 


BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OP  THE  DESERT. 


and  speaking  to  the  Arabs ;  and,  according  to  my  arrangement  in  the 
morning,  I  accosted  him  in  the  following  words — We  are  here  in  the 
Sultan's  tcnitory,  held  by  these  Arabs,  and  from  your  hands  we  ask 
justice.  \  our  Sultan  and  our  Sultan  are  on  the  most  friendly  terms.  We 
ask  nolhiiii!  from  these  men  but  our  freedom,  which  we  are  willing  to  pay 
for ;  they  liave  been  told  that  our  Consul  is  unable  to  pay  a  suilicient 
raiisom  for  us  all,  but  in  that  they  have  been  misinformed.  To  keep  us 
here  .starving  will  never  help  them." 

Aftor  I  had  gone  through  with  what  I  had  to  say,  he  asked  me  if  I  could 
write  ?  I  answered  that  I  could.  He  then  turned  to  the  Arabs,  who  had 
heard  our  talk,  and  proposed  to  them  to  let  me  write  a  letter,  and  have  it 
sent  to  the  Consul,  adding,  "You  will  know  then  whether  the  stories  they 
have  told  you  be  true  or  false."  The  Arabs  consented  that  I  should  send 
a  letter  if  I  would  hire  a  Moor  to  carry  it,  which  I  agreed  to.  Accordingly 
a  man  was  sent  for,  who  demanded  four  dollars  for  that  service,  and  I 
promised  to  pay  it.  Upon  this,  he  said  he  would  be  ready  as  soon  as  he 
could  get  his  horse,  and  that  would  be  as  soon  as  I  could  write  my  letter. 
A  sheet  of  paper,  a  reed,  (by  the  way,  the  Moors  always  use  reeds  for 
pens,)  and  some  ink,  were  immediately  procured  for  me,  and  a  large  flat 
stone  was  my  writing-table.  Our  good  Moor  lent  me  a  sharp  knife,  with 
which  I  made  a  tolerable  pen.  Ahamed  satjopposite  to  me.  It  was  agreed 
upon  that  Ahamed  should  dictate  my  letter,  and  I  called  for  Larra  to  in- 
terpret it,  but  he  insisted  that  Jack  should  be  the  interpreter,  to  which  1 
consented.  Ahamed  began  to  dictate,  and  did  it  in  short  sentences,  and 
I  wrote  about  as  fast  as  he  spoke,  but  not  a  single  sentence  of  what  he 
told  me  to  write.  The  substance  of  what  he  dictated  to  me  was,  that 
myself  and  crew  were  down  in  the  country,  held  captives  by  the  Arabs, 
who  would  not  carry  us  to  Swearah  till  our  redemption  money  wp.s  3ent 
them  in  advance  ;  that  agreeably  to  our  contract,  for  which  they  liad  my 
solemn  pledge  of  honor,  our  ransom  was  to  be  four  hundred  dollars  for 
each  of  us,  and  forty  dollars  over  and  above  for  myself;  that  the  men 
who  held  us  captives  had  been  kind  to  us,  but  were  unable  to  give  us 
much  to  eat ;  that  we  were  very  sickly,  and  needed  help  immediately,  and 
that  the  bearer  would  bring  the  money,  and  the  Consul  might  send  a  man 
to  see  it  paid. 

I  directed  my  letter  to  the  British  Consul  at  Mogadoro,  or  any  other 
humane  man  into  whose  hands  it  might  fall,  and  stated  in  it  that  we  were 
a  short  day's  march  eastward  of  St.  Cruz,  and,  according  to  my  calculation, 
seventy  miles  south-west  of  Mogadore,  but  that  I  was  unable  to  name  the 
place  we  were  at ;  that  we  had  been  wrecked  on  the  coast  of  Barbary  ; 
that  my  crew  here  were  eight  in  number,  and  that  beside  we  had  with  us 
tliree  of  the  Martin  Hall's  crew  ;  that  we  were  in  a  suffering  condition, 
and  that  the  Arabs  here  were  devising  means  to  get  us  back,  beyond  St. 
Cruz,  to  a  region  where  wo  should  be  doomed  to  drag  out  our  existence 
in  barbarian  slavery ;  and  finally,  that  I  wished  the  bearer  might  be 
detained  till  he  could  release  us,  since,  in  the  event  of  his  returning 
without  the  money,  we  should  be  dragged  back  before  aid  could  be  ailbrded 
us.  adding  my  belief  that  he  had  a  full  knowledge  of  these  merciless 
savages,  and  would  take  such  measures  for  us  as  humanity  should  dictate. 
When  I  had  done  writing  my  letter,  the  Arabs,  very  unexpectedly,  ordered 
me  to  read  it.  My  mate,  who  was  looking  over  my  shoulder,  secmg  my 
embarrassment,  said  to  me,  "Read  on,  you  can  do  it  well  enough" — and 
luckily  for  me,  I  made  out  to  read  it  to  their  satisfaction.  Ahamed  then 
told  Jack  to  read  it,  and  well  knowing  he  could  not,  I  reached  him  the 


3ESERT. 

arrangement  in  the 
Vc  are  here  in  the 
your  hands  we  ask 
friendly  terms.  We 
re  are  willing  to  pay 
I  to  pay  a  sutiicient 
mied.     To  keep  ua 

3  asked  me  if  I  could 
the  Arahs,  who  had 
a  letter,  and  have  it 
tlier  the  stories  they 
sd  that  I  should  send 
ed  to.     Accordingly 
r  that  service,  and  I 
ready  as  soon  as  he 
ould  write  my  letter. 
Jways  use  reeds  for 
r  me,  and  a  large  flat 
e  a  sharp  knife,  with 
o  me.     It  was  agreed 
lUed  for  Larra  to  in- 
itcrpreter,  to  which  I 
short  sentences,  and 
sentence  of  what  he 
;ated  to  me  was,  that 
iptivcs  by  the  Arabs, 
tion  money  wp.s  3ent 
r  which  they  had  my 
hundred  dollars  for 
lyself ;  that  the  men 
e  unable  to  give  us 
lelp  immediately,  and 
Bul  might  send  a  man 

gadore,  or  any  other 
ed  in  it  that  we  were 
ing  to  my  calculation, 
,s  unable  to  name  the 
le  coast  of  Barbary  ; 
eside  we  had  with  us 
a  suffering  condition, 
us  back,  beyond  St. 
rag  out  our  existence, 
the  bearer  might  be 
ent  of  his  returning 
aid  could  be  aflbrded 
of  these  merciless 
[nanity  should  dictate, 
mexpectedly,  ordered 
shoulder,  seoing  my 
well  enough" — and 
ction.     Ahamed  then 
>t,  I  reached  him  the 


BLASTED  HOPES. 


103 


lettor,  and  Jack,  upon  looking  at  it,  said  it  would  do  very  well,  as  also 
said  our  old  friend  the  Moor.  Though  I  had  folded  the  letter  up  before 
the  Moor  was  ready  to  start,  yet  he  demanded  some  tobacco  in  addition 
to  his  stipulated  pay, saying  I  had  detained  him  too  long.  That  I  promised, 
and  then  had  to  open  the  letter  and  write  tobacco  at  the  bottom.  Now  he 
tliouglit  it  would  do,  and  said  he  would  return  on  the  third  day.  We  all 
went  to  the  gate  to  see  him  off,  and  he  started  upon  a  full  gallop,  on  a  fine 
bay  horse,  and  was  very  soon  out  of  sight.  The  Moors  departed.  My 
excellent  friend,  the  Moor,  said  to  me,  "You  now  will  soon  gain  your 
freedom,"  and  left  us,  after  I  had  returned  to  him  my  cordial  thanks  for 
his  kindness  to  us.  We  all  now  returned  to  our  lodging-place,  rejoicing 
at  this  most  flattering  prospect  of  soon  obtaining  our  freedom. 

In  a  single  hour  these  hopes  of  ours  wore  blasted.  To  our  astonish- 
ment the  Moor  came  running  into  the  yard,  with  the  letter  open  in  his 
liand.  Upon  our  going  out  of  our  cabin  to  know  the  cause  of  his  return, 
he  told  us  he  had  ridden  but  a  little  way  when  ho  met  with  one  of  his 
acquaintances,  who  desired  to  know  where  he  was  bound,  and  on  what 
business;  and,  upon  his  telling  him,  he  wanted  to  see  the  letter,  which 
having  examined,  he  said  it  was  good  for  nothing.  We,  on  our  part, 
contended  that  the  letter  was  a  good  one.  In  the  meantime  our  faithful 
friend  came  to  us,  in  apparent  anger,  and  demanded  the  cause  of  our 
messenger's  return  ;  and  being  told  the  story  of  it  by  the  Arabs,  and  I 
still  insisting  upon  it,  that  the  letter  was  good,  he  took  our  part,  and  said 
the  man  who  had  examined  it  was  a  liar,  and  then  walked  out  of  the  yard. 
Soon  after  i  took  Larra  with  me,  and  wo  went  to  Ahamed,  who  was  sitting 
under  the  wall  of  our  enclosure.  I  told  him  he  was  acting  contrary  to  his 
own  interest  in  thus  detaining  us  here,  and  recommended  it  to  him  to 
send  on  some  man  or  other  with  the  letter  which  the  Moor  had  brought 
back,  assuring  him  that  immediate  attention  would  be  paid  to  that  letter 
on  its  arrival  at  Swearah.  Ahamed  replied,  "That  letter  is  good  for 
nothing."  Let  me  me  read  it  to  you  again,  said  I  to  him.  "No,"  he 
answered,  "that  will  do  no  good,  for  it  sha'n't  be  sent  on  again."  After 
a  little  pause,  he  asked  me  if  I  would  send  a  man  up  for  the  money?  I 
readily  told  him  I  would  if  he  would  send  a  man  and  horse  with  him. 
This  proposition  he  agreed  to,  and  the  arrangement  made  between  us  was 
satisfactory  to  all  the  Arabs. 

Our  two  envoys  were  moving  toward  the  gate,  when  our  friendly  Moor 
met  them,  and  demanded  to  know  whither  they  were  bound.  "They  are 
bound  to  Swearah,"  replied  Ahamed,  "to  bring  the  money  for  the  ransom 
of  these  Christians."  The  Moor  then  told  them  to  stop,  and  they  did  so, 
and  he  addressed  himself  to  Ahamed  as  follows :  "Are  you  so  ignorant 
as  to  suppose  the  Consul  will  believe  the  story  you  are  about  to  send  him? 
depend  upon  it,  he  will  not.  I  know  him,  and  know  that  he  is  a  wise 
man.  If  you  should  send  Rais,  he  would  believe  him,  and  the  money 
would  be  in  safe  hands."  Then  turning  to  me,  he  said,  "  Is  it  not  so?" 
I  told  hi'n  this  was  a  plan  of  their  own  forming,  and  that  I  had  consented 
to  it  from  a  belief  that  any  kind  of  eflbrts  to  obtain  our  freedom  would 
be  better  than  to  stay  here  and  not  act  at  all.  Ahamed,  looking  me  full 
in  the  face,  said,  "  Will  you  go?"  Yes,  I  answered.  "Will  you  pay  the 
expenses?"  I  gave  him  the  same  answer.  "Well,"  he  rejoined,  "I  will 
go  also,  provided  you  will  return  with  rae  in  case  you  can't  get  the  money." 
That  I  promised  to  do.  "We  must  have  two  horses,"  he  said,  "and  take 
urns  to  ride."  I  agreed  to  it ;  and  also  agreed  with  the  same  Moor  that 
we  had  engaged  before,  to  furnish  another  horse,  for  the  additional  pay 


•il 


.^«K£Kacu«^|P|^e^ '-af£i.jti*r^mimfmm       l,i*^iii^i*>  w  ^,  i  itw <w v-.»M»«<^..*tiua^^<w-'> 


^^■'.'^'J-^  '^ 


'MWI 


1 04  BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  THE  DESERT. 

nf  four  dollars  and  a  knife.  Accordingly  another  horse  was  provided  in 
Jast^  and  in  the  meantime  Ahamed  was  much  engaged  w.th  h,s  corn- 
pSons  the  Arabs.  As  to  my  men,  they  came  round  me,  rejo.ong  that 
tho  limp  nf  our  deliverance  was  so  near  at  hand. 

\,o"rfour  o'clock  of  our  second  day's  travel,  my  two  companions 
sud^lt  y  S-ppeared,  while  descending  a  steep  sand-h.U,  and  ihe  next 
momen  my  hoVse  took  down  the  same  hill,  when,  m  an  mstant,  here 
Te^ed  to  mv  view  the  sea,  and  the  town  of  Mogadore  far  on  the  right, 
'Si  only  a"^w  m^les  dista'nt  from  it  three  large  brigs  ly.ng  a  anchor^ 
Here  the  two  men  made  a  full  stop,  and  Ahamed  said  to  me.  Do  you 
know  that  place?  Seethe  ships  there!"  So  great  were  my  emotions  a 
tSsudden  change  of  my  condition,  that  I  was  quite  overcome,  and  lost 
even  the  power  o^f  speech.  When  they  saw  the  tears  J?"«h'"g  P-'^^^y 
from  mv  eves,  they  laughed,  I  suppose  at  my  weakness;  for  the  Arabb 
confide?  weep  ng  as  befeath  the  dignity  of  a  man,  though  "ot  disgraccfu. 
Tawomrn      These  men  stood  till  I  had  collected  the  "™fly  ?"*'«"  J 

Sen  asked  me  if  I  knew  the  place,  and  the^^hips,  and  wha    na,    n  t, 
belonsred  to?  I  told  them  the  place  was  Mogadore,  and  1  had  no  ooutn 
bu  the  sCs  belonged  to  my  own  country.     Here  we  made  a  stop,  and 
Ahamed    ad  tha? we  could  Lt  enter  the  town,  because  its  people  were 
«J^eep      I  made  use  of  all  the  Arabic  1  was  master  of  to  persuade  him 

Thefr  conversation  seemed  wholly  on  the  occurrences  relating  to  ou 
sh  ;   recMhTsUuation  we  were  in^  in  the  desert,  the  money  we  had  coj 
,hem,  and  the  disposition  of  our  masters  to  restore  us  to  our  hrothers  m 
Swearah      Our  visitors  told  him  there  was  no  danger  but  tiie  l.onsui 
swearan.    yur  visuma  uTmo  "  thov  said,  "he  was  not  so  rich  as 

ru?  Kc^trafidrmTo'thef;  ti:;re S  h^'tas  good.  After  listening 
^o  Sr'c'onrersaln  a  long  time  and  being  very  -7,  .f*^  f^'^d 
was  soon  awakened  by  the  smell  of  broiled  beef,  on  wluch  the  Arab  ana 
Z  Moor  with  six  or  eight  beside,  were  feasting  sumptuously.  As  soon 
i  th^rmeal  wa    h"nished,  mine  was  brought  me,  which  was  a  wonderful 

^s  for  one  man,though  the  quan.ty ^-Xt^arL^^ S^^^^ 

ctitTd%  ut:tTrrprl^^^^^^^^^ 

rhotbead  from  the  oven,  sixteen  hard  hoiled  eggs,  an^al^  pound 
..flMittP.-  As  I  was  beginning,  Ahamed  said  to  his  company,  ^ow  see 
S  m  eat  "  Y first  Lke^  the  b^ead,  and  ate  a  little  of  it.  I  pf  ed  some 
She  meat  to  pieces,  and  ate  of  tha,  about  two  «"-- j^I  j^J^^^^^^^^fe' 
^nd  finding  it  hard  boiled,  laid  it  down,  and  after  eating  ^f  ^  y  "^^  J^ 
bread,  and%  little  butter,  I  left  off,  while  my  appetite  *;« J*  ^^  ™^^^ 

gave  them  to  understand  that  eating  more  plentifully  might  mjure  me 
this  did  they  reject,  but  they  carefully  scraped  off  the  butter  on  tne 


«J«Bfl6SS!i;'te!ii»«*«~«?'> 


)ESERT. 


rso  was  provided  in 
aged  with  his  com- 
1  me,  rejoicing  that 

ny  two  companions 
i-hill,  and  the  next 
in  an  instant,  there 
re  far  on  the  right, 
gs  lying  at  anchor, 
lid  to  me,  "Do  you 
ere  my  emotions  at 

overcome,  and  lost 
rs  gushing  proiusely 
less ;  for  the  Arabb 
ough  not  disgraceful 
the  manly  part,  and 
nd  what  nation  they 
,  and  I  had  no  doubt 
ve  made  a  stop,  and 
ause  its  people  were 

of  to  persuade  him 
terms,  by  saying,  we 
;hind  us,  where  wa» 
Ibout  nine  o'clock  1 
own  in  this  agreeable 
ked  all  round  me,  af 
without  the  doorway 
noes  relating  to  oui 
le  money  we  had  cost 
us  to  our  brothers  in 
nger  but  tiie  Consul 
3  was  not  so  ricli  as 
ood.     After  listening 
iary,  I  fell  asleep,  but 
1  wliich  tlie  Arab  and 
imptuously.     As  soon 
'hich  was  a  wonderful 
;  so  great  as  had  been 
9  now  set  before  me 
!d,  about  three  pounds 
ggs,  and  half  a  pound 
s  company,  "Now  see 
!  of  it ;  I  pulled  some 
nces ;  I  broke  an  egg, 
ting  moderately  of  the 
stite  was  still  craving 
if  of  bread  still  warm, 
lid  between  my  mats, 
dish.    They  asked  me 
m  I  was  not  sick,  and 
fully  might  injure  me. 
nd  ate  all  I  had  left, 
h  my  fingers ;  not  only 

the  butter  on  the  side 


j^"    -  < 


"^V, 


"E*. 


WlWuV   ©eUuct  eV   IfWi    ^tt.vVcv>. 


^  "  Diismenibcred  and  vosisto.l.  these  poor  fellows  were  soon  'vten  under  the  eyes  of  Dillon.  There  now  remained  upon  the 
rock  only  Dillon,  Burhart  and  Wilson, — three  men  against  mny  thousand  assailants.  Tliinking  they  now  should  have  it 
thPtr  own  way.  the  savages  r.ecommonoo.l  tho  attack  with  gren  fury."— Pa^e  .'.(>. 


i 


;.r;/ 


I 


) 


g.-'j— u-AjiiM-  fcrx  u- 


•*"I**>^«**W«#*W*'^ 


wmmmm 


INTERVIEW  WITH  AN  ENGLISH  CONSUL. 


105 


% 

M 


I  had  taken  it  from.  I  fell  asleep  before  they  had  dispersed,  and  awoke 
a  little  before  daylight.  It  was  in  vain  that  I  urgtul  Ahamed  lo  go  on ; 
he  objected  to  it,  that  the  Consul  was  asleep.  After  the  sun  was  con- 
siderably up,  Ahamed,  at  my  repeated  solicitations,  brought  me  the 
horse,  and  I  mounted,  and  took  along  the  beach,  near  the  edge  of  the  sea, 
where  the  ground  was  firm  for  traveling.  We  were  soon  at  the  city  gate, 
and  were  detained  there  but  a  few  minutes,  just  to  give  time  for  Ahamed 
to  answer  several  questions  that  were  put  to  him  ;  which  done,  we  were 
permitted  to  enter.  As  soon  as  we  had  passed  through  the  gate,  I  looked 
around  me,  and  devoutly  exclaimed,  O  Lord,  protect  me  within  these 
walls!  Having  turned  round  several  corners,  into  narrow  straight  streets, 
we  came  at  last  to  a  very  large  double  door,  at  which  Ahamed  knocked 
several  times,  but  received  no  answer.  I  asked  him  if  this  was  the  Con- 
sul's? But  before  he  had  time  to  reply,  a  man  came  running  up  to  us, 
and  inquired  of  me,  in  good  English,  who  I  was?  Upon  my  telling  him, 
he  says,  "Come  along  with  me,  and  I  will  show  you  the  way  to  the  Consul's 
We  soon  came  to  the  Consul's  door,  on  which  I  gave  three  distinct  knocks, 
when  its  latch  was  raised,  and  the  door  I  pushed  open,  which  led  me  into 
the  yard  that  was  in  the  center  of  the  buildings.  Hearing  men  talking 
above,  and  there  being  a  stone  stairway  on  the  left,  I  ascended,  and  at 
the  head  of  the  stairs  I  saw  six  or  eight  well-looking  sailors,  wiio,  the 
moment  they  got  their  eyes  on  me,  rushed  forward,  knowing  of  course 
that  I  was  a  shipwrecked  seaman.  After  bidding  me  welcome,  in  their 
peculiar  way,  their  inquiry  of  me  was,  if  I  had  seen  any  of  the  Martin 
Hall's  crew?  and  when  I  told  them  that  three  of  that  crew  were  with  my 
men,  and  that  another  of  them  I  had  seen,  who  had  been  left  with  the 
wild  Arabs,  their  joy  on  the  occasion  was  expressed  in  their  own  way, 
but  was  as  sincere  no  doubt  as  if  they  had  expressed  it  in  the  most  refined 
language.  When  these  emotions  had  a  little  subsided,  I  asked  for  the 
Consul,  and  one  of  them,  after  telling  ine  he  was  asleep,  ran  to  his  door, 
and  called  out,  "Mr.  Gwyn,  Mr.  Gwyn,  an  English  captain  is  here  from 
the  Arab  coast,  and  the  Arabs  with  him." 

I  heard  him  answer  something,  and  in  one  minute  open  came  his  door, 
and  he  presented  himself  to  me  with  nothing  on  but  his  shirt  and  breeches. 
Never  can  I  forget  the  cordial  reception  he  gave  me.  "My  good  friend," 
he  said,  "how  happy  am  I  to  see  you !  Wait  a  little  till  I  dress  myself." 
He  returned,  leaving  mc  with  the  sailors,  who  I  found  were  of  the  Martin 
Hall's  crew.  They  all  huddled  around  me,  like  so  many  children  around 
an  adored  parent,  asking  the  same  questions  over  and  over  again.  Soon 
the  venerable  old  gentleman.  Consul  Gwyn,  came  to  us,  dressed,  and  in 
a  truly  friendly  manner  shook  hands  with  me  the  second  time,  and  then 
said,  "Come  with  me,  my  breakfast  is  ready."  While  I  was  following 
him  to  his  room,  he  made  a  stop,  and  asked  me  to  what  part  of  England 
my  ship  belonged?  Upon  this  I  told  him  that  I  had  been  carrying  on  a 
piece  of  deception,  but  which  I  believed  had  injured  no  man;  that  I  had 
all  along  called  myself  an  Englishman,  with  a  view  of  gaining  my  freedom, 
as  I  was  fearful  there  was  no  American  Consul  here  ;  and  that  in  fact  I 
was  an  American,  belonging  to  the  State  of  New  York,  and  my  ship  also 
belonged  there.  He  paused  but  a  moment  only,  when  he  said,  "Very 
well ;  you  are  a  Christian,  and  that  is  enough."  I  hastily  asked  him  if  I 
were  safe  from  the  Arabs?  He  answered,  "Yes,  you  are  in  no  danger." 
I  will  do  everything  in  my  power  for  you,  but  I  am  poor,  and  cannot 
advance  money  for  your  ransom ;  but  beyond  doubt  there  arc  gentlemen 
here  who  will  do  it."    I  told  him  I  waa  in  fear  of  my  men  being  dragged 


V* 


'.**'-*. 


....a^..^t-ma,t,„.....>.:.l,-.v^..j(g,g^|l,,^f,^,..^.  j|ff.j|^L 


106  BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  THE  DESERT. 

como  hero  with  h.m,  ho  would  ^^^^J"  r,'itpTod  £  Consul  to  him,  "shall 
him,  and  pay  it  there."  ^''f"%'"«"7'    '7„  "  ^^er  will  pay  money  for 

servant,  and  said  to  him,    uo  \o  "'"«"  '.  ggggion  of  the  Arabs, 

ten  of  my  brothers  are  on  this  side  of  St.  J^^»;^^"J°f  hir^^enty  soldiers 
who  refuse  to  bring  them  up  ;  and  that  I  *1«™3  "^^^^tj^ely  iLtened  to 

and  have  ransomed  frotn  slavery  a  nun  u  language." 

„H,ti  Of  .heir  ■?»"■"';«•  2m  le,^.o  .d.«rT™«Scie..  .«m  for  .h« 

r  wV°hr»  S:s '»™  -fo""  -™'5' '-" ""  '■"-*•"  •'•''■"'"• 

out  of  the  window  into  the  yard.    It  was  J/l^^  J  ""^f^'t^^  l^^,^     After 


i;,,a^aaca^''jfe**^*'"'  '■■W'tniV"**"'^'*'* 


DESERT. 

called  for  Ahamod, 
nil  intorrogatod  liini 
d  doscriljod  it  in  tha 
r  the  wliolo  of  I  hem 
rould  pav  the  rausoni 
ido? 

sked  mo  what  I  had 
oiniao  I  had  made  in 
knowlodgod  that  my 
'Very  well,  that  shall 
»or,  and  I  add<^d  to  it 
V  addrcssinji,'  liiinsolf 

and  before  tin-  ni^^ht 
"ore  the  gates  d'  this 
eeping."  "I  \^  i'l  do 
for  their  ransom,  and 
J  mo  that  if  I  would 
carry  tho  money  with 
Consul  to  him,  "shall 
ir  will  pay  money  for 
•ice,  I  must  see  them 
Ahamed  continued 

impatient,  called  his 
tell  him  from  mc,  that 
ssession  of  the  Arabs, 
if  him  twenty  soldiers 

attentively  listened  to 
street  door,  he  begged 
tiimself,  and  bring  the 
(vas  after  he  had  gone, 
/  related. 

I  were  by  no  means  at 
Quiet  your  mind,"  he 
more  than  thirty  years, 
tish  subjects:  I  know 
mow  their  language." 
t  with  him,  in  order  to 
We  went  to  the  house 
ntlemen  on  the  terrace - 
■a  acquainted  with  the 
a  sufficient  sum  for  the 
sppsition  to  relieve  us, 
al  at  Tangier,  and  told 
n  immediate  statement 

I  Courts  ,  and  returned 
I  fell  i'.io  a  fine  sleep, 
F  my  situation.  Having 
ig  from  my  bed,  nor  did 
i  the  room  and  looked 
ream.  I  got  my  shoes, 
n  for  two  hours.  After 
morning,  and  arose  very 
I  appearance,  at  an  hour 


IN  MOQADORE. 


107 


oarlior  than  usual.  According  to  his  custom,  he  called  upon  his  servanr 
for  broakfust,  but,  before  it  was  ready,  we  had  a  long  conversation  logeihtr, 
ruliitivi;  to  the  situation  I  was  in. 

After  brrakfast,  wo  repaired  to  tho  counting-house  of  tho  two  Courts, 
who  insliinlly  agreed  to  pay  our  ransom.  They  provided  for  mo  a  courier 
to  curry  a  letter  to  tho  Consul-General,  and  to  that  gentleman  [  wrote  an 
account  of  my  situation,  stating  to  him  all  tho  particulars,  and  requesting 
him  to  point  out  to  mo  tho  course  I  should  pursue — observing  that  1 
consulorcd  myself  subject  to  his  direction.  If  I  recollect  aright,  the 
courii>r,  who  went  on  foot  in  preference  to  riding,  was  to  have  thirty  dollars 
for  this  service,  and  was  to  return  in  twenty-four  days.  Ho  accomplished 
the  undertaking  by  the  time  agreed  on,  and  brought  mo  an  answer  from 
that  worthy  character,  couched  in  such  tender  and  soothing  language,  as 
made  an  impression  on  my  mind,  which  time  can  never  ellaco.  His  con- 
gratulations with  me  on  my  release  from  cruel  bondage,  and  his  thanks 
to  the  Courts  for  their  humane  interference  in  my  behalf,  seemed  spon- 
taneously to  have  flowed  from  the  warmest  of  hearts.  It  was  on  the 
afternoon  of  tho  twentieth  or  twenty-first,  when,  from  the  terrace,  I  disco- 
vered my  men.  I  went  out  to  meet  them,  and  tho  English  sailors  all 
followed  me.  As  soon  as  we  had  come  together,  I  hastily  told  tliem  we 
were  all  safe ;  that  though  we  had  no  American  Consul  hero,  wo  had 
friends  enough.  Joy  was  seen  in  every  countenance.  Wo  all  marched 
off  together  to  the  Consul's  house,  where  their  names  and  ages  were  all 
taken  down  ;  and  having  received  a  message  from  the  governor,  ordering 
us  to  repair  to  the  Battery  gate,  we  all  went  to  it.  Consul  Gwyn  was 
asked  a  few  questions  concerning  us,  the  first  of  which  was,  whether  wo 
were  Englishmen?  He  replied,  we  were  not,  but,  what  was  the  same  thing, 
we  were  his  brothers,  and  he  wished  to  ransom  and  keep  us.  Tho 
governor  asked  me  a  few  questions,  particularly  as  to  the  place  where 
we  were  wrecked,  how  many  of  our  men  had  been  left  in  the  hands  of 
the  Arabs,  and  so  forth.  He  then  turned  to  the  Arabs,  and  told  them  to 
bring  all  the  Christians  up  as  soon  as  they  were  wrecked,  and  not  suffer 
them  to  perish  in  the  desert;  which  injunction  the  Arabs  promised  to 
obey — and  the  governor  then  dismissed  us. 

As  soon  as  we  had  left  the  Battery,  we  went  to  the  \v/o  Courts,  who 
provided  a  room  to  lodge  our  men  in ;  and  our  next  attention  was  about 
our  ransom.  William,  the  younger  of  the  two  brothers,  had  been  in  this 
country  for  many  years,  and  was  well  acquainted  with  the  language,  and 
with  the  nature  and  dispositions  of  the  Arabs ;  and  with  him  we  had  a 
long  conference  relative  to  the  amount  of  the  sum  that  should  be  paid  for 
our  ransom.  "Giving  a  great  ransom,"  said  he,  "for  Christian  captives, 
and  showing  a  strong  desire  to  relieve  them,  is  what  has  always  had  a 
direct  tendency  to  retard  their  deliverance  ;  for  when  the  Arabs  find  that 
a  great  price  is  given  for  Christian  slaves,  their  avarice  is  excited,  and 
their  rich  men  buy  them  up  to  speculate  upon.  There  have  been  in- 
stances," continued  he,  "when,  it  being  known  that  a  large  sum  was  offered 
for  a  certain  number  of  Christiana,  they  were  bought  up  for  the  purpose 
of  speculation,  and  the  purchaser  having  come  up  here,  and  then  getting 
a  better  offer,  returned  home,  sold  them  to  other  speculators,  who  kept 
them  for  a  still  greater  price,  and  detained  them  so  long  that  some  of 
them  died  of  hard  usage  and  of  grief."  On  the  other  hand,  he  said,  if 
their  ransom  was  very  small,  tho  inducement  to  bring  them  would  be 
alike  small ;  and  he  therefore  thought  it  best  to  pursue  a  middle  course. 
The  Arabs  were  constantly  at  our  heels  for  their  pay,  and  were  full  of 


.it^f»r*y.a<iali«ft<iiU. 


>^^<*«>.^»Wr'MM  .W-f«M«a'>&' 


108  BONDAGE  AMONO  THE  ARABS  OP  THE  DESERT. 

nromiscs  to  brinK  on  our  other  men.     The  Consul  and  myself  left  thorn, 
and  w.ml  to  dino  with  a  very  respectable  English  merchant  by  the  name 

When  we  returned  homo,  after  dinner,  I  found  Ahamed  waiting  for  me. 
He  had  bccomo  very  much  alarmed,  for  ho  had  just  found  ou»  that  we 
were  not  Knglishmen,  but  belonged  to  another  country.     I  suspect  that 
Jack  had  told  him  of  this,  with  a  view  to  alarm  him,  and  r roate  dissatis- 
faction in  his  mind.     1  confessed  the  fact,  but  through  the  same  hoy 
Jack  I  explained  to  him,  that  though  we  were  inhabitants  of  another 
country,  yet  wo  wore  the  same  kind  of  people  with  the  English.     "You 
may  see  yourself,"  I  told  him,  "that  wo  speak  the  same  language,  and 
that  iiiv  friends  here,  as  I  told  you  before  in  the  desert,  take  the  same 
care  of  me  as  if  I  wore  an  Englishman,  and  tasher  Courts  you  may 
depend  will  pay  you  off  to-morrow."     But  notwithstanding  what  I  said, 
he  went  away  with  the  appearance  of  some  jealousy  that  a  trick  was  to 
bo  played  upon  him.     The  next  morning  I  arose  very  early,  and  after 
walking  upon  the  terrace  for  an  hour,  I  took  a  walk  to  the  market-place, 
Where  1  luckily  met  with  a  Mogadore  Jew,  whom  I  had  seeri  at  my 
friend  Jackson's.     While  I  was  talking  with  him,  Ahamed  hove  m  sight, 
walkin"  toward  us  quickly.     1  told  the  Jew  that  the  Arab  coming  was 
Ahamcfd,  and  begged  of  him  to  act  aa  my  interpreter  with  him,  which  he 
readily  consented  to  do.     We  sat  down  under  a  wall,  and  there  talked 
together  an  hour,  and,  during  that  time,  I  fully  explained  to  Ahamed  the 
particulars  as  to  what  country  I  belonged,  how  it  became  separated  from 
the  government  of  England,  the  harmony  subsisting  between  the  two 
countries,  and  the  cause  of  my  telling  him  that  I  was  English.     Ahamed 
heard  me  with  the  greatest  attention,  so  that  it  seemed  as  if  every  \vord 
was  imprinting  itself  in  his  mind  ;  and  after  I  had  done  he  replied,  "You 
did  very  right  in  telling  me  that  story,  for  if  you  had  said  that  you  were 
not  English,  but  from  some  other  country,  we  should  have  had  nothing  to 
do  with  you,  as  not  expecting  that  anybody  would  pay  your  ransom,  ond, 
in  that  case,  the  mountaineers  would  have  carried  you  back  to  their  homes, 
and  there  you  must  have  died:"  he  added,  "what  you  have  now  told  me, 
accounts  for  tasher  Courts  employing  themselves  in  this  matter,  and  1 
hope  they  will  do  justice  to  us."     Upon  my  telling  him  that  that  would 
be  done,  ho  asked  mo  to  name  my  country  again,  which  I  did  several 
times,  but  he  could  not  pronounce  it  well,  though  he  came  near  it,  calling 
it  Amerk.     Finally,  ho  asked  me  if  I  had  not  forgotten  my  promises  to 
his  wives,  and  to  Salear?     A  Moor's  shop  being  directly  opposite,  I  bor- 
rowed a  little  money  of  the  Jew,  and  went  directly  to  it,  and  bought  every 
little  article  that  I  had  promised,  and  some  other  things  beside,  the  whole 
costing,  I  believe,  three  dollars.     Ahamed  was  remarkably  well  pleased 
with  them,  and  hastened  off,  as  I  supposed,  to  his  comrades. 

After  this  interview  with  the  Arab,  I  returned  home,  whore  1  found 
the  Consul  waiting  breakfast  for  me.  At  the  table  the  conversation  was 
confined  to  our  ransom,  about  which  I  felt  very  uncomfortable,  as  the 
amount  of  it  might  affect  our  men  who  were  yet  behind.  I  he  Consul 
recommended  it  to  me  to  leave  it  with  the  two  Courts  to  act  according  to 
their  own  judgments,  saying  they  were  both  judicious  men,  and  that 
William  understood  well  these  sort  of  people,  and  their  language.  Agree- 
ably to  his  advice,  I  kept  at  home,  and  the  Courts  paid  them  off,  with 
such  an  amount  as  they  thought  proper.  The  Arabs  craved  more  of 
course  As  soon  as  this  business  was  settled,  Ahamed  came  to  my  room, 
and  acknowledged  the  receiptof  all  that  I  had  promised  him,  but  blamed  the 


K8EUT. 

mysfilf  left  thorn, 
;hant  by  tho  name 

rted  waiting  for  mc. 
found  oa*  that  we 
ry.     I  BUripoct  that 
and  rroatr  dissatis- 
ufjh  the  same  hoy 
ibitants  of  onotiier 
ho  English.    "You 
lame  langufiKC,  and 
Bert,  take  the  same 
3r  Courts  you  may 
landing  what  F  paid, 
f  that  a  trick  was  to 
cry  early,  and  after 
lo  the  markel-l»lace, 
I  had  seen  at  my 
lamcd  hove  in  sight, 
le  Arab  coming  was 
r  with  him,  wliicii  he 
rH,  and  there  talked 
ained  to  Ahamed  the 
came  separated  from 
ng  between  the  two 
18  English.     Ahamed 
med  aa  if  every  word 
[one  he  replied,  "You 
d  said  that  you  were 
d  have  had  nothing  to 
my  your  ransom,  and, 
u  back  to  their  homes, 
ou  have  now  told  me, 
in  this  matter,  and  1 
E»  him  that  that  would 
which  I  did  several 
came  near  it,  calling 
rotten  my  promises  to 
rectly  opposite,  I  bor- 
to  it,  and  bought  every 
ings  beside,  the  whole 
larkably  well  pleased 
;omrades. 

home,  where  I  found 
the  conversation  was 
uncomfortable,  as  the 
behind.  The  Consul 
ts  to  act  accordmg  to 
icious  men,  and  that 
eir  language.  Agree- 
s  paid  them  off,  with 
^rabs  craved  more  of 
med  came  to  my  room, 
ed  him,  but  blamed  the 


THE  STRANOKR'S  STORY. 


109 


II 


Courts  (whom  I  thought  blamclegs)  for  not  giving  a  higiier  ran.'^om  for  us. 
Being  one  day  at  my  friend  Jackson's  table,  at  dinni^r,  the  (Joiisiii  sick 
at  horu)!  the  while,  and  none  there!  but  wo  two,  a  good-looking  Moor,  or 
Jew,  (1  cannot  recollect  which.)  came  in,  having  buitiness  with  Jackson. 
He  took  a  seat  along  side  of  him,  and  for  some  time  they  both  serined 
much  engaged  in  conversation,  in  the  Arabic.  When  their  business 
seemed  to  be  gone  through  with,  he  (the  strangtir)  looked  very  attentively 
toward  me,  and  began  a  conversation,  of  which,  I  found,  from  a  f(!W  words 
I  caught,  that  [  was  tho  subject,  but  could  not  conjecture  as  to  the  scopo 
of  it.  'I'hey  both  laughed  heartily,  and,  in  conclusion,  Jackson  turnttd  to 
mo,  and  asked  me  if  i  had  in  my  ship  a  keg  of  dollars  in  a  barrel  of  iieeff 
1  answered  yes  ;  and  then  he  rehearsed  to  me  this  man's  story,  as  follows: 
"Aa  I  was  down  tiie  Arab  country  on  buHiness,(said  this  Moor,  or  Jow,) 
I  hoard  of  tiie  wreck  of  a  ship,  and  I  concluded  to  go  to  it,  thinking  there 
might  be  an  opening  for  a  speculation.  When  I  had  arrived,  I  found 
there  two  or  three  hundred  Arabs,  the  whole  of  those  Arabs  that  tirst  took 
possession  of  the  wreck  and  crow  having  gone  into  the  interior  to  sell 
their  plunder  and  slaves.  As  to  the  cargo,  tiiey  informed  mo  there  were 
no  goods,  but  that  they  found  in  the  bottom  of  the  ship  an  earth,  wliich 
thoy  did  not  know  the  uso  or  value  of,  but  thought,  as  it  was  in  a  ship,  it 
must  be  valuable  somewhere,  and  they  wished  me  to  look  at  it.  I  did  so, 
and  I  found  that  they  had  divided  it  into  littlo  heaps,  of  which  each  of 
them  had  one  to  his  share.  On  seeing  this,  1  laughed  at  them  heartily, 
and  told  them  it  was  ballast,  and  of  no  moro  value  than  the  sand  they 
stood  on.  They  were  mortified  in  tho  extreme,  and  said  they  had  been 
at  work  for  several  days  in  getting  it  ashore,  and  that  in  small  quantities,  as 
thoy  had  to  dive  for  every  pound  of  it.  They  told  me  they  had  got  out 
most  of  tho  salted  provisions,  and  were  then  finishing  that  job.  About 
ten  barrels  of  the  salted  provisions  were  then  lying  on  tho  beach,  which 
they  were  dividing,  allowing  one  barrel  to  a  certain  number  of  men. 

When  the  barrels  were  opened  for  a  subdivision,  such  of  them  as 
contained  pork  wero  rejected  with  abhorrence,  and  their  owners  were 
greatly  mortified  ;  but  every  barrel  of  beef  was  divided  among  its  joint 
owners  by  pieces.  One  of  them,  as  he  was  taking  the  pieces  out  of  one 
of  the  barrels,  came  to  a  keg,  standing  endwise,  which  was  so  heavy  that 
lie  could  not  lift  it  by  its  hoops.  This  exciting  curiosity,  and  many  of 
them,  by  turns,  trying  to  lift  it,  in  the  confusion  tho  barrel  was  overset, 
and  the  keg  rolled  out  of  it.  They  soon  got  a  stone  and  stove  it  to  pieces, 
and,  in  so  doing,  the  dollars  flew  out,  the  noise  of  which  rallied  together 
the  whole  gang,  and  it  was  then  with  them,  catch  who  can.  Each  con- 
tended for  his  share  so  ferociously,  and  their  cimeters  were  employed 
with  such  effect,  that  a  great  number  were  severely  wounded,  and  some, 
it  was  thought,  would  die  of  their  wounds.  There  being  some  barrels 
yet  unopened,  they  all,  as  one,  stove  them  to  pieces,  with  stones,  and 
searched  them  for  more  dollars,  and,  upon  their  finding  none,  a  party 
awum  to  the  ship,  and  searched  there  for  more  barrels,  but  in  vain.  The 
right  owners  of  the  barrel  containing  the  dollars  claimed  the  whole  of 
them ;  upon  which  a  council  was  called,  and  the  chief  presided ;  their 
pleas  were  able  on  both  sides,  but  as  I  came  off  soon,  I  did  not  learn  the 
result."- — Thus  ended  this  stranger's  story,  as  given  me  by  my  friend 
Jackson,  and  thus  it  fared  with  my  hidden  treasure. 

A  very  lamentable  instance  of  apostacy  took  place  at  Mogadore  while 
I  was  there,  and  with  one  of  the  Martin  HalPs  boys.  The  boy  Jack,  of 
whom  I  have  so  frequently  made  mention,  was  often  missing  from  the 


no 


BONDAGE  AMONO  THE  ARABS  OP  THE  DESERT. 


ConflurR  hnuNo,  nnd  whcnfvor  iiomn  ono  was  sent  in  nmrch  of  him,  hn 
wan  fniind  in  Hornu  Mooriiih  honnn,  nvidnntly  prcforrin^  their  rnmpany. 
Th<)  ConMul  H*T>(1  to  adrnuniith  him,  and  point  out  to  him  tho  evil  tRndoncy 
of  kcopin((  Hiich  company,  but  all  to  no  purpose.  At  last  ho  was  miniiin); 
a  whole  ni^ht,  and  in  the  mornin)^  followinf;  he  wa«  found  in  tho  company 
of  Mevornl  Moors,  one  of  whom  claimed  him  as  his  adopted  son;  nud,  at 
tho  Name  time.  Jack  declared  tiiat  he  had  embraced  tho  Mohammedan  faith; 
iliat  ho  had  been  circumcised,  and  had  gone  through  their  other  cercmonicH; 
and  he  claimed  protection  from  the  one  whom  ho  called  his  adopted  father. 
This  information  was  carried  to  tho  Consul,  who  was  in  much  trouble  on 
tho  occasion.  One  way  only  was  Icfl  to  reclaim  or  recover  him  out  of 
their  hands,  and  that  was  to  make  an  application  to  the  governor  for  that 
purpose,  and  accordingly  an  application  was  made.  Tho  governor's  reply 
was,  "You  shall  have  all  the  indulgence  that  our  laws  permit,  which  is 
this:  examine  tho  boy  in  my  presence,  from  day  to  day,  for  throo  luc- 
nesHive  days,  and  if  you  can  within  that  time  persuade  him  to  return  to 
his  former  religion,  you  may  receive  him  back  ;  otherwise,  as  he  has 
voluntarily  come  among  us,  and  gone  through  our  ceremonies,  wo  are  in 
duty  bound  to  retain  him.''  The  boy  being  sent  for,  and  examined  by 
the  Consul,  who  did  it  in  tho  Arabic  language,  he  declared  that  he  loved 
and  esteemed  his  adopted  father;  that  ho  had  become  a  Mohammedan,  and 
would  never  change  from  it.  After  the  Consul  had  finished  his  part  of 
the  examination,  the  governor  commenced,  by  asking  Jack  why  ho  had 
changed  his  faith  f  Ilis  reply  was,  he  did  it  because  he  believed  the  con- 
dition of  the  Mohammedans  was  preferable  to  that  of  tho  Christians  ;  that 
if  he  should  continue  in  the  religion  he  was  then  of,  ho  should  see  God, 
and  be  saved ;  whereas  the  Cliriutians  were  all  to  be  damned.  This 
lesson  had,  beyond  doubt,  lieen  given  him  by  his  adopted  father.  The 
governor  then  asked  him  if  ho  knew  tho  prayers,  and  tho  meaning  of 
them?  He  declared  that  he  did,  and  went  on  to  repeat  them.  Finally,  he 
asked  him  if  he  understood  the  prayer  of  Ramadam?  Ho  said  he  did,  and 
repeated  it,  without  missing  a  word,  though  it  is  a  very  long  one.  The 
governor  then  dismissed  him,  and  after  he  was  gone,  observed  to  the 
Consul,  "The  boy  is  safe."  The  Consul  continued  every  day  throughout 
the  afore-mentioned  term  of  three  days,  in  his  endeavors  to  reclaim  the 
boy,  but  at  last  was  obliged  to  let  him  go.  This  story  I  had  from  Consul 
Gwyn's  own  mouth  at  the  time.  When  the  three  days  had  expired,  a 
groat  rejoicing  took  place,  a  grand  procession  was  formed,  and  boy  Jack, 
mounted  on  a  horse,  moved  round  the  city  in  great  style,  the  followers 
singing  and  .shouting  in  a  merry  mood,  gratified  with  the  grand  acquisition 
they  had  made,  in  bringing  a  poor  ignorant  Christian  boy  into  the  saving 
light  of  Mohammedanism !  I  saw  Jack  frequently  afterward,  but  he  always 
avoided  me  when  it  was  in  his  power,  and  not  only  me,  but  all  those 
belonging  to  the  two  other  crewa. 

One  day  about  this  time,  while  Consul  Gwyn,  John  Foxcroft,  and 
myself,  were  sitting  together,  engaged  in  conversation,  a  wild  Arab,  and 
one  of  tho  worst-looking  kind,  came  up  staire ,  with  a  bundle,  and  wished 
to  know  if  the  Consul  would  buy  some  handsome  cloth  he  had.  In  un- 
rolling the  bundle,  out  rolled  the  two  gown  patterns  of  tabinet,  which  I 
had  bought  for  my  wife  in  Cork.  The  thoughts  of  my  wife,  and  of  the 
poor  black  man  who  had  taken  the  patterns  in  his  pack,  saying,  '^Mialrus 
skaU  have  these  yet,''^  rushed  so  powerfully  on  my  mind,  and  excited 
such  violent  emotions,  that  I  could  not  refrain  from  turning  aside,  and 
giving  vent  to  my  anguish  by  a  flow  of  tears.     Foxcrofl  proposed  to  buy 


■*«^<  Ny*  a^wKw^y  ifji  »ff*m  m 


LKAVE  IHOOADORK. 


3E8ERT. 

1  nmrch  of  him,  \w 
inK  their  company, 
im  tho  evil  tomloncy 
lant  ho  WBB  misBing 
und  in  tho  company 
idoptod  aon ;  ami,  at 
I  Mohammedan  faith; 
)ir  other  corcmonicn; 
id  his  adopted  father. 
I  in  much  trouble  on 
recover  him  out  of 
the  governor  for  that 
The  governor'ii  reply 
fiwa  permit,  which  i« 
9  day,  for  three  iuc- 
lade  him  to  return  to 
otherwise,  as  he  has 
ercmonics,  wo  are  in 
or,  and  examined  by 
loclarod  that  ho  loved 
n  a  Mohammedan,  and 
A  finished  his  part  of 
ing  Jack  why  ho  had 
B  he  believed  the  con- 
)f  the  Christians  ;  that 
>f,  ho  should  see  Ood, 
to  bo  damned.     This 
[adopted  father.     The 
I,  and  tho  meaning  of 
eat  them.     Finally,  he 
iT  Ho  said  he  did,  and 
very  long  one.    The 
'one,  observed  to  the 
,i  every  day  throughout 
doavors  to  reclaim  the 
ory  I  had  from  Consul 
J  days  had  expired,  a 
formed,  and  boy  Jack, 
lat  style,  the  followers 
h  the  grand  acquisition 
Ian  boy  into  the  saving 
lerward,  but  he  always 
mly  me,  but  all  those 

^,  John  Foxcroft,  and 
Ition,  a  wild  Arab,  and 
Ti  a  bundle,  and  wished 
J  cloth  he  had.  In  un- 
Ims  of  tabinet,  which  I 
Tof  my  wife,  and  of  the 
Uck,  saying,  '^Mii^w 
Imy  mind,  and  excited 
lorn  turning  aside,  and 
Ixcrofl  proposed  to  buy 


111 


the  (lark  rolorrd  pioro  for  IiIm  w  ifr.  and  rat)<-<l  Hor  in ;  tho  Consul,  on  tho 
contrary,  took  a  fancy  to  llii<  li|/ht  colored  pli .  r.  i  r  wuistcoat  patterns. 
While  FoxcroiVs  wiln  wnn  makinjj  h»r  observation!)  iif)on  tht!  tnbinct,  I 
told  Iter  tliu  prici*  of  it  in  li  Innd.  and  lltii'  1  hud  boii^lit  llit^ri!  the  two 
pieces  for  my  wifo.  lI|K»n  which  'ho  two  goiitltrfif'n  immrdiolcly  ofTcrod 
to  rclinqulHli  the  Itnr^nin  to  me,  Iiut  b^in(^  short  of  cash,  i  ^|ci|in(;d  it,  and 
desired  tlintn  to  proceed  in  the  purchase-  Kucli  took  a  piecu,  aiif'  paid 
tho  Arab  for  it,  according  to  my  rocollcctiofi.  two  dollars.  I  did  not  ex- 
pect to  hear  or  sec  any  rnoro  of  it ;  but  the  next  morninp,  in  taking  out  a 
clean  shirt  from  my  trunk,  I  discovered  that  some  pernuii  hud  been  to  it, 
and,  upon  examination,  I  found  that  the  light  ctdored  gown  pattirn  had 
been  placed  at  the  bottom  in  such  a  maimer  as  might  prevent  me  from 
diHCovering  it.  It  is  needless  to  mention  what  look  place  respecting  it, 
aAurward ;  HutTico  it  to  repeat,  my  wife  got  her  gown,  and  wears  it  to 
this  day. 

Some  timo  about  the  middle  of  July,  a  PortiigiicHo  schooner  arrived 
from  l<isbon,  chartored  by  the  house  of  the  Bulkloys  of  that  place.  Hhe 
brought  some  goods  suitable  for  that  market,  in  order  to  take  in  a  return 
cargo  of  the  products  of  this  country,  and  was  consigned  to  (be  bouse 
of  William  and  Alexander  Court.  The  schooner  was  loaded  with  dis|)atch, 
with  what  skins  had  been  procured  for  her,  and  as  to  the  rest,  was  filled 
with  wheat.  She  being  the  first  vessel  that  was  to  sail,  I  engaged  our 
passage  to  Lisbon  in  her.  When  she  was  nearly  ready  for  departure,  tho 
Consul  sent  for  Pat,  who  had  let\  our  men^s  lodging-placu  long  before, 
and  was  harbored  by  a  countryman  of  his  in  town,  a  cooper  by  trade:  bo 
sent  for  him  to  inform  him  that  he  was  to  go  with  us  to  Lisbon.  Pat 
refused  to  come,  and  sent  word  back  that  he  durst  not  go  with  us,  for  that 
tho  mate  and  some  others  of  our  crew  had  threatened  to  kill  him  when- 
ever they  had  him  in  their  power.  The  Consul  desired  mo  to  speak  to 
him,  and  toll  him  ho  must  go.  I  did  so;  but  he  declared  that  he  was 
afraid  of  his  life,  and  had  no  doubt  but  we  would  destroy  him  before  he 
could  roach  Europe.  My  promises  to  tho  contrary  had  no  good  otTect 
upon  him,  and  ho  remained  behind.  When  the  timo  had  come  for  us  to 
leave  the  port,  (I  think  it  was  the  twenty- seventh  of  July,)  our  stores 
having  been  all  previously  put  on  board,  and  notice  being  sent  to  the 
governor,  we,  with  all  our  baggage,  accompanied  by  the  Consul  and 
many  of  my  Mogadore  friends,  went  to  the  beach.  Our  captain,  who  was 
an  easy,  slow  kind  of  man,  declined  going  to  sea  before  the  next  morning, 
although  the  wind  was  fair,  and  the  weather  fine.  His  accommodations 
were  small,  but  yet  they  were  very  comfortable,  nor  was  he  wanting  in 
disposition  to  render  our  situation  pleasant.  I  could  not  persuade  him 
to  go  to  sea  till  the  afternoon,  when  wo  got  under  weigh  and  lefl  the  port, 
going  round  to  tho  west  of  Mogadore  island.  The  vessel  was  a  very  dull 
sailer,  and  the  winds  being  moderate  and  light,  we  had  been  at  sea  twenty 
days  when  we  mado  the  rock  of  Lisbon,  right  ahead,  with  a  fair  wind. 

On  the  twenty-seventh  of  September,  in  the  morning,  according  to  the 
best  of  my  recollection,  we  were  examined  by  the  health  officer,  and 
permitted  to  land.  After  we  had  gone  through  with  some  little  ceremony 
at  an  office  at  Belem,  we  were  once  more  at  our  liberty  on  a  Christian 
shore.     A  captain  Hand,  of  Charleston,  was  at  Belem  with  his  boat,  who 

fave  mo  a  passage  to  Lisbon,  where  we  arrived  about  eleven  o^clock. 
immediately  visited  the  American  Consul,  who  treated  me  with  great 
kindness,  and  sent  a  servant  to  show  me  to  my  lodgings,  where  I  had 
scarcely  got  seated,  when  a  gentleman  accosted  me  to  know  who  I  was. 


•12      BONDAGE  AMONG  THE  ARABS  OF  THE  DESERT. 

On  my  telling  him  of  my  situation,  which  was  done  with  great  brevity, 
he  asked  me  if  I  wished  to  go  homo?  and,  upon  my  answermg  that  I  did, 
he  said  to  me,  "I  have  a  good  ship  which  will  be  ready  to  sail  fr  Balt,- 
tnoro  in  two  days;  in  her  you  are  welcome  to  a  passage.'      His  kmd 
Sffer  I  readily  accepted,  and  told  him  F  would  call  on  our  Consul,  who 
had  offered  me  money,  and  to  furnish  my  stores.     His  reply  was,  "My 
Bood  Sir,  I  did  not  offer  you  a  half-way  passage  ;  my  stores  t.re  all  laid 
in  of  which  you  are  to  partake  with  me ;  go  on  board  as  soon  as  you 
nlLase."     1   could  scarcely  find  words  to  reply  to  this  generous  man 
His  name  was  Norman,  and  his  ship  was  the  Perseverance,  of  Baltimore ; 
,he  was  a  fine  coppered  ship,  of  340  tons.     I  now  furnished  myself  with 
some  thick  clothes,  and  repaired  on  board  the  Perseverance.     I  think  we 
left  the  river  Tagus  on  the  second  or  third  of  October      Although  our  ship 
was  a  fast  sailerT  yet  by  reason  of  our  having  had  either  light  or  contrary 
winds,  we  did  not  arrive  at  Baltimore  till  about  the  eighteenth  of  November. 
I  arrived  at  Hudson,  among  my  dear  friends  and  relatives,  after  an  absence 
of  one  year,  to  a  day;  that  is  to  say,  from  the  first  of  Deceinber  1800, to 
the  first  of  the  same  month,  1801. 


a^MwMunMMnwaMiM 


jr-^^-»^i*.^'-tMf — 


««e^r 


HE  DESERT. 

one  with  great  brevity, 
ny  answering  that  I  did, 
!  ready  to  sail  for  Balti- 
a  passage."  His  kind 
ill  on  our  Consul,  who 
.  His  reply  was,  "My 
;  my  stores  j^re  all  laid 
n  board  as  soon  as  you 
to  this  generous  man 
severance,  of  Baltimore ; 
iw  furnished  myself  with 
rseverance.  I  think  we 
iber.  Although  our  ship 
1  either  light  or  contrary 
eighteenth  of  November, 
elatives,  after  an  absence 
rat  of  December  1800,  to 


THE    ABANDONMENT 


Of 


ALEXANDER    SELKIRK. 

m  SOLITUDE  FOR  SEVERAL  TE4R3. 


a.t^'^^h.^r^  "^  °°*°"''W  »'i«i"«l  »f  Defoe',  celebrated 
I  "„  '  f "'"»""  Crusoe,  wan  bora  in  the  year  1676,  in  the  villu/e  «f 
Largo,  on  the  sonthern  ooaet  of  the  county  if  Fife  ii  Scotland  Th. 
name  of  Sellt.rk  (or  Selcraig,  «hich  waa  the  old  modi  of  Tpemi  i^ 

SLid"eraWrerert";o'thora.'d"'"«-  *"   -"""'"i""  °^  "'^-^  - 

wbj  Mrs  Se"ldrk  ThonW  n      """"l''''.''^^/'''''''^^'^  wa8a%pecial  reason 
7hl  .l-Aur  ^°"'*'  P'^'*''®  *  ^^^^  and  PJ'ant  mother.     Not  onlv  was 

ai=S;r;sr"c-:f--sf^ 

.ccoun.„fit.b.i„g.LacoJ.town,:!tr."i3;^°aS,te 

ar  t„r.  r'T"^"""  '!'"°S  I*'"  ">e  birthplace  and  proper,,  rf 
^Jir  Andrew  Wood,  ^  diatuiguiBhed   Scottish  admirBl  «(■  ,k/ „       J- 

century,  whose  nautical  fame^and  habi^Sit  havt";roduced  conX^^^^ 
«  scnoc.,  or  to  the  effect  on  his  mmd  of  the  perpetual  spectacle  of  th* 

m«^  'LVifT  ^V'  T^  ^r'''"  «""»"'»  association  with  Zl«^  Ssher! 
men,  Se  kirk  early  determined  to  follow  a  seafaring  life  Eiff  out  of 
.  d„,K,smon  to  let  the  boy  have  his  own  will,  or  X'^inf^e  ,i?e  ofl 

(113) 


r-  ^'**=!>^5ii.'*qr3«S^.==lSJ* 


^ 


114 


ABANDONMENT  OF  SELKIRK. 


sailor  the  likeliest  way  to  the  attainment  of  the  great  fortunes  which  sho 

ant^c  ,  alerfor  her  sL,  his  mother  favored   his  ">tent.on;l„s  father 

however,  opposed  it  strenuously,  and  was  anxious,  now  that  h  sother  sons 

wore  al   settled   in  life,  that  his  youngest  should  rernam  at  homo   and 

^s  St  him  in  his  own  trade.     This,  and  young  Selkirk's  wayward  and 

Suae  conduct,  .cem  to  have  kept  him  and  h.s  father  perpetual  y  at 

war    and  a  desce;dant  of  the  family  used  to  show  a  walku.g-st.ck  winch 

he  ;id  man  is  said  to  have  applied  to  the  back  of  h.s  refractory  son,  with 

hP  nffir-naSon  "A  whip  for   he  horse,  a  bridle  for  the  ass,  and  a  rod  for 

S:   oo rTback."     Withstanding  the  boy's  resUess  character  respect 

for  hfs  father's  wishes  kept  him  at  home  for  a  considerable  time :  a  father  8 

malediction  being  too  aiful  a  thing  for  even  a  seventh  son  to  brave  with 

'The  first  thirteen  years  of  Selkirk's  life  coincide  with  the  hottest  period 
of  the  rel  gious  pefsecutions  in  Scotland.     He  was  about  three  years 
of  age  at  the  time  of  the  assassination  of  Archbishop  Sharp,  w.ch  took 
placf  at  not  a  very  great  distance  from  Largo  ;  and  the  chief  ;«bject  of 
Interest,  during  his  boyhood,  in  Fife,  as  in  the  other  counties  of  Scotland 
wt  the  P03itio'n  of  th^  chur'ch,  then  filled  bvEp'scopdian  and  indulged 
clercv   sreatlv  to  the  disgust  of  the  people.     What  part  old  Selkirk  and 
hislmnrmay  have  taken  during  the  time  when  it  was  dangerous  tojhow 
«tt«rhment  to  Presbytery— whether  they  professed  themselves  Covenan- 
?Ir/  orwhether  as  i    more  probable,  they  yielded  a  reluctant  attendance 
aUhe  parth  chirch-Lno?  be  ascertained  ;  but  the  following  entry  m 
tparTrecords  of  Largo,  referring  to  the  year  1689  1^^^^^^^ 
the   revolution   had  sealed  the   restoration  of  Presbytery  in   Scotland, 
will  show  S  if  they  did  attend  the  parish  church,  it  was  no    out  of 
rukewarmness  to  the  popular  cause,  or  afiection  for  the  established  c lergy- 

man^Sbath •  1689.-Which  day,  the  minister  bemg  obstructed  in 

Srduty,  and  kept  out  of  the  church  by  a  great  mob,  armed  with  staves  and 
ELgeoSeaded  by  John  Selkirk,  divided  what  money  there  was  among 
U^^Soriid  retired  from  his  charge."    John  Selkirk,  who  hus  signalized 
hiSbrheSng  the  mob  for  the^xpulsion  of  the  conforming  clergyman, 
wTthe  eldestbrfther  of  our  hero,  who,  however,  is  reported  himself  to 
to^ave  testSed  Ws  enthusiasm  by  flourishing  a  stick  with  the  other  boys. 
SofTe  first  youths  in  Largo  to  experience  the  stricter  discipline 
of  XsUry    whose   restoration  he   had   celebrated,  was   A  e.xander 
aelWrk     H  9  h^gh  spirits,  and  want  of  respect  for  any  control,  led  him, 
ft  would  annear  to  beguiltl  of  frequentmisbehavior  during  divine  service; 
foruierSrthe  tlenty^-fi^^  of  August,  1696,  is  the  following  entry 
in  the  parish  records :-"  Alexander  Selcraig,  son  of  Joh°  Selcr^'g'  ''IJ^  ' 
cUed  to  appear  before  the  session  for  indecent  conduct  in  church.       This 
seems  tJ  have  been  more  than  our  hero,  now  in  h.s  nineteenth  year,  could 
submU  to     The  elder's  son  to  appear  before  the  -ssion  axid  be  rebuked 
fer  lauffhine  in  church!    Within  twenty-four  hours  after  this  terrible 
duSthe'cung  shoemaker  was  gone  ;  he  had  !««  Lar^,»^  th« ff- 
of  kirk-sessions  behind  him,  and  was  miles  away  at  sea.    Wh*"  the  k.rfc 

Jeilon  met,  they  were  obliged  to  be  content  '"^^"'ffiiSer  SS 
paragraph  in  the  record :~« August  twenty^seventh.-Alexander!^^^^ 
Sailed  out-did  not  appear,  having  gone  to  «a."    Resolved,  h^^^^^ 
that  he  should  not  escape  the  rebuke  which  he  bad  merited,  they  aaa, 
"  Continued  until  his  return."  .    .    .  -         j  .    j:  j  »»« ».iis 

The  return  which  the  kirk-session  thus  looked  ^''^Jj' J«»  ~i  J,* 
place  for  mx  years,  during  which  we  haw  no  account  of  Selkirk  s 


i.».mw.y 


ABANDONMENT  OP  SELB3RK. 


116 


at  fortunes  which  sho 
ntention  ;  liis  father, 
low  that  his  other  sons 
remain  at  homo,  and 
clkirk's  wH;yward  and 
i  father  perpetually  at 
a  walking-stick  which 
is  refractory  son,  with 
the  ass,  and  a  rod  for 
3S8  character,  respect 
Brable  time :  a  father's 
enth  son  to  brave  with 

with  the  hottest  period 
vas  about  three  years 
lop  Sharp,  which  took 
d  the  chief  subject  of 
r  counties  of  Scotland, 
icopalian  and  indulged 
t  part  old  Selkirk  and 
was  dangerous  to  show 
1  themselves  Covenan- 
I  a  reluctant  attendance 

the  following  entry  in 
1689,  immediately  after 
resbytery  in   Scotland, 
rch,  it  was  not  out  of 
r  tho  established  clergy- 
ster  being  obstructed  in 
I,  armed  with  staves  and 
money  there  was  among 
Lirk,  who  thus  signalized 
!  conforming  clergyman, 
r,  is  reported  himself  to 
ick  with  the  other  boys. 
I  the  stricter  discipline 
brated,  was    Alexander 
or  any  control,  led  him, 
or  during  divine  service; 
,  is  the  following  entry 
I  of  John  Selcraig,  elder, 
nduct  in  church."     This 
is  nineteenth  year,  could 
session,  and  be  rebuked 
lours  after  this  terrible 

left  Largo  and  the  land 
at  sea.  When  the  kirk- 
j  inserting  the  following 
th.— Alexander  Selcraig 
»."  Resolved,  however, 
)  bad  merited,  they  add, 

I  forward  to,  did  not  take 
ao  Account  of  Selkirk^s 


adventures,  although  the  probability  is,  that  he  served  with  the  buccaneers, 
who  then  scoured  the  South  Seas.  To  have  persisted  in  calling  the  younc 
sailor  to  account  for  a  fault  committed  six  years  before,  would  have  been 
too  great  severity.  The  kirk-session,  accordingly,  do  not  seem  to  have 
made  any  allusion  to  the  circumstance  which  had  driven  him  to  sea  •  but 
It  was  not  long  before  a  still  more  disgraceful  piece  of  misconduct 'than 
the  former  brought  him  under  their  censure.  The  young  sailor,  coming 
home,  no  doubt,  with  his  character  rendered  still  more  reckless  and 
boisterous  than  before  by  the  wild  life  to  which  he  had  been  accustomed 
at  sea,  was  hardly  a  fit  inmate  for  a  sedate  and  orderly  household,  and 
quarrels  and  .listurbances  became  frequent  in  the  honest  shoemaker's 
cottage.  In  the  spring  of  1702,  Selkirk  seized  an  opportunity  of  going  to 
England ;  and  a  short  time  afterward  we  find  him  engaged  to  Srocied 
with  the  celebrated  Dampier  on  a  buccaneering  expedition  to  the  South 

The  object  of  Dampier's  voyage  was  either  to  capture  some  of  the 
Spanish  vessels,  which  annually  carried  to  the  old  world  the  products  of 
the  gold  and  silver  mines  of  the  new,  or  to  seize  and  put  to  ransom  some  of 
the  cities  of  the  Spanish  Main.  Beside  his  own  vessel,  the  "St.  George,'^ 
Dampier  had  with  him  the  "  Cinque  Ports,"  commanded  by  Captain 
Stradling,  on  board  of  which  Selkirk  acted  as  sailing-master.  After 
several  months  of  ill-luck  and  misfortune,  the  two  commanders  quarreled, 
and  finally  agreed  to  separate— Selkirk  remaining  with  the  latter. 

For  three  months  the  Cinque  Ports  kept  cruising  along  the  shores  of 
Mexico,  Guatemala,  and  Equatorial  America,  like  a  villainous  vulture 
watching  the  horizon  for  its  prey.     No  ships,  however,  appeared  to  reward 
the  greedy  activity  of  the  crew ;  and  at  length,  in  the  end  of  August, 
Stradling  resolved  to  turn  southward,  and  make  for  Juan  Fernandez,  to 
take  in  provisions  and  refit.     Meanwhile,  as  was  natural  among  so  many 
menof  savage  character  cooped  up  idle  in  a  vessel,  all  was  dissension  on 
board.     Stradling  and  Selkirk  especially  were,  to  use  a  common  phrase, 
at  daggers-drawing ;  now  in  loud  and  angry  dispute  below,  now  scowling 
sullenly  at  each  other  on  deck.     Selkirk  resolved  to  leave  the  vessel  as 
soon  as  an  opportunity  offered.     Accordingly,  when,  the  beginning  of 
September,  they  came  in  sightof  Juan  Fernandez,  two  men,  left  by  Dampier 
on  a  previous  occasion,  who  had  been  living  on  the  island  since  the  be- 
ginning of  March— made  their  appearance,  heahhy  and  strong  as  ever, 
and  delighting  their  old  companions  with  an  account  of  how  they  had 
spent  the  seven  months  of  their  solitary  reign,  eating  fruit  in  abundance, 
chasing  goats,  and  hunting  seals,  the  idea  flashed  across  his  mind  that  he 
would  take  their  place,  and,  leaving  the  vessel  to  sail  away  without  him, 
remain  the  possessor  of  Juan  Fernandez.     By  what  process  of  imagination 
he  flattered  himself  that  such  a  life  would  be  agreeable ;  whether  hO 
finally  adopted  his  resolution  in  a  fit  of  unthinking  enthusiasm,  such  as 
sometimes  leads  to  strange  and  whimsical  acts,  or  whether  his  difierencea 
with  Stradling,  and  his  disgust  with  his  situation  on  board  the  Cinque 
Forts,  were  really  such  that  escape  by  any  method  seemed  advisable, 
cannot  now  be  known ;  but  at  all  events,  the  conclusion  was,  that  when 
the  vessel  was  ready  to  leave  the  island,  Selkirk  signified  his  intention 
ot  remaining.    Stradling  made  no  objections;  a  boat  was  lowered,  Selkirk 
descended  into  it  with  aU  his  effects,  three  or  four  men  rowed  him  ashore 
under  the  direction  of  the  captain,  the  crew  of  the  Cinque  Ports  lookiag 
on  from  the  detk.    Selkirk  leaped  on  the  beacb,  his  effects  were  lifted 
out  after  hira  by  the  sailors,  and  laid  in  a  heap ;  they  shook  hands  with 


116 


ABANDONMENT  OF  SELKIRK. 


him  heartily,  the  captain  standing  in  the  boat,  and  bidding  them  make 
hasto.  The  sailors  jumped  in,  and  the  boat  was  pushed  off.  Poor 
Selkirk!  he  had  felt  a  bound,  an  exultation  of  spirit  at  the  moment  of 
stepping  on  shore  ;  but  now,  as  the  boat  was  shoved  off,  and  the  men  sat 
down  to  the  oars  with  their  faces  toward  him,  pride,  anger,  resolution,  all 
gave  way ;  the  horrors  of  his  situation  rose  at  once  to  his  view,  and 
rushing  into  the  suri  up  to  the  middle,  he  stretched  out  his  hands  toward 
his  comrades,  and  implored  them  to  come  back  and  take  him  on  board 
again.  With  a  jeering  laugh  the  brutal  commander  bade  him  stick  to  his 
resolution,  and  remain  where  he  was,  adding  that  it  was  a  blessing  for 
the  crew  to  have  got  rid  at  last  of  so  troublesome  a  fellow.  The  boat 
accordingly  went  off  to  the  ship,  and  in  a  short  time  the  Cinque  Ports  was 
out  of  sight.  Selkirk  remained  on  the  beach  beside  his  bundles,  gazing 
after  her  till  it  grew  dark. 

Juan   Fernandez,  the  island  on  which  our  poor  Scotchman  was  thus 
cast  ashore,  is  situated  in  latitude  33  degrees  40  minutes  south,  and 
longitude  79  degrees  west,  about  four  hundred  miles  west  of  the  coast 
of  Chili.     The  name  is  properly  applied  to  a  group  of  islands  consisting 
of  two  larger  and  a  few  smaller  ;  and  the  name  now  given  to  that  in- 
habited by  Selkirk,  and  which  is  the  largest  of  the  group,  is  Mas-a-tierra. 
The  island  was  first  discovered  in   1672,  by  a  Spanish  navigator,  who 
conferred  on  it  his  own  name  of  Juan  Fernandez  ;  and  for  a  short  time 
it  was  inhabited  by  a  small  colony  of  Spaniards,  who  ultimately  abandoned 
it,  however,  to  settle  on  the  mainland.     Afterward,  as  we  have  already 
seen,  it  became  a  resort  of  such  buccaneering  vessels  as  required,  during 
their  cruises  on  the  west  coast  of  America,  to  put  in  to  some  safe  harbor 
to  victual  and  refit.     Once  or  twice,  by  accident,  the  island  had  become 
the  residence  of  a  castaway  buccaneer,  who  was  afterward  picked  off  by 
a  passing  ship.    Thus,  says  a  voyager  whom  we  shall  have  yet  to  quote 
more  at  large,  "  Ringrose,  in  his  account  of  the  voyage  of  Captain  Sharp 
and  other  buccaneers,  mentions  one  who  had  escaped  ashore  on  this  island 
out  of  a  ship,  which  was  cast  away  with  all  the  rest  of  the  company,  and 
■ays  he  lived  five  years  alone,  before  he  had  the  opportunity  of  another 
ship  to  carry  him  off.     Captain  Dampier  also  talks  of  a  Mosquito  Indian 
that  belonged  to  Captain  Watlin,  who,  being  a  hunting  in  the  woods  when 
the  captain  left  the  island,  lived  there  three  years  alone,  till  Captain 
Dampier  came  hither  in  1684,  and  carried  him  off."     Whatever  amount 
of  truth  there  may  be  in  these  particular  statements  as  to  Juan  Fernandez, 
it  is  certain  that  Selkirk^s  solitary  residence  on  this  island  was  by  no  means 
the  first  inst:>nce  of  the  kind.    It  does  not  appear  to  have  been  an  un- 
common thing  for  a  buccaneer  in  those  days  to  be  either  cast  ashore  on  a 
desert  island  by  the  chances  of  shipwreck,  or  to  be  purposely  left  upon 
one  by  his  captain  out  of  savage  ill-will,  or  as  a  punishment  for  mutinous 
conduct.    Perhaps,  if  the  records  of  old  voyages  were  thoroughly  searched, 
instances  might  be  found  of  the  kind  as  extraordinary  as  Selkirk's,  if  not 
more  so.    The  magic  touch,  however,  of  the  hand  of  a  genius  has 
conferred  a  celebrity  on  the   history  of  the  Fifeshire  mariner  which 
distinguishes  him  from  all  other  Crusoes. 

To  proceed  with  our  description  of  Juan  Fernandez.  The  island  is 
of  an  irregular  form,  from  ten  to  twelve  miles  long,  and  about  six  broad, 
its  area  being  about  seventy  square  miles — somewhat  less  than  that  of 
the  island  of  Bute.  '*  The  aouth-west  side,''  says  the  voyager  already 
quoted,  "  is  much  the  longest,  and  has  a  small  island  about  a  mile  long 
lying  near  it,  w'.th  a  few  visible  rocks  close  under  the  shore.    On  this 


terM#*>wi»  ^mMnmi 


ABANDONMENT  OF  SELKIRK, 


117 


idding  them  make 
pushed  off.     Poor 
at  the  moment  of 
ff,  and  the  men  sat 
iger,  resolution,  all 
9  to  his  view,  and 
It  his  hands  toward 
take  him  on  board 
ide  him  stick  to  his 
was  a  blessing  for 
fellow.     The  boat 
e  Cinque  Ports  was 
his  bundles,  gazing 

kotchman  was  thus 
minutes  south,  and 
!s  west  of  the  coast 
of  islands  consisting 
)w  given  to  that  in- 
roup,  is  Maa-a-tierra. 
inish  navigator,  who 
and  for  a  short  time 
ultimately  abandoned 
,  as  we  have  already 
is  as  required,  during 
I  to  some  safe  harbor 
e  island  had  become 
erward  picked  off  by 
all  have  yet  to  quote 
age  of  Captain  Sharp 
I  ashore  on  this  island 
of  the  company,  and 
iportunity  of  another 
)f  a  Mosquito  Indian 
jg  in  the  woods  when 
8  alone,  till  Captain 
"     Whatever  amount 
ls  to  Juan  Fernandez, 
(land  was  by  no  means 
;  to  have  been  an  un* 
lither  cast  ashore  on  a 
3  purposely  left  upon 
lishment  for  mutinous 
thoroughly  searched, 
iry  as  Selkirk's,  if  not 
ind  of  a  genius   has 
ishire  mariner  which 

tnde*'  The  island  is 
and  about  six  broad, 

^hat  less  than  that  of 
the  voyager  already 
ad  about  a  mile  long 
the  shore.    On  this 


side  begins  a  ridge  of  high  mountains,  that  run  across  from  the  south-west 
to  the  north-west  of  the  island ;  and  the  land  that  lies  out  in  a  narrow 
point  to  the  westward  appears  to  be  the  only  level  ground  in  it.  On  the 
north-east  side  it  is  very  high  land,  and  under  it  r^re  the  two  bays  where 
ships  always  put  in  to  recruit.  The  best  bay  is  all  deep  water,  and  you 
may  carry  in  ships  close  to  the  rocks,  if  occasion  require.  The  wind 
blows  always  over  the  land,  and  at  worst  along  shore,  which  makes  no 
sea.  Near  the  rocks  there  are  very  good  fish  of  several  sorts,  particularly 
large  crawfish  under  the  rocks,  easy  to  be  caught ;  also  cavalloes,  gropers, 
and  other  good  fish,  in  so  great  plenty  anywhere  near  the  shore,  that  I 
never  saw  the  like  but  at  the  best  fishing  season  in  Newfoundland. 
Pimento  is  the  best  timber,  and  most  plentiful  on  this  side  of  the  island, 
but  very  apt  to  split,  till  a  little  dried.  The  cabbage-trees  abound  about 
three  miles  into  the  woods,  and  the  cabbage  is  very  good  ;  most  of  them 
are  on  the  top  of  the  nearest  and  lowest  mountains.  The  soil  in  these 
hills  is  of  a  loose  black  earth  ;  the  rocks  are  very  rotten,  so  that,  without 
great  care,  it  is  dangerous  to  climb  the  hills  for  cabbages  ;  beside,  thei  o 
are  abundance  of  holes  dug  in  several  places  by  a  sort  of  fowls  called 
puffins,  which  cause  the  earth  to  fall  in  at  once,  and  endanger  the  breaking 
of  a  man's  leg.  Our  summer  months  are  winter  here.  In  July  snow  and 
ice  are  sometimes  seen ;  but  the  spring,  which  is  in  September,  October, 
and  November,  is  very  pleasant.  There  is  then  abundance  of  good  herbs, 
as  parsley,  purslain,  etc.  To  these  descriptions,  written  about  the  year 
1712,  we  may  add  an  extract  from  the  account  given  in  I-ord  Anson's 
voyages  in  1741,  in  order  that  our  readers  may  have  a  pretty  distinct  idea 
of  the  appearance  of  the  island,  which,  for  four  years  and  a  half,  was  to 
be  the  home  of  Selkirk.  "  The  woods,"  says  the  author  of  Anson's 
voyages,  "cover  most  of  the  steepest  hills,  and  are  free  from  all  bushes 
and  underwood,  offering  an  easy  passage  through  every  part  of  them ; 
and  the  irregularities  of  the  hills  and  precipices  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  island  trace,  by  their  various  combinations,  a  number  of  romantic 
valleys,  most  of  which  have  a  stream  of  the  clearest  water  running  through 
them,  tumbling  in  cascades  from  rock  to  rock.  Some  particular  spots 
occur  in  these  valleys  where  the  shade  of  the  contiguous  woods,  the 
loiliness  of  the  overhanging  rocks,  and  the  transparency  and  frequent  falls 
of  the  streams,  present  scenes  of  wonderful  beauty." 

For  many  days  afler  the  departure  of  the  Cinque  Ports,  Selkirk  remained 
lingering  about  the  spot  where  he  was  put  ashore,  unable  to  abandon  the 
hope  that  Stradling  would  relent  and  come  back  for  him.  His  constant 
occupation  was  gazing  out  into  the  sea.  As  soon  as  morning  dawned  he 
began  his  watch,  sitting  on  his  chest ;  and  his  deepest  grief  was  when 
the  evening  came  on,  so  that  he  could  see  no  longer.  Sleep  came  upoi, 
him  by  snatches,  and  against  his  exertions  to  remain  awake.  Food  he 
did  not  think  of,  till  extreme  hunger  obliged  him ;  and  then,  rather  than 
go  in  search  of  the  fruits  and  game  which  the  woods  afforded,  he  con- 
tented  himself  with  the  shell-fish  and  seals'  flesh,  which  he  could  obtain 
without  removing  from  the  beach.  The  sameness  of  the  diet,  the  want 
of  bread  and  salt,  and  the  sinking  sickness  of  his  heart,  caused  him  to 
loathe  his  food,  so  that  he  ate  but  at  long  intervals.  Weary,  and  with 
aching  eyes,  he  lay  down  at  night,  leaning  his  back  against  his  bundles, 
listening  to  the  crashing  sound  of  rocks  frequently  falling  among  the 
woods,  and  to  the  discordant  bleating  of  the  shoals  of  seals  along  the  shore. 
The  horrors  of  his  situation  were  augmented  during  the  dark  by  super- 
stitious alarms.    Amid  the  murmur  of  the  waves  he  could  fancy  he  heard 


118 


ABANDONMENT  OP  SELKIRK. 


7 


bowlings  and  whistlings,  as  of  spirits  in  the  a.r:  .f  he  turned  h.s  head  o 
fhe  black  and  wooded  masses  behind  him,  they  seemed  peopled  and  in 
notion -and  as  he  again  turned  it  to  the  shore  phanto™  «talked  past 
SSen  he  cursed  himself  for  the  folly  of  the  resolution  wh.ch  had  brought 
h^m  here  ;  often,  in  the  frenzy  of  fear,  he  would  start  up  with  the  horrible 
deTerm  nation  of  suicide  ;  but  a  rush  of  softer  feeling  would  co.ne  and 
fhen  he  became  calm.  At  length  this  gentler  state  of  mind  grew  habitual; 
thoughts  and  impressions  which  had  been  familiar  to  h'min  childhood 
13  came  up;  and  the  years  which  he  had  spent  with  brawling  and 
femcious  shipLtes,  in  the  lawless  profession  of  a  privateer,  were  swept 
out  of  his  memory  like  a  disagreeable  dream.  „„„„, 

With  the  return  of  equanimity,  Selkirk  began  to  consider  the  means 
of  rendering  his  residence  on  the  island  endurable.     It  was  the  month 
of  Octoberia  season  corresponding  in  that  locality  to  the  middle  of  sprng 
with  us-and  all  was  blooming  and  fragrant.    The  possibility  of  starving 
was  not  one  of  the  horrors  which  his  situation  presented  ;  and  when  he 
recovered  calmness  of  mind  sufficient  to  take  a  viewof  his  solitary  domain, 
he  found  himself  in  the  midst  of  plenty.     Beside  the  fish  and  seals  which 
Jwarmed  round  the  shores  of  the  island,  there  were  mnumerable  fruits 
and  vegetables  in  the  woods,  among  which  was  the  »«v«j;:f"l'"g .^f'^g^^^^ 
Tree:  and  hundreds  of  goats  skipped  wild  among    he  hills.     Almost  all 
he  means  of  ordinary  physical  comfort  were  within  his  reach  ;  and  he 
had  ™nly  to  exert  his  stren'gth  and  ingenuity  to  make  the  -?land  y.eld  hira 
!t«  resources     How  he  proceeded  to  do  this;  the  various  shifts  and 
devices  wS  he  fdl  upJn  to  supply  his  wants,  and  to  add  gradually  to 
h'sstoJe  of  comforts ;  the  succession  of  daily  steps  and  con  r.vances  by 
which,in    he  course  of  four  years  and  a  half,  he  raised  himself  from 
ToiTaraUve  helplessness  to  complete  dominion  over  the  resources  of  his 
S  territory  and,  along  with  this,  the  various  stages  which  his  feelings 
wit  thrS'frorJ'the  afony  and  stupefaction  of  the  first  night  which  he 
Tpent  on  the    sland,  to  the'pevfect  freedom  and  happiness  which  ho 
Eately  attained-we  have  not  sufficient  materials  to  be  able  to  describe 
""detail      It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  matchless  narrative  of  Defoe  s 
aUost  entirely  a  fiction,  so  far  as  the  details  of  his  hero's  dailv  life  in 
tie  desert  island  are  concerned.     Alexander  Selkirk  did  not  d.sp lay  such 
a  genius  for  mechanical  contrivances  as  Robinson  Crusoe  ;  or,  at  least  if 
he  did,  no  record  of  his  contrivances  has  been  preserved.     Ihe  is  and 
was  n^t  visited  by  cannibal  savages  as  is  the  case  m  the  romance ;  no 
Faithful  Friday  appeared  to  cheer  the  hours  of  the  solitary  ;  nor  is  there 
«y  journal  preserved,  from  which  we  learn  whether  ever  such  an  inciden 
Srred  as  the  discovery  of  the  mysterious  foot-pr.nt  m  the  sand      All 
these  ornaments  of  the  story  the  world  owes  to  Defoe,  whose  object  was 
not  to  write  the  history  of  Selkirk,  or  any  other  known  castaway,  but  to 
describe  bv  the  force  of  imagination,  the  life  of  an  ideal  hero  on  an  ideal 
St  is  and      At  the  same  time,  there  is  no  doubt  that  Defoe's  narrative 
fills  up  our  conception  of  Selkirk's  long  residence  m  h.s  island  with 
detai"^  Buch  as  must  actually  be  true  ;  and,  at  all  events,  there  is  a  corres- 
pondence in  some  points  between  it  and  Selkirk's  own  account  of  his 
manner  of  life,  furnished  after  his  return  to  England  to  Sir  Richard  Steele 
and  others,  through  whom  it  was  made  public.     The  particulars  of  this 
narrative,  so  far  as  it  extends,  we  proceed  to  relate. 

The  stores  which  Selkirk  had  brought  ashore  consisted.  i.;=side  his 
clothing  and  bedding,  of  a  firelock,  a  pound  of  gunpowder  a  quantity 
of  bullet*,  a  flint  and  steel,  a  few  pounds  of  tobacco,  a  hatchet,  a  knife,  a 


i 


"^'[fjw^'m*^"  ^*'**: 


m»tmM  ■  •fo'^i'u^tJuA't/ltgm 


ABAlTDONMBirT  OP  SELKIRK. 


119 


turned  his  head  to 

ed  peopled  and  in 
itoms  stalked  past. 

which  had  brought 
up  with  the  horrible 
g  would  cnine,  and 
mind  grew  habitual; 
him  in  childhood 

with  brawling  and 
ivateer,  were  swept 


o 


consider  the  means 
It  was  the  month 
the  middle  of  spring 
DBsibility  of  starving 
inted  ;  and  when  he 

his  solitary  domain, 
fish  and  seals  which 

innumerable  fruits 
3ver-failing  cabbage- 
le  hills.     Almost  all 

his  reach ;  and  he 

the  island  yield  him 
various  shifts  and 

to  add  gradually  to 
and  contrivances  by 
raised  himself  from 

the  resources  of  his 
es  which  his  feelings 
e  first  night  which  he 
happiness  which  ho 
to  be  able  to  describe 
narrative  of  Defoe  ia 
!  heroes  daily  life  in 
c  did  not  display  such 
rusoe  ;  or,  at  least,  if 
iserved.     The  island 

in  the  romance ;  no 
solitary  ;  nor  is  there 
ever  such  an  incident 
int  in  the  sand.  All 
iae,  whose  object  was 
own  castaway,  but  to 
deal  hero  on  an  ideal 
that  Defoe's  narrative 
e  in  his  island  with 
snts,  there  is  a  corres- 
3  own  account  of  hia 
to  Sir  Richard  Steele 
he  particulars  of  this 

consisted,  jaside  his 
unpowder,  a  quantity 
I,  a  hatchet,  a  knife,  a 


.*is;■^.'f;".:?^^i^w;^ilal 


kettle,  a  flip-can,  a  Bible,  some  books  of  devotion,  and  one  or  two  con- 
rerning  n.^'igation,  and  his  mathematical  instruments.  Such  were  the 
few  implei.Qnts  and  substances  from  the  great  civilized  world  which 
Soikirk  had  to  help  him  in  the  task  of  subduing  to  his  own  convenience 
seventy  square  miles  of  earth  and  wood.  Yet,  in  the  possession  of  that 
small  package,  what  strength  lay  in  his  hands,  and  how  superior  was  he 
to  the  savage  children  of  nature!  Within  the  small  compass  of  his  chest 
was  wrapped  up  the  condensed  skill  and  wisdom  of  ages,  the  ingenuity  and 
industry  of  hundreds  of  men  who  had  long  gone  to  their  graves.  The 
flint  and  steel,  the  firelock,  the  gunpowder,  the  knife  and  hatchet,  what 
power  over  nature  was  there  not  compact  in  these  articles! — the  mathe- 
matical instruments,  of  what  knowledge  were  they  not  the  symbols! — and, 
above  all,  the  Bible,  and  the  books  which  accompanied  it,  what  wealth 
of  conversation,  what  health  of  spirit,  did  they  not  bring  with  them! 

The  first  object  that  occupied  his  attention,  beside  the  daily  supply  of 
such  food  as  was  necessary  for  his  subsistence,  was  the  construction  of  a 
dwelling  to  serve  him  as  a  shelter  from  the  weather.  Selecting  a  spot  at 
gome  distance  from  the  beach,  he  cut  down  pimento  wood,  and  in  a  short 
time  built  a  hut  in  which  he  could  reside.  To  this  he  afterward  added 
another.  They  were  both  constructed  during  the  first  eighteen  months 
of  his  residence ;  but  the  task  of  improving  them,  and  adding  to  their 
neatness,  was  a  constant  occupation  to  him  during  his  stay  on  the  island. 
The  largor  of  his  two  huts,  which  "was  situated  near  a  spacious  wood, 
he  made  his  sleeping-room,  spreading  the  bedclothes  he  had  brought 
with  him  upon  a  frame  of  his  own  construction ;  and  as  these  wore  out, 
or  were  used  for  other  purposes,  he  supplied  their  places  with  goat-skins. 
The  smaller  hut,  which  he  had  erected  at  some  distance  from  the  other, 
was  used  by  him  as  a  kitchen,  in  which  he  dressed  his  victuals.  The 
furniture  was  very  scanty,  but  consisted  of  every  convenience  his  island 
could  afford.  His  most  valuable  article  was  the  pot  or  kettle  he  had 
brought  from  the  ship  to  boil  his  meat  in  ;  the  spit  was  his  own  handiwork, 
made  of  such  wood  as  grew  upon  the  island;  the  rest  was  suitable  to  his 
rudely  constructed  habitation.  The  pimento  wood,  which  burns  very 
bright  and  clear,  served  him  both  for  fuel  and  candle.  It  gives  out  an 
agreeable  perfume  when  burning.  He  obtained  fire,  after  the  Indian 
method,  by  rubbing  two  pieces  of  pimento  wood  together  until  they  ignited. 
This  he  did,  as  he  was  ill  able  to  spare  any  of  his  linen  for  tinder,  time 
being  of  no  value  to  him,  and  the  labor  rather  an  amuiiement!''  The 
necessity  of  providing  for  his  wants  had  the  effect  of  diverting  his  thoughts 
from  the  misery  of  his  situation ;  yet  every  day,  for  the  first  eighteen 
months,  he  spent  more  or  less  time  on  the  beach,  watching  for  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  sail  upon  the  horizon.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  partly 
through  habit,  partly  through  the  influence  of  religion,  which  here 
awakened  in  full  force  upon  his  mind,  he  became  reconciled  to  his 
situation.  Every  morning  after  rising  he  read  a  portion  of  Scripture, 
■ong  a  psalm,  and  prayed,  speaking  aloud,  in  order  to  preserve  the  use 
of  his  voice ;  he  afterward  remarked  that,  during  his  residence  on  the 
island,  he  was  a  better  Christian  than  he  had  ever  been  before,  or  would 
probably  ever  be  again.  He  at  first  lived  much  upon  turtles  and  crawfish, 
which  abounded  upon  the  shores — his  powder,  with  which  he  could  shoot 
the  goats  of  the  island,  having  soon  been  exhausted,  he  afterward 
found  himself  able  to  run  down  the  goats,  whose  flesh  he  either  roasted 
or  stewed,  and  of  which  he  kept  a  small  stock,  tamed,  around  his  dwelling, 
to  be  used  in  the  event  of  his  being  disabled  by  sickness.    One  of  thr* 


tmmmimir^m 


120 


ABAXTDONMENT  OF  SELKIRK. 


greatest  incooTeniences  which  afflicted  him  for  the  first  few  months  waa 
the  want  of  salt ;  but  he  gradually  became  accustomed  to  this  privation, 
and  at  last  found  so  much  relish  in  unsalted  food,  that,  after  being  restored 
to  society,  it  was  with  equal  difficulty  that  he  reconciled  himself  to  take  it 
in  any  other  condition.  As  a  substitute  for  bread,  he  had  turnips,  parsnips, 
and  the  cabbage-palm,  all  of  excellent  quality,  and  also  radishe.,  and 
water-cresses.  When  his  clothes  were  worn  out,  he  supplied  their  place 
with  goat-skins,  which  gave  him  an  appearance  much  more  uncouth  than 
any  wild  animal.  He  had  a  piece  of  linen,  from  which  he  made  new 
shirts  by  means  of  a  nail  and  the  thread  of  his  stockings ;  and  he  never 
wanted  this  comfortable  piece  of  attire  during  the  whole  period  of  his 
residence  on  the  island.  Every  physical  want  being  thus  gratified,  and 
his  mind  soothed  by  devotional  feeling,  he  at  length  began  positively  to 
enjoy  his  existence — often  lying  for  whole  days  in  the  delicious  bowers 
which  he  had  formed  for  himself,  abandoned  to  the  moat  pleasant 
sensations. 

Among  the  quadruped  inhabitants  of  the  isle  were  multitudes  of  rats, 
which  at  the  first  annoyed  him  by  gnawing  his  feet  while  asleep.  Against 
this  enemy  he  found  it  necessary  to  enter  into  a  treaty,  offensive  and 
defensive,  with  the  cats,  which  also  abounded  in  his  neighborhood. 
Having  caught  and  tamed  some  of  the  latter  animals,  he  was  soon  freed 
from  the  presence  of  the  rats,  but  not  without  some  disagreeable  conse- 
quences in  the  reflection  that,  should  he  die  in  his  hut.  his  friendly 
auxiliaries  would  probably  be  obliged,  for  their  subsistence,  to  devour 
his  body.  He  was,  in  the  meantime,  able  to  turn  them  to  some  account 
for  his  amusement,  by  teaching  them  to  dance  and  perform  a  number  of 
antic  feats,  such  as  cats  are  not  in  general  supposed  capable  of  learning, 
but  which  they  might  probably  acquire,  if  any  individual  in  civilized  life 
were  able  to  take  the  necessary  pains.  Another  of  his  amusements  was 
hunting  on  foot,  in  which  he  at  length,  through  healthy  exercise  and  habit, 
became  such  a  proficient,  that  he  could  run  down  the  swiftest  goat. 
Some  of  the  young  of  these  animals  he  taught  to  dance  in  company  with 
his  kittens ;  and  he  often  afterward  declared  that  he  never  danced  with  a 
lighter  heart  or  greater  spirit  than  to  the  ound  of  his  own  voice  in  tho 
midst  of  these  dumb  companions. 

Selkirk  was  careful,  during  his  stay  on  the  island,  to  measure  the  lapse 
of  time,  and  distinguish  Sunday  from  the  other  days  of  the  week.  Anxious, 
in  the  midst  of  all  his  indifi"erence  to  society,  that,  in  the  event  of  his 
dying  in  solitude,  his  having  lived  there  might  not  be  unknown  to  his 
fellow-creatures,  he  carved  his  name  upon  a  number  of  trees,  adding  the 
date  of  his  being  left,  and  the  space  of  time  which  had  since  elapsed. 
When  his  knife  was  worn  out,  he  made  new  ones,  and  even  a  cleaver 
for  his  meat,  out  of  some  hoops  which  he  found  on  the  shore.  He  several 
times  saw  vessels  passing  the  island,  but  only  two  cast  anchor  beside  it 
Afraid  of  being  taken  by  the  Spaniards,  who  would  have  consigned  him 
to  hopeless  captivity,  he  endeavored  to  ascertain  whether  these  strangers 
were  so  or  not  before  making  himself  known.  In  both  cases  he  found 
them  enemies ;  and  on  one  of  the  occasions,  having  approached  too  near, 
he  was  observed  and  chased,  and  only  escaped  by  taking  refuge  in  a  tree. 

As  Selkirk  was  only  about  thirty  years  of  age,  and  as  he  found  his 
constitution,  which  was  naturally  good,  improved  and  fortified  in  a  won- 
derful degree  by  his  mode  of  life,  the  only  cause  which  he  could  fear 
as  likely  to  cut  short  his  days,  and  prevent  him  from  reaching  the  old  age 
which  he  might  expect  to  attain  to  in  bis  island,  provided  no  ship  appeared 


iii»j;«ii;<iii^Miii«iiiiiW^I|i4iT;ii»        y  inftin 


iiiii    ■■fxtmiiiMiiin 


,iiii,i,,  j«|iiii>.Hti»)'3; 


ABANDONMENT  OF  SELKIRK. 


t  few  months  wu 
to  this  privation, 
ler  being  restored 
himself  to  take  it 
turnips,  parsnips, 
Iso  radishes.,  and 
pplied  their  place 
ore  uncouth  than 
ch  he  made  new 
gs ;  and  he  never 
lole  period  of  his 
lius  gratified,  and 
9gan  positively  to 
delicious  bowers 
le   moat  pleasant 

nultitudes  of  rats, 
I  asleep.  Against 
aty,  offensive  and 
lis  neighborhood. 
le  was  soon  freed 
aagrceablc  conse- 
hut,  his  friendly 
stence,  to  devour 
I  to  some  account 
form  a  number  of 
pable  of  learning, 
al  in  civilized  life 
1  amusements  was 
exercise  and  habit, 
the  swiftest  goat. 
I  in  company  with 
ver  danced  with  a 
I  own  voice  in  the 

measure  the  lapse 
)  week.  Anxious, 
1  the  event  of  his 
te  unknown  to  his 
r  trees,  adding  the 
ad  since  elapsed, 
nd  even  a  cleaver 
here.  He  several 
t  anchor  beside  it 
ive  consigned  him 
ler  these  strangers 
)th  cases  he  found 
proached  too  near, 
ig  refuge  in  a  tree. 
i  as  he  found  his 
fortified  in  a  won- 
lich  he  could  fear 
aching  the  old  age 
d  no  ship  appeared 


131 


to  carry  hini  off,  was  the  occurreaice  of  some  accident,  such  as  micht  very 
possibly  befall  him  m  his  expeditions  through  the  woods.     Only  one  such 
accident  occurred  during  his  stay  on  the  island:  it  had  nearly  proved 
fatal,  however.     It  has  already  been  mentioned  that,  in  many  parts  of 
the  island,  the  soil  was  loose,  and  undermined  by  holes,  and  the  rock 
weathered  a  most  to  rottenness.     Pursuing  a  goat  once  in  one  of  these 
dangerous  places,  the  bushy  brink  of  a  precipice,  to  which  he  had  fol- 
lowed It,  crumbled  beneath  him,  and  he  and  the  goat  fell  together  from 
a  great  height.     He  lay  stunned  and  senseless  at  the  foot  of  the  rock  for 
a  great  while— not  less  than  twenty-four  hours,  he  thought,  from  the 
change  of  position  in  the  sun— but  the  precise  length  of  time  ho  had  no 
means  of  ascertaining.     When  he  recovered  his  senses,  he  found  the 
goat  lying  dead  beside  him.     With  great  pain  and  difficulty  he  made  his 
way  to  his  hut,  which  was  nearly  a  mile  distant  from  the  spot;  and  for  three 
days  he  lay  on  his  bed,  enduring  much  suffering.     No  permanent  injury, 
however,  had  been  done  him,  and  ho  was  soon  able  to  go  abroad  again 
J<our  years  and  four  months  had  elapsed  since  Selkirk  was  left  by 
Stradlmg  on  the  island  of  Juan  Fernandez.     It  was  now  the  month  of 
January,  1709;  his  reckoning  enabled  him  to  know  the  lapse  of  time,  at 
least  withm  a  week  or  two.     Four  times  had  the  January  summers  of 
Juan  Fernandez  passed  oyer  his  head,  and  already  he  was  looking  forward 
to  the  coming  of  the  fifth  autumn  and  winter.     The  whole  island  was 
now  familiar  to  him,  with  its  appearances    and  productions  at  various 
seasons.     Custom  had  reconciled  him  to  it;  had  almost  brought  him  to 
regard  it  as  his  home ;  had  almost  made  him  cease  to  remember  with 
regret  the  world  from  which  he  was  an  outcast.     Occasionally,  indeed, 
such  thoughts  as  the  poet  has  supposed  must  have  occurred  to  him  oven 
now,  after  so  long  a  period  of  acquaintance  with  solitude. 

"  I  am  monarch  of  all  I  survey. 

My  right  there  in  none  to  dispute : 
From  the  center,  all  round  to  the  sea, 

I  am  lord  of  the  fowl  and  the  brute. 
Oh,  solitude  !  where  are  the  charms, 

That  sages  have  seen  in  thy  face? 
Better  dwell  in  the  midst  of  alarms. 

Than  reign  in  this  horrible  place, 

I  am  out  of  humanity's  reach, 

I  must  finish  my  journey  alone. 
Never  hear  the  sweet  music  of  speech ; 

I  start  at  the  sound  of  my  own. 
The  beasts  thai  roam  over  the  plain. 

My  form  with  indifference  see ; 
They  are  so  unacquainted  with  man, 

Their  tameness  is  shocking  to  me. 

Society,  friendship,  and  love. 

Divinely  bestowed  upon  man. 
Oh,  had  I  the  wings  of  a  dove. 

How  soon  would  I  taste  you  again  I 
My  sorrows  I  then  might  assuage 

In  the  ways  of  religion  and  truth, 
Might  learn  from  the  wisdom  of  age, 

And  be  cheered  by  the  sallies  of  yonth. 


***»-TyiT^  -^t^ite^  ftji^4#»i< 


»i^i*i**iM  ■*M«B:-y'W»'iiw 


122 


ABANDONMENT  OP  SELKIRK. 

Religion  I  what  treiwure  untold, 
Resides  in  that  heavenly  word  I 
More  precious  than  uilver  and  gold, 

Or  all  that  thin  earth  can  afford. 
But  the  Bound  of  the  church-going  bell 

These  yalleys  and  rocks  never  heard, 
Never  sighed  at  the  sound  of  a  knell, 

Or  smiled  when  a  Sabbath  appeared. 

Ye  winds,  that  have  made  me  your  sport, 

Convey  to  this  desolate  shore 
Some  cordial  endearing  report 

Of  a  land  I  shall  visit  no  more. 
My  friends,  do  they  now  and  then  send 

A  wiah  or  a  thought  after  me  t 
Oh !  tell  me  I  yet  have  a  friend. 

Though  a  friend  I  am  never  to  see  I 

How  fleet  is  a  glance  of  the  mind! 

Compared  with  the  speed  of  its  flight. 
The  tempest  itself  lags  behind, 

And  the  8wift-win;?ed  arrows  of  light! 
When  I  think  of  my  own  native  land. 

In  a  moment  I  seem  to  be  there  ; 
But,  alas  1  recollection  at  hand 

Soon  hurries  me  back  to  despair. 

But  the  sea-fowl  is  gone  to  her  nest. 

The  beast  is  laid  down  in  his  lair  ; 
Even  here  is  a  seasoR  of  rest, 

And  I  to  my  cabin  repair. 
There's  mercy  in  every  place : 

And  mercy,  encouraging  thought  I 
Gives  even  affliction  a  giace. 

And  reconciles  man  to  his  lot." 

hut  '"  **^«J«.f/' f^Xwd  had  gained  a  supreme  influence  over  h.m: 

restoration  «>««"'?•  ^j  .  ,,  <„ker  chances  had  failed,  con- 

.ird^Se°^p£i>!^;rt4mge.ce^^^^^^^^^^ 

aSd  r^^/o"ffi  ^SiC!."?woi5'Le  been  dialppoimed. 


■ty'-gr^ii|;^%'iiJ,-?.'{ifflB?i!S^aa^^ 


ABANDONMENT  OF  SELKIRK. 


123 


1 
1. 

1. 
Kirt, 


id 


jht, 

ghtl 
I. 


r; 


Iven  the  idea  of  dying 
found  some  day,  at  the 
bring  to  his  moldering 
lly.  The  religious  im- 
le  influence  over  him; 
n  soul,  the  solitary  man, 
1  tenderhearted.  How 
many  years  before,  had 
jister-in-law,  and  his  old 
iVhether  the  change  of 
1  we  are  about  to  relate 
m  his  solitude,  and  his 

chances  had  failed,  con- 
s  situation  would  reach 
ue  Ports,  and  that  some 
ly  a  passing  visit  to  Juan 
te.  If  Selkirk,  however, 
have  been  disappointed. 


The  Cinque  Ports  never  reached  England.  Old,  crank,  and  worm-eaten, 
she  fuiuuiorcd  oft"  tlio  coast  of  Barbacoa  not  long  after  setting  sail  from 
Juan  Fernandez.  Out  of  the  wliole  crew,  only  Captain  Stradiing  and 
six  or  seven  of  his  men  were  saved ;  and  these  were  long  detained 
pristHK^rs  among  tiio  Spaniards  at  Lima.  They  were  in  captivity  during 
the  wimie  time  of  Selkirk's  residence  on  his  island;  and  long  after  he 
had  returned  to  England,  most  of  them  wore  captives  still.  Stradiing  at 
lengtii  obtained  his  liberty,  but  his  ultimate  fate  was  never  known. 

Deliverance  was  to  roach  Selkirk  from  another  quarter.  Dampier  who 
had  jtarted  company  with  the  Cinque  Ports,  about  five  months  bclbre 
Selkirk  had  been  abandoned  by  Stradiing,  had  continued  his  voyage 
through  the  South  Seas  in  search  of  Spanish  vessels.  Various  c ucccss 
had  attended  him  for  several  months  ;  a  considerable  portion  of  his  crew 
forsook  him ;  and,  at  length,  crossing  the  Pacific  to  the  East  Indies,  he 
and  his  companions  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Dutch,  who  seized  his  ship 
and  all  that  he  had.  The  expedition  planned  by  him,  had  turned  out  a 
total  failure.  "  Dampier  returned  naked  to  his  owners,  with  a  melancholy 
relation  of  his  misfortunes,  occasioned  chiefly  by  his  own  strange  temper, 
which  was  so  self-sufficient  and  overbearing,  that  few  or  none  of  his 
officers  could  endure  it.  Even  in  this  distress  he  was  received  as  an 
eminent  man,  notwithstanding  his  failings  ;  and  was  introduced  to  Queen 
Anne,  having  the  honor  to  kiss  her  hand,  and  to  give  her  majesty  some 
account  of  the  dangers  he  had  undergone.  The  merchants  were  so  sen- 
sible of  his  want  of  conduct,  that  they  resolved  never  to  trust  him  any 
more  with  a  command," 

The  bad  success  of  Dampier's  expedition,  however,  did  not  prevent 
the  fitting  out  of  another  with  similar  designs  against  the  Spaniards  of 
the  South  Seas ;  and  about  the  middle  of  tho  year  170d,  two  vessels,  the 
Duke  and  the  Ducheaa,  the  property  of  Bristol  merchants,  set  sail  for  the 
Spanish  main,  having,  in  all,  three  hundred  and  thirty-three  men  on  board. 
The  Duke,  a  vessel  of  thirty  guns,  was  commanded  by  Captain  Woodes 
Rogers,  a  very  able  and  prudent  man;  the  Duchess,  of  twenty-six  guns, 
by  Captain  Stephen  Courtney.  Poor  Dampier,  who  could  not  be  intrusted 
with  the  command,  and  whose  poverty  obliged  him  to  accept  some  occu- 
pation of  the  same  kind  as  that  which  he  had  all  his  life  been  accustomed 
to,  was  glad  to  sail  in  the  Duke  in  the  capacity  of  pilot  to  the  expedition. 
Great  care  had  been  taken  in  the  manning  of  both  vessels,  and  regulations 
had  been  drawn  up  before  sailing,  to  prevent  disputes. 

Captain  Rogers,  whose  proceedings  during  the  voyage  it  is  not  neces- 
sary for  us  to  detail,  pursued  the  same  track  as  the  former  expedition; 
and  after  cruising  along  the  Brazilian  coast,  rounded  Cape  Horn  in  the 
month  of  December  1708,  bearing  for  Juan  Fernandez,  to  take  in  water. 
The  crews  came  in  sight  of  the  island  on  the  thirty-first  of  January,  1709, 
little  anticipating  the  surprise  which  awaited  them.  What  occurred  as 
they  approached,  is  thus  related  by  Captain  Rogers  himself  in  the  account 
which  he  published  of  the  voyage:— "About  two  o'clock,  p.  m.,  on  the 
thirty-first  of  January,  we  hoisted  our  pinnace  out :  Captain  Dover,  (second 
captain  of  the  Duke,)  with  the  boat's  crew,  went  in  her  to  go  ashore, 
though  we  could  not  be  less  than  four  leagues  off".  As  soon  as  the  pinnace 
was  gone,  I  went  on  board  the  Duchess,  the  crew  of  which  weio  astonished 
at  our  boat  attempting  to  go  on  shore  at  so  great  a  distance  from  land : 
it  was  against  rny  inclination,  but  to  oblige  Captain  Dover,  I  consented  to 
let  her  go.  As  soon  as  it  was  dark,  we  saw  a  light  ashore  ;  our  boat  was 
then  about  a  league  from  the  island.     She  stopped,  and  bore  away  again 


-^?■'ii\^'f&,'~■'^>:  Ve*3*-.'i 


-■^--^■■■'^'*'y,   -'•j,''tf\H.,mi 


IM 


ABANDONMENT  OP  HKLKIRK. 


n 


•i' 


for  thn  ship  at  noon  an  iihfi  law  tho  lif^lit.  Wn  put  nut  li^hta  for  thn  Iwut, 
though  noiiin  wnro  of  opiiiion  that  tlio  lif;ht  wn  vaw  wum  not  on  tlio  iNlunil, 
but  tli<<  l)oat*M  li^tit  ;  but  aa  iii{;ht  caiiin  on,  it  appcaiod  too  lar);o  for  that. 
W«  firfd  onn  «|UBrtffr-(ie('k  g»n  aiid  Rnvnral  iiiunkntH,  Hhowinf;  li^htH  io 
our  mi/.Kcn  and  forr-nhrouda,  that  our  Itoat  ini({ht  Hnd  un,  while  wo  plird 
in  thn  leo  of  the  ialand.  About  two  in  the  niornin^  our  iMiat  rnnn*  on 
board  thn  Ducheaa:  wo  waro  )(lnd  it  got  wnll  ofl',  bccauoo  it  bn^^nn  to  blow. 
We  wftra  oil  ronvincnd  that  thu  li^ht  waa  on  thn  ahore,  and  dcsif^ned  to 
make  our  ahipa  ready  to  enff^n*^,  aa  wo  Ijolinved  it  to  come  from  French 
ahipa  at  anchor,  and  that  wo  niuat  either  H){ht  them  or  want  water. 

"The  next  day  wo  ittood  alon((  tho  Houtli  end  of  the  ialnnd,  in  order  to 
lay  in, with  the  first  Houtheriy  wind,  whicii  Captain  Dotiipier  tohi  (ik 
generally  blowa  there  all  day  long.  In  the  niornini;,  beinf;  puHt  the  iMiund, 
wo  tacked,  to  lay  it  in  cIoho  aboard  tho  land  ;  ami  about  ten  oMock,  ran 
close  aboard  tho  laiivH  that  beginfi  to  mako  the  north-east  side.  Tlie  flaws 
cume  heavy  oft'  the  aiioro,  and  we  were  forced  to  rcof  our  topsails  when 
we  opened  tho  middle  bay,  where  we  expected  to  find  the  enemy,  but 
saw  all  clear,  and  no  ships  in  that  nor  the  other  bay.  We  gues.^ed  thoro 
liad  been  ships  there,  but  that  they  had  gon«  away  on  sight  of  uk.  We 
sent  our  yawl  ashore  about  noon  with  Captain  Dover,  Mr.  Fry,  nnd  six 
men,  all  armed:  meanwhile  we  and  tho  Duchess  kept  turning  to  get  in. 
Our  boat  did  not  return,  so  we  iont  our  pinnace,  with  the  men  armed,  to 
gee  what  was  the  occasion  of  the  yawPs  stay ;  for  we  were  afruid  that 
the  Spaniards  had  a  garrison  there,  and  might  have  seized  it.  Wo  put 
out  a  signal  for  our  boat,  and  the  Duchess  showed  a  French  Knsign. 
Immediately  our  pinnace  returned  from  the  shore,  and  brought  abun- 
dance  of  crawfish,  with  a  man  clothed  in  goat-skins,  wiio  looked  wilder 
than  the  first  owners  of  them.'' 

Selkirk,  tho  man  whose  appearance  caused  such  surprise,  had  seen 
the  aails  of  the  vessels  at  a  distance,  but  had  avoided  making  any  signals 
which  could  indicate  his  presence  till  he  ascertained  them  to  be  English. 
As  soon  a.s  he  had  aPiuied  himself  on  this  point,  his  joy  was  extreme. 
When  night  came  on .  he  iiindled  a  large  fire  on  the  beach,  to  inform  the 
Btrangers  that  a  human  bf.ing  was  there.  It  was  this  signal  which  had 
alarmed  the  crews  oflhe  vessels,  and  deterred  the  pinnace  from  landing. 
During  the  night,  hope  having  bari:hcd  all  desire  of  sleep,  he  employed 
himself  in  killing  goats,  and  preparing  a  feast  of  fresh  meat  for  those  whom 
he  expected  to  be  his  deliverers.  In  the  morning  he  found  that  the 
vessels  had  removed  to  a  greater  distance,  but  ere  long  ho  saw  the  boat 
leave  the  side  of  one  of  them  and  approach  the  shore.  Selkirk  ran  joy- 
fully  to  meet  his  countrymen,  waving  a  linen  rag  to  attract  their  attention ; 
and  having  pointed  out  to  them  a  proper  landing-place,  soon  had  the 
satisfaction  of  clssping  them  in  his  arms.  Joy  at  fir^t  deprived  him  of 
that  imperfect  power  of  utterance  which  solitude  had  left  him,  but  in  a 
little  time  he  was  able  to  offer  and  receive  explanations.  Dover,  the  second 
captain,  Fry,  the  lieutenant,  and  the  rest  of  the  boat  party,  af\er  partaking 
of  Selkirk's  hospitality,  invited  him  on  board  ;  but  so  little  eager  was  he 
to  leave  his  solitude,  that  he  was  not  prevailed  upon  to  do  so  till  assured 
that  Dumpier  had  no  situation  of  command  in  the  expedition — his  former 
experience  of  Dampier's  mode  of  conducting  a  ship  having  given  him  no 
great  confidence  in  him.  When  he  was  told  that  Dampier  was  only  pilot 
on  board,  he  made  no  further  objection.  He  was  then,  as  we  have  seen, 
brought  on  board  the  Duke,  along  with  his  principal  effects  ;  and  on  the 
same  day,  by  tho  recommendation  of  Dampier,  who  said  he  had  been  tho 


'^^s^ss^^^tjssJEGT.v^s^sr 


T 


It  liRhtH  for  tho  lioHt, 
uH  not  on  tli«  inlaiHl, 
nil  loo  lttrj»«'  for  lliat. 
tH,  HliowiiiK  I'Kl't"  '" 
1  UK,  whilu  wti  plird 
ij{  our  boat  cnnu'  on 
lUHc  it  bojjnn  to  blow, 
ore,  iiml  jlrninnoil  to 
o  con>«  from  Fren<  li 
i)r  want  wator. 
\w  iMlnnd,  in  ordnr  to 
lin    Unmi»i«'r  told  (ih 
bcinR  paHt  the  i»lund, 
nlK)ul  ten  o'clock,  ran 
iiant  Hide.     The  flnwB 
ccf  our  toimnilH  v\lion 
}  find  the  enemy,  but 
f.     Wo  ^uc!<.^e(l  there 
f  on  wiRht  of  »iH-     We 
ver,  Mr.  Fry,  imd  flix 
tept  turning  ti>  Kct  in. 
rith  the  men  armed,  to 
r  wo  were  afraid  that 
ve  Bcized  it.     We  put 
wed  a  Frencli   Knsign. 
re,  and  brought  abun- 
ns,  wlio  looiied  wilder 

ich  surprise,  had  seen 
led  making  any  signals 
cd  them  to  bo  English. 
,  his  joy  was  extreme, 
le  beach,  to  inform  the 
this  signal  which  had 
)  pinnace  from  landing, 
lof  sleep,  he  employed 
sh  meat  for  those  whom 
ning  he  found  that  the 
B  long  he  saw  the  boat 
lore.     Selkirk  ran  joy- 
,  attract  their  attention ; 
ig-place,  soon  had  the 
firtii  deprived  him  of 
had  left  him,  but  in  a 
)ns.     Dover,  the  second 
party,  after  partaking 
I  80  little  eager  was  he 
i)on  to  do  so  till  assured 
expedition — his  former 
lip  having  given  him  no 
Dampier  was  only  pilot 
,  then,  as  we  have  seen. 
ipal  effects  ;  and  on  the 
lo  said  he  had  been  tho 


ABANDONMENT  OP  SELKIRK. 


125 


best  man  in  the  ('inqun  Ports,  h<!  wan  engaged  h  a  iuitlr.  *'  At  his  first 
coming  on  lM)ar(i  un,''  snys  (/aptain  Rogers,  "ho  had  su  much  for^^ot  Ida 
language,  for  want  <)f  use,  that  svo  could  Hcarceiy  understand  hint,  for  ho 
•eeinod  to  speak  I  *  worda  by  halvos.  Wo  otVered  him  a  dram,  but  he 
would  not  tour!)  i<  -wing  drank  nothing  but  water  since  he  ramo  on  tho 
ialand  ;  and  it  wn       >ine  time  Ix^fore  he  could  relish  our  victuals." 

For  a  fortnight  the  two  vessels  remained  at  Juan  Fernandez  refitting, 
recruiting  their  sick,  and  taking  in  water  and  provisions.  In  this  they 
wore  greatly  asHinted  by  Selkirk,  or  tho  '^governor,''  as  they  used  to  call 
him  ;  who,  beside  giving  them  all  tho  information  necessary  respecting 
the  island,  made  it  a  daily  practice  to  catch  several  goats  for  the  use  of 
tho  sick.  •'  He  took  them,"  says  Rogers,  *»  by  speed  of  foot  ;  for  his  way 
of  living,  and  continual  exercise  of  walking  and  running,  cleared  him  of 
ail  gross  humors,  so  that  ho  ran  with  wonderful  swillnosa  through  the 
woods,  and  up  the  rocks  and  hills.  We  had  a  bulldog,  which  we  sent 
with  several  of  our  nimblest  runners  to  help  lim  in  catching  goats;  but 
he  distanced  and  tired  both  the  dog  and  the  men,  caught  the  goats,  and 
brought  them  to  us  on  his  back.  Being  forced  to  shift  without  shoes,  his 
feet  had  become  so  hard,  that  he  ran  everywhere  without  annoynnce  ; 
and  it  was  some  time  before  he  could  wear  shoes  after  wo  found  him  ; 
for,  not  being  used  to  any  for  so  long,  his  feet  swelled  when  ho  came  first 
to  use  thcia  again.''  Beside  giving  these  particulars,  Captain  Rogers 
details  at  some  length  Selkirk's  modo  of  life  during  tho  four  years  and 
four  months  he  had  spent  on  tho  island,  concluding — 

"  We  may  perceive,  by  this  story,  tho  truth  of  the  maxim,  that  noces* 
•ity  is  the  mother  of  invention,  since  this  man  found  means  to  supply  his 
wants  in  a  very  natural  manner,  so  as  to  maintain  his  life,  though  not  so 
conveniently,  yet  as  etfectually  as  wo  are  able  to  do  with  thu  help  of  our 
arts  and  society.  It  may  likewise  instruct  us  how  much  a  plain  and 
temperate  way  of  living  conduces  to  tho  health  cf  the  body  and  the  vigor 
of  the  mind,  both  which  we  are  apt  to  destroy  by  excess  and  plenty, 
especially  of  strong  liquor,  and  the  variety  as  well  as  the  nature  of  our 
meat  and  drink  ;  for  this  man,  when  he  came  back  to  our  ordinary  method 
of  diet  and  life,  though  he  was  sober  enough,  lost  much  of  his  strength 
and  agility.  But  these  reflections  are  more  proper  for  a  philosopher  and 
divine  than  a  mariner." 

In  the  middle  of  February,  1709,  the  Duke  and  Duchess  set  sail  from 
the  island,  to  cruise  along  the  western  coast  of  America  in  quest  of  prizes, 
in  which  they  were  very  successful,  taking  two  prizes  in  a  very  short 
time.  The  second  of  these  was  fitted  out  a.i  a  privateer,  to  sail  in  company 
with  the  Duke  and  Duchess  ;  and  Selkirk  was  appointed  to  command  her. 
During  the  remainder  of  the  expedition,  he  acted  in  a  prominent  capacity, 
under  Rogers,  in  the  various  enterprises,  both  on  sea  and  on  shore,  in  which 
the  little  fleet  engaged.  The  occupation  was  certainly  one  by  no  means 
calculated  to  give  play  to  the  more  amiable  qualities  of  human  nature; 
but  even  in  the  sacking  of  coast  towns,  and  expeditions  of  plunder  into 
the  interior,  which  for  months  formed  his  chief  employment,  our  hero 
teems  to  have  mingled  humanity  in  as  high  a  proportion  as  possible 
with  the  execution  of  his  duty.  The  expedition  of  Rogers  was  as  re- 
markable for  steadiness,  resolution,  and  success,  as  that  of  Dampier's 
had  been  for  quarreling  and  indecision ;  and  it  excites  a  curious  feeling 
of  surprise  when  we  learn  that  the  church  of  England  service  was  regu- 
larly read  on  the  quaiter-decks  of  these  piratical  vessels,  and  all  hands 
piped  to  prayers  before  everj  action     Selkirk  proved  himself,  by  his 


'^TTSW^-.i 


nHtp^WftH   ••^Mbai^w, 


126 


ABANDONMENT  OF  SELKIRK. 


f( 


steadiness,  decent  manners,  and  religious  turn  of  mind,  a  most  appropriate 
meml  er  of  the  corps  commanded  by  Rogers,  and  was  accordingly  'nuch 
valued  by  his  superiors.  At  the  beginning  of  the  ensuing  year,  the  ves- 
sels began  their  voyage  across  the  Pacific,  with  the  design  of  returning 
by  ihe  East  Indies^  and  in  this  part  of  the  enterprise  Selkirk  acted  as 
sailing-master.  They  did  not,  however,  reach  England  till  October,  171 1, 
when  Selkirk  had  been  absent  from  his  country  for  eight  years.  Of  the 
enormous  sum  of  £170,000  which  Rogers  had  realised  by  plundering  the 
enemy,  Selkirk  seems  to  have  shared  to  .the  amount  of  about  eight 
hundred  pounds. 

His  singular  history  was  soon  made  known  to  the  public;  and  imme- 
diately after  iiis  arrival  in  London,  he  became  an  object  of  curiosity  not 
only  to  the  people  at  large,  but  to  those  elevated  by  rank  and  learning. 
Sir  Richard  Steele,  some  time  after,  devoted  to  him  an  article  in  the 
paper  entitled  "The  EnglJdhman,"  in  which  he  tells  the  reader  that,  as 
Selkirk  is  a  man  of  good  sense,  it  is  a  matter  of  great  curiosity  to  hear 
him  give  an  account  of  the  different  revolutions  of  his  mind  during  the 
term  of  his  solitude.  "When  I  first  saw  him,"  continues  this  writer,  "I 
thought  if  I  had  not  been  let  into  his  character  and  story,  I  could  have 
discovered  that  he  had  been  much  separated  from  company,  from  his 
aspect  and  gesture;  there  was  a  strong  but  cheerful  seriousness  in  his 
look,  and  a  certain  disregard  of  the  ordinary  things  about  him,  as  if  he 
had  been  sunk  in  thought.  When  the  ship  which  brought  him  off  the 
island  came  in,  he  received  them  with  the  greatest  ii.difference  with  re- 
lation to  the  prospect  of  going  off  with  them,  but  with  great  satisfaction 
in  an  opportunity  to  refresh  and  help  them.  The  man  frequently  be- 
wailed his  return  to  the  world,  which  could  not,  he  said,  with  all  its 
enjoyments,  restore  him  to  the  tranquillity  of  his  solitude.  '  I  am  now 
worth  eight  hundred  pounds,^  he  said, '  but  shall  never  be  so  happy  as 
when  I  was  not  worth  a  farthing.'  Though  I  had  frequently  conversed 
with  him,  after  a  few  months'  absence  he  met  me  in  the  street,  and 
though  he  spoke  to  me,  I  could  not  recollect  that  I  had  seen  him  •.familiar 
converse  in  this  town  had  taken  off  the  loneliness  of  his  aspect,  and  quite 
altered  the  air  of  his  face?^  What  makes  this  latter  circumstance  the 
more  remarkable  is,  the  fact  of  nearly  three  years  having  elapsed  between 
his  restoration  to  society  and  the  time  when  Sir  Richard  Steele  first  saw 
him. 

Beside  Sir  Richard  Steele's  paper,  various  short  accounts  of  Selkirk's 
adventures  appeared  within  a  year  or  two  after  his  return  to  England. 
Defoe's  romance  of  Robinson  Crusoe  was  not  published  till  the  year  1719, 
when  the  original  facts  on  which  it  was  founded  must  have  been  nearly 
forgotten.  There  is  no  record  of  any  interview  having  taken  place 
between  Selkirk  and  Defoe,  so  that  it  cannot  be  decided  whether  Defoa 
learnt  our  hero's  story  from  his  own  mouth,  or  from  such  narratives  as 
those  published  by  Steele  and  others.  v 

It  was  a  fine  Sunday  morning  in  the  spring  of  1712 ;  the  kirk  bells  of 
Largo  had  for  some  time  ceased  ringing,  and  the  parishioners  were  as- 
sembled in  church,  when  a  handsomely  dressed  stranger  knocked  at  the 
door  of  old  John  Selkirk's  dwelling.  No  one  was  within,  and  the 
stranger  bent  his  steps  toward  the  parish  church.  He  entered,  and  sat 
down  in  a  pew  near  the  door.  His  late  entrance,  the  fact  of  his  being  a 
stranger,  and  his  fine  gold-laced  clothes,  attracted  attention  to  him,  and 
divided  the  interest  of  the  congregation  with  the  clergyman's  sermon. 
The  service  proceeded:  not  far  from  the  place  where  the  stranger  had 


*  ^iB^i  ^* II 


"S?^* 

^ 


[RK. 

fmind,  a  most  appropriate 
id  was  accordingly  'nuch 
he  ensuing  year,  the  ves- 
i  the  design  of  returning 
erprise  Selkirk  acted  as 
Ingland  till  October,  1711, 
for  eight  years.  Of  the 
•ealised  by  plundering  the 
)  amount  of  about  eight 

to  the  public;  and  imme- 
an  object  of  curiosity  not 
ed  by  rank  and  learning, 
to  him  an  article  in  the 
B  tells  the  reader  that,  as 
jf  great  curiosity  to  hear 
IS  of  his  mind  during  the 
'  continues  this  writer,  "  I 
r  and  story,  I  could  have 
from  company, /rowi  his 
beerful  seriousness  in  his 
hings  about  him,  as  if  he 
rhich  brought  him  off  the 
atest  ii  difference  with  re- 
mt  with  great  satisfaction 
The  man  frequently  be- 
not,  he  said,  with  all  its 
his  solitude.     '  I  am  now 
hall  never  be  so  happy  as 
had  frequently  conversed 
let  me  in  the  street,  and 
at  I  had  seen  h\m:  familiar 
as  of  Ms  aspect,  and  quite 
lis  latter  circumstance  the 
irs  having  elapsed  between 
ir  Richard  Steele  first  saw 

short  accounts  of  Selkirk's 
er  his  return  to  England, 
mblished  till  the  year  1719, 
led  must  have  been  nearly 
rview  having  taken  place 
be  decided  whether  Defoe 
or  from  such  narratives  aa 

of  1712;  the  kirk  bells  of 
1  the  parishioners  were  as- 
3d  stranger  knocked  at  the 
one  was  within,  and  the 
irch.  He  entered,  and  sat 
nee,  the  fact  of  his  being  a 
acted  attention  to  him,  and 
I  the  clergyman's  sermon. 
ice  where  the  stranger  had 


ABANDONMENT  OF  SELKIRK. 


127 


stationed  himself,  was  the  pew  where  old  John  Selkirk,  his  wife,  and 
others  of  the  family  were  sitting,  and  toward  this  pew  the  stranger  con- 
tinued to  direct  his  eyes.  The  occupants  of  the  pew  returned  the  glance 
as  discreetly  as  they  could ;  old  Mrs.  Selkirk  especially  several  times 
eyed  the  stranger  with  curiosity  over  her  Bible.  At  length  the  glances 
became  a  fixed  gaze;  the  old  woman's  face  grew  pale;  and  crying,  "It's 
Sandie ! — it's  Sandie !"  she  tottered  up  to  the  stranger,  and  flung  herself 
into  his  arms.  The  clergyman  stopped ;  the  congregation  rose  in  a  bustle 
of  excitement,  and  quiet  was  not  lestored  until  the  whole  Selkirk  family 
left  the  church  in  a  body,  to  give  full  scope  at  home  to  their  mutual 
congratulations  and  inquiries. 

"For  a  few  days,"  says  his  biographer,  Mr.  Howell,  who  ascertained 
the  particulars  by  industrious  inquiry,  "  Selkirk  was  happy  in  the  company 
of  his  parents  and  friends;  but  from  long  habit,  he  soon  felt  averse  to 
mixing  in  society,  and  was  most  happy  when  alone.  For  days  his  relations 
never  saw  his  face  from  the  dawn  until  late  in  the  evening,  when  lie 
returned  to  bed.  It  was  his  custom  to  go  out  in  the  morning,  carrying 
with  him  provisions  for  the  day;  then  would  he  wander  and  meditate 
alone  through  the  secluded  and  solitary  valley  of  Keil's  Den.  The  romantic 
beauties  of  the  place,  afhd,  above  all,  the  stillness  that  reigned  there, 
reminded  him  of  his  beloved  island,  which  he  never  thought  of  but  with 
regret  for  having  left  it.  When  evening  forced  him  to  return  to  the  haunts 
of  men,  he  appeared  to  do  so  with  reluctance;  for  he  immediately  retired 
to  his  room,  up  stairs,  in  his  brother's  house,  where  he  resided.  Here 
he  was  accustomed  to  amuse  himself  with  two  cats  that  belonged  to  his 
brother,  which  he  taught,  in  imitation  of  a  part  of  his  occupations  on  his 
solitary  island,  to  dance  and  perform  many  little  feats.  They  were  ex- 
tremely fond  of  him,  and  used  to  watch  his  return.  He  often  said  to  his 
friends,  no  doubt  thinking  of  himself  in  his  youth,  that  'were  children  as 
docile  and  obedient,  parents  would  all  be  happy  in  them.'  But  poor 
Selkirk  himself  was  now  far  from  being  happy,  for  his  relations  often 
found  him  in  tears.  Attached  to  his  father's  house  was  a  piece  of  ground, 
occupied  as  a  garden,  which  rose  in  a  considerable  acclivity  backward : 
here,  on  the  top  of  the  eminence,  soon  after  his  arrival  in  Largo,  he  con- 
structed a  sort  of  cave,  commanding  an  extensive  and  delightful  view  of 
the  Forth  and  its  shores.  In  fits  of  musing  meditation,  he  was  wont  to 
sit  here  in  bad  weather,  and  even  at  other  times,  and  to  bewail  his  ever 
having  left  his  island.  This  recluse  and  unnatural  propensity,  as  it 
appeared  to  them,  was  cause  of  great  grief  to  his  parents,  who  often 
remonstrated  with  him,  nnd  endeavored  to  raise  his  spirits.  But  their  efforts 
were  made  in  vain;  and  he  sometimes  broke  out  before  them  in  a  passion 
of  grief,  and  exclaimed,  'Oh  my  beloved  island!  I  wish  I  had  never  left 
thee!  I  never  before  was  the  man  I  was  on  thee;  I  have  not  been  such 
since  I  left  thee;  and  I  fear  never  can  be  again!'  Having  plenty  of  money, 
he  purchased  a  boat  for  himself,  and  often,  when  the  weather  would  permit, 
he  made  little  excursions,  but  always  alone;  and  day  after  day  he  spent 
in  fishing  in  the  beautiful  Bay  of  Largo,  or  at  Kingscreig  Point,  where 
he  would  loiter  till  evening  among  the  romantic  cliffs  catching  lobsters — 
his  favorite  amusement,  as  they  reminded  him  of  the  crawfish  of  Juan 
Fernandez.     The  rock  to  which  he  moored  his  boat  is  still  shown." 

Selkirk  at  length  resolved  to  abandon  this  mode  of  life;  and  the  exe- 
cution of  his  design  was  probably  hastened  by  an  attachment  he  had  formed 
to  a  young  girl  named  Sophia  Bruce^  whom  he  often  met,  tending  her 
mother's  cow.  in  his  wanderings  through  Keil's  Den.    "  He  never,"  says 


J 


iM!<aH>««!l!WBtMaM>MMnH 


128 


ABANDONMENT  OP  SELKIRK. 


Mr.  Howell,  "mentioned  the  attachmentto  his  friends;  for  he  felt  ashamed, 
after  his  discourses  to  them,  and  the  profession  he  had  made  of  dislike 
to  human  society,  to  acknowledge  that  he  was  on  the  point  of  marrying. 
BuUomarry  he  was  determined,  though  as  firmly  resolved  not  to  remam 
at  home  to  be  the  subject  of  their  jests.  He  soon  persuaded  he  "b  ect 
Sf  his  choice  to  elope  with  him,  and  bid  adieu  to  the  romant  c  glen. 
Without  the  knowledge  of  their  parents,  they  both  set  out  tor  London. 
He  left  his  chest  and  all  his  clothes  behind;  nor  did  he  ever  claim  them 
again;  and  his  friends  knew  nothing  and  heard  nothing  of  h™  for  muij 
years.  At  the  time  of  this  sudden  departure  from  Largo,  Selkirk  wa» 
neorlv  forty  years  of  age.  .  .t  ., .       • 

In  L.-^ndon  Selkirk  seems  to  have  lived  some  time.     Nothing,  how- 
ever, is  known  of  his  movements  till  1717,,  in  which  year  we  find  h.m 
executing  a  will  and   power  of  attorney,  by  the  haiids  of  a  notary  m 
Wapping,in  favor  of  Sophia  Bruce,  the  object  of  his  affection;  being 
then  on  the  point  of  again  going  to  sea.     The  only  °»her  known  particulars 
respecting  Selkirk's  life  came  to  light  in  the  year  1^24,  when  a  ga  ly^ 
dressed  lady,  named  Frances  Candis,  presented  herself  at  Largo  as  the 
widow  of  Alexander  Selkirk,  and  claimed  tlie  property  which  had  been 
left  him  by  his  father,  including  the  house  of  Craggy  Wall,  mentioned  in 
the  forecome  will.     She  produced  documents  which  proved  her  marriage 
with  SefkTkl  a  will,  also,  dated  the  twelfth  of  December  H^O,  entu  ing 
her  to  the  property;  and  lastly,  an  attestation  of  the  death  of  her  husband, 
Lieutenant  Alexander  Selkirk,  on  board  his  majesty's  ship  Weymouth  in 
the  year  1723.     From  the  second  of  these  documents,  it  is  inferred  that 
Sophia  Bruce  had  died  some  time  between  1717,  when  the  first  will  was 
executed  in  her  favor,  and  1720,  when  the  second  w'»/^«  Jrawn  up  in 
favor  of  Frances  Candis.     Having  had  her  claims  adjusted,  Selkirk  s 
widow  took  her  departure  from  Largo  after  a  few  days.     So  far  as  can  Imj 
ascertained,  Selkirk  left  no  children  either  by  her  or  by  Sophia  Bruce. 
The  house  in  which  Selkirk  lived,  during  his  last  residence  at  Largo,  is 
still  occupied  by  \\w  descendants  of  his  brother  John,  who  preserve  his 
chest  and  his  coc...n«t  shell  cup.     His  flip-can  exists  m  the  possession 
of  another  relation,  and  his  gun  has  for  some  years  been  the  property  of 
Major  Lumsden  of  Lathallan,  near  Largo.    "The  A'P-can,"  says  Mr. 
Howell,  "holds  about  a  Scottish  pint,  [two  quarts,]  and  is  made  of  brown 
stoneware,  glazed.     On  it  is  the  following  inscription  and  posy-^ailors 
being  in  aU  ages  notoriously  addicted  to  inscribing  rhymes  on  such 

articles: —  

•  Alexander  Selkirk,  this  is  my  one. 

When  you  take  me  on  board  of  Bhip, 
Pray  fill  me  full  with  punch  or  flip. 

The  handle  of  the  jug  is  gone;  its  mouth  is  broken  in  two  places;  and 
a  crack  in  the  stoneware  is  patched  with  pitch,  probably  put  on  by  Selkirk  s 

own  hands."  , .  .  ,      ,  -j  .«j  —  - 

The  island  of  Juan  Fernandez,  which  may  also  be  considered  as  a 
relic  of  Alexander  Selkirk,  has  passed  through  the  hands  of  a  succession 
of  owners  since  he  quitted  it.  For  upward  of  thirty  years  after  his 
departure  it  remained  in  the  condition  in  which  he  had  >eft  it— an  uninhabi- 
ted island,  where  ships,  sailing  along  the  western  coast  of  South  America, 
occasionally  put  in  for  water  and  fresh  victuals.  Once  or  twice,  indeed, 
the  chances  of  shipwreck  gave  it  one  or  two  inhabitants,  who  did  not 
remain  long.    In  17B0,  the  Spaniards  again  formed  a  aetUement  on  it. 


.  ->;VS  i=;aii.-i*>I>-. 


m^T 


?Tiffr!^SS^ 


ABANDONMENT  OF  SELKIRK. 


129 


for  he  felt  ashamed, 
ad  made  of  diBlike 
point  of  marrying, 
olved  not  to  remain 
erauaded  'he  object 
the  romantic  glen, 
let  out  for  London, 
he  ever  claim  them 
ins  of  him  for  many 
Largo,  Selkirk  wai 

me.    Nothing,  how- 
;h  year  we  find  him 
ands  of  a  notary  in 
his  affection;  bemg 
tier  known  particulars 
1724,  when  a  gaily- 
jrself  at  Largo  as  the 
perty  which  had  been 
ty  Wall,  mentioned  m 
\  proved  her  marriage 
ember  1720,  entitlmg 
death  of  her  husband, 
y's  ship  Weymouth  m 
ents,  it  is  inferred  that 
when  the  first  will  was 
will  was  drawn  up  in 
IS  adjusted,  Selkirk's 
lays.     So  far  as  can  be 
or  by  Sophia  Bruce. 
[  residence  at  Largo,  is 
ohn,  who  preserve  his 
xists  in  the  possession 
[3  been  the  property  of 
U  flip-can,"  says  Mr. 
'  and  is  made  of  brown 
lion  and  posy-flailoni 
ibing  rhymes  on  auch 


khip, 
lip? 

Len  in  two  places;  and 
[ably  put  on  by  Selkirk'" 

„  be  considered  as  a 
I  hands  of  a  succession 
I  thirty  years  after  his 
Lad  left  it— an  uninhabi- 
toast  of  South  America, 
fOnce  or  twice,  indeed, 
Lhabitants,  who  did  not 
aed  a  settlement  on  it. 


and  built  a  fort.  Both  were  destroyed  by  an  earthquake  in  the  following 
year;  but  another  town  was  built  at  a  greater  distance  from  the  shore. 
It  continued  to  be  inhabited  for  about  twenty  years,  but  was  then  aban> 
doned,  as  the  former  Spanish  settlement  in  the  island  had  been.  Early 
in  the  present  century,  the  Chilian  government  began  to  use  Juan  Fer- 
nandez as  a  penal  settlement,  transporting  their  state  criminals  to  it;  but 
in  consequence  of  the  expense,  it  was  soon  given  up;  and  when  Lord 
Cochrane  visited  the  island  in  1823,  there  were  but  four  men  stationed 
on  it,  apparently  in  charge  of  some  cattle.  The  following  description  is 
given  of  the  island  by  a  lady  who  accompanied  Lord  Cochrane  and  a 
party  on  shore : — "  The  island  is  the  most  picturesque  I  ever  saw^  being 
composed  of  high  perpendicular  rocks,  wooded  nearly  to  the  top,  with 
bcautiiul  vaiieys,  exceedingly  fertile,  and  watered  by  copious  streams, 
which  occasionally  form  small  marshes.  The  little  valley  where  the  town 
is,  or  rather  was,  is  exceedingly  beautiful.  It  is  full  of  fruit-trees  and 
flowers,  and  sweet  herbs,  now  grown  wild;  near  the  shore,  it  is  covered 
with  radish  and  sea-side  oats.  A  small  fort  was  situated  on  the  sea-shore, 
of  which  there  is  nothing  noiji^isible  but  the  ditches  and  part  of  one  wall. 
Another,  of  considerable  size  Tor  the  place,  is  on  a  high  and  commanding 
spot.  It  contained  barracks  for  soldiers,  which,  as  well  as  the  greater 
part  of  the  fort,-  are  ruined;  but  the  flag-staflT,  front  wall,  and  a  turret  are 
standing;  and  at  the  foot  of  the  flag-staff  lies  a  very  handsome  brass  gun, 
cast  in  Spain,  a.  d.  1614.  A  few  houses  and  cottages  are  still  in  a  tole- 
rable condition,  though  most  of  the  doors,  windows,  and  roofs  have  been 
taken  away,  or  used  as  fuel  by  whalers  and  other  ships  touching  here. 
In  the  valleys  we  found  numbers  of  European  shrubs  and  herbs — '  where 
once  the  garden  smiled.'  And  in  the  half-ruined  hedges,  which  denote 
the  boundaries  of  former  fields,  we  found  apple,  pear,  and  quince  trees, 
with  cherries  almost  ripe.  The  ascent  is  steep  and  rapid  from  the  beach, 
even  in  the  valleys,  and  the  long  grass  was  dry  and  slippery,  so  that  it 
rendered  the  walk  rather  fatiguing;  and  we  were  glad  to  sit  down  under  a 
large  quince-tree  on  a  carpet  of  balm,  bordered  with  roses,  now  neglected, 
and  feast  our  eyes  with  the  lo/ely  view  before  us.  Lord  Anson  has 
not  exaggerated  the  beauty  of  ;he  place,  or  the  delights  of  the  climate. 
We  were  rather  early  for  its  fruits,  but  even  at  this  time  we  have  gathered 
delicious  figs,  cherries,  and  pears,  that  a  few  days  more  of  sun  would 
have  perfected.  The  landing-place  is  also  tho  watering-place.  There  a 
little  jetty  is  thrown  out,  formed  of  the  beach  pebbles,  making  a  little 
harbor  for  boats,  which  lie  there  close  to  the  fresh  water,  which  comes 
conducted  by  a  pipe,  so  that,  with  a  hose,  the  casks  may  be  filled  without 
landing  with  the  most  delicious  water.  Along  the  beach  some  old  guns 
are  sunk,  to  serve  as  moorings  for  vessels,  which  are  all  the  safer  the 
nearer  in  shore  they  lie  ;  as  violent  gusts  of  wind  often  blow  from  the 
mountain  for  a  few  minutes.  The  height  of  the  island  is  about  three 
thousand  feet." 

The  isle  of  Juan  Fernandez,  of  late  years,  has  been  much  visited  by 
vessels  in  the  California  trade.  An  American  traveler  J.  Ross  Browne, 
visited  the  island  in  1849,  and  has  given  his  impressions  in  a  charming 
little  book,  half  fiction  and  half  truth,  under  the  title  of  '*  Crusoe  Life, 
a  Narrative  of  Adventures  in  the  Island  of  Juan  Fernandez,"  from  which 
we  take  the  following  extract. 

At  the  dawn  of  day  I  was  on  deck,  looking  eagerly  toward  the  island. 
I  may  as  well  confess  at  once  that  no  child  could  have  felt  more  delight 
than  1  did  in  the  anticipntion  of  MOMthing  illusive  and  enchanting.    My 


X 


»., 


180 


ABANDONMENT  OP  8KLKIRK. 


heart  throbbed  with  impatience  to  aee  wiiat  it  was  that  cast  so  strange  a 
fascination  about  that  lonely  spot.  All  was  wrapped  in  mist ;  but  the 
air  was  filled  with  fresh  odors  of  land,  and  wrfls  of  sweetness  more  deli- 
cious than  the  scent  of  new-mown  hay.  The  storm  had  ceased,  and  the 
soA-echoed  bleating  of  gnats,  and  the  distant  baying  of  wild  dugs  were 
all  the  sounds  of  life  that  broke  upon  the  stillness.  It  seemed  as  if  the 
sun,  loth  to  disturb  the  ocean  in  its  rest,  or  reveal  the  scene  of  beauty  that 
lay  slumbering  upon  its  bosom,  would  never  rise  again,  so  gently  the  light 
stole  upon  the  eastern  sky,  so  softly  it  absorbed  the  shadows  of  night.  I 
watched  the  golden  glow  as  it  spread  over  the  heavens,  and  beheld  at 
last  the  sun  in  all  his  majesty  scatter  away  the  thick  vapors  that  lay  around 
his  resting-place,  and  each  vale  was  opened  out  in  the  glowing  light  of 
the  morning,  and  the  mountains  that  towered  out  of  the  sea  were  bathed 
in  the  glory  of  his  rays. 

Never  shall  I  forget  the  strange  delight  with  which  I  gazed  upon  that 
isle  of  romance;  the  unfeigned  rapture  I  felt  in  the  anticipation  of  ex- 
ploring that  miniature  world  in  the  desert  of  waters,  so  fraught  with  the 
happiest  associations  of  youth;  so  remote  from  all  the  ordinary  realities 
of  life;  the  actual  embodiment  of  the  most  absorbing,  most  fascinating  of 
all  the  dreams  of  fancy.  Many  foreign  lands  I  had  seen;  many  islands 
scattered  over  the  broad  ocear,  rich  and  wondrous  in  their  romantic 
beauty;  many  glens  of  Utopian  loveliness;  mountain  heights  weird  and 
impressive  in  their  sublimity ;  but  nothing  to  equal  this  in  variety  of  outline 
and  undefinable  richness  of  coloring;  nothing  so  dreamlike,  so  wrapped 
in  illusion,  so  strange  and  absorbing  in  its  novelty.  Great  peaks  of  reddish 
rock  seemed  to  pierce  the  sky  wherever  I  looked ;  a  thousand  rugged 
ridges  swept  upward  toward  the  center  in  a  perfect  maze  of  enchantment. 
It  was  all  wild,  fascinating,  and  unreal.  The  sides  of  the  mountains  were 
covered  with  patches  of  rich  grass,  natural  fields  of  oats,  and  groves  of 
myrtle  and  pimento.  Abrupt  walls  of  rock  rose  from  the  water  to  the 
height  of  a  thousand  feet.  The  surf  broke  in  a  white  line  of  foam  along 
the  shores  of  the  bay  and  its  measured  swell  floated  upon  the  air  like  the 
voice  of  a  d-<^tant  cataract.  Fields  of  verdure  covered  the  ravines ;  ruined 
and  moss-covered  walls  were  scattered  over  each  eminence;  and  the 
straw  huts  of  the  inhabitants  were  almost  embosomed  in  trees,  in  the 
midst  of  the  valley,  and  jets  of  smoke  arose  out  of  the  groves  and  floated 
off  gently  in  the  calm  air  of  the  morning.  In  all  the  shore,  but  one  spot, 
a  single  opening  among  the  rocks,  seemed  accessible  to  man. 

No  longer  able  to  control  our  enthusiasm,  we  sprang  into  the  boat  and 
pushed  off  for  the  landing.  We  first  went  up  to  a  bluff,  where  we  spent 
an  hour,  in  exploring  the  ruins  of  the  fortifications,  built  by  the  Chilians, 
in  1767.  There  was  nothing  left  but  the  foundation  and  a  portion  of  the 
ramparts  of  the  principal  fort,  partly  imbedded  in  banks  of  clay,  and 
nearly  covered  with  moss  and  weeds.  It  was  originally  strongly  built  of 
large  stones,  which  were  cast  down  in  every  direction,  by  the  terrible 
earthquake  of  1835;  and  now  all  that  remained  perfect  was  the  front  wall 
of  the  main  rampart  and  the  groundwork  of  the  fort.  Not  far  from  these 
rains  we  found  the  convict-cells,  which  we  explored  to  some  extent. 
y  The  cells  are  dug  into  the  brow  of  a  hill,  facing  the  harbor,  and  extend 
under  ground  to  the  distance  of  several  hundred  feet,  in  the  form  of  pas- 
ties and  vaults,  resembling  somewhat  the  Catacombs  of  Rome.  During 
me  penal  settlement  established  here  by  the  Chilian  government,  the 
convicts,  numbering  sometimes  many  hundreds,  were  confined  in  these 
gloomy  dungeons,  where  they  were  lubjected  to  the  most  barbaroiu 


•i^imi^*^m^ 


iL«lfev 


ABANDONMENT  OF  SELKIRK, 


131 


;  cast  80  strange  a 
in  mist;  but  the 
eetness  more  deli- 
id  ceased,  and  the 
of  wild  dags  were 
It  seemed  as  if  the 
icene  of  beauty  that 
,  so  gently  the  light 
ladows  of  night.     I 
rens,  and  beheld  at 
pors  that  lay  around 

ie  glowing  light  of 
the  sea  were  bathed 

h  I  gazed  upon  that 
3  anticipation  of  ex- 
,  so  fraught  with  the 
he  ordinary  realities 
r,  most  fascinating  of 
i  seen;  many  islands 
us  in  their  romantic 
in  heights  weird  and 
is  in  variety  of  outline 
reamlike,  so  wrapped 
3reat  peaks  of  reddish 
1;  a  thousand  rugged 
maze  of  enchantment, 
of  the  mountains  were 
,f  oats,  and  groves  of 
Um  the  water  to  the 
lite  line  of  foam  along 
upon  the  air  like  the 
led  the  ravines;  ruined 
h  eminence;  and  the 
jomed  in  trees,  in  the 
the  groves  and  floated 
le  shore,  but  one  spot, 
ole  to  man. 

frang  into  the  boat  and 
bluff,  where  we  spent 
1,  built  by  the  Chilians, 
>n  and  a  portion  of  the 
in  banks  of  clay,  and 
finally  strongly  built  of 
frection,  by  the  terrible 
irfect  was  the  front  wall 
Irt.    Not  far  from  these 
ed  to  some  extent, 
the  harbor,  and  extend 
feet,  in  the  form  of  pas- 
.jnbsofRome.     During 
Chilian  government,  the 
[were  confined  in  these 
to  the  moat  barbarooi 


treatment.  The  gates  or  doors  by  which  tiio  entrances  were  secured, 
had  all  been  torn  down  and  destroyed ;  and  the  excavations  were  now 
occupied  only  by  wild  goats,  bats,  toads,  and  diffurent  sorts  of  vermin. 
Rank  fern  hung  upon  the  sides;  overhead  was  dripping  with  a  cold  and 
deathlike  sweat,  and  slimy  drops  cjurscd  duwn  the  weeds,  and  the  air 
was  damp  and  chilly:  thick  darkness  was  within  in  the  depths  beyond; 
darkness  that  no  wandering  gleam  from  the  light  of  day  over  reached — 
lor  heaven  never  smiled  upon  those  dreary  abodes  of  sin  and  sorrow. 
A  few  of  the  inner  dungeons,  for  the  worst  criminals,  were  dug  still  deeper 
under  ground,  and  rough  stairways  of  earth  led  down  into  them,  which 
were  shut  out  from  the  upper  vaults  by  strong  doors.  The  sii:e  of  those 
lower  dungeons  was  not  more  than  five  or  six  feet  in  length,  by  four  or 
five  in  height;  from  which  some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  sufferings 
endured  by  the  poor  wretches  confined  in  them;  shut  out  from  the  light 
of  heaven,  loaded  with  heavy  irons,  crushed  down  by  dank  and  impene- 
trable walls  of  earth,  starved  and  beaten  by  their  cruel  guards;  with  no 
living  soul  to  pity  them  in  their  woe,  no  j^ope  of  release  save  in  death. 
We  saw,  by  the  aid  of  a  torch,  deep^oles  scratched  in  one  of  the  walls, 
bearing  the  impression  of  human  fiilgers.  It  might  have  been  that  some 
unhappy  murderer,  goaded  to  madness  by  such  cruel  tortures  of  body  and 
terrible  anguish  of  mind,  as  drive  men  to  tear  even  their  own  flesh  when 
buried  before  the  vital  spark  is  extinct,  had  grasped  out  the  earth  in  his 
desperation,  and  left  the  marks  in  his  death  agonies  upon  the  clay  tmt 
entombed  him,  to  tell  what  no  human  heart  but  his  suffered  there,  no 
human  ear  had  heard,  no  human  eye  had  witnessed.  Tlie  deep,  startling 
echo  breaking  upon  the  heavy  air,  as  we  sounded  the  walls,  seemed  yet 
to  mingle  with  his  curses,  and  its  last  sepulchral  throb  was  like  the  dying 
moan  of  the  maniac. 

Some  time  before  the  great  earthquake,  which  destroyed  the  fortifications 
and  broke  up  the  penal  colony,  a  gang  of  convicts,  amounting  to  three 
hundred,  succeeded  in  liberating  themselves  from  their  cells.  Unable 
to  endure  the  cruelties  inflicted  upon  them,  they  broke  loose  from  their 
chains,  and  rushing  upon  the  guards,  murdered  the  greater  part  of  them, 
and,  finally,  seized  the  garrison.  For  several  days,  they  held  complete 
possession  of  the  island.  A  whale-ship,  belonging  to  Nantucket,  hap- 
pening to  come  in  at  the  time  for  wood  and  water,  they  seized  the  captain, 
and  compelled  him  to  take  on  board  as  many  of  them  as  the  vessel  could 
contain.  About  two  hundred  were  put  on  board.  They  then  threatened 
the  captain  and  ofliccrs  with  instant  death,  in  case  of  any  failure  to  land  them 
on  the  coast  of  Peru,  whither  they  determined  to  go,  in  order  to  escape 
the  vengeance  of  Chilian  government.  Desirous  of  getting  rid  of  them 
as  soon  as  possible,  the  captain  of  the  whaler  ran  over  for  the  first  land 
on  the  coast  of  Chili,  where  he  put  them  ashore,  leaving  them  ignorant 
of  their  position  until  they  were  unable  to  regain  the  vessel.  They  soon 
discovered  that  they  were  only  thirty  miles  from  Valparaiso;  but  short  as 
ihe  distance  was  from  the  Chilian  authorities,  they  evaded  all  attempts  to 
capture  them,  and  eventually  joined  the  Peruvian  army,  which  was  then 
advancing  upon  Santiago.  The  remainder  of  the  prisoners  left  upon  the 
island,  escaped  in  different  vessels,  and  were  scattered  over  various  parts 
of  the  world.  Only  a  few  out  of  the  entire  number  engaged  in  the  mas- 
sacre were  ever  captured:  sentence  of  death  was  passed  upon  them,  and. 
they  were  shot  in  the  public  fAaza  of  Santiago.  ^ 

Turning  our  steps  toward  the  settlement  of  the  present  residents,  we 
passed  a  few  hours  very  agreeably  iu  rambling  about  among  their  rustic 


* 


V 


''"fSSSg^^" 


•E*>'WM'^  "^    ^■— 


J 


|«|  ABANDONMENT  OF  SELKIRK. 

.bodes     The  total  number  of  inhabitants  at  this  period  (1849,)  is  sixteen: 
S^istlnK  of  Wlliam  Pearce,  an  American,  and  four  or  five  Ch.l.an  men, 
S^"h  thei?  wives  and  children.     No  others  have  lived  permanently  upon 
The  island  for  several  years.     There  are  in  all  son^  six  or  seven  hut*, 
nleaSv  surrounded  by  shrubbery,  and  well  supplied  with  water  from 
J  spring:    These  habitations  are  built  of  the  straw  of  w.ld  oats,  'nterwoven 
ZugS  wattles  or  long  sticks,  and  thatched  with  the  same;  ^nd  w^^th^^^^^ 
from  desien  or  accident,  are  extremely  picturesque.     The  roots  project 
80^  to  fSra  an  agreeable  shade  all  round;  the  doorways  "e  covered  ,n 
by  "sort  of  projecting  porch,  in  the  style  ol  the  French  cottages  along 
2e  vahey  of  thi  Seine  j  small  out-houses,  erected  upon  posts,  are  scat- 
S?ed  aSu°  eacS  inclosure ;  and  an  air  of  repose  «nd  f'««d«m  from  ^jJd^^ 
care  pervades  the  whole  place,  though  the  <^oJ^^;.^^'^Za     L^iZZh 
mode  of  living  are  evidently  of  the  most  primitive  kind.     Seen  througn 
Se  green  sSbberies  that  aLund  in  every  direction,  the  bngj^t^  y^^^^^^^^ 
the  Cottages,  and  the  smoke  curling  up  m  the  still  a.  ,  have  »  J"y/;»»«j?;f J' 
effect-  and  the  prattling  voices  of  the  children,  mingled  with  the  lively 
ki    ^;J:„  nf  th«  Wine    and  the  various  pleasant  sounds  of  domestic  life, 
IilgWlflt:d'on\'\otink:that\he  feclusion  of  these  islanders  from 

%t?rlfl  tirenftre'jJfeL'aTbreezes  from  the  ocean,  withcut 
ma?a'^-U  of  anl^hiTgo  produce  disease,  beautifully  diversified  in  scenery, 
S.tsusSpSrof'beiSg  made  a  convenient  «topping-p^«je  for  v^^^^^^^^ 
bound  to  the  great  Northwestern  Continent,  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  a 
more  desirabll  place  for  a  coiony  of  intelligent  and  •nd«8»riou8  people, 
X  wou  d  cultfvate  the  land,  build  good  houses,  and  turn  to  "dvantag* 
lu  the  gifta  of  Providence  which  have  been  bestowed  upon  the  island. 


!  # 


^ 


'•"'ii 


t[!HiiiiiiUiiimiiii«iimuiL  jj.J»r,"!'ilf"U«TJ'."5?'l^  j'B"^  ■.. 


f»mf' 


I'"WUI,IIII|I»-»1»P»WW1 


I  (1849,)  is  sixteen: 
)r  five  Chilian  men, 
I  permanently  upon 
1  six  or  seven  huts, 
ed  with  water  from 
ild  oats,  interwoven 
same;  and  whether 
The  roofs  project 
ways  are  covered  in 
inch  cottages  along 
pon  posts,  are  scat- 
reedom  from  worldly 
m  of  the  houses  and 
lind.    Seen  through 
the  bright  yellow  of 
have  a  very  cheerful 
igled  with  the  lively 
ids  of  domestic  life, 
hese  islanders  fioro 

the  ocean,  withcut 
iversified  in  scenery, 
ing-place  foryvessels 
I  be  difficult  to  find  a 
1  industrious  people, 
nd  turn  to  advantage 

upon  the  island. 


THE    NABRATIVE 


i'  j 


I 


or 


COLONEL   ETHAN  ALLEN, 

TH«  HIBO  or  TIOOMDEBOOA,  WHO  ArTBE  HE  rilt  IMTO  TH*  BANDS  OF  TBI  awnT  AT 
MONTRBAL,  WAS  OONriNBO,  DUBINO  A  0ON8U>BBABLK  PKBIOO  OF  HI!  OAPTiriTT.  A  PBHOnB 
OW   BOABD  OF  •-■»»«■■■ 

BRITISH   SHIPS    OF  WAR. 


Ever  since  1  arrived  at  a  state  of  manhood,  and  acquainted  myself  with 
the  general  history  of  mankind,  I  have  felt  a  sincere  passion  for  liberty; 
so  that  the  first  systematical  and  bloody  attempt  at  Lexington,  to  enslave 
America,  thoroughly  electrified  my  mind,  and  fully  determined  me  to  take 
part  with  my  country. 

While  I  was  wishing  for  an  opportunity  to  signalize  myself  in  its  behalf, 
directions  were  privately  sent  to  me  from  the  then  colony,  now  State  of 
Connecticut,  to  raise  the  Greeu  Mountain  Boys  ;  and,  if  possible,  with 
them  to  surprise  and  take  the  fortress  Ticonderoga.     This  enterprise  I 
cheerfully  undertook  ;  and,  after  first  guarding  all  the  several  passes  that 
led  thither,  to  cut  ofl"  all  intelligence  between  the  garrison  and  the  country, 
made  a  forced  march  from  Bennington,  and  arrived  at  the  lake  opposite 
Ticonderoga,  on  the  evening  of  the  ninth  day  of  May,  1776,  with  two 
hundred  and  thirty  valiant  Green  Mountain  Boys ;  and  it  was  with  the 
utmost  difliculty  that  I  procured  boats  to  cross  the   lake.     However,  I 
landed  eighty-five  men  near  the  garrison,  and  sent  the  boats  back  for  the 
rear-guard,  commanded  by  Col.  Seth  Warner;  but  the  day  began  to  dawn, 
and  I  found  myself  under  a  necessity  to  attack  the  fort  before  the  rear 
could  cross  the  lake ;  and,  as  it  was  viewed  hazardous,  I  harangued  the 
officers  and  soldiers  in  the  manner  following:  "Friends  and  fellow-soldiers 
you  have,  for  a  number  of  years  past,  been  a  scourge  and  terror  to  arbi- 
trary power.     Your  valor  has  been  famed  abroad,  and  acknowledged,  as 
appears  by  the  advice  and  orders  to  me  from  the  General  Assembly  of 
Connecticut,  to  surprise  and  take  the  garrison  now  before  us.     I  now 
propose  to  advance  before  you,  and  in  person  conduct  you  through  the 
wicket-gate ;  for  we  must  this   morning  either  quit  our  pretensions  to 
valor,  or  possess  ourselves  of  this  fortress  in  a  few  minutes ;  and,  inas- 
much as  it  is  a  desperate  attempt,  whjch  none  but  the  bravest  of  men  dare 
undertake,  I  do  not  urge  it  on  any  contrary  to  his  will.     You  that  will 
undertake,  voluntarily,  poise  your  firelocks." 

The  men  being  at  this  time  drawn  up  in  three  ranks,  each  poised  his 
firelock;  I  ordered  them  to  face  to  the  right,  and,  at  the  head  of  the  center 
file,  marched  them  immediately  to  the  wicket-gate  aforesaid,  where  I 
found  a  sentry  posted,  who  instantly  snapped  his  fusee  at  me.  I  ran 
immediately  toward  him,  and  he  retreated  through  the  covered  way  ii^ 
the  parade  within  the  garrison,  gave  a  halloo,  and  ran  under  a  bonS 
proof.  My  party,  who  followed  me  into  the  fort,  I  formed  on  the  parade 
m  such  manner  as  to  face  the  two  barracks  which  faced  each  other.     The 

(133) 


J 


184 


ETHAN  ALLEN'S  NARRATIVE. 


frarrison  being  ealeep,  except  the  sentries,  wo  gave  three  huzzas  which 
greatly  surprised  them.  One  of  the  sentries  made  a  pass  at  one  of  my 
officers  with  a  charged  bayonet,  and  slightly  wounded  him.  My  first 
thought  was  to  kill  him  with  my  sword ;  but,  in  an  instant,  I  altered  the 
design  and  fury  of  the  blow  to  a  slight  cut  on  the  side  of  the  head  ;  upon 
which  he  dropped  his  gun,  and  asked  (juarter,  which  I  readily  grnntod 
him,  and  demanded  of  him  the  place  where  the  commanding  officer  slept ; 
he  showed  me  a  pair  of  stairs  in  the  front  of  a  barrack,  on  the  west  part 
of  the  garrison,  which  led  up  to  a  second  story  in  said  barrack,  to  which 
I  immediately  repaired,  and  ordered  the  commander,  Capt.  Delaplace, 
to  come  forth  instantly,  or  I  would  sacrifice  the  whole  garrison ;  at  which 
the  captain  came  immediately  to  the  door  with  his  breeches  in  his  hand, 
when  I  ordered  him  to  deliver  to  me  the  fort  instantly.  He  asked  me  by 
what  authority  I  demanded  it.  I  answered  him, "  In  the  name  of  the 
great  Jehovah  and  the  Continental  Congress."  The  authority  of  the 
Congress  being  very  little  known  at  that  time,  he  began  to  speak  again  ; 
but  I  interrupted  him,  and  with  my  drawn  sword  over  his  head,  again 
demanded  an  immediate  surrender  of  the  garrison ;  to  which  ho  then 
complied,  and  ordered  his  men  to  be  forthwith  paraded  without  arms,  as 
he  had  given  up  the  garrison.  In  the  meantime  some  of  my  officers 
had  given  orders,  and  in  consequence  thereof,  sundry  of  the  barrack 
doors  were  beat  down,  and  about  one  third  of  the  garrison  imprisoned, 
which  consisted  of  the  said  commande>-,  a  Lieut.  Feltham,  a  conductor 
of  artillery,  a  gunner,  two  sergeants,  and  forty-four  rank  and  file  ;  about 
one  hundred  pieroa  of  cannon,  one  thirtcen-inch  mortar,  and  a  number 
of  swivels  This  surprise  was  carried  into  execution  in  the  gray  of  the 
morning  of  the  tenth  day  of  May,  1776.  Col.  Warner,  with  the  rear 
guard,  crossed  the  lake,  and  joined  me  early  in  the  morning,  whom  I  sent 
off,  without  loss  of  time,  with  about  one  hundred  men,  to  take  possession 
of  Crown  Point,  which  was  garrisoned  with  a  sergeant  and  twelve  men  ; 
which  he  took  possession  of  the  same  day,  as  also  upward  of  one  hundred 
pieces  of  cannon.  But  one  thing  now  remained  to  be  done,  to  make 
ourselves  complete  masters  of  Lake  Champlain.  This  was  to  possess  our- 
selves of  a  sloop  of  war,  which  was  then  laying  at  St.  John's  ;  to  effect 
which,  it  was  agreed,  in  a  council  of  war,  to  arm  and  man  out  a  certain 
schooner,  which  lay  at  South  Bay,  and  that  Captain  (now  General)  Arnold 
should  command  her,  and  that  I  should  commana  the  batteaux.  The 
necessary  preparations  being  made,  we  set  sail  from  Ticonderoga  in  quest 
of  the  sloop,  which  was  much  larger,  and  carried  more  guns  and  heavier 
metal  than  the  schooner.  General  Arnold,  with  the  schooner,  sailing 
faster  than  the  batteaux,  arrived  at  St.  John's  ;  and  by  surprise  possessed 
himself  of  the  sloop  before  I  could  arrive  with  the  batteaux.  He  also 
made  prisoners  of  a  sergeant  and  twelve  men,  who  were  garrisoned  at 
that  place.  , 

Early  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  the  little  army,  under  the  command  of  the 
Generals  Schuyler  and  Montgomery,  were  ordered  to  advance  into  Canada. 
I  was  at  Tic-ondcroga  when  this  order  arrived;  and  the  General,  with  most 
of  the  field-officers,  requested  me  to  attend  them  in  the  expedition.  I  was 
first  ordered  by  the  General  to  go,  in  company  with  Major  Brown  and 
certain  interpreters,  through  the  woods  into  Canada,  with  letters  to  the 
C^adians,  and  to  let  them  know  that  the  design  of  the  army  was  only 
against  the  Engl'sh  garrisons,  and  not  the  country,  their  liberties,  or 
religion.  This  was  soon  accomplished,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  24th 
day  of  September,  I  set  out  with  my  guard  of  about  eighty  men,  from 


ETHAN  ALLEN'S  NARRATIVE. 


186 


eo  huzzas  which 
laas  at  one  of  my 
d  him.    My  first 
lant,  I  altered  the 
)f  the  head  ;  upon 
I  readily  granted 
iding  officer  slept ; 
L,  on  the  west  part 
barrack,  to  which 
,  Capt.  Delaplace, 
garrison ;  at  which 
eches  in  his  hand, 

He  asked  me  by 
a  the  name  of  the 
,e  authority  of  the 
an  to  speak  again  ; 
rer  his  head,  again 
;  to  which  ho  then 
3d  without  arms,  as 
ome  of  my  officers 
dry  of  the  barrack 
arrison  imprisoned, 
eltham,  a  conductor 
rank  and  file  ;  about 
lortar,  and  a  number 
n  in  the  gray  of  the 
irner,  with  the  rear 
lorning,  whom  I  sent 
n,  to  take  possession 
ant  and  twelve  men  ; 
ward  of  one  hundred 
o  be  done,  to  make 
is  was  to  possess  our- 

St.  John's  ;  to  effect 
ad  man  out  a  certain 
now  General)  Arnold 

the  batteaux.    The 

Ticonderoga  in  quest 
ore  guns  and  heavier 
the  schooner,  sailing 
Ijy  surprise  possessed 
e  batteaux.  He  also 
lo  were  garrisoned  at 

If  the  command  of  the 
J  advance  into  Canada, 
he  General,  with  most 
the  expedition.    1  was 
ith  Major  Brown  and 
la,  with  letters  to  the 
of  the  army  was  only 
itry,  their  liberties,  or 
le  morning  of  the  |4th 
bout  eighty  men,  from 


^^SS^^-- 


Longale,  to  go  to  Lapraier ;  from  thence  I  determined  to  go  to  Gen.  Mont- 

fomery's  camp ;  but  had  not  advanced  two  miles  before  I  met  with  Major 
Irown,  who  proposed,  that  "  Provided  I  would  return  to  Longale,  and 
procure  some  canoes,  so  as  to  cross  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  a  little  north 
of  Montreal,  he  would  cross  it  a  little  to  the  south  of  the  town,  with  near 
two  hundred  men,  as  he  had  boats  sufficient ;  and  that  we  would  make 
ovrselvcs  masters  of  Montreal.'' 

This  plan  was  readily  approved  by  me  and  those  in  council ;  and  in 
consequence  of  which  1  returned  to  Longale,  collected  a  few  canoes,  and 
added  about  thirty  English  Americans  to  my  party,  and  crossed  the  river 
in  the  night  of  the  24th.  My  whole  party,  at  this  time,  consisted  of  about 
one  hundred  and  ten  men,  near  eighty  of  whom  were  Canadians.  I  then 
reconnoitered  the  best  ground  to  make  a  defense,  expecting  Col.  brown's 
party  were  landing  on  the  other  side  of  the  town,  he  having  tiic  day  before 
agreed  to  give  three  huzzas  with  his  men  early  in  the  morning,  which 
signal  I  was  to  return,  that  we  might  each  know  that  both  parties  wore 
landed ;  but  the  sun  by  this  time  being  near  two  hours  high,  and  the  sign 
failing,  I  began  to  conclude  myself  to  be  in  a  premunire,  and  would 
have  crossed  the  river  back  again,  but  I  knew  the  enemy  would  have 
discovered  such  an  attempt. 

The  town  of  Montreal  was  in  a  great  tumult.  Gen.  Carlton  and  the 
royal  party  made  every  preparation  to  go  on  board  their  vessels  as  I  was 
afterwards  informed,  but  a  spy  escaping  from  my  guard  to  the  town, 
occasioned  an  alteration  in  their  policy,  and  emboldened  Gen.  Carlton  to 
send  the  force,  which  he  had  there  collected,  out  against  me.  I  had 
previously  chosen  my  ground,  but  when  I  saw  the  number  of  the  enemy 
as  they  sallied  out  of  the  town,  I  perceived  it  would  be  a  day  of  trouble, 
if  not  of  rebuke  ;  but  I  had  no  chance  to  flee,  as  Montreal  was  situated 
on  an  island,  and  the  river  St.  Lawrence  cut  of}'  my  communication  to 
Gen.  Montgomery's  camp.  The  enemy  consisted  of  not  more  than  forty 
regular  troops,  together  with  a  mixed  multitude,  chiefly  Canadians,  with 
a  number  of  English  who  lived  in  the  town,  and  some  Indians  ;  in  all  to 
the  number  of  near  five  hundred.  The  reader  will  notice  that  most  of 
my  party  were  Canadians ;  indeed  it  was  a  motley  parcel  of  soldiery  which 
composed  both  parties.  However,  the  enemy  began  the  attack  from 
wood-piles,  ditches,  buildings,  and  such  like  places,  at  a  considerable 
distance,  and  I  returned  the  fire  from  a  situation  more  than  equally  ad- 
vantageous. The  lire  continued  for  some  time  on  both  sides ;  and  I  was 
confident  that  such  a  remote  method  of  attack  could  not  carry  the  ground 
provided  it  should  be  continued  until  night,  but  near  half  the  body  of  the 
enemy  began  to  flank  round  to  my  right;  upon  which  I  ordered  a  volunteer, 
by  the  name  of  John  Dugan,  to  detach  about  fifty  of  the  Canadians,  and 
post  himself  at  an  advantageous  ditch,  which  was  on  my  right,  to  prevent 
my  being  surrounded.  He  advanced  with  the  detachment,  but  instead 
of  occupying  the  post,  made  his  escape,  as  did  likewise  Mr.  Young  upon 
the  left,  with  their  detachments.  The  enemy  kept  closing  round  me,  nor 
was  it  in  my  power  to  prevent  it,  by  which  means  my  situation,  which 
was  advantageous  in  the  first  part  of  the  attack,  ceased  to  be  so  in  the 
last ;  and  being  almost  entirely  surrounded  with  such  vast,  unequal  num- 
bers, I  ordered  a  retreat,  but  found  that  those  of  the  enemy  who  were  of 
the  country,  and  ^ir  Indians,  could  run  as  fast  as  my  men,  though  ihe 
refyulars  could  noV  Thus  I  retreated  near  a  mile,  and  some  of  the  enemy, 
with  the  savages,  kept  flanking  me,  and  others  crowded  hard  in  the  rear. 
In  fine  I  expected  in  a  very  short  time  to  try  the  world  of  spirits,  for  I 


^K*.    .  „...^--,^,  _  _ 


[. 


\ 


188 


ETHAN  ALLEN'8  NARRATIVE. 


waa  apprehcnaivo  that  no  quarter  would  be  given  to  me,  and  therefore 
had  determined  to  sell  my  life  as  dearly  as  I  could.  One  of  the  onemy^s 
officers  boldly  pressing  in  the  rear,  discharged  his  fusee  at  me  ;  the  ball 
whistled  near  me,  as  did  many  others  that  day.  I  returned  the  salute, 
and  missed  him,  om  running  had  put  us  both  out  of  breath.  I  then  saluted 
him  with  my  tongue  in  a  harsh  manner,  and  told  him  that  inasmuch  as 
hia  numbers  were  so  far  superior  to  mine,  I  would  surrender,  provided  I 
could  be  treated  with  honor,  and  be  assured  of  good  quarter  for  myself 
and  the  men  who  were  with  me  ;  and  ho  answered  I  should.  Another 
officer  coming  up  directly  afler,  confirmed  the  treaty :  upon  which  I  ngreed 
to  surrender  with  my  party,  which  then  consisted  of  thirty-one  ctfoctive 
men,  and  seven  wounded.  I  ordered  them  to  ground  their  arms,  which 
they  did.  The  officer  I  capitulated  with,  then  directed  me  and  my  party 
to  advance  toward  him,  which  was  done.  I  handed  him  my  sword, 
and  in  half  a  minute  after,  a  savage,  part  of  whose  head  was  shaved, 
being  almost  naked  and  painted,  with  feathers  intermixed  with  the  hair 
of  the  other  side  of  his  head,  came  running  to  me  with  an  incredible 
swif\ness ;  he  seemed  to  advance  with  more  than  mortal  speed ;  as  he 
app^ached  near  me,  his  hellish  visage  was  beyond  all  description — snake 
eyes  appear  innocent  in  comparison  witii  liis ;  his  features  distorted ; 
malice,  death,  murder  and  the  wrath  of  devils  and  damned  spirits  are 
the  emblems  of  his  countenance  ;  and  in  less  than  twelve  feet  of  me, 
presented  his  firelock. 

At  the  instant  of  his  present,  I  twitched  the  officer  tu  whom  I  gave 
my  sword  between  me  and  the  savage  ;  but  he  flew  round  with  great 
fury,  trying  to  single  me  out  to  shoot  me  without  killing  the  officer ;  but 
by  this  time  I  was  near  as  nimble  as  he,  keeping  the  officer  in  such  a 
position  that  his  danger  was  my  defense.  But  in  less  than  half  a  minute 
1  was  attacked  by  just  such  another  imp  of  hell.  Then  I  made  the  officer 
fly  round  with  incredible  velocity  for  a  few  seconds  of  time,  when  I  per- 
ceived a  Canadian  (who  had  lost  one  eye,  as  appeared  afterward,)  taking 
my  part  against  the  savages ;  and  in  an  instant  an  Irishman  came  to  my 
assistance  with  a  fixed  bayonet,  and  drove  away  the  fiends,  swearing  "  by 
Jasus  he  would  kill  them."  This  tragic  scene  composed  my  mind.  The 
escaping  from  so  awful  a  death  made  even  imprisonment  happy ;  the 
more  so  as  my  conquerors  on  the  field  treated  me  with  great  civility  and 
politeness.  The  regular  officers  said  that  they  were  happy  to  see  Col. 
Allen.  I  answered  them,  that  I  should  rather  chose  to  have  seen  them 
at  Gen.  Montgomery's  camp.  The  gentlemen  replied  that  they  gave  full 
credit  to  what  I  said,  and  as  I  walked  to  the  town,  which  was,  as  I  should 
guess,  more  than  two  miles,  a  British  officer  walked  at  my  right  hand, 
and  one  of  the  French  noblesse  at  my  left ;  the  latter  of  which,  in  the 
action,  had  his  eyebrow  carried  away  by  a  glancing  shot,  but  was  never- 
theless very  merry  and  facetious,  and  no  abuse  was  oflfered  me  till  I  came 
to  the  barrack-yard  at  Montreal,  where  I  met  Gen.  Prescott,  who  asked 
me  my  name,  which  I  told  him.  He  then  asked  me  whether  I  was  that 
Col.  Allen  who  took  Ticonderoga.  I  told  him  I  was  the  very  man. 
Then  he  shook  his  cane  over  my  head,  calling  many  hard  names,  among 
which  he  frequently  used  the  word  Rebel,  and  put  himself  into  a  great 
rage.  I  told  him  he  would  do  well  not  to  cane  me,  for  I  was  not  accus- 
tomed to  it,  and  shook  my  fist  at  him,  telling  him  that^at  was  the  beetle 
of  mortality  for  him,  if  he  oflfered  to  strike  ;  upon  wlMi  Capt.  M'Cloud, 
of  the  British,  pulled  him  by  the  skirt,  and  whispered  to  him  (as  he 
afterward  told  me)  to  this  import:  that  it  was  inconsistent  with  his  honor 


ETHAN  ALLKN'S  NARRATIVE. 


137 


),  and  therefore 
B  of  the  cneiny'i 
at  me  ;  the  ball 
rned  the  salute, 
I  then  saluted 
lat  inasmuch  as 
nder,  provided  1 
irtor  for  myself 
hould.     Another 
m  which  I  ngreed 
irty-one  effective 
heir  arms,  which 
me  and  my  party 
him  my  sword, 
load  was  shaved, 
ed  with  the  hair 
ith  an  incredible 
lal  speed;  as  he 
escription — snake 
iatures  distorted ; 
imned  spirits  are 
yrelvo  feet  of  me, 

to  whom  I  gave 

round  with  great 
ig  the  officer ;  but 

officer  in  such  a 

than  half  a  minute 
1 1  made  the  officer 

time,  when  I  per- 
i  afterward,)  taking 
shman  came  to  my 
ends,  swearing  "by 
sed  my  mind.  The 
mment  happy;  the 
h  great  civility  and 

happy  to  see  Col. 
to  have  seen  them 
i  that  they  gave  full 
ich  was,  as  I  should 
[  at  my  right  hand, 
er  of  which,  in  the 
hot,  but  was  never- 
fered  me  till  I  came 
Prescott,  who  asked 
whether  I  was  that 
was  the  very  man. 

hard  names,  among 
limself  into  a  great 
for  I  was  not  accus- 
tjhat  was  the  beetle 
A  Capt.  M'Cloud, 
ered  to  him  (as  he 
istent  with  his  honor 


to  strike  a  prisoner.  Ho  then  ordered  a  scrjeant^a  command,  with  fixed 
bayonets,  to  come  forward  and  kill  thirteen  Canadians,  which  wore 
includiid  in  the  treaty  aforesaid. 

It  cut  iiio  to  the  hoart  to  see  the  Canadians  in  so  hard  a  case,  in  conie- 
quonco  of  their  having  been  true  to  me;  they  were  wringing  thoir  hands, 
.saying  tiieir  prayers,  as  I  concluded,  and  expected  immediate  death.  I 
therefore  stepped  between  the  executioners  and  the  Canadians,  opened 
my  cluiiios,  and  told  Gen.  PrcHcott  to  thrust  his  bayonet  into  my  breast, 
for  1  was  the  solo  cause  of  tiie  Canadians  taking  up  arms.  The  guard  in 
the  meantime,  rolling  their  eyeballs  from  the  General  to  me,  as  though 
impatient,  waiting  his  dread  coiiiinands  to  sheathe  their  bayonets  in  my 
hoart.  I  could,  however,  plainly  discern  that  he  was  in  a  suspense  and 
quandary  about  the  mutter.  This  gave  mo  additional  hopesof  succeeding, 
for  my  design  was  not  to  die,  but  save  the  Canadians  by  a  finesse.  The 
General  stood  a  minute,  when  he  made  me  the  following  reply:  "/  will 

not  execute  you  now  :  hut  you  shall  grace  a  halter  at  Tyburn, j/e." 

General  Prescott  then  ordered  one  of  his  officers  to  take  me  on  board 
the  Gaspee  schooner  of  war,  and  confine  me,  hands  and  feet,  in  irons, 
which  was  done  tiie  same  afternoon  I  was  taken. 

The  action  continued  an  hour  and  three  quarters  by  the  watch,  and  I 
know  not  to  this  day  how  many  of  my  men  were  !:>lled,  though  I  am  cer- 
tain there  were  but  few.  If  I  remember  right,  seve.t  were  wounded ;  the 
latter  were  all  put  into  the  hospital  at  Montreal,  and  those  that  were  not, 
were  put  on  board  of  ditferent  vessels  in  the  river,  and  shackled  together 
by  pairs,  viz.,  two  men  fastened  together  by  one  handcuflf  being  closely 
fixed  to  ono  wrist  of  each  of  them,  and  treated  with  the  greatest  severity, 
nay,  as  criminals. 

I  now  come  to  the  desciption  of  the  irons,  which  were  put  on  me.  The 
handcuff  was  of  a  common  size  and  form,  but  my  leg  irons,  I  should 
imagine,  would  weigh  thirty  pounds ;  the  bar  was  eight  feet  long,  and 
very  substantial ;  the  shackles  which  encompassed  my  ancles,  were  very 
tight.  I  was  told  by  the  officer  who  put  them  on,  that  it  was  the  king's 
plate,  and  I  heard  other  of  their  officers  say,  that  it  would  weigh  forty 
weight.  The  irons  were  so  close  upon  my  ancles,  that  I  could  not  lie 
down  in  any  other  manner  than  on  my  back.  I  was  put  into  the  lowest 
and  most  wretched  part  of  the  vessel,  where  I  got  the  favor  of  a  chest  to 
ait  on;  the  same  answered  for  my  bed  at  night;  and  having  procured  some 
little  blocks  of  the  guard,  who,  day  and  niglit,  wiih  fixed  bayonets,  watched 
over  me,  to  lay  under  each  end  of  tiio  largo  bar  of  my  leg  irons,  to  pre- 
serve my  ancles  from  galling,  while  I  sat  on  the  chest,  or  lay  back  on  the 
aame,  though  most  of  the  time,  night  and  day,  I  sat  on  it ;  but  at  length 
having  a  desire  to  lay  down  on  my  side,  which  the  closeness  of  the  irons  - 
forbid,  I  desired  the  captain  to  loosen  them  for  that  purpose,  but  was 
denied  the  favor.  The  captain's  name  was  Royal,  who  did  not  seem  to 
be  an  ill-natured  man  ;  but  oftentimes  said,  that  his  express  orders  were 
to  treat  me  with  such  severity,  which  was  disagreeable  to  his  own  feelings; 
nor  did  he  ever  insult  me,  though  many  others,  who  came  on  board,  did. 
One  of  the  officers,  by  the  name  of  Bradley,  was  very  generous  to  me ; 
he  would  often  send  mo  victuals  from  his  own  table  ;  nor  did  a  day  fail, 
but  that  he  sent  me  a  good  drink  of  grog. 

The  reader  is  now  invited  back  to  the  time  I  was  put  into  irons.  I 
requested  the  privilege  to  write  to  General  Prescott,  which  was  granted. 
I  reminded  him  of  the  kind  and  generous  manner  of  my  treatment  to  the 
prisoners  I  took  at  Ticonderoga;  the  injustice   and  ungentleman-like 


^{i 


1.38 


ETHAN  AIXRN'H  NARRATIVB. 


usaf(o,  which  I  had  mot  with  from  him,  nnd  dnmandod  f^nntlemnn-liko 
unnfrr,  hut  received  no  answer  from  him.  I  Bonn  nHor  wrott;  to  (■ciKirnl 
(/iiriton,  which  met  the  some  miccoHS.  In  the  mcanwiiile  many  of  thoHO 
who  wore  permitted  to  nee  me  wore  very  inHulting.  I  was  confined  in 
the  manner  I  have  related,  on  hoard  the  (iaiipoo  schooner,  nimut  Hix  weeks; 
during  which  time  I  was  obliged  to  throw  out  plenty  of  extravnunnt 
language  which  answered  certain  purposes,  at  that  time,  better  than  to 
grace  a  history.  To  give  an  instance,  upon  being  insulted,  in  n  fit  of 
anger  I  twisted  off  a  nail  with  my  teeth,  which  I  took  to  be  a  ten-penny 
nail ;  it  went  through  the  mortice  of  the  bar  of  my  handcuff,  an<l  at  the 
same  time  I  swaggered  over  those  who  abused  me ;  particularly  a  Doctor 
Dace,  who  told  me  that  I  was  outlawed  by  New  York,  and  deserved  '!eath 
for  several  years  past;  was  at  last  fully  ripened  for  the  halter,  and  in  a 
fair  way  to  obtain  it. 

When  I  challenged  him,  he  excused  himself  in  consequence,  as  he 
said,  of  my  being  a  criminal.  But  1  flung  such  a  fluod  of  language  at 
him  that  it  shocked  him  ond  the  spectators,  for  my  anger  was  very  great. 

I  heard  one  say," him, can  he  oat  iron?"     Aflerthat  a  small  padlock 

was  fixed  to  the  handcuff  instead  of  the  nail ;  and  as  they  were  mean- 
spirited  in  their  treatment  to  me,  so  it  appeared  to  me,  that  they  were 
equally  timorous  and  cowardly.  I  was  sent  with  the  prisoners  taken  with 
mo  to  an  armed  vessel  in  the  river,  which  lay  off  against  Quebec,  under 
the  command  of  Captain  M'Cloud  of  th"  British,  who  treated  me  in  a 
very  generous  and  obliging  manner,  and  according  to  my  rank  ;  in  about 
twenty-four  hours  I  bid  him  farewell  with  regret ;  but  my  pood  fortune 
still  continued.  The  name  of  the  captain  of  the  vessel  I  was  put  on 
board,  was  Littlejohn;  who,  with  his  officers,  behaved  in  a  polite,  generous, 
and  friendly  manner.  I  lived  with  them  in  the  cabin,  nnd  fnred  on  the 
best;  my  irons  being  taken  off,  contrary  to  the  order  ho  Iwi'  received 
from  the  commanding  officer ;  but  Captain  Littlejohn  swore  that  a  brave 
man  should  not  be  used  as  a  rascal  on  board  his  ship. 

Having  enjoyed  eight  or  nine  days'  happiness,  from  the  polite  and 
generous  treatment  of  Captain  Littlejohn  and  his  officers,  I  was  obliged 
to  bid  them  farewell,  parting  with  them  in  as  friendly  a  manner  as  we  had 
lived  together,  which,  to  the  best  of  my  memory,  was  the  eleventh  of 
November.  When  a  detachment  of  General  Arnold's  little  army  appeared 
on  Point  Levy,  opposite  Quebec,  who  had  performed  an  extraordinary 
march  through  a  wilderness  country,  with  design  to  have  surprised  the 
capital  of  Canada,  I  was  then  taken  on  board  a  vessel  called  the  Adamant, 
together  with  the  prisoners  taken  with  me,  and  put  under  the  power  of 
tn  English  merchant  from  London,  whose  name  was  Brook  Watson ;  a 
man  of  malicious  and  cruel  disposition,  and  who  was  probably  excited 
in  the  exercise  of  his  malevolence  by  a  junto  of  tories,  who  i<iflilcd  with 
him  to  England  ;  among  whom  wore  Colonel  Guy  Johnson,  Coioi  ui  Closs, 
and  their  attendants  and  associates,  to  the  number  of  about  tiiirty.  A 
small  place  in  the  vessel,  enclosed  with  white  oak  plank,  was  assigned 
for  the  prisoners,  and  for  me  among  the  rest.  I  should  imagine  that  it 
was  not  more  than  twenty  feet  one  way  and  twenty-two  the  other.  Into 
this  place  we  were  all,  to  the  number  of  thirty-four,  thrust  und  handcuffed, 
two  prisoners  more  being  added  to  our  number,  and  were  provided  with 
two  excrement  tubs.  In  this  circumference  we  were  obliged  to  eat  and 
perform  the  office  of  evacuation,  during  the  voyage  to  Ex-i^'iand  ;  and  were 
insulted  by  every  blackguard  sailor  and  tory  on  board,  in  the  cruelest 
manner;  but  what  is  the  most  surprising  is,  that  not  one  of  us  died  in 


ETHAN  ALLEN'S  NARRATIVE. 


1.39 


dnd  jfnntlemnn-like 
or  wroto  to  (Jniornl 
\iW\\o  many  of  tlioao 
I  wan  c-.ontiiKMl  in 
iRr,nlM>ut  Hix  wooks; 
?nty  of  oxtravni»nnt 
time,  brttor  tlian  to 

insulted,  in  n  fit  of 
k  to  be  a  tcn-pnnny 
handcuff,  and  nt  the 
particularly  a  Doctor 
,  and  deserved  'loath 

the  halter,  and  in  a 

conseqtienco,  as  he 

(luod  of  lanjjuaKe  at 

mgnr  was  wry  jjrcnt. 

r  that  a  small  padlock 

as  they  were  mcan- 

0  me,  that  they  were 

1  prisoners  taken  with 
gainst  Quebec,  under 
who  treated  inc  in  a 
to  my  rank  ;  in  about 
but  my  pood  fortune 
vessel  1  was  put  on 

1  in  a  polite,  pcnerous, 
ibin,  and  fnred  on  the 
rder  ho  h;i  received 
hn  swore  that  a  brave 
dp. 

I,  from  the  polite  and 
officers,  I  was  obliged 
lly  a  manner  as  we  had 
,  was  the  eleventh  of 
I's  little  army  appeared 
rmed  an  extraordinary 

to  have  surprised  the 
el  called  the  Adamant, 
lUt  under  the  power  of 

was  Brook  Watson;  a 
»  was  probably  excited 
tories,  who  sailed  with 
Johnson,  Coioi.ul  Closs, 
ter  of  about  thirty.  A 
ik  plank,  was  assigned 

should  imagine  that  it 
ity-two  the  other.  Into 
,  thi  ust  ..nd  handcuffed, 
md  were  provided  with 
were  (  Sliced  to  eat  and 
e  to  E:^  ^'land  ;  and  were 

board,  in  the  cruelesl 
it  not  one  of  us  died  in 


the  passape.  When  I  was  firHt  ordered  lo  go  into  the  filthy  rnrlnnure, 
through  asinall  sort  of  door,  I  positivoly  refuNrd,  and  endeavored  to  rcnson 
the  bet'ore-nnmiMl  Krook  VVutson  out  of  a  conduct  so  derogatory  to  every 
sentiment  of  honor  and  humanity,  but  all  to  no  purpose,  my  men  being 
forced  in  the  den  already  ;  and  the  rascal  who  had  the  charge  of  Iho 
prisoners,  corniniinded  me  to  go  immediately  in  among  the  rrst.  lie 
furthi^r  addcci,  that  the  place  was  good  enough  for  a  rebel  ;  that  it  was 
impertinent  for  a  capital  offender  to  talk  of  honor  or  humanity — that 
anything  short  of  a  halter  was  too  good  for  me — and  that,  that  would  be 
my  portion  soon  atler  I  landed  in  England — for  which  purpose  only  I  was 
sent  thither.  About  the  same  time  a  lieutenant  among  the  tories  insulted 
mo  in  a  greivous  manner,  snying  that  I  ought  to  have  been  executed  for 
my  rebellion  against  Now  York,  and  spit  in  my  face  ;  upon  which,  though 
I  was  hnndcull'od,  I  sprung  at  him  with  both  hands,  and  knocked  him 
partly  down,  but  he  scrambled  along  into  the  cabin,  and  1  at\er  him — 
there  he  got  under  the  protection  of  some  men  with  fixed  bayonets,  who 
wore  ordered  to  make  ready  to  drive  me  into  the  place  before  mentioned. 

I  challenged  him  to  fight,  notwithstanding  the  impediments  that  wero 
on  my  hands,  and  had  the  exalted  pleasure  to  see  the  rascal  tremble  for 
fear.  I  lis  name  I  have  forgotten,  but  Watson  ordered  his  guard  to  get 
me  into  the  place  with  the  other  prisoners,  dead  or  alive  ;  and  1  had 
almost  as  leave  die  as  do  it,  standing  it  out  till  they  environed  me  round 
with  bayonets.  Therefore,  rather  than  die,  I  submitted  to  their  indignities, 
being  drove  with  bayonets  into  the  filthy  dungeon,  with  the  other  prisoners, 
where  we  were  denied  fresh  water,  except  a  small  allowance  which  was 
very  inadequate  to  our  wants — and  in  consequence  of  the  stench  of  tho 
place,  each  of  us  was  soon  followed  with  a  diarrhcoi)  and  fever,  which 
occasioned  an  intolerable  thirst.  When  we  asked  for  water,  we  were 
most  commonly,  instead  of  obtaining  it,  insulted  and  derided — and  to  add 
to  all  the  horrors  of  the  place,  it  was  so  dark  that  we  could  not  see  each 
other,  and  wero  overspread  with  body  lice.  Wo  had,  notwithstanding 
these  severities,  full  allowance  of  salt  provisions,  and  a  gill  of  rum  per 
day — tho  latter  of  which  was  of  the  utmost  service  to  us,  and  probably 
was  tho  means  of  saving  several  of  our  lives.  About  forty  days  we  ex- 
isted in  this  manner,  when  the  Land's-End  of  England  was  discovered 
from  the  mast-head — soon  ailer  which  the  prisoners  were  taken  from 
their  gloomy  abode,  being  permitted  to  see  the  light  of  the  sun,  and  breathe 
fresh  air,  which  to  us  was  very  refreshing.  The  day  following  wc  landed 
at  Falmouth.  A  few  days  before  I  was  taken  prisoner,!  shifted  my  clothes, 
by  which  I  happened  to  be  taken  in  a  Canadian  dress,  viz:  a  short  fawn- 
skin  jacket,  double-breasted,  an  under  vest  and  breeches  of  fagathy, 
worsted  stockings,  a  decent  pair  of  shoes,  two  plain  shirts,  and  a  red 
worsted  cap.  This  was  all  the  clothing  I  had,  in  which  I  made  my 
appearance  in  England.  When  the  prisoners  were  landed,  multitudes 
of  the  citizens  of  Falmouth,  excited  by  curiosity,  crowded  together  to  see 
us,  which  was  equally  gratifying  to  us.  I  saw  numbers  of  people  on  the 
tops  of  houses,  and  the  rising  adjacent  grounds  were  covered  with  them  of 
both  sexes.  The  throng  was  so  great  that  the  king's  officers  were  obliged 
to  draw  their  swords,  and  force  a  passage  to  Pendcnnis  Castle,  which  was 
near  a  mile  from  the  town  where  we  were  closely  confined,  in  consequence 
of  orders  from  General  Carlton,  who  then  commanded  in  Canada. 

My  personal  treatment  by  Lieutenant  Hamilton,  who  commanded  the 
castle,  was  very  generous.  He  sent  me  every  day  a  fine  breakfast  and 
dinner  from  his  own  table,  and  a  bottle  of  good  wine.    Another  aged 


!;i!i 


-rtt^^Ajt^r^rt^  £^al^M.^i^^.^.^  .  ,^  . 


140 


ETHAN  ALLEN'S  NARRATIVE. 


gentleman,  whose  name  I  cannot  recollect,  sent  me  a  good  supper.  But 
there  was  no  distinction  in  public  support  between  me  and  the  privates — 
we  all  lodged  on  a  sort  of  Dutch  bunks,  in  one  common  apartment,  and 
were  allowed  straw.  The  privates  were  well  supplied  with  fresh  provisions, 
and  with  me  took  effectual  measures  to  rid  ourselves  of  lice.  Among 
the  great  numbers  of  people  who  came  to  the  castle  to  see  th»;  prisoners, 
some  gentlemen  told  me  that  they  iiad  come  fifly  miles  on  purpose  to  see 
me,  and  desired  to  ask  me  a  number  of  questions,  and  to  make  free  with 
me  in  conversation.  I  gave  for  answer,  that  I  chose  freedom  in  every 
sense  of  tiie  word.  Then  one  of  them  asked  me  what  my  occupation  in 
life  had  been?  I  answered  him,  that  in  my  younger  days  I  had  studied 
divinity,  but  was  a  conjuror  by  profession.  He  replied  that  I  conjured 
wrong  at  the  time  I  was  taken  ;  and  I  was  obliged  to  own,  that  I  mistook 
a  figure  at  that  time,  but  that  I  had  conjured  them  out  of  Ticonderoga. 
This  was  a  place  of  great  notoriety  in  England,  so  that  tho  joke  seemed 
to  go  in  my  favor.  It  was  a  common  thing  for  me  to  be  taken  out  of  close 
confinement,  into  a  spacious  green  in  the  castle,  or  rather  parade,  where 
numbers  of  gentlemen  and  ladies  were  ready  to  see  and  hear  me.  I 
often  entertained  such  audiences  with  harangues  on  the  impracticability 
of  Groat  Britian's  conquering  the  then  colonies  of  America.  At  one  of 
these  times  I  asked  a  gentleman  for  a  bowl  of  punch,  and  he  ordered  his 
servant  to  bring  it,  which  he  did,  and  offered  it  to  me,  but  I  refused  to 
take  it  from  the  hand  of  his  servant.  He  then  gave  it  to  me  with  his  own 
hand,  refusing  to  drink  with  me  in  consequence  of  my  being  a  state 
criminal.  However,  I  took  the  punch  and  drank  it  all  down  at  one  draught, 
and  handed  the  gentleman  the  bowl.  This  made  the  spectators  as  well 
as  myself  merry.  Two  clergymen  came  to  see  me,  and  inasmuch  as  they 
behaved  with  civility,  I  returned  them  the  same.  We  discoursed  on 
several  parts  of  moral  philosophy  and  Christianity — and  they  seemed  to 
be  surprised  that  I  should  be  acquainted  with  such  topics,  or  that  I  should 
understand  a  syllogism  or  regular  mood  of  argumentation.  I  am  appre- 
hensive my  Canadian  dress  contributed  not  a  little  to  the  surprise,  and 
excitement  of  curiosity. 

'J'he  prisoners  were  landed  at  Falmouth  a  few  days  before  Christmas, 
and  ordered  on  board  of  the  Solebay  frigate,  Captain  Symonds,the  eighth 
day  of  January,  1776,  when  our  hand  irons  were  taken  oft".  This  remove 
was  in  consequence  (as  I  have  since  been  informed)  of  a  writ  of  habeas 
corpus,  which  had  been  procured  by  some  gentlemen  in  England,  in  order 
to  obtain  me  my  liberty.  The  Solebay,  with  sundry  other  men  of  war, 
and  about  forty  transports,  rendezvoused  at  the  cove  of  Cork,  in  Ireland, 
to  take  in  provisions  and  water.  When  we  were  first  brought  on  board. 
Captain  Symonds  ordered  all  the  prisoners,  and  most  of  the  hands  on  board, 
to  go  on  deck,  and  caused  to  be  read  in  their  hearing  a  certain  code  of 
laws,  or  rules  for  the  regulation  and  ordering  of  their  behavior ;  and 
then,  in  a  sovereign  manner,  ordered  the  prisoners,  me  in  particular,  off 
the  deck,  and  never  to  come  on  it  again  ;  for,  said  he,  this  is  a  place  for 
gentlemen  to  walk.  So  I  went  off,  an  officer  following  me,  who  told  me, 
that  he  would  show  me  the  place  allotted  for  me,  and  took  me  down  to 
the  cable  tier,  saying  to  me,  this  is  your  place.  Prior  to  this  I  had  taken 
cold,  by  which  I  was  in  an  ill  state  of  health,  and  did  not  say  much  to  the 
officer  ;  but  stayed  there  that  night,  consulted  my  policy,  and  found  I  was 
in  an  evil  case.  I  felt  myself  more  desponding  than  I  had  done  at  any 
time  before.  However,  two  days  after  I  shaved  and  cleaned  myself  au 
well  as  I  could,  and  wont  on  deck.    The  captain  spoke  to  me  in  a  great 


ETHAN  ALLEN'S  NARRATIVE. 


141 


e  a  good  supper.    But 
me  and  the  privates — 
)innion  apartment,  and 
d  with,  fresh  provisions, 
elves  of  lice.     Among 
le  to  see  the  prisoners, 
niles  on  purpose  to  see 
,  and  to  make  free  with 
;hose  freedom  in  every 
what  my  occupation  in 
ger  days  I  had  studied 
replied  that  I  conjured 
1  to  own,  that  I  mistook 
3m  out  of  Ticonderoga. 
o  that  the  joke  seemed 
to  be  taken  out  of  close 
or  rather  parade,  where 
0  see  and  hear  me.     I 
3  on  the  impracticability 
)f  America.     At  one  of 
nch,  and  he  ordered  his 
L  to  me,  but  I  refused  to 
ave  it  to  me  with  his  own 
ce  of  my  being  a  state 
t  all  down  at  one  draught, 
de  the  spectators  as  well 
ne,  and  inasmuch  as  they 
me.     We   discoursed  on 
ity — and  they  seemed  to 
ch  topics,  or  that  I  should 
imentation.     I  am  appre- 
little  to  the  surprise,  and 

w  days  before  Christmas, 
ptain  Symond8,the  eighth 
;  taken  off.  This  remove 
rmed)  of  a  writ  of  habeas 
emen  in  England,  in  order 
sundry  other  men  of  war, 
)  cove  of  Cork,  in  Ireland, 
!re  first  brought  on  board, 
most  of  the  hands  on  board, 
hearing  a  certain  code  oi 
g  of  their  behavior;  and 
jners,  me  in  particular,  off 

said  he,  this  is  a  place  for 
Following  me,  who  told  me, 

me,  and  took  me  down  to 
Prior  to  this  I  had  taken 
ind  did  not  say  much  to  the 
my  policy,  and  found  I  was 
ing  than  I  had  done  at  any 
ved  and  cleaned  myself  as 
,tain  spoke  to  me  in  a  groat 


rage,  and  said,  "  Did  T  not  order  you  not  to  come  on  deckT*  I  answered 
him,  that  at  the  same  time  he  said,  that  it  was  the  place  for  gentlemen 
to  walk.  That  I  was  Colonel  Allen,  but  had  not  been  properly  intro- 
duced to  him.     He  replied,  " you,  sir,  be  careful  not  to  walk  the 

same  side  of  the  deck  thai  i  Jo."  This  gave  me  encouragement,  and 
ever  after  that  I  walked  in  ipe  iianner  he  had  directed,  except  when  he, 
at  certain  times  afterward,  c'lred  me  off  in  a  passion:  I  would  then 
directly  afterward  go  on  again,  telling  him  to  command  his  slaves,  that  I 
was  a  gentleman,  and  had  a  right  to  walk  the  deck  ;  yet  when  he  expressly 
ordered  me  off,  I  obeyed,  not  out  of  obedience  to  him,  but  to  set  an 
example  to  his  ship's  crew,  who  ought  to  obey  him. 

It  was  but  »  few  nights  I  lodged  in  the  cable  tier,  before  I  gained  an 
acquaintance  with  the  master-of-arms.  His  name  was  Gillegan,  an  Irish- 
man, who  was  a  generous  and  well  disposed  man,  and  in  a  friendly  manner 
made  me  a  proffer  of  living  with  him  in  a  little  berth,  which  was  allotted 
hirr  between  decks,  and  enclosed  with  canvas  ;  his  preferment  on  board 
was  about  equal  to  that  of  a  serjeant  in  a  regiment.  I  was  comparatively 
happy  in  the  acceptance  of  his  clemency,  and  lived  with  him  in  friendship, 
until  the  frigate  anchored  in  the  harbor  of  Cape  Fear,  North  Carolina, 
in  America. 

Nothing  of  material  consequence  happened  until  the  fleet  rendezvoused 
at  the  cove  of  Cork,  except  a  violent  stirm  which  brought  old  hardy 
Bailors  to  their  prayers.  It  was  soon  rumored  in  Cork  that  I  was  on  board 
the  Solebay,  with  a  number  of  prisoners  from  America — upon  which  a 
number  of  benevolently  disposed  gentlemen,  contributed  largely  to  the 
relief  and  support  of  the  prisoners,  who  were  thirty-four  in  number,  and 
in  very  needy  circumstances.  A  suit  of  clothes  from  head  to  foot, 
including  an  overcoat,  or  surtout,  and  two  shirts,  were  bestowed  on  each 
of  them.  My  suit  I  received  in  superfine  broadcloth,  sufficient  for  two 
jackets,  and  two  pair  of  breeches,  overplus  of  a  suit  throughout,  eight 
fine  Holland  shirts  and  socks  ready  made,  with  a  number  of  pairs  of  silk 
and  worsted  hose,  two  pair  of  shoes,  two  beaver  hats,  one  of  which  was 
richly  laced  with  gold.  The  Irish  gentlemen  furthermore  made  a  large 
gratuity  of  wines  of  the  best  sort,  old  spirits,  Geneva,  loaf  and  brown  sugar, 
coffee,  tea  and  chocolate,  with  a  large  round  of  pickled  beef,  and  a  number 
of  fat  turkies,  with  many  other  articles,  for  ray  sea-stores,  too  tedious  to 
mention  here.  To  the  privates  they  bestowed  to  each  man  two  pounds 
of  tea,  and  six  pounds  of  sugar.  These  articles  were  received  on  board, 
at  a  time  when  the  captain  and  first  lieutenant  were  gone  on  shore,  by 
permission  of  the  second  lieutenant.  To  crown  all,  they  sent  me  by 
another  person  fifty  guineas,  but  I  could  not  reconcile  the  receiving  the 
whole  to  my  own  feelings,  as  it  might  have  the  appearance  of  avarice  ; 
and  therefore  received  but  seven  guineas  only. 

Two  days  after  the  receipt  of  the  aforesaid  donations,  Captain  Symonds 
came  on  board,  full  of  envy  toward  the  prisoners,  and  swore  by  all  that  is 
good,  that  the  damned  American  rebels  should  not  be  feasted  at  this  rate 
by  the  damned  rebels  of  Ireland ;  he  therefore  took  away  all  my  liquors 
before  mentioned,  except  some  of  the  wine  which  was  secreted,  and  a 
two  gallon  jug  of  old  spirits  which  was  reserved  for  me,  per  favor  of 
Lieutenant  Douglas.  The  taking  my  liquors  was  abominable  in  his  sight: 
he  therefore  spoke  in  my  behalf,  until  the  captain  was  angry  with  him, 
and  in  consequence,  proceeded  and  took  away  all  the  tea  and  sugar  which 
had  been  given  to  the  other  prisoners,  and  confiscated  it  to  the  use  of 
the  ship's  crew.    Our  clothing  was  not  taken  away,  but  the  privates  were 


iial 


ml- 


»f«R- 


-^' 


,.-  ETHAN  ALLEN'S  NARRATIVE. 

forced  to  do  duty  on  board.     Soon  after  this  there  came  a  boat  to  the  8ide 
Ke  ship,  and  Captain  Symonds  asked  a  gentleman  that  was  •«  't,  m  "ly 
hllrfn?"  what  his  business  was,  who  answered  that  he  was  sent  to  dehvei 
soTc'ea  store    to  Colonel  Allen,  which,  if  I  remember  right,  he  said 
wP^o  sent  f  o  n  Dublin;  but  the  captain  damned  him  very  heartdv  ordered 
E  away  from  the  slip,  and  would  not  suffer  him  to  del.ver  the  stores. 
I  was  furthermore  infonned,  that  the  gentlemen  in  Cor':  re<iuested  of 
rrotain  Svmonds  that  I  might  be  allowed  to  come  into  the  city,  and  that 
fherwould  be  responsible  I  should  return  to  the  frigate  at  a  g'ven  t.me» 
whi'ch  w  s  denied' them.     We  sailed  from  England  f  c.ghth  day  of 
January  and  from  the  cove  of  Cork  the  twelfth  day  of  February.     Just, 
before  we  sailed%e  prisoners  with  me  wore  divided,  and  put  on  board 

^' Welia?:;;  Sd  maT/days  before  a  mighty  storm  arose,  which  la-ted 
twrnty-four  hours  without'  intermission.  The  wind  blew  with  relentlew 
fury  and  no  man  could  remain  on  deck,  except  he  was  lashed  fast  for 
;;7;a;es  roUed  over  the  deck  by  turns,  with  a  forc.We  rap.d'ty,  and  every 
soul  on  board  was  anxious  for  the  preservation  of  the.r  ^ve«-  f  Jer  the 
storm  abated,  I  could  plainly  discern  that  the  prisoners  were  better  used 
for  some  considerable*  time.  Nothing  of  consequence  happned  after 
his  till  we  had  sailed  to  the  island  of  Madeira,  except  a  c«rta.n  tavor 
wMch  received  of  Captain  Symonds,  in  consequence  of  an  app hcat.on 
Tmade  to  him,  for  the  privilege  of  his  tailor  to  make  a  suit  of  c  othes  of 
the  cloth  bestowed  on  me  in  Ireland,  which  he  generously  granted. 

The  reader  will  doubtless  recollect  the  seven  guineas  I  received  at  the 
coveof  Cork.    Thesewould  haveenabled  me  to  purchase  of  the  purser  what 
TwLtLd,  Lad  not  the  captain  strictly  forbid  it,  though  I  '"f^  sundry  J 
plication;  to  him  for  that  purpose  ;  but  his  answer »»  "^e' >yh«n  I  was  sick, 
was,  that  it  was  no  matter  how  soon  I  was  dead,  and  that  he  was  "o  ways 
rnxious  to  preserve  the  lives  of  rebels,  but  wished  them  all  dead  ;  and 
?ndTd  that'was  the  language  of  most  of  the  ship's  "«*•    J  -P-J^^^^«^. 
not  only  with  the  captain  but  with  other  gentlemen  on  board  on  the  un 
Reasonableness  of  such  usage  ;  inferring,  that  ""'^"'"^Vnffendlr  thTi 
ment  in  England  did  not  proceed  against  me  as  a  capital  offendf/'  ^J^f/ 
Xould  not ;  for  that  they  were  by  no  means  empowered  by  any  author  ty, 
S  civil  or  military,  to  do  so;  for  the  English  government  had  ac^^^^^^^^^^ 
me  by  sending  me  back  a  prisoner  of  war  to  America,  and  that  they  shouia 
Seat^r^e  as  such.     I  further  drew  an  inference  of  impolicy  on  them, 
provided  they  should,  by  hard  usage,  destroy  my    ife  :  '»f™»«J  "  > 
Eht,  if  living,  redeem  one  of  their  officers;  but  the  «»?»»•»  !fP»'«^' 
Sat  he  needed  no   directions  of  mine  how  to  treat  a  rebel ;  that    he 
British  would  conquer  the  American  rebels,  hang  the  Congress,  and  such 
^promoted  the  rebellion,  me  in  particular,  and  retake  the.r  own  pn  oners 
so  that  my  life  was  of  no  consequence  in  the  scale  of  their  policy.     1 
"ave  him  foV  answer,  that  if  th'ey  stayed  till  t^ey  conquered  Arnenc. 
before  they  hanged  me,  /  should  die  of  old  age,  and  desired  that  till  such 
in  event  tJok  place,  he  would  at  least  allow  me  to  purchase  of  the  P«rs«^ 
for  my  own  rtioney,  such  articles  as  I  greatly  needed;  but  he  'rould  not 
permi?  it,  and  when  I  reminded  him  of  the  generous  and  cm  usage  tha^ 
5.eir  prisoners  in  captivity  in  America  met  with,  he  said  tb«    J  was  nrt 
owing  to  their  goodness,  but  to  their  timidity  ;  for,  said  he,  they  expert 
to  bo  conquered,  and  therefore  dare  not  misuse  our  prisoners,  and  m  fart 
Sis  was  the  language  of  the  British  officers  till  General  Burgoyne  wa. 
iken ;  and  not  olUyof  the  officers,  but  of  the  whole  British  army.    The 


ETHAN  ALLEN'S  NARRATIVE. 


143 


me  a  boat  to  the  Bide 
that  was  in  it,  in  my 
le  was  sent  to  delivei 
ember  right,  he  said 
irery  heartil",  ordered 
to  deliver  the  stores. 
[\  Cor':  requested  of 
into  the  city,  and  that 
igate  at  a  given  time, 
id  the  eighth  day  of 
y  of  February.     Just 
led,  and  put  on  board 

rm  arose,  which  lasted 
1  blew  with  relentless 
e  was  lashed  fast,  for 
ble  rapidity,  and  every 
their  lives.     After  the 
iners  were  better  used 
Liencc  happened  after 
except  a  certain  favor 
ence  of  an  application 
ke  a  suit  of  clothes  of 
nerously  granted, 
lineaa  I  received  at  the 
chase  ofthe  purser  what 
ugh  I  made  sundry  ap- 
to  me,  when  I  was  sick, 
nd  that  he  was  no  ways 
■d  them  all  dead;  and 
I  crew.     I  expostulated 
Bn  on  board,  on  the  un- 
asmuch  as  the  govem- 
a  capital  offender,  they 
wered  by  any  authority, 
(vernraent  had  acquitted 
ca,  and  that  they  should 
3  of  impolicy  on  them, 
ny  life ;  inasmuch  as  I 
(ut  the  captain  replied, 
treat  a  rebel ;  that  the 
the  Congress,  and  such 
take  their  own  prisoners; 
jcale  of  their  policy.    I 
ley  conquered  Americ* 
md  desired  that  till  such 
)  purchase  of  the  purser, 
leded ;  but  he  would  not 
rous  and  civil  usage  that 
I,  he  said  that  it  was  not 
for,  said  he,  they  expect 
Dur  prisoners,  and  In  fact 
1  General  Burgoyne  WM 
rhole  British  army.    The 


surgeon  of  the  Solebay,  however,  whose  name  was  North,  was  a  very 
humane  and  obliging  man,  and  took  the  best  care  of  the  prisoners  who 
were  sick. 

The  third  day  of  May  we  cast  anchor  in  the  harbor  of  Cape  Fear,  in 
North  Carolina,  as  did  Sir  Peter  Parker's  ship  of  fifty  guns,  a  little  back 
ofthe  bar,  for  there  was  no  deptli  of  water  for  him  to  come  into  Ihe  harbor. 
These  two  men-of-war  and  fourteen  sail  of  transports  and  others,  came 
after,  so  that  most  ofthe  fleet  rendezvoused  at  Cape  Fear,  for  three  weeks. 
The  soldiers  on  board  the  transports  wore  sickly,  in  consequence  of  so 
long  a  passage — add  to  this,  the  smallpox  carried  off  many  of  them: 
they  landed  on  the  main  and  formed  a  camp,  but  the  riflemen  annoyed 
them,  and  caused  them  to  move  to  an  island  in  the  harbor — but  such 
cursing  of  riflemen  I  never  heard.  A  detachment  of  regulars  was  sent 
up  Brunswick  river  ;  as  they  landed,  were  fired  on  by  those  marksmen, 
and  they  came  back  next  day,  damning  the  rebels  for  their  unmanly  way 
of  fighting,  and  swearing  that  they  would  give  no  quarter,  for  they  took 
sight  at  them,  and  were  behind  timber,  skulking  about.  One  of  the 
detachments  said  they  lost  one  man — but  a  negro  man  who  was  with 
them,  and  heard  what  was  said,  soon  after  told  me  that  he  helped  to  bury 
thirty-one  of  them. 

The  prisoners  who  had  been  sent  on  board  different  men-of-war  at  the 
cove  of  Cork,  were  collected  together,  and  the  whole  of  them  put  on  board 
the  Mercury  frigate,  Captain  James  Montague,  who  set  sail  from  this  port 
for  Halifax,  about  the  twentieth  of  May.  I  now  found  myself  under  a 
worse  captain  than  Symouds  ;  for  Montague  was  loaded  with  prejudices 
against  everybody  and  everything  that  was  not  stamped  with  royalty ; 
and  being  by  nature  underwitted,  his  wrath  was  heavier  than  the  others, 
or  at  least  his  mind  was  in  no  instance  liable  to  be  diverted  by  good  sense, 
humor  or  bravery,  of  which  Symonds  was  by  turns  susceptible.  In  this 
passage  the  prisoners  were  infected  with  the  scurvy,  some  more  and  some 
less,  but  most  of  them  severely.  The  ship's  crew  was  to  a  great  degree 
troubled  with  it,  and  I  concluded  that  it  was  catching.  Several  of  the 
crew  died  of  it  on  their  passage.  I  was  weak  and  feeble  in  consequence 
of  so  long  and  cruel  a  captivity,  yet  had  but  little  of  the  scurvy.  The 
purser  was  again  expressly  forbid  by  the  captain  to  let  me  have  anything 
out  of  his  store — upon  which  I  went  on  deck,  and  in  the  handsomest 
manner  requested  the  favor  of  purchasing  a  few  necessaries  of  the  purser, 
which  was  denied  me.  He  further  told  me,  that  I  should  be  hanged  as 
soon  as  I  arrived  at  Halifax.  I  tried  to  reason  the  matter  with  him,  but 
found  him  proof  against  reason.  He  afterward  forbid  his  surgeon  to 
administer  any  help  to  the  sick  prisoners.  I  was  every  night  shut  down 
in  the  cable  tier,  with  the  rest  ofthe  prisoners,  and  we  all  lived  miserably 
while  under  his  power.  But  I  received  some  generosity  from  several 
of  the  midshipmen,  who  in  a  degree  alleviated  my  misery.  But  they 
were  obliged  to  be  private  in  the  bestowment  of  their  favor,  which  was 
sometimes  good  wine  bitters,  and  at  others  a  generous  drink  of  grog. 
Sometime  in  the  first  week  of  June,  we  came  to  anchor  at  the  Hook  off 
New  York,  where  we  remained  but  three  days  ;  in  which  time  Governor 
Tryon,  Mr.  Kemp,  the  old  Attorney  General  of  New  York,  and  several 
other  perfidious  and  overgrown  tories  and  land-jobbers  came  on  board. 
Tryon  viewed  me  with  a  stern  countenance  as  I  was  walking  on  the 
leeward  side  ofthe  deck  with  the  midshipmen — and  he  and  his  companions 
were  walking  with  the  captain  and  lieutenant  on  the  windward  side  of 
the  aame,  but  never  spoke  to  me.    What  passed  between  the  officers  of  the 


'1^ 


»•     I 


n^&i.' 


/ 


.^  ETHAN  ALLEN'S  NARRATIV-J. 

.hip  and  these  visitors  I  know  not;  b«t  this  J  Jcno^^         -^  *'-^™«"* 

ul  the  principal  officers  was  more  je^ere  "tft^^^^^^^^^      ,here  the  ship's 

We  arrived  at  Halifax  not  fa;  from  the  JJ'daie^i  ,  ^^^  ^^^^^^^ 

crew  which  was  infested  w.th  the  sj^"^' ^«;«  'Sy  covered  with  earth. . 
trenches  dug,  into  wh.ch  ^J^/^^jXn  for  thS  elief.  The  prisoners 
Indeed  every  proper  measure  was  taken  wr  in^  ^^^^  ^  ^, 

were  not  permitted  any  sort  f^ '"^^tn  ^f^I^K  s^^^^^^  '^'^'^ 

which  lay  in  the  harbor,  "^^^^^^l^"  °„d  coSntly  set  over  them,  night 

men-of-war  and  their  »«"^"«' ^^  ^^^^^Xr,  except  the  guard  who 
and  day.     The  sloop  we  had  «hoUy  to  ourselveB,  i^  ^_^^  ^^^^^^ 

occupied  the  fo'^^"'^*  '  J^^^^  rTre  tSan  one  third  of  the  common 
It  seemed  to  me  that  we  had  not  more  than  on  f^-^^^^^s^y,e 

allowance.  We  were  all  ««'^«„VeicI  a  pS  I  «i^"«^  '^^  «'^'' 
divided  our  scanty  allowance  ^^  «''*^^;;/^fl,e  than  an  even  share, 
fate  with  the  rest,  and  though  they  offered  m^e^^^^^.^^  ^.^^^^^^^  ^^.^^^ 

I  refused  to  accept  it,  '^ '^ ZoImv  y^ith  the  rest,  and  set  an  example 
my  opinion,  I  ought  to  partake  « J«f  y^^^^^^  I  sent  letter  after 

of  virtue  and  fortitude  to  o^^^'^l^.^^^rrue  care  of  us,  and  also  to  his 
letter  to  Captain  Montague,  who  sull  ^ad  the  care  o        ,         ^.^^^^^^^ . 

lieutenant,  but  could  obtam  no  answer  m^^^^^^^^ 

and,  to  add  to  the  ca  amity,  near  a  to^^^^^  doctors,  to  procure,  .f 

ill  of  the  scurvy.     I  wrote  P'^^te  letters  ^^^  ^^.^^  ^^^ 

possible,  some  remedy  for  *»>«  «l^«'^^^  J^^^ed  the  sloop  we  were  m, 
came  by  in  a  boat  so  c  ose  .^^f^^^'^^^fj'iest  manner  to  him,  but  he  never 
and  I  uttered  my  ^^"V"  f  S  ^e^  an^  though  I  continued 
so  much  as  turned  his  head,  or  maO«  me  auy  ^^^^^^^ 

Bpeakingtillhegotoutofheanng.     Ourcau^^^  ^^^  ,^ 

able.     Still  I  kept  writing  to  the  c«Ptam,  tm  •  j^^  ^^^  ^^^, 

they  told  me,  not  to  bring  "^"^^ 'ff  "Jro^Sie  men  almost  dead  ot 

s;— iis^Kj^sT^SsS  :r^:  tsz^ 

?t^;itXct?d  1.r  ffiTh^l- ^or  them,  was  all  the  money 
he  had  in  the  world.  .      <•  .Ua  Mprrurv  came  privately  on  board 

Meanwhile  the  doctor's  mate  "^  *^«h  Xs^^^'*  °^ '™      drops,  which 
the  prison  sloop,  and  presented  me  with  a  large  v^  ^^j^^^ 

proved  to  be  good  for  the  ^^JJ^/'.^S^'Sf^'p^^^^^^^ 

fngredients  were  requisite  J*' Xm;d  exertion  o^Lanity-and,  in  my 

to  the  disease.     This  was  a  well-tiined  exe^^^^^  The  guard 

opinion,  was  the  means  of  saving  J«  ^'^^J^^^^^Hith  the  feelings  of  com- 
whichwas  set  over  «s,  was  by  this  time  toucn  complaint  to 

passion;  and  I  finally  trusted  <>°«  "^  ^Vundm^ 
Lvernor  Arbuthnot  of  Hahfax,  which  hj  fo«^*  ™«,  ^^^^  „  officer  and 
and  which  had  the  desired  effect-for  «J«  «»J«'     ^^  of  the  complaint. 
Burgeon  on  board  the  prison  sloop,  to  ^^7'^^^  ][^  ^f  lieutenant,  and 

Thf  officer's  name  was  ^''^^^^^^X^'i^ '^'^^y '^''^^  "^^^^ 
treated  me  in  a  friendly  and  P°V*^„"*°°  ^V  with ;  and  with  the  surgeon 

cruel  and  unmanly  usage  the  PJ'^J^^J'^tU^ho,  either  by  hi.  order 
made  a  reportof  matters  to  Governo^AAutbn^^^^     ^    ^  ^  j^ 

,        or  influence,  took  us  »«t  day  from  the  P^  J  F  ^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^ 

The  sick  were  taken  to  the  hoBp^td,M^^^^^ 

were  employed  in  the  •^•"SVfntVd  Sem,  they  all  deserted  the  king's 
recovered  from  the  Bc^lT^J^VrHaS  M  long  as  the  remainder  of 
employ,  and  were  not  heard  of  •»  HaWto,  m  long 


■*  *»■ -aw.  ,-iiMi,^. ,  *A*-^>| 


l^ 


ETHAN  ALLEN'S  NARRATIVE. 


145 


11     k 


,that  my  treatment 

16,  where  the  ship's 
n  shore,  and  shallow 
covered  with  earth., 
ief.     The  prisoners 
ut  on  board  a  sloop 
ounded  with  several 
set  over  them,  night 
tcept  the  guard  who 
nched  with  hunger, 
hird  of  the  common 
r  and  faintness— we 
I  shared  the  same 

than  an  even  share, 
al  distress,  which,  in 
t,  and  set  an  example 
I  sent  letter  after 
of  us,  and  also  to  his 
redress  of  grievances ; 
lers  were  dangerously 
lectors,  to  procure,  if 

The  chief  physician 
the  sloop  we  were  in, 
,rtohim,buthenever 
er,  though  I  continued 
,n  became  very  deplor- 
irdered  the  guards,  as 

to  him.  In  the  mean- 
tie  men  almost  dead  oi 
noe  of  Indians  coming 

ate  them  at  once,  and 
em,  was  all  the  money 

ime  privately  on  board 
)l  of  smart  drops,  which 
tables  and  some  other 
ps  gave  at  least  a  check 
f  humanity— and,  in  my 
reral  men.    The  guard 
riththe  feelings  of  com- 
a  letter  of  complaint  to 
means  to  communicate, 
rnor  sent  an  officer  and 
truth  of  the  complaint, 
rank  of  lieutenant,  and 
was  really  angry  at  the 
|i;  and  with  the  surgwn 
who,  either  by  his  order 

1  sloop  to  Halifax  gaol, 
idians  who  were  effecUve, 
t  their  countrymen  were 
jy  all  deserted  the  king's 
long  «*  the  remainder  of 


the  prisoners  continued  there,  which  was  till  near  the  middle  of  October. 
We  were  on  board  the  prison  sloop  about  six  weeks,  and  were  landed  at 
Halifax  near  the  middle  of  August.  Several  of  our  English  American 
prisoners,  who  were  cured  of  the  scurvy  at  the  hospital,  made  their  escape 
from  thence,  and  after  a  long  time  reached  their  old  habitations.  I  had 
now  but  thirteen  with  me  of  those  that  were  taken  in  Canada,  and  remained 
in  gaol  with  me  in  Halifax,  who,  in  addition  to  those  that  were  imprisoned 
before,  made  our  number  about  thirty-four,  who  were  all  locked  up  in 
one  common  large  room,  without  regard  to  rank ;  and  as  sundry  of  them 
were  infected  with  the  gaol  and  other  distempers,  the  furniture  of  this 
spacious  room  consisted  most  principally  of  excrement  tubs. 

As  to  the  article  of  provisions,  wo  were  well  served,  much  better  than 
in  any  part  of  my  captivity.  Notwithstanding  which  I  had  not  been  more 
than  three  weeks  in  this  place  before  I  lost  all  appetite  for  the  most 
delicious  food  by  the  gaol  distemper,  as  sundry  of  the  other  prisoners. 
A  doctor  visited  the  sick,  and  did  the  best,  as  I  suppose,  he  could  for 
them,  to  no  apparent  purpose.  I  grew  weaker  and  weaker,  as  did  the 
rest.  Several  of  them  could  not  help  themselves.  At  last  I  reasoned  in 
my  own  mind,  that  raw  onion  would  be  good.  I  made  use  of  it,  and 
found  immediate  relief  by  it,  as  did  the  sick  in  general.  In  a  few  days 
after  this  the  prisoners  were  ordered  to  go  on  board  of  a  man-of-war, 
which  was  bound  for  New  York.  This  was  about  the  twelfth  of  October, 
and  soon  after  I  had  got  on  board,  the  captain  sent  for  me  in  particular 
to  come  on  the  quarter-deck.  I  went,  expecting  the  same  rigorous 
usage  I  had  commonly  met  with,  and  prepared  my  mind  accordingly  ;  but 
when  I  came  on  deck,  the  captain  met  me  with  his  hand,  welcomed  me 
to  his  ship,  invited  me  to  dine  with  him  that  day,  and  assured  me  that  I 
should  be  treated  as  a  gentleman,  and  that  he  had  given  orders  that  I 
should  be  treated  with  respect  by  the  ship's  crew.  This  was  so  unex- 
pected and  sudden  a  transition  that  it  drew  tears  from  my  eyes — which 
all  the  ill  usage  I  had  before  met  with  was  not  able  to  produce — nor  could 
I  at  first  hardly  speak,  but  soon  recovered  myself,  and  expressed  my 
gratitude  for  so  unexpected  a  favor,  and  let  him  know  that  I  felt  anxiety 
of  my  mind  in  reflecting  that  his  situation  and  mine  was  such  that  it  was 
not  probable  that  it  would  ever  be  in  my  power  to  return  the  favor. 
Captain  Smith  replied,  that  he  had  no  reward  in  view,  but  only  treated 
me  as  a  gentleman  ought  to  be  treated ;  he  said,  this  is  a  mutable  world, 
and  one  gentleman  never  knows  but  that  it  may  be  in  his  power  to  help 
another. 

I  dined  with  the  captain  agreeable  to  his  invitation,  and  oftentimes  with 
the  lieutenants,  in  the  gun-room,  but  in  general  ate  and  drank  with  the 

gentlemen,  who  were  prisoners  with  me,  where  I  also  slept.  Captain 
urk  having  been  taken  prisoner,  was  added  to  our  company,  (he  had 
commanded  an  American  armed  vessel,)  and  was  generously  treated  by 
the  captain  and  all  the  officers  of  the  ship.  We  now  had  in  all  near  thirty 
prisoners  on  board,  and  as  we  were  sailing  along  the  coast,  if  I  recollect 
right,  off  Rhode  Island,  Captain  Burk,  with  an  under  officer  of  the  ship, 
whose  name  I  do  not  recollect,  came  to  our  little  berth,  proposed  to  kill 
Captain  Smith  and  the  principal  officers  of  the  frigate  and  take  it ;  adding 
that  there  was  36,0002  sterling  in  the  same.  Captain  Burk  likewise 
averred  that  a  strong  party  out  of  tho  ship's  crew  was  in  the  conspiracy, 
and  urged  me  and  the  gentlemen  that  were  with  me  to  use  our  influence 
with  the  private  prisoners,  to  execute  the  design,  and  take  the  ship,  with 
the  cash,  into  one  of  our  own  ports.  Up<m  which  I  replied,  that  we  had 
10 


1^ 
1,11': 


ii 


J 


>« 


^tatftfmm^v*^'^ 


•MMaMi^-       .'/'.A- 


U^ 


146 


ETHAN  ALLEN'S  NARRATIVE. 


been  too  well  used  on  board  to  murder  the  officers ;  that  I  could  by  no 
means  reconcile  it  to  my  conscience,  and  that  in  fact  it  should  not  be  done ; 
and  while  I  was  yet  speaking,  my  friend  Level  confirmed  what  I  had 
said,  and  further  pointed  out  the  ungratefulness  of  such  an  act  ;  that  it 
did  not  fall  short  of  murder  ;  and,  in  tine,  all  the  gentlemen  in  the  berth 
opposed  Captain  Burk  and  his  colleague.  But  they  strenuously  urged 
that  the  conspiracy  would  be  found  out,  and  that  it  would  cost  them  their 
lives,  provided  they  did  not  execute  their  design.  I  then  interposed 
spiritedly,  and  put  an  end  to  further  arguments  on  the  subject,  and  told 
them  that  they  might  depend  upon  it,  upon  my  honor,  that  I  would  faith- 
fully guard  Captain  Smithes  life.  If  they  should  attempt  the  assault,  I 
would  assist  him,  for  they  desired  me  to  remnin  neuter,  and  that  the  same 
honor  that  guarded  Captain  Smithes  life,  would  also  guard  theirs ;  and  it 
was  agreed  by  those  present  not  to  reveal  the  conspiracy,  to  the  intent 
that  no  man  should  be  put  to  death  in  consequence  of  what  had  been 
projected  ;  and  Captain  Burk  and  his  colleague  went  to  stifle  the  matter 
among  their  associates.  I  could  not  help  calling  to  mind  what  Captain 
Smith  said  to  me,  when  I  first  came  on  board:  "7^t«  is  a  mutable  world, 
and  one  gentleman  never  knows  *but  that  it  may  be  in  his  power  to  help 
another.^^  Captain  Smith  and  his  officers  still  behaved  with  their  usual 
courtesy,  and  I  never  heard  any  more  of  the  conspiracy. 

We  arrived  before  New  York  the  latter  part  of  October,  where  we 
remained  several  days,  and  where  Captain  Smith  informed  me,  that  he 
had  recommended  me  to  Admiral  Howe  and  General  Sir  William  Howe, 
as  a  gentleman  of  honor  and  veracity,  and  desired  that  I  might  be  treated 
as  such.  Captain  Burk  was  then  ordered  on  board  a  prison  ship  in  the 
harbor.  I  took  my  leave  of  Captain  Smith,  and,  with  the  other  prisoners, 
was  sent  on  board  a  transport  ship,  which  lay  in  the  harbor,  commanded 
by  Captain  Craige,who  took  me  into  the  cabin  with  him  and  his  lieutenant. 
I  fared  as  they  did,  and  was  in  every  respect  well  treated  in  consequence 
of  directions  from  Captain  Smith. 

Some  of  the  last  days  of  November,  the  prisoners  were  landed  at  New 
York,  and  I  was  admitted  to  parole  with  the  other  officers.  The  privates 
were  put  into  the  filthy  churches  in  New  York,  with  the  distressed  prisoners 
that  were  taken  at  Fort  Washington ;  and  the  second  night  serjeant  Roger 
Moore,  who  was  bold  and  enterprising,  found  means  to  make  his  escape 
with  every  one  of  the  remaining  prisoners  that  were  taken  with  me,  except 
three  who  were  soon  after  exchanged.  So  that  out  of  thirty-one  prisoners, 
who  went  with  me  the  round  exhibited  in  these  sheets,  two  only  died 
with  the  enemy,  and  three  only  exchanged:  one  of  them  died  after  he 
came  within  our  lines ;  all  the  rest,  at  different  times,  made  their  escape 
from  the  enemy.  I  now  found  myself  on  parole,  and  restricted  to  the 
limits  of  the  city  of  New  York,  where  I  soon  projected  means  to  live  in 
some  measure  agreeable  to  my  rank,  though  I  was  destitute  of  cash.  My 
constitution  was  almost  worn  out  by  such  a  long  and  barbarous  captivity. 
The  enemy  gave  out  that  I  was  crazy,  and  \wholly  unmanned,  but  my 
vitals  held  sound,  (nor  was  I  delirous  any  more  th.  n  I  have  been  from  my 
youth  up ;  but  my  extreme  circumstances  at  certain  times,  rendered  it 
politic  to  act  in  some  measure  the  madman,)  and  in  consequence  of  a 
regular  diet  and  exercise  my  blood  recruited,  and  my  nerves  in  great 
measure  recovered  their  former  tone,  strength  and  usefulness,  in  the 
course  of  six  months. 

I  next  invite  the  reader  to  a  consideration  of  the  scene  of  inhumanity 
exercised  by  General  Sir  William  Howe,  and  the  army  under  his  command. 


wy»ign.ii  m  iigi»a>i ■**<■-■ '  I  ■»  -■*  - 1 J  *^ii»^  ■■  ■  ■*"* » -p* 


!«**•  jt'<,^'a»w*w*<Mn»»ife»»'«fc*»  WJiiHUniiiLini^- 


ETHAN  ALLEN'S  NARRATIVE. 


147 


at  1  could  by  no 
)uld  not  be  done ; 
mcd  what  I  bad 
h  an  act ;  that  il 
men  in  the  berth 
trenuously  urged 
,d  cost  them  their 
then  interposed 
subject,  and  told 
;hat  I  would  faith- 
upt  the  assault,  I 
and  that  the  same 
lard  theirs ;  and  it 
racy,  to  the  intent 
nf  what  had  been 
to  stifle  the  matter 
nind  what  Captain 
is  a  mutable  world, 
his  power  to  help 
6d  with  their  usual 

:y. 

October,  where  we 
formed  me,  that  he 
Sir  William  Howe, 
1 1  might  be  treated 
a  prison  ship  in  the 
the  other  prisoners, 
harbor,  commanded 
n  and  his  lieutenant, 
ated  in  consequence 

were  landed  at  New 
icers.    The  privates 
5  distressed  prisoners 
night  Serjeant  Roger 
IS  to  make  his  escape 
laken  with  me,  except 
f  thirty -one  prisoners, 
iheets,  two  only  died 
f  them  died  after  he 
es,  made  their  escape 
and  restricted  to  the 
scted  means  to  live  m 
lestitute  of  cash.     My 
id  barbarous  captivity, 
y  unmanned,  but  my 
1 1  have  been  from  tny 
tain  times,  rendered  it 
in  consequence  of  a 
id  my  nerves  in  great 
ind  usefulness,  in  the 

le  scene  of  inhumanity 
my  under  his  command. 


toward  their  prisoners.  The  private  soldiers  who  were  brought  to  New 
York  wore  crowded  into  churches,  and  somclimcH  environed  with  slavish 
flessian  guards,  a  people  of  strange  lauguagt  who  were  sent  to  America 
for  no  otlier  design  but  cruelty  and  desolation;  and  at  others,  by  merciless 
Britons,  whose  mode  of  communicating  ideas  being  intelligible  in  this 
country,  served  only  to  tantalize  and  insult  the  helpless  and  perishing; 
but  above  all  the  hellish  delight  and  triumph  of  the  tories  over  them,  as 
tiiey  were  dying  by  hundreds.  This  was  too  much  for  me  to  bear  as  a 
spectator ;  for  1  saw  the  tories  exulting  over  the  dead  bodies  of  their 
murdered  countrymen.  I  have  gone  into  the  churches,  and  seen  sundry 
ot  the  prisoners  in  the  agonies  of  death,  in  consequence  of  very  hunger, 
and  others  speechless  and  near  death,  biting  pieces  of  chips  ;  others 
pleading,  for  Grod's  sake,  for  something  to  eat,  and  at  the  same  time 
shivering  with  the  cold.  Hollow  groans  saluted  my  ears,  and  despair 
seemed  to  be  imprinted  on  every  one  of  their  countenances.  The  filth 
id  these  churches,  in  consequence  of  the  fluxes,  was  almost  beyond  de- 
scription. The  floors  were  covered  with  excrements.  I  have  carefully 
sought  to  direct  my  steps  so  as  to  avoid  it,  but  could  not.  They  would 
beg,  for  God^s  sake,  for  one  copper,  oi'  morsel  of  bread.  I  have  seen  in 
one  of  these  churches  seven  dead  at  the  same  time,  lying  among  the 
excrements  of  their  bodies. 

It  was  a  common  practice  with  the  enemy  to  convey  the  dead  from 
their  flithy  places  in  carts,  to  be  slightly  buried,  and  I  have  seen  whole 
gangs  of  tories  making  derision,  and  exulting  over  the  dead,  saying,  there 

goes  another  load  of rebels.     I  have  observed  the  British  soldiers 

io  be  full  of  their  blackguard  jckes  and  vaunting  on  those  occasions,  but 
they  appeared  to  me  less  malignant  than  tories.  The  provision  dealt  out 
to  the  prisoners  was  by  no  means  suflicient  for  the  support  of  life.  It 
was  deficient  in  quantity,  and  much  more  so  in  quality.  The  prisoners 
often  presented  me  with  a  sample  of  their  bread,  which  I  certify  was 
damaged  to  that  degree  that  it  was  loathsome  and  unfit  to  be  eaten. 
Their  allowance  of  meat,  as  they  told  me,  was  quite  trifling,  and  of  the 
basest  sort.  I  never  saw  any  of  it,  but  was  informed,  bad  as  it  was,  it 
was  swallowed  almost  as  quick  as  they  got  hold  of  it.  I  saw  some  of  them 
sucking  bones  after  they  were  speechless ;  others  who  could  yet  speak, 
and  had  the  use  of  their  reason,  urged  me  in  the  strongest  and  most 
pathetic  manner,  to  use  my  interest  in  their  behalf. 

I  was  in  one  of  the  churchyards,  and  it  was  rumored  among  those  in 
the  church,  and  sundry  of  the  prisoners  came  with  tiieir  usual  complaints 
to  me,  and  among  the  rest  a  large-boned,  tall  young  man,  as  ho  told  me 
from  Pennsylvania,  who  was  reduced  to  a  mere  skeleton ;  said  he  was 
glad  to  see  me  before  he  died,  which  he  had  expected  to  have  done  last 
night,  but  was  a  little  revived;  he  furthermore  informed  me,  that  he  and 
his  brother  had  been  urged  to  enlist  into  the  British,  but  had  both  resolved 
to  die  first ;  that  his  brother  had  died  last  night,  in  consequence  of  that 
resolution,  and  that  he  expected  shortly  to  follow  him ;  but  I  made  the 
other  prisoners  stand  a  little  ofi*,  and  told  him  with  a  low  voice  to  list ;  he 
then  hdked,  whether  it  was  right  iu  the  sight  of  God?  I  assured  him  that 
it  was,  and  that  duty  to  himself  obliged  him  to  deceive  the  British  by 
enlisting,  and  deserting  the  first  opportunity.  Upon  which  he  answered 
with  transport  that  he  would  list.  I  charged  him  not  to  mention  my  name 
as  his  adviser,  lest  it  should  get  air,  and  I  should  be  closely  confined  in 
consequence  of  it.  The  integrity  of  these  suflfering  prisoners  is  hardly 
credible.    Many  hundreds,  I  am  confident,  submitted  to  death,  rather 


»11 


it.- ' 


j^g  BTHAN  ALLEN'S  NARRATIVE, 

than  enliBt  in  the  British  service,  which,  1  am  informed,  they  most  generally 
were  pressed  to  do.  admitted  to  parole  in  New  York,  with 

Near  the  last  o  November  »  *"  ""'^"jVday  of  January,  1777,  was 
many  other  American  f^''^'<^:^^tl^!f^lrvT^ouerB  to  be  quartered 
with  them  directed  by  the  British  ''^^''^XorvSconXimeA.  On  the 
on  the  westerly  part  of  Long  I"»a«d,  and  our  PJ^'«  <^°J  ,,^,^  ,^^  ^^  ^e^ 
third  day  of  May  1778, 1  ^Z^^f^ZVu^^VVL^^X  Campbell's 
York,  in  which  I  was  «""^«''.*°  ^^i^"  j  the  general  and 

quarters,  where  I  '««„^^.'"!'^«ij°rer9  and  treated  for  two  days  in  . 
several  other  of  the  B"t'ffi«^^^S'' Archibald  Campbell  (who  was 
polite  manner.  The  next  day  ^''l^^f^^'r^^^^^ 
Schanged  for  me)  came  to  this  pl»««  "'"^"^^^^ijie^  me  in  a  handsome 
then  American  commissary  of  P"«"»«"',^;'l„'', "  .iinentleman  in  his 
manner,  saying  that  he  neve'  ^asmoregladjo  see  ^^^^^^ 

life.    So  we  took  a  g  ass  of  ^  ««  S"!"'  JJ°  ijoudinot,  and  a  number 

M.«B..i.  B.,..  whe'«  1  Vr^u,'',Lm  r.L  r„t  frith'  de.d,l.J 
of  abode. 


.Li  •      " 


itfi.lff-'-'-^'i-^'^^"'^*''*"^^'"*'*''*'^ 


^.^^,..;,SJ«.#Ht>.*^^tf^<''«»''''*^'<*'-*'' 


ey  most  generally 

»  New  York,  with 
nuary,  1777,  was 
rs  to  be  quartered 
ntinued.    On  the 
he  har'r  jr  at  New 
neral  Campbell's 
the  general  and 
for  two  days  in  t 
impbell  (who  was 
Mr.  Boudinot,  the 
me  in  a  handsome 
^  gentleman  in  his 
was  accompanied 
not,  and  a  number 
il  to  Elizabethtown 
,  landed  on  liberty 
he  acclamations  of 

lital  of  the  Green 
last  day  of  May  to 
from  the  dead,  and 
ion  were  fired  that 
rders,  and  fourteen 
in,  my  usual  place 


«»«ni»tr^«a««««M»w«««**«* 


INCIDENTS 


IK 


WAR  WITH  TRIPOLI: 


TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED  A  N ABBATITI  Or  THB  OUUaATBD 


CHASE  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION  BY  A  BRITISH  SQUADRON. 


Thr  depredations  committed  on  American  com.Tierce  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean, by  the  piratical  corsairs  of  the  Barbary  powers  induced  Congress 
to  authorize  the  formation  of  a  naval  force  for  its  protection.  In  the  month 
of  August,  1801,  Captain  Sterrett,of  the  United  States  schooner  Enterprise, 
of  twelve  guns,  and  ninety  men,  fell  in,  off  Malta,  with  aTripolitan  cruiser 
of  fourteen  guns,  and  eighty-five  men.  In  this  action  the  Tripolitans 
thrice  hauled  down  her  colors,  and  thrice  perfidiously  renewed  the  conflict. 
Fifly  of  her  men  were  killed  and  wounded.  The  Enterprise  did  not  lose 
a  man!  Captain  Sterrett^s  instructions  not  permitting  him  to  make  a 
prize  of  the  cruiser,  he  ordered  her  crew  to  throw  overboard  all  their  guns 
and  powder,  etc.,  and  to  go  and  tell  their  countrymen  the  treatment  they 
might  expect  from  a  nation,  determined  to  pay  tribute  only  in  powder  and 
bali.  On  her  arrival  at  Tripoli,  so  great  was  the  terror  produced,  that 
the  sailors  abandoned  the  cruisers  then  fitting  ou*.  and  not  a  man  could 
be  procured  to  navigate  them. 

The  Tripolitan  cruisers  continuing  to  harass  the  vessels  of  the  United 
States,  Congress  determined,  in  1803,  to  fit  out  a  fleet  that  should 
chastise  their  insolence.  The  squadron  consisted  of  the  Constitution, 
44  guns;  the  Philadelphia,  44;  the  Argus,  18;  the  Siren,  16;  the  Nautilus, 
16;  the  Vixen,  16;  and  the  Enterprise,  12.  Commodore  Preble  was 
appointed  to  the  command  of  this  squadron,  in  May,  1803,  and  on  the 
thirteenth  of  August,  sailed,  in  the  Constitution,  for  the  Mediterranean. 
Having  adjusted  the  difficulties  which  had  sprung  up  with  the  emperor 
of  Morocco,  he  turned  his  whole  attention  to  Tripoli.  The  season  was, 
however,  too  far  advanced  for  active  operations. 

On  the  thirty-first  of  October,  the  Philadelphia,  being,  at  nine  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  about  five  leagues  to  the  westward  of  Tripoli,  discovered 
a  sail  in  shore,  standing  before  the  wind  to  the  eastward.  The  Philadel- 
phia immediately  gave  chase.  The  sail  hoisted  Tripolitan  colors,  and 
continued  her  course  near  the  shore.  The  Philadelphia  opened  a  fire 
upon  her,  and  continued  it  till  half  past  eleven;  when,  being  in  seven 
fathoms  water,  and  finding  her  fire  could  not  prevent  the  vessel  entering 
Tripoli,  she  gave  up  the  pursuit.  In  beating  off,  she  ran  on  a  rock,  not 
laid  down  in  any  chart,  distant  four  and  a  half  miles  from  the  town.  A 
boat  was  immediately  lowered  to  sound.  The  greatest  depth  of  water 
was  found  to  be  astern.  In  order  to  back  her  off,  all  sails  were  then 
laid  aback;  the  topgallant-sails  loosened;  three  anchors  thrown  away 
from  the  bows;  the  water  in  the  hold  started;  and  all  the  guns  thrown 

(149) 


ill 


rt.iiri  i,i.-v)>ji.-^j>i 


-il!!U,IJHLl.ilJ!Llf 


-??«(■ 


150  INCIDENTS  IN  THE  WAR  WITH  TRIPOLI. 

overboard,  excepting  a  few  abatt  to  defend  the  ship  against  the  attacks 
of  the  TripolitaJ  gunboats,  then  firing  at  her.  All  this,  however,  proved 
?ne  fcctuar  as  did  also  the  attempt  to  lighten  her  forward  by  cutl.ng 
awnv  1  cr  ft  remast.  The  Philadelphia  hal  already  withstood  the  nttaci^ 
,,r  the  numerous  gunboats  for  four  hours,  when  a  large  reinforcement 
•on  n.r  out  of  Tripoli,  and  being  herself  deprived  of  every  means  of 

cSnce  and  dofens'e,  she  was  forced  J"  »»"''«', ''^"^/"[i^^tersi? 
TriDolitans  immediately  took  possession  of  her,  and  made  prisoners  ol 
ihe'officers  and  men,  in  numbeV three  hundred.  Forty-e.ght  hours  after- 
ward,"he  wind  blowing  in  shore,  the  Tripoliians  got  the  tr.gato  otf,  and 

'°  On  th"  'stet emft  December,  1803,  Commodore  Preble  after 
making  his  preparations  and  disposing  of  his  force  .n  d.fferen  ways, 
S  for  Tr  noli,  with  the  Enterprise  in  company,  off  which  place  he  now 
u Src.  fo  he'fiTst  time.  The  twenty-third  of  the  month,  the  Enter- 
So  12,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur,  fell  in  with  and  captured  a 
ketch,  called  the  Mastico,  witli  seventy  flouls  on  boaril. 

In  a  letter  of  the  date  of  the  fifth  of  December,  1803,  Cap  ain  Ba.n- 
bridge  suggested  the  possibility  of  destroying  the  Philadelphia,  wh  ch 
hiD  was  slowly  fitting  for  sea,  there  being  little  doubt  ot  her  being  sent 
tl^s^cmS,  as  soon  as  the  mild  season  should  return.     Commodoro 
p"ebTe  listened  'to  the  suggestion,  and  being  much  '"  ;h«  --^iimion 
commander  of  the  vessel  that  was  most  in  company  w  tiithe  Constilution, 
LruTenant  Stephen  Decatur,  he  mentioned  the   project  to  that  spirted 
officer      The  expedition  was  just  suited  to  the  ardor  and  temperament  of 
\lr    Decatur,  and   the  possession  of  the  Mastico  at  once  atforded  the 
m^anfof  "ar'r  bg  it  intS  effect,     The  ketch  wa.  accordingly  ^p^^^^^^ 
named  the  Intrepid,  and  taken  into  the  service,  as  a  tender.     About  tms 
imrL  ieutenanf  C;minandant  Stewart,  of  the  Siren,  the  pffifer  who  was 
then  second  in  command  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  who  had  just  arrived 
ftom  below,  offered  to  cut  out  the  Philadelphia  with  h.s  own  br  g;  but 
Cc.mmodore'  Preble  was  pledged  to  Mr.  Deca.ur,  -^0,  a  first^had  pro- 
Dosed  to  run  in  with  the  Enterprise   and  carry  the   ship.     Ihe   more 
llxpetienced  Preble  rejected  the  propositions  of  both  these  ardent  young 
men,  substituting  a  plan  of  his  own.  i    r  m,  n«,.<itiir  to 

^fl;^is:stco;«"^Tro!SeS^ 

S    804,    nd  i    v"  rect'ed  the  different  gentlemen  named  to  report 
themselves  to  Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur,  of  the  Enterprise.     As 
.      tw^  intended    hat  the  crew  of  the  schooner  should  furnish  the  entire 
crr^Tof  the  ketch,  it  was  not  thought  proper  to  add  any  men  to  this  craft. 
In  short  the  duty  was  strictly  assigned  to  the  Enterprise  so  far  as  her 
in  snort,  me  «iuiy  «  o.,„-  u    lu„  officers  required.    On  the  afternoon  of 
thTttr;  coT;ing   "r^drrrTheThad^  received,  Messrs.  Izard 
iforri     Laws,  DavisV  and  Rowe,  midshipmen  of  the  Constitution,  went 
on  boa^d  the  schooner,  and  reported  themselves  for  duty  to  her  commander. 
Vll  hands' were  now  called  in  the  Enterprise,  when   Lieutenant  Com- 
mand^«rDrcatur  acquainted  his  people  with  the  destination  of  the  ketch, 
ndaskld  for  volunteers.     Every  man  and  boy  in  the  schooner  presented 
ieft  as  readyTand  willing  to  go.    Sixty-two  of  the  most  active  men 


.1. 

ainst  the  attacks 
however,  proved 
rward  by  cuUinff 
hstood  the  attack 
{e  reinforcement 
'  every  moans  of 
)ut  sunset.  The 
ade  prisoners  of 
eight  hours  after- 
le  frigate  off,  and 

ore  Preble,  after 
in  different  ways, 
hich  place  he  now 
month,  the  Enter- 
h  and  captured  a 

)3,  Captain  Bain- 
liladelphia,  which 
of  her  being  sent 
urn.     Commodore 
the  society  of  the 
li  the  Constitution, 
3ct  to  that  spirited 
d  temperament  of 
once  atforded  the 
>rdingly  appraised, 
nder.     About  this 
lie  officer  who  was 
\\o  had  just  arrived 
his  own  brig;  but 
),  at  first,  had  pro- 
ship.     The    more 
these  ardent  young 

i  of  Mr.  Decatur  to 
isigned  to  the  com- 
y,  however,  to  leave 
of  a  few  gentlemen 
.  and  orders  to  tha« 
dated  February  the 
en  named  to  report 
:he  Enterprise.     As 
J  furnish  the  entire 
ly  men  to  this  craft, 
•prise,  so  far  as  her 
3n  the  afternoon  of 
eived,  Messrs.  Izard, 
e  Constitution,  went 
;y  to  her  commander, 
n   Lieutenant  Com- 
jnation  of  the  ketch, 
3  schooner  presented 
;he  most  active  men 


INCIDENTS  IN  THE  WAR  WITH  TRIPOLI. 


151 


were  selected,  and  the  romaindtr,  witli  n  few  olFicers,  were  loft  to  take 
care  of  the  vtsnel.  As  the  orders  to  de.-ttroy  the  frigate,  anil  not  to  at- 
tempt to  bring  her  out,  were  peremptory,  the  combustibles,  which  had 
been  prepared  for  this  purpose,  were  immediately  sent  on  board  the 
Intrepid,  her  crew  followed,  and  that  evening  the  ketch  sailed,  under  the 
convoy  of  the  Siren  16,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Stewart,  who  was  properly 
the  senior  officer  of  the  expedition,  though,  owing  to  the  peculiar  nature 
of  the  service,  Mr.  Decatur  was  permitted  to  conduct  the  more  active 
part  of  tlie  duty,  at  his  own  discretion. 

The  party  in  the  ketch  consisted  of  Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur; 
Lieutenants  Lawrence,  Bainbridge,  and  Thorn ;  Mr.  Thomas  M'Donough, 
midshipman,  and  Dr.  Heerman,  surgeon;  all  of  the  Enterprise; — Messrs. 
Izard,  Morris,  Laws,  Davis,  and  Rowe,  midshipmen,  of  the  Constitution  ; 
and  Salvatore  Catalano  the  pilot,  with  sixty-two  petty  officers  and  common 
men,  making  a  total  of  seventy-four  souls. 

On  the  sixteenth,  about  noon,  calculating  that  they  were  abreast  of  the 
town,  and  the  wind  and  weather  being,  in  all  respects,  favorable,  both 
vessels  kept  away,  the  ketch  leading  some  distance,  in  order  that  the 
enemy  might  not  suppose  her  a  consort  of  the  Siren's  although  tiie  latter 
was  so  much  disguised,  as  to  render  it  impossible  to  recognize  her. 
The  wind  was  fair,  but  light,  and  everything  looking  favorable;  Mr.  Decatur 
now  seriously  made  his  dispositions  for  the  attack.  Apprehensive  that 
they  might  iiave  been  seen,  and  that  the  enemy  had  possibly  strengthened 
the  party  on  board  the  frigate,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Stewart  sent  a 
boat  and  eight  men  from  the  Siren,  to  the  ketch,  under  the  orders  of  one 
of  his  midshipmen,  Mr.  Anderson,  which  reinforcement  increased  the 
numbers  of  the  intended  assailants  to  eighty-two,  all  told. 

As  the  ketch  drew  in  with  the  land,  the  Philadelphia  became  visible. 
She  lay  not  quite  a  mile  within  the  entrance,  riding  to  the  wind,  and 
abreast  of  the  town.  Her  foremast,  which  had  been  cut  away  while  she 
was  on  the  reef,  had  not  yet  been  replaced,  her  main  and  mizzen-topmasta 
were  housed,  and  her  lower  yards  were  on  the  gunwales.  Her  lower 
standing  rigging,  however,  was  in  its  place,  and,  as  was  shortly  afterward 
ascertained,  her  guns  were  loaded  and  shotted.  Just  within  her,  lay 
two  corsairs,  with  a  few  gun-boats,  and  a  galley  or  two. 

It  was  a  mild  evening  for  the  season,  and  the  sea  and  bay  were  smooth 
as  in  summer.  Perceiving  that  he  was  likely  to  get  in  too  soon,  when 
about  five  miles  from  the  rocks,  Mr.  Decatur  ordered  buckets  and  other 
drags  to  be  towed  astern,  in  order  to  lessen  the  way  of  the  ketch,  without 
shortening  sail,  as  the  latter  expedient  would  have  been  seen  from  the 
port,  and  must  have  awakened  suspicion.  In  the  meantime  the  wind 
gradually  fell,  until  it  became  so  light  as  to  leave  the  ketch  but  about 
two  knot's  way  on  her,  when  the  drags  were  removed. 

About  ten  o'clock  the  Intrepid  reached  the  eastern  entrance  of  the  bay, 
or  the  passage  between  the  rocks  and  the  shoal.  The  wind  was  nearly 
east,  and,  as  she  steered  directly  for  the  frigate,  it  was  well  abaft  the 
beam.  There  was  a  young  moon,  and  as  the  bold  adventurers  were 
slowly  advancing  into  the  hostile  port,  all  around  them  was  tranquil  and 
apparently  without  distrust.  For  near  an  hour  they  were  stealing 
slowly  along,  the  air  gradually  failing,  until  their  motion  became  scarcely 
perceptible. 

Most  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  ketch  had  been  ordered  to  lie  on 
the  deck,  where  they  were  concealed  by  low  bulwarks,  or  weather-boards, 
and  by  the  different  objects  that  belong  to  a  vessel.     As  it  is  the  practice 


162 


INCIDENTS  IN  THE  WAP  WITH  TRIPOLI. 


of  ihoso  seas  to  carry  many  moii  even  in  tho  amalloat  craH,  tho  appearance 
of  ton  or  twelve  would  excite  no  alarm,  and  this  number  was  visible. 
Tho  comtnauding  officer,  himself,  stood  near  the  pilot;  who  was  to  net  as 
interpreter.  Tho  quartermaster  at  the  holm,  was  ordered  to  stand  directly 
for  the  frigate's  bows,  it  being  the  intention  to  lay  the  ship  aboard  in 
that  place,  as  tho  mode  of  attack  which  would  least  expose  the  assailants 
to  her  fire. 

The  Intrepid  was  still  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  Philadelphia, 
when  tho  latter  hailed.  Tho  pilot  answered  that  the  ketch  belonged  to 
Malta,  and  was  on  a  trading  voyage;  that  she  had  been  nearly  wrecked, 
and  had  lost  her  anchors  in  the  late  gale,  and  that  her  commander  wished 
to  ride  by  the  frigate  during  the  night.  Tiiis  conversation  lasted  some 
time,  Mr.  Decatur  instructing  the  pilot  to  tell  the  frigate's  people  with 
what  he  was  laden,  in  order  to  amuse  them,  and  the  Intrepid  gradually 
drew  nearer,  until  there  was  every  prospect  of  her  running  foul  of  the 
Philadelphia,  in  a  minute  or  two,  and  at  the  very  spot  contemplated.  But 
the  wind  suddenly  shifted,  and  took  the  ketch  aback.  The  instant  the 
southerly  puff  struck  her,  her  head  fell  off,  and  she  got  a  stern-board,  the 
ship,  at  tho  same  moment,  tending  to  the  new  current  of  air.  Tho  effect 
of  this  unexpected  change  was  to  bring  tho  ketch  directly  under  the 
frigate's  broadside,  at  the  distance  of  about  forty  yards,  where  she  lay 
becalmed,  or,  if  anything,  drifting  slowly  astern,  exposed  to  nearly  every 
one  of  the  Philadelphia's  larboard  guns. 

Not  the  smallest  suspicion  appears  to  have  been  yet  excited  on  board 
the  frigate,  though  several  of  her  people  wore   looking  over  the   rails; 
and,   notwithstanding  the    moonlight,   so   completely   were   the    Turks 
deceived,  that  they  lowered  a  boat,  and  sent  it  with  a  fast.     8ome  of  the 
ketch's  men,  in  the  meantime,  had  got  into  her  boat,  and  had  run  a  line 
to  the  frigate's  forechains.     As  they  returned,  they  met  tho  frigate's  boat, 
took  the  fast  it  brought,  which  came  from  the  after  part  of  the  ship,  and 
passed  it  into  their  own  vessel.     These  fasts  were  put  into  the  hands  of 
the  men,  as  they  lay  on  the  ketch's  deck,  and  they  began  cautiously  to 
breast  tho  Intrepid  along  side  of  the  Philadelphia,  nrithout  rising.     As 
soon  as  the  latter  got  near  enough  to  the  ship,  tlie  Turks  discovered  her 
anchors,  and  they  sterilly  ordered   the    ketch  to  keep  off,  as  she  had 
deceived  them ;  preparing,  at  the  same  time,  to  cut  the  fasts.     All  this 
passed  in  a  moment,  when  the  cry  of  "Amorikanos"  was  heard  in  the 
ship.     The  people  of  the  Intrepid  by  a  strong  pull,  brought  their  vessel 
along  side  of  the  frigate,  where  she  was  secured,  quick  as  thouglit.     Up 
to  this  moment,  not  a  whisper  had  betrayed  the  presence  of  the  men 
concealed.     The  instructions  had  been  positive  to  keep  quiet  until  com- 
manded to  show  themselves,  and  no  precipitation,  even  in  that  trying 
moment,  deranged  the  phn. 

Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur  was  standing  ready  for  a  spring,  with 
Messrs.  Laws  and  Morris  quite  near  him.  As  soon  as  close  enough,  he 
jumped  at  the  frigate's  chain-plates,  and  while  clinging  to  the  siiip  him- 
self, he  gave  the  order  to  board.  The  two  midshipmen  were  at  his  side, 
and  all  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Intrepid  arose  and  followed.  The 
three  gentlemen  named  were  in  the  chains  together,  and  Lieutenant 
Commandant  Decatur  and  Mr.  Morris  sprang  at  the  rail  above  them, 
while  Mr.  Laws  dashed  at  a  port.  To  the  latter  would  have  belonged 
the  honor  of  having  been  first  in  this  gallant  assault,  but  wearing  a  board- 
ing-belt, his  pistols  were  caught  between  the  gun  and  the  side  of  the 
lK>rt.    Decatur's   foot  slipped  in  springing,   and  Mr.   Charles  Merris 


POLL 

ran,  tho  appearance 
numhor  wan  visible. 
itt  who  wan  tu  act  u 
irod  to  stand  directly 
tho  sliip  aboard  in 
ixpose  the  osHailantu 

:>ni  the  Philadelphia, 
le  ketch  belonged  to 
een  nearly  wrecked, 
r  commander  wished 
3rsation  lasted  some 
'rigato^a  people  with 

0  Intrepid  gradually 
running  foul  of  the 

t  contemplated.  But 
;k.  The  instant  the 
got  a  stern-board,  the 
[It  of  air.     Tho  efl'ect 

1  directly  under  the 
f&rda,  where  she  lay 
losed  to  nearly  every 

yet  excited  on  board 
tking  over  the  rails; 
sly  were  tho  Turks 
a  fast.  Some  of  the 
it,  and  had  run  a  line 
met  the  frigate's  boat, 
part  of  the  ship,  and 
put  into  the  hands  of 
y  began  cautiously  to 
,,  (vithout  rising.  As 
Turks  discovered  her 
keep  off,  as  she  had 
Lit  the  fasts.  All  this 
is  "  was  heard  in  the 
I,  brought  their  vessel 
uick  as  thought.  Up 
presence  of  the  men 
keep  quiet  until  com- 
,  even  in  that  trying 

3ady  for  a  spring,  with 
n  as  close  enough,  he 
iging  to  the  ship  him- 
men  were  at  his  side, 

and  followed.  The 
ther,  and  Lieutenant 
the  rail  above  them, 
would  have  belonged 
,  but  wearing  a  board- 
1  and  the  side  of  the 

Mr.   Charles  Merris 


mt^  ■-^■■».   ■• 


1 


INCIDENTS  IN  THE  WAR  WITH  TRIPOLI. 


153 


first  stood  upon  the  quartordock  of  (hn   Philadelphia.     In  an   inntont 
Liuutenaut  ('ommandiint  Ducntur  and  Mr.  Laws  were  at  bin  sidt!,  wiiilf 
head.s  and  l)odics  appeared  coming  over  the  rail,  and  tiirough  tiic  port 
in  all  directions. 

The  surprise  appears  to  have  been  as  perfect,  as  the  assault  was  rapid 
and  earnest.  Mo.st  of  the  Turks  on  deck  crowded  forward,  and  all  ran 
ov(?r  to  tho  starlH>ard-side,  as  tii)!ir  enemies  |iuured  in  on  t'le  liirlxiard, 
A  fesv  were  ai\,  but  as  .soon  us  charged,  they  leaped  into  the  sea.  Indeed, 
tiie  constant  plunges  into  the  water,  gave  tho  assailants  the  assurance 
that  their  enemies  were  fust  lessening  in  numbers  by  flight.  It  took  but 
a  minute  or  two  to  clear  the  spar-deck,  though  there  was  more  of  a 
struggio  below.  Htill,  so  admirably  nianuged  was  the  attuck,  and  so 
complete  the  surprise,  that  the  resistance  was  but  trifling.  In  lesH  than 
ten  minutes  Mr.  Decatur  was  on  tiie  (juarter-deck  again,  in  undisturbed 
possession  of  his  prize. 

There  can  bo  no  doubt  that  this  gallant  officer  now  felt  bitter  regrets, 
that  it  was  not  in  his  jiower  to  bring  away  the  siiip  ho  had  so  nobly  re- 
covered. Not  only  were  his  orders  on  this  point  peremptory,  however, 
but  the  frigate  had  not  a  sail  bent,  nor  a  yard  crossed,  and  she  wanted  her 
foremast.  It  was  next  to  impossible,  therefore,  to  remove  her,  and  the 
command  was  given  to  pass  up  tho  combustibles  from  the  kelcli. 

The  duty  of  setting  tire  to  tho  prize,  appears  to  have  been  executed 
with  as  much  promptitude  and  order,  as  every  other  part  of  the  service. 
The  officers  distributed  ihemselves,  agreeably  to  tho  previous  instructions, 
and  the  men  soon  appeared  with  tho  uecesdary  means.  Each  party  acted 
by  itself,  and  as  it  got  ready.  So  rapid  were  they  all  in  their  movements, 
that  the  men  with  combustibles  had  scarcely  time  to  get  as  low  as  the  cock- 
pit and  after  store-rooms,  before  the  fires  were  lighted  over  their  heads. 
When  tho  officer  entrusted  with  the  duty  last  mentioned,  had  got  through, 
he  found  the  after-hatches  filled  with  smoke,  from  the  fire  in  the  ward- 
room and  steerage,  and  he  was  obliged  to  make  his  escape  by  the  forward 
ladders. 

The  Americans  were  in  the  ship  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  minutes, 
and  they  were  literally  driven  out  of  her  by  the  flames.  The  vessel  had 
got  to  be  so  dry  in  that  low  latitude,  that  she  burnt  like  pine;  and  the 
combustibles  had  been  as  judiciously  prepared,  as  they  were  steadily 
used.  The  last  party  up,  were  tho  people  who  had  been  in  tho  store- 
rooms, and  when  they  reached  the  deck,  they  found  most  of  their 
companions  already  in  tiie  Intrepid.  Joining  them,  and  ascertaining 
that  all  was  ready,  the  order  was  given  to  cast  ofl".  Notwithstanding  the 
daring  character  of  the  enterprise  in  general,  Decatur  and  his  party  now 
ran  the  greatest  risk  they  had  incurred  that  night.  So  fierce  had  the 
conflagration  already  become,  that  the  flames  began  to  pour  out  of  the 
ports,  and  the  head-fast  having  been  cast  off,  the  ketch  fell  astern,  with 
her  jigger  flapping  against  the  quarter-gallery,  and  her  boom  foul.  The 
fire  showed  itself  in  tho  window,  at  this  critical  moment;  and  beneath, 
was  all  the  ammunition  of  the  party,  covered  with  a  tarpaulin.  To  in- 
crease the  risk,  the  stern-fast  was  jammed.  By  using  swords,  however, 
for  there  was  not  time  to  look  for  an  ax,  the  hawser  was  cut,  and  the 
Intrepid  was  extricated  from  the  most  imminent  danger,  by  a  vigorous 
shove.  As  she  swung  clear  of  the  frigate,  the  flames  reached  the  rigging, 
up  which  they  went  hissing,  like  a  rocket,  the  tar  having  oozed  from  the 
ropes,  which  had  been  saturated  with  that  inflammable  matter.  Matches 
could  not  have  kindled  with  greater  quickness. 


i| 


I 


154 


INCIDENTS  IN  THE  WAR  WITH  TRIPOLI. 


The  sweeps  were  now  manned.  Up  to  this  moment,  everything  had  been 
done  earnestly,  though  without  noise,  but,  as  soon  as  they  felt  that  they 
had  got  command  of  their  ketch  again,  and  by  two  or  three  vigorous 
strokes  had  sent  iier  away  from  tiu;  frigate,  the  people  of  the  Intrepid 
ceased  rowing,  and  as  one  man,  they  gave  three  cheers  for  victory.  This 
api>earcd  to  arouse  the  Turks  from  their  siupor,  for  the  cry  had  hardly 
ended,  when  the  batteries,  the  two  corsairs,  and  the  giilley,  poured  in 
their  fire.  The  men  lay  hold  of  the  sweeps  again,  of  wiiich  the  Intrepid 
had  eight  of  a  side,  and  favored  by  a  light  air,  they  went  rapidly  down 
the  harbor. 

The  spectacle  that  followed,  is  described  as  having  been  both  beautiful 
and  sublime.  The  entire  bay  was  illuminated  by  the  conflagration,  the 
roar  of  cannon  was  constant,  and  Tripoli  was  in  a  clamor.  The 
appearance  of  the  ship  was,  in  the  highest  degree,  magnificent ;  and,  to 
add  to  the  effect,  as  her  guns  heated,  they  began  to  go  oflf.  Owing  to 
the  shiil  of  wind,  and  the  position  into  which  she  had  tended,  she,  in 
some  measure,  returned  the  enemy's  fire,  as  one  of  her  broadsides  was 
discharged  in  the  direction  of  the  town,  and  the  other  toward  Fort  English. 
Tlie  most  singular  eflfect  of  this  conflagration  was  on  board  the  ship,  for 
the  flames  having  run  up  the  rigging  and  masts,  collected  under  the  tops, 
and  fell  over,  giving  the  whole  the  appearance  of  glowing  columns  and 
fiery  capitals. 

Under  ordinary  circumstances,  the  situation  of  the  ketch  would  still 
have  been  thought  sufficiently  perilous,  but  after  the  exploit  they  had  just 
performed,  her  people,  elated  with  success,  regarded  all  that  was  now 
passing,  as  a  triumphant  spectacle.  The  shot  constantly  cast  the  spray 
around  them,  or  were  whistling  over  their  heads,  but  the  only  sensation 
they  produced,  was  by  calling  attention  to  the  brilliant  jets  dPcau  that 
they  occasioned  as  they  bounded  along  the  water.  But  one  struck  the 
Intrepid,  although  she  was  within  half  a  mile  of  many  of  the  heaviest 
guns  for  some  time,  and  that  passed  through  her  topgallant  sail. 

With  sixteen  sweeps,  sind  eighty  men  elated  with  success,  Decatur  was 
enabled  to  drive  the  little  Intrepid  ahead  with  a  velocity  that  r(  udered 
towing  useless.  Near  the  harbor's  mouth,  he  met  the  Siren's  boats,  sent  to 
cover  his  retreat,  but  their  services  were  scarcely  necessary.  As  soon 
as  the  ketch  was  out  of  danger,  he  got  into  one,  and  pulled  aboard  the 
brig,  to  report  to  Lieutenant  Commandant  Stewart,  the  result  of  his 
undertaking. 

The  Siren  had  got  into  the  offing  some  time  after  the  Intrepid,  agree- 
ably to  arrangements,  and  anchored  about  three  miles  from  the  rocks. 
Here  she  hoisted  out  the  launch  and  a  cutter,  manned  and  armed  them, 
and  sent  them  in,  under  Mr.  Caldwell,  her  first  lieutenant.  Soon  after 
the  brig  weighed,  and  the  wind  having  entirely  failed  outside,  she  swept 
into  eight  fathoms  water,  and  anchored  again,  to  cover  the  retreat,  should 
the  enemy  attempt  to  board  the  Intrepid,  with  his  gun-boats.  It  will 
readily  be  supposed  that  it  was  an  anxious  moment,  and  as  the  moon  rose, 
all  eyes  were  on  the  frigate.  After  waiting  in  intense  expectat'  jn  near 
an  hour,  a  rocket  went  up  from  the  Philadelphia.  It  was  the  signal  of 
possession,  and  Mr.  Stewart  ran  below  to  get  another  for  the  answer 
He  was  gone  only  a  moment,  but  when  he  returned,  the  fire  was  seen 
shining  through  the  frigate's  ports,  and  in  a  few  more  minutes,  the  flames 
were  rushing  up  her  rii^ging,  as  if  a  train  had  been  touched.  Then 
followed  the  cannonade,  and  the  dashing  of  sweeps,  with  the  approach 
of  the  ketch.     Presently  a  boat  was  seen  coming  along  side,  and  a  man, 


FRIPOLT. 

ent,  everything  had  been 
n  as  they  felt  that  they 
f  two  or  three  vigorous 
people  of  the  Intrepid 
heers  for  victory.  This 
,  for  the  cry  had  hardly 
i  the  galley,  poured  in 
n,  of  wiiich  the  Intrepid 
they  went  rapidly  down 

ving  been  both  beautiful 
)y  the  conflagration,  the 
■as  in  a  clamor.  The 
ee,  magnificent ;  and,  to 
an  to  go  off.  Owing  to 
she  had  tended, she,  in 
e  of  her  broadsides  was 
;her  toward  Fort  English. 
IS  on  board  the  ship,  for 
collected  under  the  tops, 
of  glowing  columns  and 

of  the  ketch  would  still 
■  the  exploit  they  had  just 
garded  all  that  was  now 

constantly  cast  the  spray 
s,  but  the  only  sensation 

brilliant  jets  d'cau  that 
ter.  But  one  struck  the 
of  many  of  the  heaviest 
r  topgallant  sail, 
ivith  success,  Decatur  was 
1  a  velocity  that  rendered 
it  the  Siren's  boats,  sent  to 
:ely  necessary.  As  soon 
ne,  and  pulled  aboard  the 
Itewart,  the   result  of  his 

after  the  Intrepid,  agree- 
ree  miles  from  the  rocks, 
manned  and  armed  them, 
9t  lieutenant.  Soon  after 
r  failed  outside,  she  swept 

0  cover  the  retreat,  should 
ith  his  gun-boats.  It  will 
lent,  and  as  the  moon  rose, 

1  intense  expectat'  m  near 
»hia.  It  was  the  signal  of 
t  another  for  the  answer 
Bturned,  the  fire  was  seen 
N  more  minutes,  the  flames 
lad  been  touched.  Then 
sweeps,  with  the  approach 
ling  along  side,  aud  a  man. 


INCIDENTS  IN  THE  WAR  WITH  TRIPOLI. 


155 


in  a  sailor's  jacket,  sprang  over  the  gangway  of  the  brig.     It  was  Decatur, 
himself,  to  announce  his  victory!" 

After  the  destruction  of  the  Philadelphia  frigate,  Commodore  Preble 
was,  during  the  spring  and  early  part  of  the  summer,  employed  in  keeping 
up  the  blockade  of  the  harbor  of  Tripoli,  in  preparing  for  an  attack  upon 
the  town  and  in  cruising. 

"  Wiien  the  American  commander  assembled  his  whole  force  before 
Tripoli,  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  July,  1804,  it  consisted  of  the  Constitution 
44,  Commodore  Preble;  Siren  16,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Stewart; 
Argus  IG,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Hull;  Scourge  14,  Lieutenant  Com- 
mandant Dent;  Vixen  12,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Smith;  Nautilus  12, 
Lieutenant  Commandant  Somers;  Enterprise  12,  Lieutenant  Commandant 
Decatur;  the  two  bomb-vessels, and  six  gunboats.  In  some  respects  this 
was  a  well  appointed  force  for  the  duty  required,  while  in  others  it  was 
lamentably  deficient.  Another  heavy  ship,  in  particular,  was  wanted, 
and  the  means  for  bombarding  had  all  the  defects  that  may  be  anticipated. 
The  two  heaviest  brigs  had  armaments  of  twenty-four  pound  carronades; 
the  other  brig,  and  two  of  the  schooners,  armaments  of  eighteen-pound 
carronades  ;  while  the  Enterprise  retained  her  original  equipment  of 
long  sixes,  in  consequence  of  her  ports  being  unsuited  to  the  new  guns. 
As  the  Constitution  had  a  gun-deck  battery  of  thirty  long  twenty-iburs, 
with  six  long  twenty-sixes,  and  some  lighter  long  guns  above,  it  follows 
that  the  Americans  could  bring  twenty-two  twenty-fours  and  six  twenty- 
sixes  to  bear  on  the  stone  walls  of  the  town,  in  addition  to  a  few  light 
chase-guns  in  the  small  vessels,  and  the  twelve-pounders  of  the  frigate's 
quarter-deck  and  forecastle.  On  the  whole,  there  appears  to  have  been 
in  the  squadron,  twenty-eight  heavy  long  guns,  with  about  twenty  lighter, 
that  miglit  be  brought  to  play  on  the  batteries  simultaneously.  Opposed 
to  these  means  of  offense,  the  bashaw  had  one  hundred  and  fifteen  guns 
in  battery,  most  of  them  quite  heavy,  and  nineteen  gun-boats  that,  of 
themselves,  so  far  as  metal  was  concerned,  were  nearly  equal  to  the 
frigate.  Moored  in  the  harbor  were  also  two  large  galleys,  two  schooners, 
and  a  brig,  all  of  which  were  armed  and  strongly  manned.  The  Ameri- 
can squadron  was  manned  by  one  thousand  and  sixty  persons,  all  told, 
while  the  bashaw  had  assembled  a  force  that  has  been  estimated  as  high 
as  twenty-five  thousand,  Arabs  and  Turks  included.  The  only  advanta- 
ges possessed  by  the  assailants,  in  the  warfare  that  is  so  soon  to  follow, 
were  those  which  are  dependent  on  spirit,  discipline,  and  system. 

On  the  third  of  August,  1804,  the  squadron  ran  in  and  got  within  a 
league  of  the  town,  with  a  pleasant  breeze  at  the  eastward.  The  enemy's 
gun-boats  and  galleys  had  come  outside  of  the  rocks,  and  were  lying 
there  in  two  divisions;  one  near  the  eastern,  and  the  other  near  the 
western  entrance,  or  about  half  a  mile  apart.  At  the  same  time,  it  was 
seen  that  all  the  batteries  were  manned,  as  if  an  attack  was  not  only 
expected,  bi"  Invited. 

At  half-past  twelve,  the  Constitution  wore  with  i,er  head  offshore,  and 
showed  a  signal  tor  all  vessels  to  come  within  hail.  As  he  came  up, 
each  commander  was  ordered  to  prepare  to  attack  the  shipping  and  bat- 
teries. The  bomb-vessels  and  gun-boats  were  immediately  manned,  and 
•^uch  was  the  high  state  of  discipline  in  the  squadron,  that  in  one  hour, 
everything  was  ready  for  the  contemplated  service. 

On  tiiis  occasion.  Commodore  Preble  made  the  following  distribution 
of  that  part  of  his  force,  which  was  manned  from  the  other  vessels  of 
his  squadron: 


C    * : 


Ht&SBSS 


;156  iNGiDENTS  IN  THE  WAR  WITH  TRIPOLI. 

One  bombard  was  commanded  by  Lieut.  Commandant  Dent,  of  the 
Scourge.  The  other  bombard  by  Mr.  Robinson,  first  lieutenant  of  the 
Constitution. 

FIRST   DIVISION   OF   0UN-B0AT8. 

No.  1.  Lieut.  Com.  Somers,  of  the  Nautilus. 
«'    2.  Lieut.  James  Decatur,  of  the  Nautilus. 
«    3.  Lieut.  Blake,  of  the  Argus. 

SECOND    DIVISION    OF    GUN-BOAT8. 

No.  4.  Lieut.  Com.  Decatur,  of  the  Enterprise. 
«    6.  Lieut.  Bainbridge,  of  the  Enterprise. 
"    6.  Lieut.  Trippe,  of  the  Vixen. 
At  half-past  one,  the  Constitution  wore   again,  and  stood  toward  the 
town      At  two,  the  gun-boats  were  cast  off,  and   formed  in  advance, 
covered  by  the  brigs  and  schooners,  and  half  an  hour  later,  the  signal 
was  shown  to  engage.     The  attack  was  commenced  by  the  two  bombards, 
which  began  to  throw  shells  into  the  town.     It  was  foUovyed  by  the  bat- 
teries, which  were  instantly  in  a  blaze,  and  then  the  shipping  on  both 
sides  opened  their  fire,  with  reach  of  grape.  . 

The  eastern,  or  most  weatherly  division  of  the  enemy's  gun-boats,  nine 
in  number,  as  being  least  supported,  was  the  aim  of  the  American  gun- 
boats     But  the  bad  qualities  of  the  latter  craft  were  quickly  apparent, 
for,  as  soon  as  Mr.  Decatur  steered  toward  the  enemy,  with  an  intention 
to  come  to  close  quarters,  the  division  of  Mr.  Somers,  which  was  a  little 
to  leeward,  found  it  difficult  to  sustain  him.     Every  eftort  was  made  by 
the  latter  officer,  to  get  far  enough  to  windward  to  join  in  the  attack,  but 
finding  it  impracticable,  he  bore  up,  and  ran  down  alone  on  five  of  the 
enemv  to  leeward,  and   engaged  them  all  withm  pistol-shot,  throwing 
showers  of  grape,  cannister,  and  musket-balls  among  them.     In  order  to 
do  this,  as  soon  as  near  enough,  the  sweeps  were  got  out,  and  the  boat 
was  backed  astern  to  prevent  her  from  drifting  in  among  the  enemy. 
No.  3  was  closing  fast,  but  a  signal  of  recall  being  shown  from  the  Con- 
stitution, she  hauled  out  of  the  line  to  obey,  and  losing  ground,  she  kept 
more  aloof,  firing  at  the  boats  and  shipping  in  the  harbor,  while  No.  2, 
Mr.  James  Decatur,  was  enabled  to  join  the  division  to  windward.     No. 
6  Mr.  Bainbridge,  lost  her  latine-yard,  while  still  m  tow  of  the  Siren,  but. 
though  unable  to  close,  she  continued  advancing,  keeping  up  a  heavy 
fire,  and  finally  touched  on  the  rocks.  ....         u    . 

Bv  these  changes.  Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur  had  three  boats 
that  dashed  forward  with  him,  though  one  belonged  to  the  division  of  Mr. 
Somers,  viz.  No.  4,  No.  6,  and  No.  2.  The  officers  in  command  of  these 
three  boats,  went  steadily  on,  until  within  the  smoke  of  the  enemy.  Here 
they  delivered  their  fire,  throwing  in  a  terrible  discharge  of  grape  and 
musket-balls,  and  the  order  was  given  to  board.  Up  to  this  moment,  the 
odds  had  been  as  three  to  one  against  the  assailants,  and  it  was  now,  it 
possible  increased.  The  brigs  and  schooner  could  no  longer  assist. 
The  Turkish  boats  were  not  only  the  heaviest  and  the  best  in  every  sense, 
but  they  were  much  the  strongest  manned.  The  combat  now  assumed 
a  character  of  chivalrous  prowess  and  of  desperate  personal  eflorts,  that 
belongs  to  the  middle  ages,  rather  than  to  struggles  of  our  own  times. 
Its  details,  indeed,  savor  more  of  the  glow  of  romance,  than  of  the  sober 
severity  that  we  are  accustomed  to  associate  with  reality. 

Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur  took  the  lead.     He  had  no  sooner 
discharged  his  shower  of  musket-balls,  than  No.  4  was  laid  along  side 


=ii;<*«v-' ■*'>»>.**■ 


TRIPOLI. 

mmandant  Dent,  of  the 
1,  first  lieutenant  of  the 

lTB. 

ll^autilus. 
Nautilus. 


AT8. 

Enterprise, 
terprise. 

n,  and  stood  toward  the 
ind  formed  in  advance, 
m  hour  later,  the  signal 
:ed  by  the  two  bombards, 
was  followed  by  the  bat- 
n  the  shipping  on  both 

enemy's  gun-boats,  nine 
m  of  the  American  gun- 
\  were  quickly  apparent, 
enemy,  with  an  intention 
omers,  which  was  a  little 
Ivery  eftbrt  was  made  by 

I  to  join  in  the  attack,  but 
lown  alone  on  five  of  the 
thin  pistol-shot,  throwing 
imong  them.  In  order  to 
ere  got  out,  and  the  boat 
ag  in  among  the  enemy, 
sing  shown  from  the  Con- 
d  losing  ground,  she  kept 

the  harbor,  while  No.  2, 
ivision  to  windward.     No. 

II  in  tow  of  the  Siren,  but. 
cing,  keeping  up  a  heavy 

Decatur  had  three  boats 
iged  to  the  division  of  Mr. 
cers  in  command  of  these 
noke  of  the  enemy.  Here 
3  discharge  of  grape  and 
.  Up  to  this  moment,  the 
ailants,  and  it  was  now,  if 
r  could  no  longer  assist, 
nd  the  best  in  every  sense, 
rhe  combat  now  assumed 
erate  personal  efl'orts,  that 
ruggles  of  our  own  times, 
•omance,  than  of  the  sober 
ith  reality. 

lead.  He  had  no  sooner 
No.  4  was  laid  along  side 


INCIDENTS  IN  THE  WAR  WITH  TRIPOLI. 


157 


the  opposing  boat  of  the  enemy,  and  he  went  into  her,  followed  by  Lieu- 
tenant Thorn,  Mr.  M'Donough,  and  all  the  Americans  of  his  crew.  The 
Tripolitan  boat  was  divided  nearly  into  two  parts,  by  a  long  open  hatch- 
way, and  as  the  people  of  No.  4  came  in  on  one  side,  the  Turks  retreated 
to  the  other,  making  a  sort  of  ditch  of  the  open  space.  This  caused  an 
instant  of  delay,  and,  perhaps,  fortunately,  for  it  permitted  the  assailants 
to  act  together.  As  soon  as  ready,  Mr.  Decatur  charged  round  each 
end  of  the  hatchway,  and  after  a  short  struggle,  a  portion  of  the  Turks 
were  piked  and  bayoneted,  while  the  restsubmitted,  or  leaped  into  the  water. 
No  sooner  had  Mr.  Decatur  got  possession  of  the  boat  first  assailed, 
than  he  took  her  in  tow,  and  bore  down  on  the  one  next  to  leeward. 
Running  the  enemy  aboard,  as  before,  he  went  into  him,  with  most  of  his 
officers  and  men.  The  captain  of  the  Tripolitan  vessel  was  a  large  pow- 
erful man,  and  Mr.  Decatur  personally  charged  him  with  a  pike.  The 
weapon,  however,  was  seized  by  the  Turk,  wrested  from  the  hands  of 
the  assailant,  and  turned  against  its  owner.  The  latter  parried  a  thrust, 
and  made  a  blow  with  his  sword  at  the  pike,  with  a  view  to  cut  off  its 
head.  The  sword  hit  the  iron,  and  broke  at  the  hilt,  and  at  the  next 
instant  the  Turk  made  another  thrust.  Nothing  was  left  to  the  gallant 
Decatur,  but  his  arm,  with  which  he  so  far  averted  the  blow,  as  to  receive 
the  pike  through  the  flesh  of  one  breast.  Pushing  the  iron  from  the 
wound,  by  tearing  the  flesh,  he  sprang  within  the  weapon,  and  grappled 
his  antagonist.  The  pike  fell  between  the  two,  and  a  short  trial  of  strength 
succeeded,  in  which  the  Turk  prevailed.  As  the  combatants  fell,  however, 
Mr.  Decatur  so  far  released  himself  as  to  lie  side  by  side  with  his  foe  on 
the  deck.  The  Tripolitan  now  endeavored  to  reach  his  poniard,  while 
his  hand  was  firmly  held  by  that  of  his  enemy.  [Some  accounts  state 
that  he  had  drawn  his  dirk,  and  had  raised  his  arm  to  strike.]  At  this 
critical  instant,  when  life  or  death  depended  on  a  moment  well  employed, 
or  a  moment  lost,  Decatur  drew  a  small  pistol  from  a  pocket,  passed 
the  arm  that  was  free  round  the  body  of  the  Turk,  pointed  the  muzzle 
and  fired.     The  ball  passed  entirely  through  the  body  of  the  Mussel- 


in< 


man,  and  lodged  in  the  clothes  of  his  foe.  At  the  same  instant,  Decatur 
felt  the  grasp  that  had  almost  smothered  him  relax,  and  he  was  liberated. 
He  sprang  up,  and  the  Tripolitan  lay  dead  at  his  feet. 

[During  the  continuance  of  this  terrible  struggle,  the  crews  of  each 
vessel  impetuously  rushed  to  the  assistance  of  their  respective  com- 
manders. Such  was  the  carnage  in  this  furious  and  desperate  battle, 
that  it  was  with  difficulty  Decatur  could  extricate  himself  from  the  killed 
and  wounded,  by  which  he  was  ■  surrounded.  In  this  affair  an  American 
sailor,  Reuben  James,  of  Delaware,  manifested  the  most  heroic  self-devo- 
tion. Seeing  a  Tripolitan  officer,  aiming  a  blow  at  Decatur's  head  while  he 
was  struggling  with  his  prostrate  foe,  and  which  must  have  proved  fatal, 
had  not  the  generous  and  fearless  tar,  who  had  been  deprived  of  the  use  of 
both  his  hands,  by  severe  wounds,  rushed  between  the  saber  and  his 
commander,  and  received  the  blow  on  his  head,  by  which  his  skull  was 
fractured.] 

An  idea  of  the  desperate  nature  of  the  fighting  that  distinguished  this 
remarkable  assault,  may  be  gained  from  the  amount  of  the  loss.  The 
two  boats  captured  by  Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur,  had  about  eighty 
men  in  them, of  whom  fifty-two  are  known  to  have  been  killed  and  wounded; 
most  of  the  latter  very  badly.  As  only  eight  prisoners  were  made  who 
were  not  wounded,  and  many  jumped  overboard,  and  swam  to  the  rocks, 
it  is  not  improbable  that  the  Turks  sufiered  still  more  severely.    Lieutenant 


'  1 

I 


i  ;] 


i^thimm  *.i*ihi<.faf»r  ■, 


158 


INCIDENTS  IN  THE  WAR  WITH  TRIPOLI. 


Commandant  Decatur  himself  being  wounded,  he  secured  his  second 
prize,  and  hauled  oft'  to  rejoin  the  squadron;  all  the  rest  of  the  enemy  8 
division  that  were  not  taken,  having,  by  this  time,  run  mto  the  harbor,  by 
passins  through  the  openings  between  the  rocks.  •    ,       . 

While  Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur  was  thus  employed  to  wmdward, 
his  brother,  Mr.  James  Decatur,  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  NaiiUlus,  was 
nobly  emulating  his  example  in  No.  2.    Reserving  his  fire  like  Wo.  4, 
this  young  officer  dashed  into  the  smoke,  and  was  on  the  point  of  boardmg, 
when  he  received  a  musket  ball  in  his  forehead.    The  boats  met  and 
rebounded;  and  in  the  confusion  of  the  death  of  the  commanding  officer 
of  No.  2,  the  Turk  was  enabled  to  escape,  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the 
Americans.     It  was  said,  at  the  time,  that  the  enemy  had  struck  before 
Mr.  Decatur  fell,  though  the  fact  must  remain  in  doubt.     It  is,  however, 
believed  that  he  sustained  a  very  severe  loss.  ..... 

In  the  mean  time,  Mr.  Trippe,  in  No.  6,  the  last  of  the  three  boats  that 
were  able  to  reach  the  weather  division,  was  not  idle.     Reserving  his 
fire,  like  the  others,  he  delivered  it  with  deadly  effect,  when  closing,  and 
went  aboard  of  his  enemy  in  the  smoke.    In  this  instance,  the  ooats  also 
separated  by  the  shock  of  the  collision,  leaving  Mr.  Trippe,  with  Mr.  J. 
D.  Henley,  and  nine  men  only,  on  board  the  Tripolitan.     Here,  too, 
commanders  singled  each  other  out,  and  a  severe  personal  combat  occurrti  . 
while  the  work  of  death  was  going  on  around  them.    The  Turk  was  young, 
and  of  a  large  atheletic  form,  and  he  soon  compelled  his  slighter  but 
more  active  foe  to  fight  witli  caution.     Advancing  on  Mr.  Tnppe,  he 
would  strike  a  blow  and  receive  a  thrust  in  return.     In  this  manner,  he 
cave  the  American  commander  no  less  than  eight  saber  wounds  in  the 
head,  and  two  in  the  breast;  when,  making  a  sudden  rush,  he  struck  a 
ninth  blow  on  the  head,   which  brought  Mr.  Trippe  upon  a  knee.     Rally- 
ing all  his  force  in  a  desperate  effort,  the  latter,  who  still  relamed  the  short 
pike  with  which  he  fought,  made  a  tiirust  that  passed  the  weapon  through 
his  gigantic  adversary,  and  tumbled   him  on  his  back.     As  soon  as  the 
Tripolitan  officer  fell,  the  remainder  of  his  people  submitted. 

The  boat  taken  by  Mr.  Trippe,  was  one  of  the  largest  belonging  to  the 
bashaw.  The  number  of  her  men  is  not  positively  known,  but,  |>ving  and 
dead,  thirty-six  were  found  in  her,  of  whom  twenty-one  were  either  killed 
or  wounded.  When  it  is  remembered  that  but  eleven  Americans  boarded 
her,  the  achievement  must  pass  for  one  of  the  most  gallant  on  record. 
All  this  time  the  cannonade  and  bombardment  continued  without  ceasing. 
Lieutenant  Commandant  Somers,  in  No.  1,  sustained  by  the  brigs  and 
schooners,  had  forced  the  remaining  boats  to  retreat,  and  this  resolute 
officer  pressed  them  so  hard,  as  to  be  compelled  to  ware  w'thin  a  short 
distance  of  a  battery  of  twelve  guns,  quite  near  the  mole.  Her  destruc- 
tion seemed  inevitable,  as  the  boat  came  slowly  round,  when  a  shell  tell 
into  the  battery,  most  opportunely,  blew  up  the  platform,  and  '^fo^^J^*'® 
enemy  out,  io  a  man.  Before  the  guns  could  be  again  used  the  boat  had 
got  in  tow  of  one  of  the  small  vessels. 

There  was  a  division  of  five  boats  and  two  galleys  of  the  enemy,  that 
had  been  held  in  reserve  within  the  rocks,  and  these  rallied  their  retreating 
countrymen,  and  made  two  efforts  to  come  out  and  intercept  the  Americana 
and  their  prizes,  but  they  were  kept  in  check  by  the  fire  of  the  frigate  and 
small  vessels.  The  Constitution  maintained  a  very  heavy  fire,  and 
Bilenced  several  of  the  batteries,  though  they  re-opened  as  soon  aa  she 
had  passed.  The  bombards  were  covered  with  the  spray  of  shot,  but 
continued  to  throw  shells  to  the  last 


''.»'^  ;;»-»«■;»  fyf^i-^^^ 


i,.,:^.-5-si»S>««aws8r 


RIPOLI. 

le  secured  his  second 
de  rest  of  the  enemy's 
run  into  the  harbor,  by 

employed  to  windward, 
It  of  the  Nautilus,  was 
)g  his  fire  like  No.  4, 
n  the  point  of  boarding. 
The  boats  rnet  and 
le  commanding  officer 
•  a  heavy  fire  from  the 
emy  had  struck  before 
doubt.     It  is,  however, 

;  of  the  three  boats  that 
t  idle.     Reserving  his 
[feet,  when  closing,  and 
instance,  the  boats  also 
It.  Trippe,  with  Mr.  J. 
politan.     Here,  too, 
rsonal  combat  occurrtt  . 
The  Turk  was  young, 
polled  his  slighter  but 
ing  on  Mr.  Trippe,  he 
n.     In  this  manner,  he 
ht  saber  wounds  in  the 
dden  rush,  he  struck  a 
pe  upon  a  knee.     Rally- 
10  still  retained  the  short 
sed  the  weapon  through 
back.     As  soon  as  the 
3  submitted, 
largest  belonging  to  the 
ly  known,  but,  living  and 
ty-one  were  either  killed 
sven  Americans  boarded 
most  gallant  on  record, 
mtinued  without  ceasing, 
tained  by  the  brigs  and 
etreat,  and  this  resolute 
id  to  ware  within  a  short 
the  mole.     Her  destruc- 
round,  when  a  shell  fell 
platform,  and  drove  the 
I  again  used  the  boat  had 

lUeys  of  the  enemy,  that 
ise  rallied  their  retreating 
1  intercept  the  AmericanB 
the  fire  of  the  frigate  and 
a  very  heavy  fire,  and 
re-opened  as  soon  as  she 
h  the  spray  of  shot,  but 


INCIDENTS  IN  THE  WAR  WITH  TRIPOLI. 


159 


f,f,«y»,-;^>,=^-*'?J''»'S««****'W'**^'^'' 


At  half  past  four,  the  wind  coming  round  to  the  northward,  a  signal 
was  made  for  tiie  gun-boats  and  bomb-vessels  to  rejoin  the  small  ves- 
sels, and  another  to  take  them  and  the  prizes  in  tow.  The  last  order 
was  handsomely  executed  by  the  brigs  and  schooners,  under  cover  of  a 
blaze  of  tire  from  the  frigate.  A  quarter  of  an  hour  later,  the  Constitution 
herself  hauled  oft",  and  ran  out  of  gun-shot. 

Thus  terminated  the  tirst  serious  attack  that  was  made  on  the  town  and 
batteries  of  Tripoli.     Its  effect  on  the  enemy,  was  of  tlie  most  salutary 
kind;  the  manner  in  which  their  gun-boats  had  been  taken,  by  boarding, 
having  made  a  lasting  and  deep  impression.     The  superiority  of  ti»e 
Christians  in  gunnery,  was  generally  admitted  before,  but  here  was  an 
instance  in  which  the  Turks  had  been  overcome,  by  inferior  numbers, 
hand  to  hand,  a  species  of  conflict  in  which  they  had  been  thought  parti- 
cularly to  excel.     Perhaps  no  instance  of  more  desperate  fighting  of  the 
sort,  without  defensive  armor,  is  to  be  found  in  the  pages  of  history.     Three 
gun-boats  were  sunk  in  the  harbor,  in  addition  to  the  three  that  were  taken, 
and  tlie    loss  of  the   Tripolitans  by  shot,  must  have  been  very  heavy. 
About  fitly  shells  were  thrown  into  the  town,  but  little  damage  appears  to 
h->ve  been  done  in  this  way,  very  few  of  the  bombs,  on  account  of  the 
perfect  materials  that  had  been  furnished,  exploding.     The  batteries 
'were  a  good  deal  damaged,  but  the  town  suffered  no  essent.al  injury. 
On  the  part  of  the  Americans,  only  fourteen  were  killed  and  wounded 
in  the  aflfair,  and  all  of  these,  with  the  exception  of  one  man,  belonged 
to  the  gun-boats.     The  Constitution,  though  under  fire  two  hours,  escaped 
much  better  than  could  have  been  expected.     She  received  one  heavy 
shot  through  her  mainmast,  had  a  quarter-deck  gun  injured,  and  was  a 
good  deal  cut  up  aloft.     The  enemy  had  calculated  his  range  for  a  more 
distant  cannonade,  and  generally  overshot  the  ships.     By  this  mistake, 
the  Constitution  had  her  main-royal  yard  ohot  away. 

Among  those  who  greatly  distinguished  themselves  on  this  occasion, 
was  Lieutenant  Richard  Somers,  between  whom  and  Decatur  existed  a 
noble  friendship  that  was  well  fitting  the  chivalrous  nature  of  their  dis- 
positions. The  mystery  connected  with  his  death  a  month  later,  has 
lent  a  romantic  interest  to  his  memory.  The  circumstances  as  far  as 
known,  are  here  detailed. 

After  several  unsuccessful  enterprises  to  force  the  enemy  to  terms,  it 
was  resolved  to  fit  up  the  ketch  "Intrepid"  in  the  double  capacity  of 
fire-ship  and  infernal,  and  to  send  her  into  the  inner  harbor,  of  Trijwli, 
there  to  explode,  in  the  very  center  of  the  vessels  of  the  Turks.  As  hor 
deck  was  to  be  covered  with  a  large  quantity  of  powder,  shells,  and 
missiles,  it  was  hoped  the  town  would  suffer  not  less  than  the  shipping 
The  panic  created  by  such  an  assault,  made  in  the  dead  of  night,  it  was 
fondly  hoped  would  produce  an  instant  peace;  and  more  especially  the 
liberation  of  the  frigate  Philadelphia,  whose  officers  and  crew  were 
thought  to  have  been  reduced  to  extreme  suffering  by  the  barbarity  of 
their  captors.  . 

The  imminent  danger  of  the  service  forbade  the  commodore  ordermg 
any  of  his  officers  upon  it;  and  Somers,  with  whom  the  conception  of  this 
daring  scheme  is  supposed  to  have  originated,  volunteered  to  take  the 
command. 

"On  the  afternoon  of  the  fourth  of  September,  Somers  prepared  to 
leave  the  Nautilus,  with  a  full  determination  to  carry  the  ketch  into 
Tripoli  that  night.  Previously  to  quitting  his  own  vessel,  he  felt  that  it 
would  be  proper  to  point  out  the  desperate  nature  of  the  enterprise  to  the 


IHlmw  Wi4Ftim>*<y*;t*^fl{gi-g.^^ 


»-hMl..l^  1^  l>  JfaMll  II 


wvufmmm 


160 


INCIDENTS  IN  THE  WAR  WITH  TRIPOLI. 


four  men  he  had  selected,  that  their  services  might  be  perfectly  free  and 
voluntary.     He  told  them  that  he  wished  no  man  to  accompany  him,  who 
would  not  prefer  being  blown  up  to  being  taken ;  that  such  was  his  own  de- 
termination, and  that  he  wished  all  who  went  with  him  to  be  the  same  way 
of  thinking.     The  boats  now  gave  three  cheers  in  answer;  and  each  man 
is  said  to  have  separately  asked  to  be  selected  to  apply  the  match.    Once 
assured  of  the  temper  of  his  companions,  Somers  took  leave  of  his  officers ; 
the  boat's  crew  doing  the  same,  shaking  hands,  and  expressing  their 
feelings,  as  if  they  felt  assured  of  their  fate  in  advance.     Each  of  the  four 
men  made  his  will  verbally;  disposing  of  his  effects  among  the  shipmates, 
like  those  about  to  die.     Several  of  Somers'  friends  visited  him  on  board 
the  Intrepid  before  she  got  under  way.     Among  them  were  Stewart  and 
Decatur,  with  whom  he  had  commenced  his  naval  career  in  the  United 
States.     These  three  young  men,  then  about  twenty-six  years  of  age 
each,  were  Philadelphia-bred  sailors,  and  had  been  intimately  associated 
in  service  for  the  ladt  six  years.     They  all  knew  that  the  enterprise  was 
one  of  extreme  hazard,  and  the  two  who  were  to  remam  behind  felt  a 
deep  interest  in  the  fate  of  him  who  was  to  go  in.     Somers  was  grave, 
and  entirely  without  any  affectation  of  levity  or   indiflerence;  but  he 
maintained  his  usual  tranquil  and  quiet  manner.     Afler  some  conversation, 
he  took  a  ring  from  his  finger,  and  breaking  it  into  three  pieces,  gave 
each  of  his  companions  one,  while  he  retained  the  third  himself. 

Two  boats  accompanied  the  ketch  to  bring  off  the  party  just  af\er  settmg 
fire  to  the  train.  In  the  whole  there  were  thirteen  men,  all  volunteers. 
About  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  Lieutenant  Reed  was  the  last  to 
leave  the  ketch  for  his  own  vessel.  "When  he  went  over  the  side  of 
the  Intrepid,  all  communication  between  the  gallant  spirits  she  contained 
and  the  rest  of  the  world  ceased.  At  that  time  everything  seemed 
propitious.  Somers  was  cheerful,  though  calm;  and  perfect  order  and 
method  prevailed  in  the  little  craft.  The  leave-taking  was  affectionate 
and  serious  with  the  officers,  though  the  common  men  appeared  to  be 

in  high  spirits."  .    .        ,     ,        i    . 

The  ketch  was  seen  to  proceed  cautiously  into  the  bay,  but  was  soon 
obscured  by  the  haze  on  the  water.    "  It  was  not  long  before  the  enemy 
began  to  fire  at  the  ketch,  which  by  this  time  was  quite  near  the  batteries, 
though  the  reports  were  neither  rapid  or  numerous.    At  this  moment, 
near  ten  o'clock.  Captain  Stewart  and  Lieutenant  Carrol  were  standing 
in  the  Siren's  gangway,  looking  intently  toward  the  place  where  the  ketch 
was  known  to  be,  when  the  latter  exclaimed,  «Look!  see  the  light!     At 
that  instant  a  light  was  seen  passing  and  waving,  as  if  a  lantern  were 
carried  by  some  person  in  quick  motion  along  a  vessel's  deck.     ln«n  " 
sunk  from  view.    Half  a  minute  may  have  elapsed,  when  the  whole  lir- 
mament  was  lighted  with  a  fiery  glow;  a  burning  mast  with  its  sails  was 
seen  in  the  air;  the  whole  harbor  was  momentarily  illummated;  the  awful 
explosion  came,  and  a  darkness  like  that  of  doom  succeeded.    The  whole 
was  over  in  less  than  a  minute;  the  flame,  the  quaking  of  towers,  the 
reeling  of  ships,  and  even  the  bursting  of  shells,  of  which  most  fell  in 
the  water,  though  some  lodged  on  the  rocks.    The  firing  ceased,  and 
from  that  instant  Tripoli  passed  the  night  in  a  stillness  as  profound  as 
that  in  which  the  victims  of  this  explosion  have  lain  from  that  fatal  hour 

tA  this  ^^ 

In  the  American  squadron  the  opinion  was  prevalent,  that  Somers  and 
his  determined  crew  had  blown  themselves  up  to  prevent  capture;  bu« 
subsequent  light  has  rendered  it  more  probable  that  it  was  accidental,  or 


il. 


,„-^i,*>^p.  _-.-»..> 


)LI. 

perfectly  free  and 
company  him,  who 
ich  was  his  own  dc- 
to  be  the  same  way 
ver;  and  each  man 
^  the  match.    Once 
eave  of  his  officers; 
d  expressing  their 
.     Each  of  the  four 
nong  the  shipmates, 
isited  him  on  board 
n  were  Stewart  and 
areer  in  the  United 
ty-six  years  of  age 
ntimately  associated 
t  the  enterprise  was 
remain  behind  felt  a 

Somers  was  grave, 
indiflerence;  but  he 
er  some  conversation, 
o  three  pieces,  gave 
bird  himself." 
3arty  just  after  setting 
i  men,  all  volunteers. 
Reed  was  the  last  to 
ent  over  the  side  of 
t  spirits  she  contained 
e  everything  seemed 
nd  perfect  order  and 
iking  was  affectionate 

men  appeared  to  be 

the  bay,  but  was  soon 
ong  before  the  enemy 
[uite  near  the  batteries, 
,U8.    At  this  moment, 
Carrol  were  standing 
place  where  the  ketch 
>k!  see  the  light!'   At 
r,  as  if  a  lantern  were 
easel's  deck.    Then  it 
fd,  when  the  whole  fir- 
Imast  with  its  sails  was 
illuminated;  the  awful 
■ucceeded.    The  whole 
quaking  of  towers,  the 
V  of  which  most  fell  m 
The  firing  ceased,  and 
Ullness  as  profound  as 
lain  from  that  fatal  hour 

valent,  that  Somers  and 
to  prevent  capture;  bu« 
iiat  it  was  accidental,  or 


CHASE  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION. 


occasioned  by  a  hot  shot  from  the  enemy. 


161 

"Thus  perished  Richard 


M 


Somers,  'one  of  the  bravest  of  the  brave.'  Notwithstanding  al!  our 
means  of  reasoning,  and  the  greatest  efforts  of  human  ingenuity,  there 
will  remain  a  melancholy  interest  around  the  manner  of  his  end,  which, 
by  the  Almighty  will,  is  forever  vailed  from  human  eyes,  in  a  sad  and 
solemn  mystery.'' 


THE  CHASE  OP  THE  UNITED  STATES  FRIGATE  CONSTITUTION 
BY  A  BRITISH  SQUADRON. 

The  Constitution  44,  Captain  Hull,  had  gone  into  the  Chesapeake,  on 
her  return  from  Europe,  and  shipping  a  new  crew,  on  the  twelfth  of  July, 
1812,  she  sailed  from  Annapolis,  and  stood  to  the  northward.  So  rapidly 
was  her  equipment  procured,  that  her  first  lieutenant  joined  her  only  a 
fortnight  before  she  sailed,  and  a  draft  of  a  hundred  men  was  received 
on  the  evening  of  the  eleventh.  Friday,  July  the  seventeenth,  the  ship 
was  out  of  sight  of  land,  though  at  no  great  distance  from  the  coast,  with 
a  light  breeze  from  the  N.  E.,  and  under  easy  canvas.  At  one,  she 
sounded  in  22  fathoms;  and  about  an  hour  afterward,  four  sail  were 
made  in  the  northern  board,  heading  to  the  westward.  At  three,  the 
Constitution  made  sail,  and  tacked  in  18^  fathoms.  At  four,  slie  dis- 
covered  a  fifth  sail  to  the  northward  and  eastward,  which  had  the  appear- 
ance of  \  vessel  of  war.  This  ship  subsequently  proved  to  be  the 
Guerriere  38,  Captain  Dacres.  By  this  time,  the  other  four  sail  were 
made  out  to  be  three  ships  and  a  brig;  they  bore  N.  N.  W.,  and  were  all 
en  the  starboard  tack,  apparently  in  companjr<  The  wind  now  became 
very  light,  and  the  Constitution  hauled  up  her  main-sail.  The  ship  in 
the  eastern  board,  however,  had  so  far  aliered  her  position  by  six,  as  to 
bear  E.  N.  E.,  the  wind  having  hitherto  been  fair  for  her  to  close.  But 
at  a  quarter  past  six,  the  wind  came  out  light  at  the  southward,  bringing 
the  American  ship  to  windward.  The  Constitution  now  wore  round  with 
her  head  to  the  eastward,  set  her  light  studding-sails  and  stay-sails,  and 
at  half' past  seven,  beat  to  quarters,  and  cleared  for  action,  with  the 
intention  of  speaking  the  nearest  vessel. 

The  wind  continued  very  light  at  the  southward,  and  the  two  vessels 
were  slowly  closing  until  eight.  At  ten,  the  Constitution  shortened  sail, 
and  immediately  after  she  showed  the  private  signal  of  the  day.  After 
keeping  the  lights  aloft  near  an  hour,  and  getting  no  answer  from  the 
Guerriere,  the  Constitution,  at  a  quarter  past  eleven,  lowered  the  signal, 
and  made  sail  again,  hauling  aboard  her  starboard  tacks.  During  the 
whole  of  the  middle  watch  the  wind  was  very  light,  from  the  southward 
and  westward.  Just '  as  the  morning  watch  was  called,  the  Guerriere 
tacked,  then  wore  entirely  round,  threw  a  rocket,  and  fired  two  guns. 
As  the  day  opened,  three  sail  were  discovered  on  the  starboard  quarter 
of  the  Constitution,  and  three  more  astern.  At  five  a.  m.,  a  fourth  vessel 
was  seen  astern. 

This  was  the  squadron  of  Commodore  Broke,  which  had  been  gradually 
closing  with  the  American  frigate  during  the  night,  and  was  now  just  out 
of  gun-shot.  As  the  ships  slowly  varied  their  positions,  when  the  mists 
were  entirely  cleared  away,  the  Constitution  had  two  frigates  on  her  lee 
quarter,  and  a  ship  of  the  line,  two  frigates,  a  brig  and  a  schooner  astern. 
The  names  of  the  enemy's  ships,  have  already  been  given;  but  the  brig 
was  the  Nautilus,  and  the  schooner  another  prize.    AU  the  strangers  had 

n 


nfcM^iln    I     >j*^— 


1«2 


OHASB  OF  THE  OONSTITUTIOIT. 


Engliah  colors  fljing.  It  now  fell  quite  calm,  aad  the  Constitution  hoisted 
out  her  boats,  and  sent  them  ahead  to  tow,  with  a  view  to  keep  the  ship 
out  of  the  reach  of  the  enemy's  shot.  At  the  same  time,  she  whipt  up 
one  of  the  gun-deck  guns  to  the  spar-deck,  and  run  it  out  aO,  as  a  storn- 
chaser,  getting  a  long  eighteen  off  the  forecastle  also  for  a  similai  purpose. 
Two  more  of  the  twenty-fours  below  were  run  out  at  the  cabin  windows, 
with  the  same  object,  though  it  was  found  necessary  to  cut  away  some 
of  the  wood-work  of  the  stern  frame,  in  order  to  make  room. 

By  six  o'clock  the  wind,  which  continued  very  light  and  baffling,  came 
out  from  the  northward  of  west,  when  the  ship's  head  was  got  round  to 
the  southward,  and  all  the  light  canvas  that  would  draw  was  set.  Soon 
after,  the  nearest  frigate,  the  Shannon,  opened  with  her  bow  guns,  and 
oontinued  firing  for  about  ten  minutes,  but  perceiving  she  could  not  reach 
the  Constitution,  she  ceased.  At  half  past  six.  Captain  Hull  sounded  in 
86  fathoms,  when  finding  that  the  enemy  was  likely  to  close,  as  he  was 
enabled  to  put  the  boats  of  two  ships  on  one,  and  was  also  favored  by  a 
little  more  air  than  the  Constitution,  all  the  spare  rope  that  could  be  found, 
and  which  was  fit  for  the  purpose,  was  payed  down  into  the  cutters,  bent 
on,  and  a  kedge  was  run  out  near  half  a  mile  ahead,  and  let  go.  At  a 
signal  given,  the  crew  clapped  on,  and  walked  away  with  the  ship,  over- 
running and  tripping  the  kedge  as  she  came  up  with  the  end  of  the  line. 
While  this  was  doing,  fresh  lines  and  another  kedge  was  carried  ahead, 
and,  though  out  of  sight  of  land,  the  frigate  glided  away  from  her  pursuers, 
before  they  discovered  the  manner  in  which  it  was  done.  It  was  not  long, 
however,  before  the  enemy  resorted  to  the  same  expedient.  At  half  past 
seven,  the  Constitution  had  a  little  air,  when  she  set  her  ensign,  and  fired 
a  shot  at  the  Shannon,  th«  nearest  ship  astern.  At  eight,  it  fell  calm 
again,  and  further  recourse  was  had  to  the  boats  and  the  kedges,  the 
enemy's  vessels  having  a  light  air,  and  drawing  ahead,  towing,  sweeping, 
and  kedging.  By  nine,  the  nearest  frigate,  the  Shannon,  on  which  the 
English  had  put  most  of  their  boats,  was  closing  fast,  and  there  was  every 
prospect,  notwithstanding  the  steadiness  and  activity  of  the  Constitution's 
people,  that  the  frigate  just  mentioned  would  get  near  enough  to  cripple 
her,  when  her  capture  by  the  rest  of  the  squadron  would  be  inevitable. 
At  this  trying  moment  the  best  spirit  prevailed  in  the  ship.  Everything 
was  stoppered,  and  Captain  Hull  was  not  without  hopes,  even  should  he 
be  forced  into  action,  of  throwing  the  Shannon  astern  by  his  fire,  and  of 
maintaining  his  distance  from  the  other  vessels.  It  was  known  that 
the  enemy  could  not  tow  very  near,  as  it  would  have  been  easy  to  sink 
his  boats  with  the  stem-guns  of  the  Constitution,  and  not  a  man  in  the 
latter  vessel  showed  a  disposition  to  despondency.  CMHcers  and  men 
relieved  each  other  regularly  at  the  duty,  and  while  the  former  threw 
themselves  down  on  deck  to  catch  short  naps,  the  people  slept  at  their 
guns. 

This  was  one  of  the  moat  critical  moments  of  the  chaae.  The  Shannon 
was  fast  closing,  as  has  been  just  stated,  while  the  Guerriere  was  almost 
as  near  on  the  larboard  quarter.  An  hour  promised  to  bring  the  struggle 
to  an  issue,  when  suddenly,  at  nine  minutes  past  nine,  a  light  air  from 
the  southward  struck  the  ship,  bringing  her  to  windward.  The  beautiful 
manner  in  which  this  advantage  was  improved,  excited  admiration  even 
in  the  enemy.  As  the  breeze  was  seen  coming,  the  ship's  sails  were 
trimmed,  and  as  soon  as  she  was  under  command,  she  was  brought  close 
up  to  the  wind,  on  the  larboard  tack ;  the  boats  were  all  dropped  in  along 
side ;  those  that  belonged  to  the  davits  were  run  up,  while  the  others  were 


i'v- 


vr.x'; 


CHASE  OF  THK  CONSTITUTION. 


163 


3on8titution  hoisted 
«r  to  keep  the  ship 
time,  she  whipt  up 
t  out  afti  as  a  storn- 
>r  a  similai  purpose, 
the  cabin  windows, 
y  to  rut  awny  some 
I  room. 

t  and  baffling,  came 
id  was  got  round  to 
raw  was  set.     Soon 

her  bow  guns,  and 
she  could  not  reach 
ain  Hull  sounded  in 
V  to  close,  as  he  was 
IS  also  favored   by  a 
I  that  could  be  found, 
into  the  cutters,  beat 
id,  and  let  go.     At  a 
f  with  the  ship,  over- 
j  the  end  of  the  line, 
e  was  carried  ahead, 
ay  from  her  pursuers, 
one.     It  was  not  long, 
jedient.     At  half  past 
'.  her  ensign,  and  fired 
At  eight,  it  fell  calm 
and  the  kedges,  the 
ad,  towing,  sweepmg, 
hannon,  on  which  the 
t,  and  there  was  every 
y  of  the  Constitution's 
lear  enough  to  cripple 
n  would  be  inevitable, 
the  ship.     Everything 
lopes,  even  should  he 
srn  by  his  fire,  and  of 
It  was  known  that 
lave  been  easy  to  sink 

and  not  a  man  in  the 
•y     Officers  and  men 

lile  the  former  threw 
people  slept  at  their 

chase.  The  Shannon 
Guerriere  was  almost 
pd  to  bring  the  struggle 
t  nine,  a  light  air  from 
dward.  The  beautiful 
icited  admiration  even 
,  the  ship's  sails  vrere 
,  she  was  brought  close 
re  all  dropped  in  along 
S,whUe  the  others  were 


just  lif\ed  clear  of  the  water,  by  purchases  on  the  spare  outboard  Hpars, 
where  they  were  in  readiness  to  be  usnd  at  a  moment's  notico.  As  the 
ship  catno  by  the  wind,  she  brought  the  Guerriere  nearly  on  her  luc-bcam, 
when  that  frigate  opened  a  fire  from  her  broadside.  Wliilc  the  shot  of 
this  vessel  were  just  falling  short  of  them,  the  people  of  the  Constitution 
were  hoisting  up  their  bouts  with  as  much  steadiness  as  if  tiie  duty  viw 
porforiiiing  in  a  friendly  port.  In  alwut  an  hour,  however,  it  fell  nearly 
calm  again,  when  Captain  Hull  ordered  a  quantity  of  the  water  started, 
to  lighten  the  ship.  More  than  two  thousand  gallons  were  pumped  out, 
and  the  boats  were  sent  ahead  again  to  tow.  The  enemy  now  put  nearly 
all  his  boats  on  the  Shannon,  the  nearest  ship  astern;  and  a  few  hours 
of  prodigious  exertion  followed,  the  people  of  the  Constitution  being 
compelled  to  supply  the  place  of  numbers  by  their  activity  and  zeal. 
The  HJiips  were  close  by  the  wind,  and  everything  that  would  draw  wa(> 
set,  and  the  Shannon  was  slowly,  but  steadily,  forging  ahead.  About 
noon  of  this  day,  there  was  a  little  relaxation  from  labor,  owing  to  the 
occasional  occurrence  of  cat's-paws,  by  watciiing  which  closely,  the  ship 
was  urged  through  the  water.  But  at  quarter  past  twelve,  the  boats  were 
again  sent  ahead,  and  the  toilsome  work  of  towing  and  kedging  wu 
renewed. 

At  one  o'clock,  a  strange  sail  was  discovered  nearly  to  leeward.  At 
this  moment  the  four  frigates  of  the  enemy  wore  about  one  point  on  the 
lee-quarter  of  the  Constitution,  at  long  gunshot,  the  Africa  and  the  two 
prizes  being  on  the  lee-beam.  As  the  wind  was  constantly  baffling,  any 
moment  might  have  brought  a  cliange,  and  placed  the  enemy  to  windward. 
At  seven  minutes  before  two,  the  Belvidera,  then  the  nearest  ship,  began 
to  fire  with  her  bow-guns,  and  the  Constitution  opened  with  her  stern- 
chasers.  On  board  the  latter  ship,  however,  it  was  soon  found  to  be 
dangerous  to  use  the  main-deck  guns,  the  transoms  having  so  much  rake, 
the  window  being  so  high,  and  the  guns  so  short,  that  every  explosion 
lifted  the  upper  deck,  and  threatened  to  blow  out  the  stern-frame.  Per- 
ceiving, moreover,  that  his  shot  did  little  or  no  execution,  Captain  Hull 
ordered  the  firing  to  cease  at  half  past  two. 

For  several  hours,  the  enemy's  frigates  were  now  within  gunshot, 
sometimes  towing  and  kedging,  and  at  others  endeavoring  to  close  with 
the  puffs  of  air  that  occasionally  passed.  At  seven  in  the  evening,  the 
boats  of  the  Constitution  were  again  ahead,  the  ship  steering  S.  W.  ^  W., 
with  an  air  so  light  as  to  be  almost  imperceptible.  At  half  past  seven, 
she  sounded  in  24  fathoms.  For  hours  the  same  toilsome  duty  was 
going  on,  until  a  little  before  eleven,  when  a  light  air  from  the  southward 
struck  the  ship,  and  the  sails  for  the  first  time  in  many  weary  hours  were 
asleep.  The  boats  instantly  dropped  along  side,  hooked  on,  and  were 
all  run  up,  with  the  exception  of  the  first  cutter.  THte  topgallant  studding- 
sails  and  stay-sails  were  set  as  soon  as  possible,  and  for  about  an  hour, 
the  people  caught  a  little  rest. 

But  at  midnight  it  fell  nearly  calm  again,  though  neither  the  pursuers 
nor  the  pursued  had  recourse  to  the  boats,  probably  from  an  unwillingnen 
to  disturb  their  crews.  At  two,  ▲.  v.,  it  was  observed  on  board  the  Con- 
stitution that  the  Guerriere  had  forged  ahead,  and  was  again  off  their 
lee-beam.     At  this  time,  the  topgallant  studding-sails  were  taken  in. 

In  this  manner  passed  the  night,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  next  day, 
it  was  found  that  three  of  the  enemy's  frigates  were  within  long  gunshot 
on  the  lee-quarter,  and  the  other  at  about  the  same  distance  on  the  lee- 
beam.    The  Africa  and  the  prizes  were  much  further  to.  leeward. 


'ii. 


164 


0HA8E  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION. 


A  little  after  (l;iylij.'hf,  the  CJiierricrc,  linvinp  «lrnwn  ahond  ("iiffiricntly  to 
be  forwnrd  of  tlx!  ('onstitution^H  bmm.  tackiMl,  when  the  luttor  Hliip  did 
the  sainc!,  in  ordor  to  proHJirvo  her  iwsitiori  to  windward.  An  hour  later 
tho  yEoliis  puKHed  on  the  contrary  ta<;k,  ho  near  that  it  was  thought  by 
Boino  who  observed  the  movement,  that  shu  ou^lit  to  have  opimod  her 
fire;  but,  as  that  vessel  waa  merely  a  twelve-pounder  frif;ate,  and  she  was 
still  at  a  considerable  di!<tance,  it  is  quite  probable  her  commander  acted 
judiciously.  By  this  time,  there  was  sutlicicnt  wind  to  induce  Captain 
Hull  to  hoist  in  his  first  cutter. 

The  scene,  on  the  morningof  this  day,  was  very  beautiful,  and  of  great 
interest  to  tho  lovers  of  nautical  exhibitions.  The  weather  was  mild  and 
lovely,  the  sea  smooth  as  a  pond,  and  there  was  quite  wind  enough  1r. 
remove  the  neces.sity  of  any  of  the  extraordinary  means  of  getting  ahead, 
that  had  been  so  freely  used  during  the  previous  eight-and-forty  hours. 
All  the  English  vessels  had  got  on  the  same  tack  with  the  Constitution 
again,  and  the  five  frigates  were  clouds  of  canvas,  from  their  trucks  to 
tho  water.  Including  tho  American  ship,  eleven  sail  were  in  sight,  and 
shortly  af\er  a  twelfth  appeared  to  windward,  that  was  soon  ascertained 
to  be  an  American  merchantman.  But  tlio  enemy  were  too  intent  on 
tho  Con.stitution  to  regard  anything  else,  and  though  it  would  have  been 
easy  to  capture  the  ships  to  leeward,  no  attention  appears  to  have  been 
paid  to  them.  With  a  view,  however,  to  deceive  the  ship  to  windward 
they  hoisted  American  colors,  when  the  Constitution  set  an  English  ensign. 
by  way  of  warning  the  stranger  to  keep  aloof. 

Until  ten  o'clock  the  Constitution  was  making  every  preparation  for 
carrying  sail  hard  should  it  become  necessary,  and  she  sounded  in  25 
fathoms.  At  noon  the  wind  fell  again,  though  it  was  found  that  while 
the  breeze  lasted,  she  had  gained  on  all  the  enemy's  ships;  more,  however 
on  some,  than  on  others.  Tlie  nearest  vessel  was  the  Belvidera,  which 
was  exactly  in  the  wake  of  the  Constitution,  distant  about  two  and  a  half 
miles,  bearing  W.  N.  W.  The  nearest  frigate  to  leeward,  bore  N.  by 
W.  ^  W.  distant  three  or  three  and  a  half  miles;  the  two  other  frigates 
were  on  the  lee-quarter,  distant  about  five  miles,  and  the  Africa  was  hull 
down  to  leeward,  on  the  opposite  tack. 

This  was  a  vast  improvement  on  the  state  of  things  that  had  existed 
the  day  previous,  and  it  allowed  the  officers  and  men  to  catch  a  little  rest, 
though  no  one  led  the  decks.  The  latitude  by  observation  this  day,  was 
38°  47'  N.,  and  the  longitude  by  dead  reckoning  73°  67'  W. 

At  meridian  the  wind  began  to  blow  a  pleasant  breeze,  and  the  sound 
of  the  water  rippling  under  the  bows  of  the  vessel  was  again  heard. 
From  this  moment  the  noble  old  ship  slowly  drew  ahead  of  all  her  pur- 
suers, the  sails  beinir  watched  and  tended  in  the  best  manner  that  consum- 
mate seamanship  could  dictate,  until  four  p.  m.  when  the  Belvidera  was  more 
than  four  miles  astern,  and  the  other  vessels  were  thrown  behind  in  the 
same  proportion,  though  the  wind  had  again  got  to  be  very  light. 

In  this  manner  both  parties  kept  passing  ahead  and  to  windward,  as 
fast  as  circumstances  would  allow,  profiting  by  every  change,  and  resorting 
to  all  the  means  of  forcing  vessels  through  the  water,  that  are  known  to 
■eamen.  At  a  little  before  seven,  however,  there  was  every  appearance 
of  a  heavy  squall,  accompanied  by  rain;  when  the  Constitution  prepared 
to  meet  it  with  the  coolness  and  discretion  she  had  displayed  throughout 
the  whole  affair.  The  people  were  stationed,  and  everything  was  kept 
fast  to  the  last  moment,  when,  just  before  the  squall  struck  the  ship,  the 
order  was  given  to  clew  up  and  clew  down.    All  the  light  canvas  was 


mn*' 


OHASE  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION. 


165 


wm\  Miffiricntly  to 
ihc  lutlisr  sliip  <1>" 
rtl.     An  hour  hter 

it  wuH  tlioujilit  by 
»  have  opiiiH'd  ^^^ 
riRBlo,  anct  she  was 
r  coininan(W!r  acletl 

to  induce  Captain 

lutiful,  and  of  great 
iather  was  mild  and 
ito  wind  enough  tr. 
09  of  getting  ahead, 
i»ht-aiid-forty  hours 
vith  the  Constitution 
from  liicir  trucks  to 
,\\  wore  in  sight,  ant 
,as  soon  asccrtaineU 
V  were  too  intent  on 
1,  it  would  liave  been 
nppeara  to  have  been 
he  ship  to  windward 
set  an  English  ensign. 

every  preparation  for 
nd  she  sounded  in  XS 
was  found  that  while 
ships;  more,  however 
,  the  Belvidera,  which 
t  about  two  and  a  hall 
,  leeward,  bore  N.  by 
the  two  other  frigates 
nd  the  Africa  was  hull 

lings  that  had  existed 
en  to  catch  a  little  rest. 
,Bervation  this  day,  was 

73°  67'  W. 

L  breeze,  and  the  sound 

Essel  was  again  heard. 
iv  ahead  of  all  her  pur- 
Bstmannerthatconsum- 
,  the  Belvidera  was  more 

■e  thrown  behind  in  the 
to  be  very  light. 
,ad  and  to  windward,  as 
•ry  change,  and  resorting 
witer,  that  are  known  to 
re  was  every  appearance 
,e  Constitution  prepared 
lad  displayed  throughou 
and  everything  was  kept 
mall  struck  the  ship,  the 
j^U  the  light  canvas  was 


furled,  a  second  reef  was  taken  in  the  mizzon-topsail,  and  the  ship  was 
brought  under  short  sail,  in  an  incredibly  littlu  time.  The  English  vessola, 
obourving  this,  began  to  let  go  and  haul  dowu  without  waiting  for  the  wind, 
anil  when  they  were  shut  in  bj  the  rain,  ihey  were  steering  in  ditfercnt 
directiuHH  to  avoid  the  force  of  thu  expected  squall.  The  Constitution, 
on  the  other  hand,  no  sooner  got  its  weight,  than  she  sheeted  home  and 
hoiHted  her  fore  and  main-t()|)^'allant  sails,  and  while  the  enemy  moat 
probably  beiieveil  her  to  be  borne  down  by  the  pressure  of  the  wind, 
steering  free,  she  was  (lying  away  from  them,  on  an  easy  bowline,  at  the 
rate  of  eleven  knots. 

In  a  little  less  than  an  hour  u(\er  the  squall  struck  the  ship,  it  had 
entirely  passed  to  leeward,  and  a  sight  was  again  obtained  of  the  enemy. 
The  Belvidern,  the  nearest  vessel,  had  altered  her  bearings  in  that  short 
period  two  points  more  to  leeward,  and  she  was  a  long  way  astern.  The 
next  nearest  vessel  was  still  farther  to  leeward,  and  more  distant,  while 
the  two  remaining  frigates  wore  fairly  hull  down.  The  Africa  was  barely 
visible  in  the  horizon! 

All  appi'ehensions  of  the  enemy  now  ceased,  though  sail  was  carried 
to  increase  the  distance,  and  to  preserve  the  weather-gage.  At  half  past 
ten  the  wind  backed  further  to  the  southward,  when  the  Constitution, 
which  had  been  steering  free  for  some  time,  took  in  her  lower  studding- 
sails.  At  eleven  the  enemy  fired  two  guns  and  the  nearest  ship  could 
just  be  discovered.  As  the  wind  battled,  and  continued  light,  the  enemy 
still  persevered  in  the  chase,  but  at  daylight  the  nearest  vessel  was  hull 
down  astern,  and  to  leeward.  Under  the  circuiiistancos  it  was  deemed 
prudent  to  use  every  exertion  to  lose  sight  of  tiie  English  frigates;  and 
the  wind  falling  light,  the  Constitution's  sails  were  wet  dowu  from  the 
skysails  to  the  courses.  The  good  eti'ects  of  this  care  were  soon  visible, 
as  at  six  a.m.,  the  topsails  of  the  enemy's  nearest  vessels  were  beginning 
to  dip.  At  a  quarter  past  8,  the  English  ships  all  hauled  to  the  northward 
and  eastward,  fully  satisfied,  by  a  trial  that  had  lasted  nearly  three  days, 
and  as  many  nights,  under  all  the  circumstances  that  can  attend  naval 
maneuvers,  from  reefed  topsails  to  kcdging,  that  they  had  no  hope  of 
overtaking  their  enemy. 

Thus  terminated  a  chase,  that  has  become  historical  in  the  American 
navy,  for  its  length,  closeness,  and  activity.  On  the  part  of  the  English, 
there  were  manifested  much  perseverance  and  seamanship,  a  ready  imi- 
tation, and  a  strong  desire  to  get  along  side  of  their  enemy.  But  the 
glory  of  the  affair  was  carried  otf  by  the  officers  and  people  of  the  Con- 
stitution. Throughout  all  the  trying  circumstanccsof  this  arduous  struggle, 
this  noble  frigate,  which  had  so  lately  been  the  subject  of  the  sneers  of 
the  English  critics,  maintained  the  high  character  of  a  man-of-war.  Even 
when  pressed  upon  the  hardest,  nothing  was  hurried,  confused,  or  slovenly, 
but  the  utmost  steadiness,  order,  and  discipline  reigned  in  the  ship.  A 
cool,  discreet,  and  gallant  commander,  was  nobly  sustained  by  his  officers; 
and  there  cannot  be  a  doubt  that  had  the  enemy  succeeded  in  getting  any 
one  of  their  frigates  fairly  under  the  fire  of  the  American  ship,  that  she 
would  have  been  very  roughly  treated.  The  escape  itself,  is  not  so  much 
a  matter  of  admiration,  as  the  manner  in  which  it  was  effected.  A  little 
water  was  pumped  out,  it  is  true ;  and  perhaps  this  was  necessary,  in 
order  to  put  a  vessel  fresh  from  port  on  a  level,  in  light  winds  and  calms, 
with  ships  that  had  been  cruising  some  time;  but  not  an  anchor  was  cut 
away,  not  a  boat  stove,  nor  a  gun  lost.  The  steady  and  man-of-war  like 
style  in  which  the  Constitution' took  in  all  her  boats,  as  occasions  offered; 


.  8T0RY  OF  AK  EN0U8H  BAILOR  BOY. 

iho  order  and  "Pi^i'T '''^ j^hu^h  -he  l^e  W  «,„,i,aii«n  among 

criticiitnB  as  any  people  liTing. 


1^ 


AND  THE  BEITISH    WIOATE  IdAOBDONUK 
B..«.  L.^-,  .n  EngU.h  ..iloj  boy  .bow..  o»  bo.,d  of  tU.  Bn.;* 

whole  range  of  maritiino  narrative.  .^  ^^^^^^  ^^  ^-^^  -^  „ 

Sunday  (December  ^T^^ty-fiJ^,  1812,)  came,  ^^^^^^  ^ 

stiff  bree/e.  We  "^"''"y  »";?«  "„,t;\Se  Sre  crew  on  the  spar-dec^^ 
After  breakfast  it  was  common  to  """f  Vj^^;  ^^^^^  sometimes  in  blue 
dressed  as  the  fancy  of  »''«  ^^P^J.^u  am  hue  trowsors,  at  other 
jackets  and  white  tifowsers,  or  t*  "«  J'V^'^J;'  J^'^^ite  trowsers;  with  our 
imes  in  blue  jackets.  »f=^^'°i;7;«,;,;",t,f^,d  our  black  glossy  h.t.orna- 
bright  anchor-butlons  glancing  m  »''«  «"»'  "J^^^  „f  ^ur  ship  painted  on 

muiner.  .    ^     u  a  i.r<i.kfaflt  before  the  men  at  the  mast-head 

■  ^e  had  scnrcclv  finished  breakfast  oetort 

.houted,  " Sail,  ho!"  exclaiming,  " Mast-head  there !" 

1      The  captain  rushed  upon  deck,  exciairamfe, 

I      KSir?" 

I      « Where  away  is  ^^e  «aiir'  ^^^jj^^^^  ^ut  the  captain 

j       The  precise  answer  to  this  quesuou  ■  « 

I   proceeded  to  ask, 

"What  does  she  look  likeT  j.  ^    ,ookout. 

i       "  Sir?"  .  •.    ,  ;    ■•'! 

"What  does  she  look  like?"  ^      i« 

i       «  A  large  ship,  sir,  standing  toward  us .  etraining  their  eyes 

i  ri:'b".rof-.p;=^^^^^ 


] 


STORY  OF  AN  ENGLISH  BAILOR  BOY. 


167 


iiiralion  nmong 
,,  no  lcn»  than 
w  th  U»e  world 
n  tl»eir  nauiicw 


HE  BATTLK 

STATES 

AN. 

uA  of  tUe  British 

at  voBScl  by  the 

ho  battle,  which, 

,al   Service  bore 

,  anything  in  the 

;  brought  with  it  a 
this  sacred  day. 
,  on  the  spar-derk, 
oinetimcB  in  b  no 
irowsors;  al  other 
irowscrs;  will*  our 
•k  glossy  hats  orna- 
ur  ship  painted  on 
oad  by  the  captain-, 
0  wore  destined  to 
in  a  very  different 


^n 


at  the  mast-head 


•head  there 


H' 


lect,  but  the  capUin 


e  lookout. 
»Mwt-head  there!' 


retraining  their  eyes 
wring  their  opinions 

^eep  silence  fore  and 

lo,  to  his  question  of 
kigate,  bearing  down 

br  ship  was  a  Yankee 
of  "AH  hands  clear 


the  ship  for  action,  ahoy  !'*  The  drum  and  fife  boat  to  quartern,  bulk- 
heads were  knoikod  away,  tlio  guns  wfrn  rolcuMcd  froui  thoir  conrmetiKint, 
the  whole  dread  paraphcrnulin  of  battle  was  |iro<hici<d,  and  allcr  thii  lapse 
of  a  few  miniiteM  of  hurry  and  confusion,  every  man  and  l)oy  was  at  liiw 
post,  ready  to  do  his  beat  aervice  <ur  his  country,  except  the  band,  who, 
claiming  exetnption  from  the  aHTray,  safely  Btowod  themselven  away  in 
the  cable'tior.  We  had  only  one  aick  man  on  the  list,  and  he,  at  the 
cry  of  battle,  hurried  from  his  cot,  feeble  as  he  was,  to  take  hin  post 
of  danger.  A  few  of  the  junior  midHhipmon  were  ntationed  below  on 
the  berth-deck,  with  orders,  given  in  our  hearing,  to  shoot  any  man  who 
attempted  to  run  from  his  quarters. 

As  the  approaching  ship  showed  American  colors,  all  doubt  of  her 
character  was  at  an  end.  "  Wo  must  fight  her,"  was  the  conviction  of 
every  breaHt.  Every  possible  arrangement  that  could  insure  huccobm  was 
accordingly  made.  The  guns  were  shotted,  the  matches  lighted;  for 
although  our  guns  were  all  furnished  with  (irRt-rate  locks,  they  were  also 
provided  with  matches,  attached  by  lanyards,  in  case  the  lock  should  miss 
fire.  A  liciitrnant  then  passed  through  the  ship,  directing  the  murines 
and  boarders — who  wore  furnished  with  pikes,  cutlasses,  and  pistols — 
how  to  proceed  if  it  should  be  necessary  to  board  the  enemy.  He  was 
followed  by  tiio  captain,  who  exhorted  the  men  to  fidelity  and  courage, 
urging  upon  tlu-ir  consideration  tho  well  known  inottoof  the  brave  Nelson, 
"  England  expects  every  man  to  do  his  duty."  In  addition  to  ail  these 
preparations  on  deck,  some  men  were  stationed  in  the  tops  with  small 
arms,  whoso  <iuty  it  was  was  to  attend  to  trimming  the  sails,  and  to  use 
their  muskets  provided  wo  came  to  close  action.  There  were  others,  also, 
below,  called  sail-trimmers,  to  assist  in  working  the  ship  should  it  be 
necessary  to  shift  her  position  during  tho  battle. 

My  station  was  the  fifth  gun  on  the  main-dtck.  It  was  my  duty  to 
supply  my  gun  with  powder,  a  boy  being  appointed  to  each  gun  in  the 
ship,  on  the  side  we  engaged,  for  this  purpose.  A  woolen  screen  was 
placed  before  the  entrance  to  the  niagaxine,  with  a  hole  in  it,  through  which 
the  cartridges  were  passed  to  the  boys;  we  received  them  there,  and 
covering  them  with  our  jackets,  hurried  to  our  respective  guns.  These 
precautions  are  observed  to  prevent  the  powder  taking  fire  before  it 
reaches  the  gun. 

Thus  we  all  stood,  awaiting  orders,  in  motionless  suspense.  At  last  we 
fired  three  guns  from  tho  larboard  side  of  the  main-deck;  this  was  followed 
by  the  command,  *< Cease  firing;  you  are  throwing  away  your  shot!^ 

Then  came  the  order  to  "  wear  ship,''  and  prepare  to  attack  the  enemy 
with  our  starboard  guns.  Soon  ofter  this  I  heard  a  firing  from  some  other 
quarter,  which  I  at  first  supposed  to  be  a  discharge  from  our  quarter-deck 
guns,  but  it  proved  to  be  the  roar  of  the  enemy's  cannon.  | 

A  strange  noise,  such  as  I  had  never  heard  before,  next  arrested  my 
attention;  it  sounded  like  the  tearing  of  sails  just  over  our  heads.  This 
I  soon  ascertained  to  be  the  wind  of  the  enemy's  shot.  The  firing,  after 
a  few  minutes'  cessation,  recommenced.  The  roaring  of  cannon  could 
now  be  heard  from  all  parts  of  our  trembling  ship,  and  mingling  as  it  did 
with  that  of  our  foes,  it  made  a  most  hideous  noise.  By  and  by  I  heard 
the  shot  strike  the  sides  of  our  ship;  the  whole  scene  grew  indescribably 
confused  and  horrible;  it  was  like  some  awfully  tremendous  thunder- 
storm, whose  deafening  roar  is  attended  by  incessant  streaks  of  lightning, 
carrying  death  in  every  flash,  and  strewing  the  ground  with  the  victims 
of  its  wrath ;  only  in  our  case  the  scene  was  rendered  more  horrible  than 


■  tl 


168 


STORY  OF  AN  ENGLISH  SAILOR  BOY. 


It  I 

I.     L 


I 


that,  by  the  presence  of  torrents  of  blood  which  dyed  our  decks.  Though 
the  recital  may  be  painful,  yet  as  it  will  reveal  the  horrors  of  war,  and 
show  at  what  a  fearful  price  a  victory  is  won  or  lost,  1  will  present  the 
rcader^with  things  as  they  met  my  eye  during  the  progress  of  this  dreadful 
_  I  was  busily  supplying  my  gun  with  powder,  when  I  s;.w  blood 
suddenly  fly  from  the  arm  of  a  man  stationed  at  our  gun.  I  saw  notliing 
striice  him;  the  efliect  alone  was  visible;  in  an  instant  the  third  lieutenant 
tied  his  handkerchief  round  the  wounded  arm,  and  sent  the  poor  fellow 
below  to  the  surgeon. 
"  The  cries  of  the  wounded  now  rang  through  all  parts  of  the  ship. 
These  were  carried  to  the  cockpit  as  fast  as  they  fell,  while  those  more 
fortunate  men  who  were  killed  outright  were  immediately  thrown  overboard. 
As  I  was  stationed  but  a  short  distance  from  the  main-hatchway,  I  could 
catch  a  glance  at  all  who  were  carried  below.  A  glance  was  all  I  could 
indulge  in,  for  the  boys  belonging  to  the  guns  next  to  mine  were  wounded 
in  the  early  part  of  the  action,  and  I  had  to  spring  with  all  my  miglit  to 
keep  three  or  four  guns  supplied  with  cartridges.  I  saw  two  of  these 
lads  fall  nearly  together.  One  of  them  was  struck  in  the  leg  by  a  large 
shot;  he  had  to  sufi'er  amputation  above  the  wound.  The  other  had  a 
grape  or  canister  shot  sent  through  his  ankle.  A  stout  Yorkshireman 
lifted  him  in  his  arms  and  hurried  with  him  to  the  cockpit.  Ho  had  his 
foot  cut  off,  and  was  thus  made  lame  for  life.  Two  of  the  boys  stationed 
on  the  quarter-deck  were  killed.  They  were  both  Portuguese.  A  man 
who  saw  one  of  them  killed,  afterward  told  me  that  his  powder  caught 
fire  and  burnt  the  flesh  almost  off  his  face.  In  this  pitiable  situation  the 
agonized  boy  lifted  up  both  hands,  as  if  imploring  relief,  when  a  passing 
shot  instantly  cut  him  in  two. 

I  was  an  eye  .vitness  to  a  sight  equally  revolting.  A  n)n.n  named 
Aldrich  had  one  of  his  hands  cut  off  by  a  shot,  and  almost  at  tho  same 
moment  he  received  another  shot,  which  tore  open  his  bowels  in  a  terrible 
manner.  As  he  fell,  two  or  three  men  caught  him  in  their  arras,  and  as 
he  could  not  live,  threw  him  overboard. 

One  of  the  officers  in  my  division  also  fell  in  my  sight.  He  was  a 
noble-hearted  fellow,  named  Nan  Kivell.  A  grape  or  canister  shot  struck 
him  near  the  heart.  He  fell,  and  was  carried  below,  where  he  shortly 
after  died. 

Mr.  Scott,  our  first-lieutenant,  was  also  slightly  wounded  by  a  grummet, 
or  small  iron  ring,  probaly  torn  from  a  hammock  clew  by  a  shot.  He  went 
below,  shouting  to  the  men  to  fight  on.  Having  had  his  wound  dressed, 
ho  came  up  again,  shouting  to  us  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  and  bidding  us 
fight  with  all  our  might. 

The  battle  went  on.  Our  men  kept  cheering  with  all  their  might;  I 
cheered  with  them,  though  I  confess  I  scarcely  knew  for  what.  Certainly 
there  was  nothing  very  inspiriting  in  the  aspect  of  things  where  I  was 
stationed.  So  terrible  had  been  the  work  of  destruction  round  u8,-that 
it  was  termed  the  slaughter-hoyse.  Not  only  had  we  had  several  boys 
and  men  killed  or  wounded,  but  several  of  the  guns  were  disabled.  The 
one  I  belonged  to  had  a  piece  of  the  muzzle  knocked  out;  and  when  the 
ship  rolled,  it  struck  a  beam  of  the  upper  deck  with  such  force  as  to 
become  jammed  and  fixed  in  that  position.  A  twenty-four  pound  shot 
had  also  gone  through  the  screen  cf  the  magazine,  immediately  over  the 
orifice  through  which  we  passed  our  powder.  The  schoolmaster  received 
a  death  wound.  The  brave  boatswain,  who  came  from  the  sick  cot  to 
the  din  of  battle,  was  fastening  a  stopper  on  ^  back-stAy  which  had  hcvn 


Y. 

ur  decks.    Though 
horrors  of  war,  and 

1  will  present  the 
•ress  of  this  dreadful 
,  when  I  sf.w  blood 
gun.    1  saw  nothing 

the  third  lieutenant 
sent  the  poor  fellow 

11  parts  of  the  ship. 
11,  while  those  more 
;ely  thrown  overboard. 
un-hatchwa>,  I  could 
rlance  was  all  I  could 
0  mine  were  wounded 
with  all  my  might  to 
I  saw  two  of  these 
tin  the  leg  by  a  large 

id      The  other  had  a 

A.  stout  Yorkshireman 

cockpit.     Hohadh.8 

0  of  the  boys  stationed 

1  Portuguese.  A  man 
tiat  his  powder  caught 
is  pitiable  situation  the 
r  relief,  when  a  passing 

Iting.     A  noan  named 

and  almost  at  the  same 

his  bowels  in  a  terrible 

m  in  their  arras,  and  aa 


He  was  a 
i  or  canfster  shot  struck 


my  sight. 


jelow,  where  he  shortly 

wounded  by  a  grummet, 
lew  by  a  shot.     He  went 

had  his  wound  dressed, 
lis  voice,  and  bidding  us 

with  all  their  might;  I 
/new  for  what.    Certainly 
;t  of  things  where  1  was 
estruction  round  uB,-tnat 
^,ad  we  had  several  boys 
uns  were  disabled.     Ihe 
[ocked  out;  and  when  the 
ck  with  such  force  as  to 
^  twentv-four  pound  shot 
ine,  iminediately  over  the 
IThe  schoolmaster  received 
ame  from  the  s'ck  cot  to 
back-stay  which  had  bcon 


STORY  OP  AN  ENGLISH  SAILOR  BOY. 


f69 


shot  away,  when  his  head  was  smashed  to  pieces  by  a  cannon-ball ;  another 
man,  going  to  complete  the  unfinished  task,  was  also  struck  down.  One 
of  our  midshipmen  likewise  received  a  severe  wound,  and  the  wardroom 
steward  was  killed.  A  fellow  named  John,  who,  for  some  petty  olfenHe, 
had  been  sent  on  board  as  a  punishment,  was  carried  past  me  wounded. 
1  distinctly  hoard  the  large  blood-drops  fail  pat,  pat,  on  tiie  deck;  Win 
wounds  were  mortal.  Even  a  poor  goat,  kept  by  the  officers  for  her  milk, 
did  not  escape  the  general  carnage;  her  hind-legs  were  shot  oflf,  and  poor 
Nan  was  thrown  overboard. 

I  liave  uilen  been  asked  what  were  my  feelings  during  this  fight.  I 
felt  pretty  much  as  I  suppose  every  one  does  at  such  a  time.  That  men 
are  without  tiiought  when  tiiey  stand  amid  the  dying  and  the  dead,  is  too 
absurd  an  idea  to  be  entertained  for  a  moment.  We  all  appeared  ciiecrful, 
but  I  know  that  many  a  serious  thought  ran  through  my  mind:  still,  what 
could  we  do  but  keep  up  a  semblance,  at  least  of  animation?  To  run 
from  our  quarters  would  have  been  certain  death  from  tlie  hands  of  our 
own  officers;  to  give  way  to  gloom,  or  to  show  fear,  would  do  no  good, 
and  might  l)rand  us  with  the  name  of  cowards,  and  insure  certain  defeat. 
Our  only  true  philosophy,  therefore,  was  to  make  the  best  of  our  situation, 
by  fighting  bravely  and  cheerfully.  I  thought  a  great  deal,  however,  of 
the  other  world :  every  groan,  every  fallinir  man,  told  me  that  the  next 
instant  I  might  be  before  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth. 

While  these  thoughts  secretly  agitated  my  bosom,  the  din  of  battle 
continue,d._ytirrape  and  canister  shot  were  pouring  through  our  port-holes 
/likenfeaJeii  rain,  carrying  death  in  their  train.  The  large  shot  came  against 
'  the  ship's  side  like  iron  hail,  shaking  her  to  the  very  keel,  or  passing 
through  her  timbers,  and  scattering  terrific  fiipliaters,  which  did  a  more 
appalling  work  than  even  their  own  death-giving  blows.  The  reader  may 
form  an  idea  of  the  effect  of  grape  and  canister,  when  he  is  told  that  grape 
shot  is  formed  by  seven  or  eight  balls  confined  to  an  iron  and  tied  in 
a  cloth.  These  balls  are  scattered  by  the  explosion  of  the  powder. 
Canister  shot  is  made  by  filling  a  powder  canister  with  balls,  each  as  large 
as  two  or  three  musket  balls ;  these  also  scatter  with  direful  effect  when 
discharged.  What,  then,  with  splinters,  cannon-balls,  grape  and  canister 
poured  incessantly  upon  us,  the  reader  may  be  assured  that  the  work  of 
death  went  on  in  a  manner  which  must  have  been  satisfactory  even  to 
the  King  of  Terrors  himself. 

Suddenly  the  rattling  of  the  iron  hail  ceased.  We  were  ordered  to 
cease  firing.  A  profound  silence  ensued,  broken  only  by  the  stifled 
groans  of  the  brave  sufferers  below.  It  was  soon  ascertained  that  the 
enemy  had  shot  ahead  to  repair  damages;  for  she  was  not  so  disabled  but 
she  could  sail  without  difficulty,  while  we  were  so  cut  up  that  we  lay 
utterly  helpless.  Our  head  braces  were  shot  away;  ihe  fore  and  main  top- 
masts were  gone;  the  mizzen-mast  hung  over  the  stern,  having  carried 
several  men  over  in  its  fall:  we  were  in  the  state  of  a  complete  wreck. 

A  council  was  now  held  among  the  officers  on  the  quarter-deck.  Our 
condition  was  perilous  in  the  extreme ;  victory  or  escape  was  al  ike  hopeless. 
Our  ship  was  disabled;  many  of  our  men  were  killed,  and  many  more 
wounded.  The  enemy  would  without  doubt  bear  down  upon  us  in  a  few 
moments,  and,  as  she  could  now  choose  her  own  position,  would  doubtless 
rake  us  fore  and  aft.  Any  further  resistance  was  therefore  folly;  so,  in 
spite  of  the  hot-brained  lieutenant,  who  advised  thern  not  to  strike,  l)Ut 
to  aiok  aloug^  side,  it  wna  determined  to  strike  our  colors.  Tiiis  was  done 
by  the  hands  of  a  brave  fellow  named  Watson,  whose  saddened  brow  told 


.^jk.^ 


170 


STORT  OF  AN  ENGLISH  SAILOR  BOT. 


*•* 


how  severely  it  pained  his  lion  heart  to  do  it.  To  4ne  it  was  a  pleasing 
sight,  for  I  had  seen  fighting  enough  for  one  Sabbath;  more  than  I  wished 
to  see  again  on  a  weelc-day.  His  Britannic  Majesty's  frigate  Macedonian 
was  now  the  prize  of  the  American  frigate  United  States. 
'TT  now  went  below  to  see  how  matters  appeared  there.  The  firat  object 
I  met  was  a  man  bearing  a  limb,  which  had  just  been  detached  from  some 
poor  suAcrer.  Pursuing  my  way  to  the  wardroom,  I  necessarily  passed 
through  the  steerage,  which  was  strewed  with  the  wounded :  it  was  a  sad 
spectacle,  made  more  appalling  by  the  groans  and  cries  which  rent  the 
air.  Some  were  groaning,  others  were  swearing  most  bitterly,  a  few  were 
praying,  while  those  last  arrived  were  begging  most  pitcously  to  have 
their  wounds  dressed  next.  The  surgeon  and  his  mate  were  smeared 
with  blood  from  head  to  foot;  they  looked  more  like  butchers  than  doctors. 
Having  so  many  patients,  they  had  once  shifted  their  quarters  from  the 
cockpit  to  the  steerage ;  they  now  removed  to  the  wardroom ;  and  the  long 
table,  round  which  the  officers  had  sat  over  many  a  merry  feast,  was  soon 
covered  with  the  bleeding  forms  of  maimed  and  mutilated  seamen. 

1  now  set  to  work  to  render  all  the  aid  in  my  power  to  the  sutfcrers. 
Our  carpenter,  named  Reed,  had  his  log  cut  off.  I  helped  to  carry  him  to 
the  after  wardroom ;  but  he  soon  breathed  out  his  life  there,  and  then  I  as- 
sisted in  throwing  his  mat^led  remuins  overboard.  We  got  out  the  cots 
as  fast  as  possible,  for  most  of  the  men  were  stretched  out  on  the  gory 
deck.  One  poor  fellow,  who  lay  with  a  broken  thigh,  begged  me  to  give 
him  water.  I  ga'  e  him  some.  He  looked  unutterable  gratitude,  drank, 
and  died.  It  was  with  exceeding  difficulty  I  moved  through  the  steerage, 
it  was  so  covered  with  mangled  men,  and  so  slippery  with  streams  of 
blood.  There  was  a  poor  boy  there  crying  as  if  his  heart  would  break. 
Ho  had  been  servant  to  the  boatswain  whose  head  was  d^hcd  to  pieces. 
Poor  boy!  he  felt  that  he  had  lost  a  friend.  I  tried  to  comfort  him,  by 
reminding  him  that  he  ought  to  be  thankful  for  having  escaped  death 
himself. 

Here  also  I  met  one  of  my  messmates,  who  showed  the  utmost  joy  at 
seeing  me  alive,  tor  he  said  he  had  heard  that  I  was  killed.  He  was 
looking  up  hii  nossmates,  which  he  said  was  always  done  by  sailors. 
We  found  two  o.  our  mess  wounded.  One  was  the  Swede,  Logholm, 
who  fell  overboard  and  was  nearly  lost,  as  formerly  mentioned.  Wc  held 
him  while  the  surgeon  cut  off  his  leg  above  the  knee.  The  operation 
was  most  painfui  to  behold,  the  surgeon  using  his  knife  and  saw  on  human 
flesh  and  bones  as  freely  as  the  butcher  at  the  shambles  does  on  the 
carcass  of  a  beast !  Our  other  messmate  suffered  still  more  than  the  Swede; 
he  was  sadly  mutilated  about  the  legs  and  thighs  with  splinters.  Such 
scenes  of  suflfering  as  I  saw  in  that  wardroom  I  hope  never  to  witness 
again.  Could  the  civilized  world  behold  them  as  they  were,  and  as  they 
otlen  are,  infinitely  worse  than  on  that  occasion,  it  seems  to  me  that  they 
would  forever  put  down  the  barbarous  practices  of  war  by  universal 
consent. 

Most  of  our  officers  and  men  were  taken  on  board  the  victor  ship.  I 
was  left,  with  a  few  others,  to  take  care  of  the  wounded.  My  master, 
the  sailing-master,  was  also  among  the  officers  who  continued  in  the  ship. 
Most  of  the  men  who  remained  were  unht  for  any  service,  having  broken 
into  the  spirit-room  and  made  themselves  drunk ;  some  of  ttiem  broke 
into  the  purser's  room,  and  helped  themselves  to  clothing;  while  others. 
by  previous  agreement,  took  possession  of  their  dead  messmates'  property 
For  my  own  part,  I  was  content  to  help  myself  to  a  little  of  the  officers 


STORY  OP  AN  ENGLISH  SAILOR  BOY. 


17f. 


B  it  was  a  ploaBing 
nore  than  I  wished 
rigato  Macedonian 

,,    The  firat  objeet 
Btached  from  some 
nece-osarily  passed 
inded :  it  was  a  sad 
ries  which  rent  the 
bitterly,  a  few  were 
t  pitcously  to  have 
mate  were  smeared 
ichers  than  doctors. 
•  quarters  from  the 
room  ;  and  the  long 
erry  feast,  was  soon 
lated  seamen, 
ver  to  the  sufferer*, 
slped  to  carry  him  to 
there,  and  then  I  as- 
Wc  got  out  the  cots 
led  out  on  the  gory 
1,  begged  me  to  give 
ble  gratitude,  drank, 
hrough  the  steerage, 
,ery  with  streams  of 
s  heart  would  break. 
?as  drfShed  to  pieces. 
d  to  comfort  him,  by 
aving  escaped  death 

i?ed  the  utmost  joy  at 
was  killed.  He  was 
irays  done  by  sailors. 
Lhe  Swede,  Logholm, 
mentioned.  We  held 
tnee.  The  operation 
life  and  saw  on  human 
ihambles  does  on  the 

morethan  the  Swede; 
with  splinters.  Such 
lope  never  to  witness 
hey  were,  and  as  they 

seems  to  me  that  thoy 
I  of  war  by  universal 

ard  the  victor  ship.  I 
bounded.  My  master, 
,  continued  in  the  ship. 
service,  having  broken 
;  some  of  tiiem  broke 
clothing;  while  others, 
id  messmates'  property 
,  a  litUe  of  the  officers 


provisions,  which  did  me  more  good  than  could  be  obtained  from  rum. 
What  was  worse  than  all,  however,  was  the  folly  of  the  sailors  in  giving 
spirits  to  their  wounded  messmates,  since  it  only  served  to  aggravate 
their  distress. 

The  great  number  of  the  wounded  kept  our  surgeon  and  his  matv 
busily  employed  until  late  at  night,  and  it  was  a  long  time  before  they 
had  much  leisure.     I  remember  passing  round  the  ship  the  day  after  the 
battle.     Coming  to  a  hammock,  I  found  some  one  in  it,  apparently  asleep. 
I  spoke  ;  he  made  no  answer:  I  looked  into  the  hammock  ;  he  was  dead. 
My  messmates  coming  up,  we  threw  the  corpse  overboard  ; — that  was  no 
time  for  useless  ceremony.     The  man  had   prol)ably  crawled  into  his 
hammock  the  day  before,  and,  not  being  perceived  in  the  general  distress, 
bled  to  death!     Oh  war,  who  can  reveal  thy  miseries! 
/   When  the  crew  of  the  United  States  first  boarded  our  frigate,  to  take 
•possession  of  her  as  their  prize,  our   men,  heated  with  the  fury  of  the 
;  battle,  exasperated  with  the  sight  of  their  dead  and  wouuded  siiipmates, 
'  and  rendered  furious  by  the  rum  they  iiad  obtained  from  the  spirit-room, 
i  felt  and  exhibited  some  disposition  to  fight  their  captors.     But  adcr  the 
.  confusion  had  subsided,  and  part  of  our  men  were  snugly  stowed  away 
;   in  the  American  ship,  and  the  remainder  found  themselves  kindly  used 
t  in  their  own,  the  utmost  good  feeling  began  to  prevail.     We  set  to  work 
'  to  cleanse  the  ship,  using  hot  vinegar  to  take  out  the  scent  of  the  blood 
[  that  had  dyed  the  white  of  our  planks  with  crimson.     We  also  aided  in 
fitting  our  disabled  frigate  for  her  voyage.     This  being  accomplished, 
;  both  ships  sailed  in  company  toward  the  American  coast. 
'"  1  soon  felt  myself  perfectly  at  home  with  the  American  seamen;  so 
much  so,  that  I  chose  to  mess  with  them.     My  shipmates  also  participated 
in  similar  feelings  in  both  ships.     All  idea  that  we  had  been  trying  to  shoot 
each  other  so  shortly  before  seemed  forgotten.     We  ate  together,  drank 
together,  joked,  sung,  laughed,  told  yarns;  in  short,  a  perfect  union  of 
ideas,  feelings,  and  purposes,  seemed  to  exist  among  all  hands.     A  cor- 
responding state  of  unanimity  existed,  I  was  told,  among  the  officers. 

Our  voyage  was  one  of  considerable  excitement.  The  seas  swarmed 
with  British  cruisers,  and  it  was  extremely  doubtful  whether  the  United  , 
States  would  elude  the  grasp,  and  reach  the  prottiction  of  an  American 
port  with  her  prize.  I  hoped  most  sihceroly  to  avoid  them,  as  did  most 
of  mv  old  shipmates;  in  this  we  agreed  with  our  captors,  who  wisely 
desired  to  dispose  of  one  conquest  before  they  attempted  another.  Our 
forftier  officers,  of  course,  were  anxious  for  the  sight  of  a  British  flag,  but 
we  saw  none;  and  after  a  prosperous  voyage  from  the  scene  of  conflict, 
we  heard  the  welcome  cry  of  "Land,  ho!"  The  United  States  entered 
the  port  of  New  London ;  but,  owing  to  a  sudden  shift  of  the  wind, 
the  Macedonian  had  to  lay  off  and  on  for  several  hours.  Had  an 
English  cruiser  found  us  in  this  situation,  we  should  have  been  easily 
recovered;  and  as  it  was  extremely  probable  we  should  fall  in  with  one, 
[  felt  quite  uneasy,  until,  after  several  hours,  we  made  out  to  run  into 
the  pretty  harbor  of  Newport.  We  fired  a  salute  as  we  came  to  an  anchor, 
v/Jiiah  was  promptly  returned  by  the  people  on  shore. 

While  we  lay  here  a  few  days,  several  of  our  men  contrived  to  run  away. 
1  would  have  done  so  too,  but  for  the  vigilance  of  the  prize  officers,  who 
were  ordered  to  keep  us  that  we  might  be  exchanged  for  those  Americana 
who  ''ad  fallen  into  British  hands.  My  desire  for  freedom  at  length 
I  ji  prevailed  over  prudence,  and  I  made  my  escape,  glad  to  be  rid  of  thu 
tyranny  to  which  I  had  been  so  long  exposed.     But  this  step,  which,  oo 


/ 


tni  STORY  OF  AN  ENGLISH  SAILOR  BOY. 

I  reflection,  I  do  not  commend,  brought  another  evil.     I  was  destitute  of 

any  means  of  support,  and  ailer  numerous  ineflectual  eflbrts  to  get  em 

ployment  on  land,  I  again  took  to  a  seafaring  life — this  time,  however, 

entering  myself  on  board  a  United  States  brig-of-war,  the  Siren,  carrying 

sixteen  guns.     I  was  then  in  the  seventeenth  yearof  my  life.    I  'vas  recom- 

I  mended  by  acquaintances  to  ship  myself  under  a  false  name ;   but,  in 

1  defiance  of  my  fears,  I  entered  under  my  own  proper  name  of  Samuel 

i1  Leech. 

My  fiist  impressions  of  the  American  service  were  vepy  favorable. 
The  treatment  in  the  Siren  was  more  lenient  than  in  the  Macedonian. 
The  captain  and  officers  were  kind ;  while  there  was  a  total  exemption 
from  that  petty  tyranny  exercised  by  the  upstart  midsiiipmen  in  the  British 
service.  As  a  necessary  effect,  our  crew  was  as  comfortable  and  happy 
as  men  ever  are  in  a  man-of-vvar 

Our  brig  had  before  this  taken  in  her  guns,  consisting  of  two  long 
nine-pounders,  twelve  twenty-four  pound  carronades,  and  two  forty-two- 
pounders.  Our  crew  was  composed  of  about  one  liundrcd  and  twenty-five 
smart  active  men.  Wc  were  all  supplied  with  stout  leathern  caps, 
something  like  those  used  by  firemen.  These  were  crossed  by  two  strips 
of  iron,  covered  with  bear-skin,  and  were  designed  to  defend  the  head, 
in  boarding  the  enemy's  ship,  from  the  stroke  of  the  cutlass.  Strips  of 
bear-skin  were  lilfewise  used  to  fasten  them  on,  serving  the  purpose  of 
false  whiskers,  and  causing  us  look  as  fierce  as  hungry  wolves.  We  were 
also  frequently  exercised  in  the  various  evolutions  of  a  sea-fight;  first  using 
our  cannon,  then  seizing  our  cutlasses.and  boarding-pikes,  and  cutting  to 
the  right  and  lefl,  as  if  in  the  act  of  boarding  an  enemy's  ship.  Thus  we 
spent  our  time  from  early  in  the  fall  until  afler  Christmas,  when  we 
received  orders  to  hold  ourselves  in  readiness  for  sea. 

As  we  lay  waiting  for  our  final  orders,  a  report  reached  us  that  a  large 
English  brig-of-war,  called  the  Nimrod,  lay  in  a  cove  somewhere  near 
Boston  bay.  Upon  this  information,  our  officers  planned  a  night  expedi- 
tion for  the  purpose  of  effecting  her  capture.  Our  intended  mode  of 
attack  was  to  run  close  along  side,  pour  a  broadside  upon  her,  and  then, 
without  further  ceremony,  board  her,  cutlass  in  hand.  So  we  took  in  our 
powder,  ground  up  our  cutlasses,  and  toward  night  got  under  weigh.  A 
change  in  the  wind,  however,  defeated  our  designs,  and  we  put  into  Salem 
harbor,  with  no  other  result  than  the  freezing  of  a  man's  fingers,  which 
happened  while  we  were  furling  our  bails.  Thus  ended  our  first  warlike 
expedition  in  the  Siren. 

Shortly  afler  this  affair  we  received  orders  to  start  on  a  cruise  to  the 
coast  of  Africa,  and,  in  company  with  the  Grand  Turk,  a  privateer,  set 
sail  from  Salem.  Passing  the  fort,  we  received  the  usual  hail  from  the 
sentry  of,  "  Brig,  ahoy!  where  are  you  bound  to?" 

To  this  salutation  the  first-lieutenant  jocosely  answered,  "  There  and 
back  again,  on  a  man-of-war's  cruise."  Such  a  reply  would  not  have 
satisfied  a  British  soldier ;  but  we  shot  past  the  fort  unmolested.  Afler 
two  days,  we  parted  company  with  the  Grand  Turk,  and,  by  the  aid  of  a 
fair  wind,  soon  found  ourselves  in  the  Gulf  stream ;  where,  instead  of 
fearing  frozen  fingers,  we  could  go  barefooted  and  feel  quite  comfortable. 

We  now  kept  a  sharp  look-out  at  the  mast-head,  but  met  with  nothing 
until  we  reached  ihe  Canary  Islands,  near  which  we  saw  a  boat-load  of 
Portuguese,  who,  coming  along  side,  talked  in  their  native  tongue  with 
great  noise  and  earnestness,  but  were  no  more  intelligible  to  us  than  so 
many  blackbirds.         .,        ,,,,,,      ^  .„         ^  ,  „,  .,,^„  .  ^^.^j^,^  ^^^  ,^__^^  , 


■'^:vv 


JOY. 

.  I  wa3  destitute  of 
:ual  efforts  to  get  em 
—this  time,  however, 
ir,  the  Siren,  carrying 
my  life.  I'vasrecorn- 
i  false  name  ;  but,  in 
opcr  name  of  Samuel 

were  vepy  favorable, 
in  in  the  Macedonian, 
was  a  total  exemption 
Isliipmen  in  the  British 
comfortable  and  happy 

ionsisting  of  two  long 
des,  and  two  forty-two- 
undred  and  twenty-five 
stout   leathern    caps, 
e  crossed  by  two  strips 
ed  to  defend  the  head, 
the  cutlass.     Strips  of 
serving  the  purpose  of 
igry  wolves.     We  were 
fa  sea-fight;  first  using 
ng-pikes,  and  cutting  to 
Qcmy'sship.     Thus  we 
3r  Christmas,  when  we 

sea. 

reached  us  that  a  large 
1  cove  somewhere  near 
planned  a  night  expedi- 

Our  intended  mode  of 
ide  upon  her,  and  then, 
and.  So  we  took  in  our 
rht  got  under  weigh.  A 
IS,  and  we  put  into  Salein 
,f  a  man's  fingers,  which 
a  ended  our  first  warlike 

o  start  on  a  cruise  to  the 

id  Turk,  a  privateer,  set 

the  usual  hail  from  the 

IT  answered,  "There  and 

a  reply  would   not  have 

.  fort  unmolested.     After 

["urk,  and,  by  the  aid  of  a 

ream ;  where,  instead  of 

nd  feel  quite  comfortable. 

;ad,  but  met  with  nothing 

ch  we  saw  a  boat-load  of 

their  native  tongue  with 

intelligible  to  us  than  so 


STORY  OP  AN  ENGLISH  SAILOR  BOY. 


173 


While  off  the  African  coast,  our  captain  died.  His  wasted  body  was 
placed  in  a  coffin,  with  shot  to  sink  it.  After  the  service  had  been  read, 
the  planl<  on  which  the  coffin  rested  was  elevated,  and  it  slipped  into  the 
great  deep.  The  yards  were  braced  round,  and  wo  were  under  weigh 
again,  when,  tu  our  surprise  and  grief,  we  saw  the  coffin  floating  on  the 
waves.  The  reason  was,  the  carpenter  had  bored  holes  in  the  top  and 
bottom:  he  should  have  made  them  only  in  the  top. 

After  the  funeral,  the  crew  were  called  aft,  and  the  first-lieutenant, 
Mr.  Nicholson,  told  us  that  it  should  be  left  to  our  decision  whether  he 
should  assume  the  command  and  continue  tiie  cruise,  or  return  home. 
We  gave  him  three  hearty  cheers,  in  token  of  our  wish  to  continue  tho 
cruise.  lie  was  a  noble  minded  man,  very  kind  and  civil  to  his  crew,  and 
the  opposite  in  every  respect  to  the  haughty  lordly  captain  with  whom  I 
first  sailed  in  the  Macedonian.  Seeing  me  one  day  with  rather  a  poor 
hat  on,  he  called  me  aft  and  presented  mo  with  one  of  his  own,  but 
little  worn.  "  Good  luck  to  him,"  said  F,  in  a  sailor  phrase,  as  I  returned 
to  my  messmates;  "  he  has  a  soul  to  be  saved."  We  also  lost  two  of  our 
crew,  who  fell  victims  to  the  heat  of  the  climate. 

One  morning  the  cry  of  "Sail,  ho!"  directed  our  attention  to  a  strange 
sail,  which  had  hove  to,  with  her  courses  hauled  up.  At  first  we  took 
her  for  a  British  man-of-war  brig.  The  hands  were  summoned  to  quarters, 
and  the  ship  got  ready  for  action.  A  nearer  approach,  however,  convinced 
us  that  the  supposed  enemy  was  no  other  than  our  old  friend  the  Grand 
Turk.  She  did  not  appear  to  know  us;  for  no  sooner  did  she  see  that 
our  craft  was  a  brig-of-war,  than,  supposing  us  to  belong  to  John  Bui' ,  cae 
crowded  all  her  canvas,  and  made  the  best  of  her  way  off.  Knowing 
what  she  was,  we  permitted  her  to  escape  without  further  alarm. 

The  first  land  we  made  was  Cape  Mount.  The  natives  came  off  to  a 
considerable  distance  in  their  canoes,  clothed  in  nothing  but  a  piece  of 
cloth  fastened  round  the  waist,  and  extending  downward  to  the  feet.  As 
we  approached  the  shore,  we  saw  several  fires  burning;  this,  we  were 
told,  in  the  broken  English  spoken  by  our  sable  visitors,  was  the  signal  for 
trade.  We  bought  a  quantity  of  oranges,  limes,  cocoanuts,  tamarinds, 
plantains,  yams,  and  bananas.  We  likewise  took  in  a  quantity  of  cassada, 
a  species  of  ground  root,  of  which  we  made  tolerable  pudding  and  bread; 
alao  a  few  hogs  and  some  water. 

We  lay  here  several  days,  looking  out  for  any  English  vessels  that  might 
come  thither  for  purposes  of  trade. 

Meanwhile  we  began  to  experience  the  inconvenience  of  a  hot  climate. 
Our  men  were  all  covered  with  blotches  or  boils,  probably  occasioned  by 
so  sudden  a  transition  from  extreme  cold  to  extreme  heat.  What  was 
worse  still,  we  were  in  want  of  a  plentiful  supply  of  water.  In  conse- 
quence of  this,  we  were  placed  on  an  allowance  of  two  quarts  per  diem 
to  each  man,  which  occasioned  us  much  suffering;  for  after  preparing 
our  puddings,  bread,  and  grog,  we  had  but  little  left  to  assuage  our 
burning  thirst.  Some,  in  their  distress,  drank  large  quantities  of  sea  water, 
which  only  increased  their  thirst,  and  made  them  sick;  others  sought 
relief  in  chewing  lead, tea  leaves, or  anything  which  would  create  moisture. 
Never  did  we  feel  more  delighted  than  when  our  boat's  crew  announced 
the  discovery  of  a  pool  of  fine  clear  water. 

While  cruising  along  the  coast,  we  one  night  perceived  a  large  sliip 
lying  at  anchor  near  the  shore.  We  could  not  decide  whether  she  was: 
a  large  merchantman  or  a  man-of-war,  so  we  approached  her  with  the 
utmost  caution.    Our  doubts  were  soon  removed,  for  she  suddenly  loo^sed 


4! 


ill 


STORY  OP  A»  ENGLISH  SAILOR  BOY. 
• 
all  her  sails,  and  made  chase  ailer  us.  By  the  help  of  their  glasses,  our 
officers  asccrtnined  her  to  be  an  English  frigate.  Of  course  it  was  folly 
to  engage  her,  so  we  made  all  the  sail  we  could  carry,  beat  to  quarters, 
lighted  our  matches,  and  lay  down  at  our  guns,  expecting  to  be  prisoners 
of  war  before  morning.  During  the  night  we  hung  out  false  lights,  and 
altered  our  course:  this  baffled  our  pursuer:  in  the  morning  she  was  not 
to  be  seen. 

The  next  sail  we  made  was  not  so  formidable.  She  was  an  English 
vessel  at  anchor  in  the  Senegal  river.  We  approached  her,  and  hailed. 
Her  officer  returned  an  insolent  reply,  which  so  exasperated  our  captain, 
that  he  passed  the  word  to  fire  into  her,  but  recalled  it  almost  immediately. 
The  countermand  was  too  late;  for,  in  a  moment,  everything  being  ready 
for  action,  we  poured  a  whole  broadside  into  our  unfortunate  foe.  .  The 
current  carried  us  away  from  the  stranger.  We  attempted  to  beat  up 
again;  but  our  guns  had  roused  the  garrison  in  a  fort  which  commanded 
the  river;  and  they  began  to  blazo  away  at  us  in  so  expressive  a  manner, 
that  we  found  it  prudent  to  get  a  little  beyond  the  reach  of  their  shot,  and 
patiently  wait  for  daylight. 

The  next  morning  we  saw  our  enemy  hauled  close  in  shore,  under  the 
protection  of  the  fort,  and  filled  with  soldiers.  At  first  it  was  resolved  to 
man  the  boats  and  cut  her  out;  but  this,  after  weighing  the  subject 
maturely,  was  pronounced  to  be  too  hazardous  an  experiment,  and,  not- 
withstanding our  men  begged  to  make  the  attempt,  it  was  wisely  aban- 
doned. How  many  were  killed  by  our  hasty  broadside  we  never  learned, 
but  doybtless  several  poor  fellows  were  hurried  to  a  watery  and  un- 
expected grave,  aflbrding  another  illustration  of  the  beauty  of  war.  This 
affair  our  men  humorously  styled  "  the  battle  of  Senegal." 

After  visiting  Cape  Three  Points,  we  shaped  our  course  for  St.  Thomas. 
On  our  way  we  lost  a  prize  through  a  display  of  Yankee  cunning  in  her 
commander.  We  had  hoisted  English  colors;  the  officer  in  command 
of  the  stranger  was  pretty  well  versed  in  the  secrets  of  false  colors,  and 
in  return  he  ran  up  the  American  Jlag.  The  bait  took:  supposing  her 
to  be  American,  we  showed  the  stars  and  stripes.  This  was  all  the 
merchantman  desired.  It  told  him  what  we  were,  and  he  made  all  pos- 
sible sail  for  St.  Thomas.  We  followed,  crowding  every  stitch  of  canvas 
our  brig  could  carry;  we  also  got  out  our  sweeps,  and  swept  hier  along; 
but  in  vain.  The  merchantman  was  the  better  sailer,  and  succeeded  in 
reaching  St.  Thomas,  which,  being  a  neutral  port, secured  her  safety.  Her 
name  was  the  Jane,  of  Liverpool.  The  next  morning  another  Liverpool 
merchantman  got  into  the  harbor  unseen  by  our  lookout,  until  she  was 
under  the  protection  of  the  laws  of  neutrality. 

Our  next  business  was  to  watch  the  mouth  of  the  harbor,  in  the  hope 
of  catching  them  as  they  left  port.  But  they  were  too  cautious  to  run 
into  danger,  especially  as  they  were  expecting  a  convoy  for  their  protec- 
tion, which  might  make  us  glad  to  trust  more  to  our  canvas  than  to  our 
cannon. 

Shortly  after  this  occurrence  we  made  another  sail  standing  in  toward 
St.  Thomas.  Hoisting  English  colors,  our  officers  also  donning  the 
British  uniform,  we  soon  came  near  enough  to  hail  her ;  for  not  doubtiog 
that  we  were  a  British  brig,  the  merchantman  made  no  effort  to  escqie 
us.     Our  captain  hailed  her: 

"Ship,  ahoy!"  i    ,  r,      .•   ,,u     ,  •  |.,,»-i    •  •  / 

"Halloo!"  -  .,.,»    „  ■^r      .    .     ..  -    •  .   ■     / 

"What  ship  ia  thai?"       -..t  «.'.»■    ■  »-   .■>;■; 


-  :  r 


)T. 

Dftheir  glasses,  our 
I  course  it  was  folly 
ry,  beat  to  quarters, 
;ting  to  be  prisoners 
out  false  lights,  and 
morning  she  was  not 

She  was  an  English 
;hed  her,  and  hailed, 
sperated  our  captain, 
t  almost  immediately, 
erything  being  ready 
nfortunate  foe.     The 
attempted  to  beat  up 
>rt  which  commanded 
expressive  a  manner, 
jach  of  their  shot,  and 

se  in  shore,  under  the 
first  it  was  resolved  to 
weighing  the  subject 
experiment,  and,  not- 
pt,  it  was  wisely  aban- 
side  we  never  learned, 
to  a  watery  and  un- 
e  ftea««yofwar.     Inis 

pnegal." 

[course  for  St.  Thomas. 
Yankee  cunning  in  her 
je  officer  in  command 
Bts  of  false  colors,  and 
lit  took:  supposing  her 
,es.    This  was  all  the 
B,  and  he  made  all  pos- 
g  every  stitch  of  canvas 
;  and  swept  h^r  olon^; 
ailer,  and  succeeded  m 
ecured  her  safety.   Her 
rning  another  Liverpool 
r  lookout,  until  she  was 

the  harbor,  in  the  hope 

rere  too  cautious  to  run 

convoy  for  their  protec- 

,  our  canvas  than  to  our 

,r  sail  standing  in  towaid 
icers  also  donning  the 
lil  her  ;  for  not  doubtUJg 
nade  no  eflfott  to  escape 


STORT  OF  AN  ENGLISH  SAILOR  BOY. 


176 


«  The  ship  Barton." 

"  Where  dp  you  belong?" 

"To  Liverpool." 

"  Wliat  is  your  cargo? " 

"  Red-wood,  palm  oil,  and  ivory." 

"  Where  are  you  bound  to?" 

«  To  St.  Thomas." 

Just  at  that  moment  our  English  flag  was  hauled  down,  and  to  the 
inexpressible  annoyance  of  the  officers  of  the  Barton,  the  stars  and  stripes 
supplied  its  place. 

"  Haul  down  your  colors!"  continued  Captain  Nicholson. 

The  old  captain,  who  up  to  this  moment  had  been  enjoying  a  comfortable 
nap  in  his  very  comfortable  cabin,  now  came  upon  deck  in  his  shirt  sleeves, 
rubbing  his  eyes,  and  looking  so  exquisitely  ridiculous,  that  it  was  scarcely 
possible  to  avoid  laughing.  So  surprised  was  he  at  the  unexpected 
termination  of  his  dreams,  that  he  could  not  command  skill  enough  to 
strike  his  colors,  which  was  accordingly  done  by  the  mate. 

Atler  taking  out  as  much  of  her  cargo  as  we  desired,  we  proceeded  to 
set  her  on  fire.  It  was  an  imposing  sight  to  behold  the  wild  antics  of  the 
flames,  leaping  from  rope  to  rope,  and  from  spar  to  spar,  until  she  looked 
like  a  fiery  cloud  resting  on  the  dark  surface  of  the  water.  Presently  iier 
spars  began  to  fall,  her  masts  went  by  the  board,  her  loaded  guns  went 
off,  the  hull  was  burned  to  the  water's  edge,  and  what  a  few  hours  before 
was  a  fine  trim  ship,  looking  like  a  winged  creature  of  the  deep,  lay  a 
shapeless  charred  mass,  whose  blackened  outline,  shadowed  in  the  clear 
still  waves,  looked  like  the  grim  spirit  of  war  lurking  for  its  prey. 

This  wanton  destruction  of  property  was  in  accordance  with  our  in- 
structions, "  to  sink,  burn,  and  deatroy^^  whatever  wc  took  from  the  enemy. 
Such  is  the  war-spirit!  Sink,  burn,  and  d^btroy!  how  it  sounds!  Yet 
such  are  the  instructions  given  by  Christian  nations  to  their  agents  in  timo 
of  war.     What  Christian  will  not  pray  for  the  destruction  of  such  a  spirit? 

The  crew  of  the  Barton  we  carried  into  St.  Tiiomas,  and  placed  tiiem 
on  board  the  Jane,  excepting  a  Portuguese  and  two  colored  men,  who 
shipped  among  our  crew.  We  also  took  with  us  a  fine  black  spaniel  dog, 
whom  the  men  called  by  the  name  of  Paddy.  This  done,  we  proceeded 
to  watch  for  fresh  victims  on  which  to  wreak  the  vengeance  of  the  war 
spirit. 

The  next  sail  we  met  was  an  English  brig  called  the  Adventure,  which 
had  a  whole  menagerie  of  monkeys  on  board.  We  captured  and  burned 
her  just  as  we  did  the  Barton.  Her  crew  was  also  disposed  of  in  the 
same  manner.  One  of  them,  an  African  prince,  who  had  acquired  a 
tolerable  education  in  England,  and  who  was  remarkably  polite  and 
sensible,  shipped  in  the  Siren.     Ills  namr  was  Samuel  Quaqua. 

We  now  remained  at  St.  Thomas  sevtiral  days,  carrying  on  a  petty  trade 
with  the  natives.  Our  men  bought  all  kinds  of  fruit,  gold-dust,  and 
birds.  For  th^se  things  we  gave  them  articles  of  clothing,  tobacco,  knives, 
etc.  For  an  old  vest  I  obtained  a  large  basketful  of  oranges;  for  a  handful 
of  tobacco  five  large  cocoanuts — a  profitable  exchange  on  my  side,  since, 
although  I  drew  my  tobacco  of  the  purser,  I  fortunately  never  acquired 
the  h  ibit  of  using  it;  a  loss  I  never  regretted.  My  cocoanuts  were  far 
more  gratifying  and  valuable  when  we  got  to  sea,  parched  ^th  thirst, 
and  sutfering  for  water,  than  all  the  tobacco  in  the  ship. 

Fro.-i  St.  Thomas  we  proceeded  to  Angola,  where  we  staid  long 
enough  to  clean,  paint,  and  refit  our  brig  from  stem  (9  stern.    This  was 


1Y6 


STORT  OP  AN  ENGLISH  SAILOR  BOT. 


ii 


fif 


the  last  port  we  intended  to  touch  at  on  the  coast  of  Africa.  Our  next 
anchorage  was  to  be  in  Boston  harbor — at  least  so  wo  purposed;  but  the 
events  of  war  frustrated  our  intention. 

To  accomplish  our  object,  we  had  to  run  the  gauntlet  through  tho  host 
of  English  cruisers  that  hovered  about  like  birds  of  prey  along  both  sides 
of  the  Atlantic  coast.  This  enterprise  appeared  so  impossible  to  my 
mind  while  we  lay  at  Angola,  and  the  fear  of  being  retaken  and  hung 
operated  so  strongly  on  my  imagination,  that  more  than  once  I  determined 
to  run  away  and  find  a  refuge  among  the  Africans ;  but  my  better  judgment 
prevailed,  and  I  continued  at  my  post. 

Still,  I  used  every  possible  precaution  to  escape  detection  in  case  of 
of  our  capture.  In  accordance  with  tho  custom  of  our  navy  at  that  period,  I 
let  my  hair  grow  long  behind.  To  change  my  looks  more  cifectually, 
instead  of  tying  mine  in  a  cue  as  the  others  did,  I  let  it  hang  in  ringlets  M 
round  my  face  and  neck.  This,  together  with  the  effect  of  time,  caused 
me  to  appear  quite  a  different  lad  from  what  I  was  when  a  boy  on  board 
the  Macedonian.  I  also  adopted  that  peculiarity  of  dress  practiced  by 
American  men-of-war's  men,  which  consisted  in  wearing  my  shirt  open 
at  the  neck,  with  the  corners  thrown  back.  On  these  corners  a  device 
was  wrought,  consisting  of  the  stars  of  the  American  flag  with  the  British 
flag  underneath.  By  these  means  I  hoped  to  pass  for  a  genuine  Yankee, 
without  suspicion,  in  case  wo  should  fall  into  English  hands. 

Having  finished  our  preparations,  wc  left  Angola  for  Boston.  We 
reached  the  island  of  Ascension  in  safety,  where  was  a  post-office  of  a 
truly  patriarchal  character.  A  box  is  nailed  to  a  post  near  the  shore. 
Ships  that  pass  send  to  the  box,  and  deposit  or  take  out  letters  as  the  case 
may  be.  This  is  probably  the  cheapest  general  post-office  establishment 
in  the  world. 

We  had  scarcely  lefl  this  island  before  the  cry  of"  Sail,  ho!"  arrested 
every  ear.  Supposing  her  to  be  a  large  merchantman,  we  made  toward 
her ;  but  a  nearer  approach  made  it  doubtful  whether  she  was  an  Indiaman 
or  a  man-of-war.  The  captain  judged  her  to  be  the  latter,  and  tacked 
ship  immediately.  He  was  unwilling  to  place  himself  in  the  situation  of 
an  American  privateer,  who,  mistaking  a  seventy-four  for  a  merchantman, 
ran  his  ship  close  along  side,  and  boldly  summoned  her  to  haul  down  her 
colors.  The  captain  of  the  other  ship  cooly  replied,  "  I  am  not  in  the 
habit  of  striking  my  colors."  At  the  same  moment  the  ports  of  his  ship 
were  opened,  and  disclosed  her  long  ranges  of  guns  yawning  over  the 
decks  of  the  privateer.  Perceiving  his  mistake,  the  privateer,  with  admi- 
rable tact  and  good  humor,  said,  "  Well,  if  you  wont,  I  will;"  and  pulling 
down  his  bunting,  surrendered  to  his  more  powerful  foe.  To  avoid  such 
a  mistake  as  this,  our  captain  made  all  sail  to  escape  the  coming  stranger, 
which  was  now  bearing  down  upon  us  under  a  heavy  pressure  of  canvas, 
revealing,  as  she  gained  upon  our  little  brig,  that  she  bore  the  formidable 
character  of  a  soventy-four  gun  ship  under  English  colors. 

Of  course  fighting  was  out  of  the  question.  It  would  be  like  the  assault 
of  a  dog  on  an  elephant,  or  a  dolphin  on  a  whale.  We  therefore  crowded 
■  all  possilile  sail,  threw  our  guns,  cables,  anchors,  hatches,  etc.,  overboard, 
to  increase  her  speed.  But  it  soon  became  apparent  that  we  could  not 
escape.  The  wind  blew  quite  fresh,  which  gave  our  opponent  the  ad- 
vantage :  she  gained  on  us  very  fast.  We  shifted  our  course,  in  hopes 
to  baffle  her  until  night,  when  we  felt  pretty  sure  of  getting  out  of  her 
way.  It  was  of  no  use;  she  still  gained;  until  we  saw  ourselves  almost 
within  gunshot  of  our  opponent.  "^^  ^tn^^  , .««.  ?  .>,.  .«(<r 


-  *' j-*'?*;i?';T*j;^'9*3a-f»:5J'' 


T 


Africa.  Our  next 
purposed ;  but  the 

et  through  the  host 
ey  along  l)Oth  sides 
>  impossible  to  my 

retaken  and  hung 
n  once  I  determined 

my  better  judgment 

detection  in  case  of 
navy  at  that  period,  1 
ks  more  effectually, 
it  hang  in  ringlets  all 
ffoct  of  time,  caused 
when  a  boy  on  board 
)f  dress  practiced  by 
Boring  my  shirt  open 
lese  corners  a  device 
1  flag  with  the  British 
"or  a  genuine  Yankee, 
ish  hands. 

Tola  for  Boston,     vve 
'was  a  post-office  of  » 

post  near  the  shore. 

out  letters  as  the  case 
)8t-office  establishment 

f«  Sail,  ho!"  arrested 
man,  we  made  toward 
ershcwasanlndiaman 
the  latter,  and  tacked 
welf  in  the  situation  ol 
bur  for  a  merchantman, 
d  her  to  haul  down  her 
3lied,"Iam  not  m  the 
nt  the  ports  of  his  ship 
guns  yawning  over  the 
e  privateer,  with  adrni- 
mt,Iwill;"  andpulhng 
ful  foe.     To  avoid  such 
pe  the  coming  stranger, 
'avy  pressure  of  canvM, 
she  bore  the  formidable 

■sh  colors, 
would  be  like  the  assault 

We  therefore  crowded 
-hatches,  etc.,  overboard, 
,Brent  that  we  could  not 
»e  our  opponent  the  ad- 
ted  our  course,  in  hopes 
re  of  getting  out  of  her 
we  saw  ourselves  almost 


8T0RT  or  AN  SNOLISH  BAILOR  BOT. 


177 


In  this  extremity  the  captain  ordered  the  quirter-maater,  George  Wataon, 
to  throw  the  private  lignals  overboard.  This  was  a  hard  task  for  the 
bold-licurted  fellow.  As  he  pitched  them  into  the  sea,  he  said,  "  Good- 
by,  brother  Yankee ;"  an  expression  which,  in  spite  of  their  mortifying 
situation,  forced  a  amile  from  the  lips  of  the  officers. 

Tiio  sound  of  a  gun  now  came  booming  through  the  air.  It  was  a 
signal  for  us  to  heave  to,  or  to  look  out  fur  consequences.  What  might 
have  been,  we  learned  afterward,  for  a  division  of  the  crew  of  the  seventy- 
four  had  orders  to  sink  us  if  we  made  the  least  show  of  resistance. 
Finding  it  useless  to  prolong  the  chase,  our  commander  reluctantly  ordered 
the  flag  to  be  struck.  We  then  hove  to,  and  our  foe  came  rolling  down 
upon  us,  looking  like  a  huge  avalanche  rushing  down  the  mountain  side 
to  crush  some  poor  peasant^a  dwelling.  Uer  officers  stood  on  her  quarter- 
deck, glancing  unutterable  pride,  while  her  captain  shouted,  "  What  brig 
is  that?" 

*'  The  United  States  brig  Siren,"  replied  Captain  Nicholson. 

"This  is  his  Britannic  majesty's  ship  Medway!"  he  answered.  "I 
claim  you  as  my  lawful  prize." 

Boats  were  then  lowered,  the  little  brig  taken  from  us,  and  our  crew 
transferred  to  the  Medway,  stowed  away  in  the  cable  tier,  and  put  in 
messes  of  twelve,  with  an  allowance  of  only  eight  men's  rations  to  a  mess— 
a  regulation  which  caused  us  considerable  suffering  from  hunger.  The 
Bight  of  the  marines  on  board  the  Medway  made  me  tremble,  for  my 
fancy  pointed  out  several  of  them  as  having  formerly  belonged  to  the 
Macedonian.  I  really  feared  I  was  destined  speedily  to  swing  at  the 
yard-arm:  it  was,  however,  a  groundless  alarm. 

This  event  happened  July  12,  1814.  Only  eight  days  before,  we 
had  celebrated  the  independence  of  the  United  States.  Now,  we  had  a 
fair  prospect  of  a  rigorous  imprisonment.  Such  are  the  changes  which 
constantly  occur  under  the  rule  of  the  war-spirit. 

The  day  subsequent  to  our  capture  we  were  marched  to  the  quarter- 
deck with  our  clothes-bags,  where  we  underwent  a  strict  search.  We 
were  ordered  to  remove  our  outside  garments  for  this  purpose.  They 
•xpected  to  find  us  in  possession  of  large  quantities  of  gold-dust.  What 
little  our  crew  had  purchased  was  taken  from  them,  with  a  spirit  of 
rapacity  ^together  beneath  the  dignity  of  a  naval  commander. 

Our  short  allowance  was  a  source  of  much  discomfort  in  this  our  prison- 
fbip.  But  in  the  true  spirit  of  sailors,  we  made  even  this  the  subject  of 
coarse  jests  and  pleasant  remark.  Enduring  this  evil,  we  proceeded  on 
our  course.  When  the  Medway  arrived  at  Simon's  Town,  about  twenty- 
one  miles  from  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  we  met  the  Denmark,  sevonty«> 
four,  on  her  way  to  England  with  the  prisoners  from  Cape  Town.  The 
captain  had  hitherto  intended  to  land  us  at  the  latter  place,  but  the  pre- 
sence of  the  Denmark  led  him  to  change  his  purpose,  and  land  us  at 
Simon's  Town. 

The  journey  from  this  place  to  the  Cape  was  one  of  great  suffering  to 
our  crew.  We  were  received  on  the  beach  by  a  file  of  Irish  soldiers. 
Under  their  escort  we  proceeded  seven  miles,  through  heaps  of  burning 
sand,  seeing  nothing  worthy  of  notice  on  the  way  but  a  number  of  men 
busily  engaged  in  cutting  up  dead  whales  on  the  sea-^bore. 

After  resting  a  short  time,  we  recommenced  our  march,  guarded  by  a 

new  detachment  of  soldiers.    Unused  to  walking  as  we  were,  we  began 

to  grow  excessively  fatigued;  and  after  wading  a  stream  of  considerable 

depth,  we  were  so  oveccooie  that  it  seeiped  impomible  to  proceed  any 

12 


,  -N-s?;jy,^SS*«!ffi<'^'^ 


178 


STORY  OF  AN  BNGLISH  SAILOR  BOY. 


further.  Wo  lay  down,  diiroiiraged  and  wretched,  on  tho  sand.  The 
guard  brought  us  somn  bread,  and  gave  half  a  pint  of  wine  to  each  man. 
This  revived  us  somewhat.  We  were  now  placed  under  a  guard  of 
dragoons.  They  were  very  kind,  and  urged  us  tu  attempt  the  remaining 
seven  miles.  To  relieve  ua,  they  carried  our  clothcH-bags  on  tlici;  horsos; 
and  overtaking  some  Dutch  farmers  going  to  the  Cu|>c  with  iToom-tttufT 
and  brush,  tho  officer  of  the  dragoons  made  them  carry  the  mont  weary 
among  us  in  their  wagons.  It  is  not  common  for  men  tu  desire  the  inside 
of  a  prison,  but  I  can  assure  my  readers  we  did  most  heartily  wish  our- 
aelves  there,  on  that  tedious  journey.  At  last,  about  nine  nV-lock  p.  h., 
we  arrived  at  Cape  Town,  having  left  one  of  our  number  at  Wineburg, 
through  exhaustion,  who  joined  us  the  next  day.  Stiff,  sore,  and  weary, 
we  hastily  threw  ourselves  on  tlio  hard  boards  of  our  prison,  where, 
without  needing  to  be  soothed  or  rocked,  we  slept  profoundly  until  the 
next  morning,  when  we  took  a  survey  of  our  new  quarters.  Wo  found 
ourselves  placed  in  a  large  yard  surrounded  by  high  walls,  and  strongly 
guarded  by  soldiers.  Within  this  inclosure  there  was  n  building  or  shed 
composed  of  three  rooms,  neither  of  which  had  any  floor.  Round  the 
side!  stood  three  benches  or  stages,  one  above  the  other,  to  serve  for 
berths.  On  these  we  spread  our  hammocks  and  bed-clothes,  making 
them  tolerably  comfortable  places  to  sleep  in.  A  few  of  the  men  preferred 
to  sling  their  hammocks  as  they  did  at  sea.  Here,  also,  we  used  to  eat, 
unless,  as  was  our  frequent  practice,  we  did  so  in  the  open  air. 

We  remained  in  prison  at  tho  Cape  till  carried  away  in  the  ship  Cum- 
berland to  England.  Stopping  by  the  way  at  St.  Helena,  we  were  re- 
moved to  the  Grampus,  a  transfer  which  greatly  alarmed  me,  since  the 
more  men  who  saw  me,  the  greater  of  course  was  my  chance  of  detection. 
Luckily,  no  one  knew  me,  and  I  arrived  with  my  companions  in  safety  at 
Plymouth.  I  was  equally  fortunate  here,  and  remained  undiscovered 
till  I  was  transferred  with  others  to  a  vessel  which  was  to  take  us  in 
exchange  lo  America.  I  pass  over  the  circumstances  of  the  voyage,  and 
■only  mention  that  we  wer»  all  landed  in  due  time  at  New  York. 

My  resolution  had  been  to  quit  the  sea  and  settle  down  on  land,  but 
on  returning  to  New  York  all  such  fancies  vanished,  as  they  had  done 
befor^.  I  spent  my  hard-won  earnings  foolishly  like  others,  and,  like 
them,  when  reduced  to  straits,  again  sought  employment  as  a  sailor.  On 
this  occasion  I  shipped  on  board  the  Boxer,  commanded  by  Captain  Porter, 
a  man,  as  it  proved,  of  stern  disposition.  The  Boxer  was  now  ready 
for  a  cruise,  and  I  prepared  to  do  my  duty  on  board  of  that  vessel  as  an 
ordinary  seaman. 

Formerly,  I  had  been  entered  only  as  a  boy ;  but  now,  as  a  rated  sea- 
man, I  had  a  station  assigned  me  in  the  foretop,  instead  of  being  a  servant 
to  any  of  the  officers.  I  was  also  appointed  to  be  one  of  the  crew  of  the 
captain's  gig.  This  made  my  lot  one  of  more  fatigue  and  exposure  than 
in  any  former  voyage ;  a  proof  of  which  I  very  soon  experienced.  It 
being  now  late  in  the  fall,  the  weather  became  very  cold.  One  afternoon, 
the  pennant  having  got  foul  of  tho  royal  mast,  an  officer  ordered  me  to 
go  up  and  clear  it.  I  had  no  mittens  on;  it  took  nie  some  time  to  per- 
form  my  task;  and  before  I  came  down,  one  of  my  fingers  was  frozen. 
Thus  it  is,  however,  with  the  poor  tar;  and  he  thinks  himself  happy  to 
escape  with  injuries  so  slight  as  this.  We  shortly  received  sailing  orders, 
and  were  soon  under  weigh,  bound  to  the  Balize  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
Here  we  cruised  about  some  time,  visiting  New  Orleans  and  other  places, 
and  keeping  ao  outlook  for  pirates,  with  wbich  theae  seas  were  then 


r'.J^.iiiwn  i/.     HiiiiOftJW.. 


-"ssmmtt^i 


the  sand.    The 
in«  to  each  man. 
ndor  a  ptiaril  of 
iptthc  rcinoining 
«ontl.ci:hovsc«j 
with  liroom-»tuir 
y  tht!  moHt  wnary 
t,  desire  the  inside 
heartily  wish  our- 
nino  i>Vlock  v.  M., 
^ber  at  Wincburg, 
r,  sore,  and  weary, 
our  prison,  where, 
rofoundly  until  the 
aartors.     We  found 
walls,  and  strongly 
8  n  building  or  shed 
.floor.     Round  the 
B  other,  to  serve  for 
tted-clothes,  making 
of  the  men  preferred 
also,  we  used  to  eat, 
,e  open  air. 
,ay  in  the  ship  Cum- 
Helena,  we  were  re- 
larrocd  mo,  smce  >he 
^chance  of  detccuon. 

rnpanions  in  safety  at 
mained  undiscovered 
,h  was  to  take  us  in 
es  of  the  voyage,  and 
t  New  York. 
i\e  down  on  lan^,  but 
ed.as  they  had  done 
like  others,  and,  like 
^mentasasailor.     Un 
ded  by  Captam  Porter, 

Boxer  was  now  ready 
rd  of  that  vessel  as  an 

U  now,  as  a  rated  sea- 
,lead  of  being  a  servant 
oneofthecrewof  the 
aue  and  exposure  than 
soon  experienced.     U 
cold.    One  afternoon, 
officer  ordered  me  to 
n»e  some  time  to  per- 
I'mv  fingers  was  frozen. 
Links  himself  happy  to 
I  received  sailmg  orders, 

U,theGulfofMex.^. 
Irteans  and  other  places, 

these  seas  were  then 


STORY  OF  AN  ENGLISH  SAILOR  BOY. 


170 


iinhap|iily  infostod.  This  was  a  duty  requiring  great  vigilance,  and  wo  were 
iiopt  cnn-'tantly  at  our  poslM.  The  most  irksome  duty  of  a  Huilor  in  to  koep 
watcii  m  iii)rlu  in  the  topH.  Otlon  have  1  stood  for  hours  on  the  royal 
yard,  or  topgallant  yard,  without  a  man  to  converse  with.  Hero,  overcome 
with  fiitiguo  and  want  of  sleep,  I  have  fallen  into  a  dreamy  ilo/.ing  state, 
fi-om  which  I  was  roused  by  a  lee  lurch  of  the  ship.  Starling  up,  I 
havo  shuddered  at  the  danger  I  had  so  narrowly  escaped.  But  notwith- 
standing this  sudden  fright,  a  few  minutes  had  scarcely  elapsed  before 
I  would  be  nodding  again.  This,  of  course,  was  a  highly  punishable 
offense. 

When  the  weather  was  rough,  we  were  indulged  with  permission  to 
stand  on  the  forctopsail  yard,  or  on  the  topgallant  cross-trees;  and  if  the 
ship  rolled  heavily,  we  lashed  ourselves  to  the  mast  for  safety.  I  can 
assure  my  readers  there  is  nothing  desirable  in  this  part  of  a  sailor's 
duty.  In  whatever  the  pleasure  of  a  life  at  sea  consists,  it  is  not  in 
keeping  a  look-out  from  the  mast-head  at  night.  But  the  most  disagreeable 
of  all  is,  to  bn  compelled  to  stand  on  these  crazy  elevations  when  half  dead 
with  sea-sickness.  Some  suppose  that  sailors  arc  never  sea-sick  at\cr  the 
first  time  they  go  to  sea.  This  is  a  mistake ;  it  is  very  much  with  them  as 
with  landsmen  in  respect  to  being  sick  in  a  coach.  Those  who  are  of 
bilious  temperament  are  always  affected,  more  or  less,  when  they  ride  in 
a  coach  or  sleigh;  while  others  are  never  sick  on  these  occasions.  So 
with  seamen;  some  are  never  sea-sick,  others  are  sick  only  when  going 
out  of  port,  while  some  are  so  in  every  gale  of  wind.  It  is  almost  need- 
less to  say  that,  for  sailors,  no  allowance  is  made  for  sea-sickness;  they 
must  in  all  cases  remain  at  their  posts  until  it  is  time  to  be  relieved. 

Our  cruise  terminated  af\er  a  few  skirmishes,  and  we  returned  to  New 
York,  where  I  left  the  service,  as  I  trusted,  forever.  As  it  occurred,  my 
services  as  a  seaman  in  a  war-vessel  would  not  long  have  been  required. 
The  peace  between  England  and  France  in  1814,  by  opening  the  con- 
tinent to  American  commerce,  hitherto  excluded  by  British  policy  naturally 
removed  one  of  the  grounds  of  quarrel,  and  opened  the  way  for  peace  with 
the  United  States.  On  the  twenty-fourth  of  December,  1814,  a  trcatjr^ 
of  peace,  accordingly,  was  effected  at  Ghent,  which  left,  however,  the 
question  of  right  of  search  and  other  matters  on  the  ground  on  which 
they  had  previously  stood.  The  Americans,  as  is  well  known,  were  most 
successful  in  their  naval  warfare;  but,  after  all,  that  was  a  trifling  com-r 
pensation  for  ruined  commerce,  and  for  being  brought  to  the  very  verge 
of  national  dismemberment.  The  losses  of  the  British  never  made  any 
distinct  impression  on  the  nation,  otherwise  than  teaching  a  tolerably 
sound  lesson  in  discretion,  and  leading  to  many  important  improvements 
in  naval  affairs.  I  sincerely  trust  that  both  nations,  united  by  a  thousand 
inextricable  ties,  and  profiting  by  experience,  will,  in  all  time  coming, 
avoid  every  description  of  warlike  collision,  and  exist  in  the  happiest 
terms  of  amity  and  pence. 

In  taking  leave  of  the  sea,  it  may  be  expected  that  I  should  say  a  few 
words  respecting  the  life  of  a  sailor  As  I  have  already  mentioned,  the 
profession  of  a  sailor  has  its  hardships,  but  these  were  much  greater  at 
the  time  (.f  my  service  than  they  are  now,  after  a  lapse  of  twenty  years. 
The  duties  of  the  men  are  now  exactly  regulated,  and  their  comforts  are 
cared  for  in  many  ways.  On  board  of  each  vessel,  in  the  British  navy, 
there  are  now  means  for  instruction,  a  library,  and  the  savings  of  the  men 
are  carefully  secured  for  them,  or  transmitted  to  their  wives  or  friends. 
On  shore,  also,  there  are  at  various  ports,  establishments  called  "  SailoraV 


■gji^TSwTS-^.- 


180 


STORY  OP  AN  ENQUSH  BAILOR  BOY. 


11 


III 


Homoi,"  where  discharged  iceainon  may  roiiiJo  at  a  modorato  expense 
til'  engagr.G  in  ii  new  vessel.  At  sna,  ns  on  land,  stou<iincss,  tempernnco, 
f;o<td  temper,  forbearance,  and  other  good  qualities,  are  sure  to  c.oiiimand 
respect,  notwithntanding  the  severities  uf  discipline.  It  is  likowise  most 
advantageous  for  a  man  to  ftossess  a  good  education ;  for  the  mure  ho 
cao  make  himself  useful,  and  be  depended  on,  the  greater  is  his  chance 
of  promotion.  A  ptoperly  bred  sailor  should,  at  the  very  least,  bo  able 
to  rerf  and  iteer — (iiat  is,  adapt  the  sails  to  'he  wind  whiciievcr  way  i! 
blows,  and  govern  the  vessel  by  the  helm  and  coiripass.  But  beside  these 
comparatively  simple  duties,  he  should  likewiiie  bo  able  to  throw  and 
calculate  by  the  log,  to  wurk  a  reckoning,  take  an  observation,  find  the 
longitude,  and  keep  a  log-book,  in  which  all  necessary  particulars  of  the 
voyage  are  daily  inscribed.  The  lor  is  a  contrivance  for  ascertaining  the 
I  tie  of  opeed  at  which  a  vessel  goes,  it  consists  of  a  long  cord,  having  an 
obbitg  and  loaded  piece  of  wood  attached  to  ore  end.  This  wood,  when 
heaved  overboard,  remains  stationary  in  the  water,  and  consequently,  at 
the  veariel  advances,  the  line  must  be  let  out  from  a  reel  held  in  the  hand. 
The  line  is  marked  by  knots  and  half  knots,  representing  miles  and  half 
miles,  and  the  number  of  these  run  off  indicates  the  number  uf  miles  which 
the  vessel  is  going  at  per  hour.  Every  connrn<-i)  seaman  rnn  cast  the  log, 
and  calculate  the  speed  of  the  vessel  from  ii ;  but  few  can  do  any  more, 
because  they  are  contented  to  remain  iu  ignorance,  and  inclined  to  spend 
their  leisure  time  in  trifling  amusements  rather  than  in  study.  Of  course 
such  p'Ki.uos  cannot  expk-<  i  to  rise  in  their  profession. 

Having;  thrown  myself  « drift,  with  but  slender  resources,  and  far  distant 
from  my  friends,  I  experimced  the  fate  of  many  a  disbanded  and  pen- 
niless tar.  What  hand  to  turn  to  for  the  means  of  subsistence  I  knew  not- 
Determined  at  any  rate  to  make  an  effort,  I  went  about  to  different  parts 
of  the  country  seeking  employment.  I  was  not  successful ;  and  at  length 
my  money  was  all  gone,  and  my  shoes  more  than  half  worn  out.  When 
reduced  to  this  sad  extremity,  and  on  the  brink  of  despair,  I  was  so  for- 
tunate as  to  discover  an  old  shipmate ;  and  through  his  kind  influence, 
his  brother-in-law  employed  me  to  work  in  his  cloth-dressing  establishment. 
As  I  was  ignorant  ;>f  the  business,  and  was  not  really  needed,  my  board 
wu  to  be  my  only  compensation.  I  lived  here  happily  for  some  time, 
ind  then  got  employment  of  a  more  lucrative  kind  m  another  establish- 
ment, where  I  settled,  and  have  since  remained,  thankful  to  have  attained 
•  IwTea  of  reit  tftar  the  turmoila  ud  dangen  of  »  SM-Iife. 


1 1'. 
>    i> 


lOY. 

a  modoTftto  expense 
iidincB*,  tompornnce, 
are  miro  to  command 
It  is  likowiBo  most 
m;  for  the  more  ho 
greater  is  his  chance 
le  very  least,  bo  able 
ind  whichever  way  it 
M.    But  beside  these 
bo  able  to  throw  and 
observation,  find  the 
sary  particulars  of  the 
CO  for  ascertaining  the 
along  cord,  having  an 
(id.    This  wood,  when 
,  and  consequently,  as 
reel  held  in  the  hatid. 
tenting  miles  and  half 
number  of  miles  which 
aman  cnn  cast  the  log, 
fow  can  do  any  more, 
I,  and  inclined  to  spend 
n  in  study.    Of  course 
lion. 

sources,  and  far  distant 
a  disbanded  and  pen- 
subsistence  I  know  not. 
about  to  different  parts 
ccessful ;  and  at  length 
half  worn  out.    When 
f  despair,  I  was  so  for- 
igh  his  kind  influence, 
-dressing  establishment, 
eally  needed,  my  board 
happily  for  some  time, 
nd  m  another  establish- 
hankful  to  have  attained 
a  sea-life. 


a,.-i;ii.i»ril  g^^ffl  Ji.g<',^li;j;^  MJ^^fc^.'" ' 


J 


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microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for 


Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductlons  historiques 


^ 


"mah'm:^'^ 


■iwy.^  Au<m.n  w^'?f 


M.j^  ii,iiLp.;ia^ii'g|i.,||..,'a'i'!'i'>  3' 


THE  EXTRAORDINARY  SUFFERINGS 


09 


DONALD    CAMPBELL, 


i'  I 


WHO,  BIINO  SHIPWBaOKID    WKLL  INTO  TBI  U/kXM  OV 


THE  CRUEL  HYDER  ALL 


r 


It  was  the  eighteenth  day  of  May,  1782,  when  we  sailed  from  Goa, 
in  Hindoostan,  in  a  Portuguese  vessel,  bound  for  Madras.  The  hemi- 
sphere had  been,  for  some  days,  overcast  with  clouds :  some  light  showers 
of  rain  had  fallen,  and  it  did  not  tend  to  raise  my  spirits,  or  free  me  from 
ominous  apprehensions,  to  hear  that  those  circumstances  indicated  an 
approaching  gale  of  wind.  I  observed,  moreover,  that  the  vessel  was  much 
too  deep  in  the  water,  being  greatly  overloaded — ^that  she  was,  in  many 
respects,  defective,  and,  as  the  seamen  say,  ill-found,  and,  in  short,  very 
unlit  to  encounter  a  gale  of  wind  of  any  violence.  I  scorned,  however, 
to  yield  to  those  united  impressions,  and  determined  to  proceed. 

On  the  nineteenth,  the  sky  was  obscured  by  immense  fleeces  of  clouds, 
surcharged  with  inflammable  matter;  and  in  the  evening  the  rain  fell  in 
torrents,  the  firmament  darkened  apace,  sudden  night  came  on,  and  the 
horrors  of  extreme  darkness  were  rendered  still  more  horrible  by  the 
peals  of  thunder  which  rent  the  air,  and  the  frequent  flashes  of  lightning, 
which  served  only  to  show  us  the  horror  of  our  situation,  and  leave  us  in 
increased  darkness :  meantime,  the  wind  became  more  violent,  blowing 
on  the  shore ;  and  a  heavy  sea,  raised  by  its  force,  united  with  it  to  make 
our  state  more  formidable. 

By  daylight,  on  the  morning  of  the  twentieth,  the  gale  had  increased 
*.o  a  furious  tempest ;  and  the  sea,  keeping  pace  with  it,  ran  mountain- 
high,  and  as  it  kept  invariably  to  the  same  point,  the  captain  and  oflicers 
became  seriously  alarmed,  and  almost  persuaded  that  the  south-west  mon- 
soon had  set  in,  which,  if  it  were  so,  would  render  it  absolutely  impossi- 
ble for  us  to  weather  the  coast.  All  that  day,  however,  we  kept  as  close 
as  the  violence  of  the  weather  would  allow  us,  to  the  wind;  but  the  sea 
canted  her  head  so  to  leeward,  that  she  made  more  lee  than  headway ; 
and  the  rigging  was  so  strained  with  the  work  that  we  had  little  hope  of 
keeping  ofl"  the  shore,  unless  the  wind  changed,  of  which  there  was 
not  now  the  smallest  probability.  During  the  night,  there  was  no  inter- 
rnission  of  the  storm:  many  of  the  sails  flew  into  ribbons  ;  some  of  the 
rigging  was  carried  away ;  and  such  exertions  were  made,  that,  before 
morning,  every  stick  that  could  possibly  be  struck,  was  down  upon  the 
deck. 

About  seven  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  twenty-first,  I  was  alarmed 
by  an  unusual  noise  upon  the  deck,  and  running  up,  perceived  that  every 
remaining  sail  in  the  vessel,  the  fore-sail  alone  excepted,  was  totally  car- 
ried away.     The  sight  was  horrible ;  and  the  whole  vessel  presented  a 
,  .  -  (181) 


1+  \ 


-o^M^^tHM 


W  - 


182 


SUFFERINGS  OF  DONALD  CAMPBELL. 


Bpectacle  as  dreadful  to  the  feelings,  as  mortifying  to  liuinan  prido.  Fear 
had  produced  not  only  all  the  helplessness  of  despondency,  but  all  the 
mischievous  freaks  of  insanity.  In  one  place  stood  the  captain,  ravmg, 
stamping,  and  tearing  his  hair  in  handfuls  from  his  hf-ad— lioro  sonic  of 
the  crew  wore  cast  upon  their  knees,  clapping  their  liands,  and  praying, 
witli  all  the  extravagance  of  horror  painted  in  their  faces— there,  others 
were  flogging  their  images,  with  all  their  might,  calling  upon  i|>,i-'n  to 
ullay  the  storm.  One  of  our  passengers,  who  was  purser  ot  an  l,n.,dish 
East  Indiaman,  had  got  hold  of  a  case-bottle  of  rum,  and,  with  un  air  ot 
distraction  ait4  deep  despair  imprinted  on  his  face,  was  stalking  about  m 
his  shirt.  1  W«r<*ived  him  to  be  on  the  point  of  serving  it  out,  in  large 
tumblers,  to  «ic  few  undismayed  pcdj^le,  and  well  convinced,  that,  so  iar 
from  allevfating,  it  would  sharpen  the  horrors  of  their  minds,  I  wont 
forward,  and  with  much  difficulty  prevented  him. 

Having  accomplished  this  point,  I  applied  myself  to  the  captain,  and 
endeavored  to  bring  him  back  (if  possible)  to  his  recollection,  and  to  a 
sense  of  what  he  owed  to  his  duty  as  a  commander,  and  to  his  dignity  as 
a  man :  I  exhorted  him  to  encourage  the  sailors  by  his  example ;  and 
strove  to  raise  his  spirits  by  saying  that  the  storm  did  not  appear  to  me 
by  any  means  so  terrible  as  some  I  had  before  experienced. 

While  I  was  thus  employed,  we  shipped  a  sea  on  tiie  starboard  side, 
which,  I  really  thought,  would  have  sent  us  down.  The  vessel  seemed 
to  sink  boneatii  its  weight,  shivered,  and  remained  motionless.  It  syas  a 
moment  of  critical  suspense:  fancy  made  me  think  I  felt  her  gradually 
descending— I  gave  myself  up  as  gone,  and  summoned  all  my  fortitude 
to  bear  approaching  death  with  becoming  manhood. 

Just  at  this  crisis,  the  water,  which  rushed  with  incredible  force  through 
all  parts  of  the  vessel,  brought  out  floating,  and  nearly  suff"ocated,  another 
Knglish  passenger,  who  was  endeavoring  to  take  a  little  repose  in  a  small 
cabin  boarded  off"  from  the  deck:  he  was  a  very  stout  young  man,  and 
full  of  true  spirit.  Finding  that  the  vessel  was  not,  as  I  had  thought, 
going  immediately  down,  he  joined  me  in  exhorting  the  captain  to  his 
duty  •  we  persuaded  him  to  throw  the  guns  overboard,  as  well  as  a  num- 
ber of  trunks  and  packages,  with  which  the  vessel  was  much  encumbered, 
and,  with  some  little  exertion,  we  got  the  pumps  set  agoing.  ^ 

The  name  of  the  English  passenger  who  assisted  me  in  getting  t.ie 
captain  and  mariners  to  do  their  duty,  was  Hall.  He  and  I  having,  with 
great  difficulty,  got  some  hands  to  stick  to  the  pumps,  stood  at  the  wheel, 
at  once  to  assist  the  men,  and  prevent  them  from  quitting  it ;  and,  al- 
though hopeless,  determined  that  no  effort  practicable  on  our  part  should 
be  wanting  to  the  preservation  of  the  vessel.  The  water,  hovvever, 
gained  upon  the  pumps,  notwithstanding  every  effort;  and  it  evidently 
appeared  that  we  could  not  keep  her  long  above  water. 

At  ten  o'clock  the  wind  seemed  to  increase,  and  amounted  to  a  down- 
right hurricane:  the  sky  was  so  entirely  obscured  with  black  clouds,  and 
the  rain  fell  so  thick,  that  objects  were  not  discernable  from  the  wheel 
to  the  ship's  head.  Soon  the  pumps  were  choked,  and  could  no  longer 
be  worked:  then  dismay  seized  on  all— nothing  but  unutterable  despair, 
silent  anguish,  and  horror,  wrought  up  to  frenzy,  were  to  be  seen ;  not  a 
single  soul  was  capable  of  an  effort  to  be  useful— all  seemed  more  desi- 
rous to  extinguish  their  calamities  by  embracing  death,  than  willing,  by 

a  painful  exertion,  to  avoid  it.  .,.,,••       •  ,  a      Ae  \ 

At  about   eleven   o'clock,  we   could   plainly  distinguish    a   dreadful 

roaring  noise,  resembling  that  of  waves  rolling  against  rocks;  but  the 


DREADFUL  STORM. 


183 


n  prido.  Fear 
cy,  but  all  the 
;uptain,  raving, 
•hero  sonic  of 
1,  and  prayiuj,', 
— tliorc,  others 
upon  ihcin  to 
of  an  Enirlish 
with  an  air  of 
diiinfj  about  in 
t  out,  in  large 
ed,  that,  so  far 
minds,  I  wont 

le  captain,  and 
ction,  and  to  a 
0  his  dignity  as 
example ;  and 
appear  to  me 
id. 

starboard  side, 
vessel  seemed 
less.  It  was  a 
t  her  gradually 
ill  my  fortitude 

le  force  through 
focated,  another 
jposc  in  a  small 
roung  mail,  and 

I  had  thought, 
!  captain  to  his 

well  as  a  num- 
ich  encumbered, 

°&.-  .       , 

e  in  gettmg  t'le 

d  I  having,  with 

od  at  the  wheel, 

ting  it ;  and,  al- 

L  our  part  should 

water,  however, 

and  it  evidently 

unted  to  a  down- 
)lack  clouds,  and 
from  the  wheel 
could  no  longer 
itterable  despair, 
0  be  seen ;  not  a 
emed  more  desi- 
,  than  willing,  by 

[uish    a   dreadful 
it  rocks;  but  the 


ver  ride 
y  judg- 
itis  sea, 
ery  one 
stant,  a 
took  an 


ort  to 
heeled 


darkness  of  the  day,  and  the  accompanying  rains,  prevented  us  from  see- 
ing any  distance;  and  if  they  were  rocks,  we  migiit  bo  actually  dashed 
to  pieces  on  tiiem,  bofore  wo  could  perccMvc  them.  At  twelve  o'clock, 
however,  the  weather  cleared  up  a  little,  when  we  discovered  breakers 
and  large  rocks  outside  of  us;  so  that  it  appeared  we  must  iiave  passed 
quite  close  to  them,  and  wore  now  fairly  hemmed  in  between  them  and 
the  land.  In  this  very  critical  juncture,  the  captain  adopted  the  dangerous 
resolution  of  letting  go  an  anchor,  to  bring  her  up  with  her  heapk)  the  sea 
Though  no  seaman,  my  common  sense  told  mo  that  she  co 
it  out,  but  must  directly  go  down.  The  event  nearly  justi 
ment:  for  she  had  scarcely  been  at  anchor,  before  an  e 
rolling  over  her,  overwhelmed  and  filled  her  with  water,  a; 
on  board  concluded  that  she  was  certainly  sinking.  On 
Lascar,  with  a  presence  of  mind  worthy  an  old  English  mari' 
ax,  ran  forward,  and  cut  the  cable. 

On  finding  herself  free,  the  vessel  again  floated,  and  mad 
right  herself;  but  she  was  almost  completely  water-logged, 
to  larboard  so  much  that  the  gunwale  lay  under  water.  Wclh^h  endeav 
ored  to  steer,  as  fast  as  we  could,  for  the  land,  which  we  knew  could  not 
be  at  any  great  distance,  though  we  were  unable  to  discover  it  through 
the  hazy  weather.  The  foresail  was  loosened;  by  great  eftbrts  in  bailing 
she  righted  a  little;  her  gunwale  was  got  above  water,  and  we  scudded,  as 
well  as  we  could,  before  the  wind,  which  still  blew  hard  on  shore,  and 
at  about  two  o'clock,  the  land  appeared  at  a  small  distance  ahead. 

The  love  of  life  countervails  all  other  considerations  in  the  mind  of 
man.  The  uncertainty  we  were  under  with  regard  to  the  shore  before 
us,  which  we  had  reason  to  believe  was  part  of  Hyder  All's  dominions, 
(then  at  war  with  the  English,)  where  we  should  meet  with  the  most 
rigorous  treatment,  if  not  ultimate  death,  was  forgotten  in  the  joyful  hope 
of  saving  life ;  and  we  scudded  toward  the  shore  in  all  the  exulting  trans- 
ports of  people  just  snatched  from  the  jaws  of  death. 

This  gleam  of  happiness  continued  not  long:  a  tremendous  sea  rolling 
after  us,  broke  over  our  stern,  tore  everything  before  it,  stove  in  the 
steerage,  carried  away  the  rudder,  shivered  the  wheel  to  pieces,  and 
tore  up  the  very  ring-bolts  of  the  deck,  conveyed  the  men  who  stood  at 
the  deck  forward,  and  swept  them  overboard.  I  was  standing,  at  the 
time,  near  the  wheel,  and  fortunately  had  hold  of  the  taflerel,  which  en- 
abled me  to  resist  in  part  the  weight  of  the  wave.  I  was,  however,  swept 
off  my  feet,  and  dashed  against  the  main-mast.  The  jerk  from  the  taf- 
ferel,  which  I  held  very  tenaciously,  seemed  as  if  it  would  have  dislocated 
my  arms :  however,  it  broke  the  impetus  of  my  motion,  and,  in  all  proba- 
bility, saved  me  from  being  dashed  to  pieces  against  the  mast. 

I  floundered  about  in  the  water,  at  the  foot  of  the  mast,  till  at  length  1 
got  on  my  feet,  and  seized  a  rope,  which  I  held  in  a  state  of  great  em 
barrassment,  dubious  what  I  should  do  to  extricate  myself.  At  this 
instant  I  perceived  that  Mr.  Hall  had  got  upon  the  capstan,  and  was 
waving  his  hand  to  me  to  follow  his  example :  this  I  wished  to  do,  though 
it  was  an  enterprise  of  some  risk  and  difficulty ;  for,  if  I  lost  the  hold  I 
had,  a  single  motion  of  the  vessel,  or  a  full  wave,  would  certainly  carry 
me  overboard.  I  made  a  bold  push,  however,  and  fortunately  accom- 
plished it.  Having  attained  this  station,  I  could  the  better  survey  the 
wreck,  and  saw  that  the  water  was  nearly  breast  high  on  the  quarter-deck, 
(for  the  vessel  was  deep-waisted;)  and  I  perceived  the  unfortunate 
English  purser  standing  where  the  water  was  most  shallow,  as  if  watching 


184 


SUFFERINGS  OP  DONALD  CAMPBELL. 


prevent 
other  ti 
cmotioa 
of  whic 
some  of 


with  patient  expectation  its  rising,  and  avaiting  death.  I  c;illod  to  h  m 
to  come  to  us,  but  he  shook  his  head  in  despair,  and  said,  u.  a  lam.  i.tiv- 
blo  tone,  "It  is  all  over  with  us!  God  have  mercy  upon  us!"  tlu  ii  soiitcd 
himself,  with  seeming  composure,  on  a  chair  which  happened  to  be  roll- 
ing about  in  the  wreck  of  the  deck,  and,  in  a  few  mmutes  afterward  vas 
washed  into  the  sea  along  with  it,  where  he  was  speedily  released  from 
a  state  ten  thousand  times  worse  than  death.  ,  ,  ,  , ,  „  . 

Durinc  Jhis  universal  wreck  of  things,  the  horror  I  was  in,  could  not 
Tom  observing  a  very  curious  circumstance,  whicli,  at  any 
'  mid  have  excited  laughter,  though  it  now  produced  no  other 
surprise.  We  happened  to  be  in  part  laden  with  mangoes, 
island  of  Goa  is  known  to  produce  the  finest  in  the  world ; 
some  oi  onn  lav  in  baskets  on  the  poop.  A  little  black  boy,  in  tl.e 
moment  Ol  greatest  danger,  had  got  seated  by  them,  devouring  thorn 
loraciousl  and  crying  all  the  time  most  bitterly  at  the  horrors  of  h 
8ituati«U|#  The  vessel  now  got  completely  water-logged ;  and  Mr.  Hall 
and  I  were  employed  in  forming  conjectural  calculations  how  many 
minutes  she  could  keep  above  water,  and  consoling  one  another  on 
the  unfortunate  circumstances  under  which  we  met. 

As  the  larboard  side  of  the  vessel  was  gradually  going  down,  the  decK, 
and  of  course  the  capstan,  became  too  nearly  perpendicular  for  us  to 
continue  on  it:  we  therefore  foresaw  the  necessity  of  quitting  it,  and  got 
upon  the  starboard  side,  holding  fast  by  the  gunwale,  and  allowing  ou. 
bodies  and  lees  to  yield  to  the  sea  as  it  broke  over  us.  Thus  we  con- 
Unued  for  some  Le:  at  length  the  severity  of  the  labor  so  entirely 
exhausted  our  strength  and  spirits  that  our  only  hope  seemed  to  be  a 
speedy  conclusion  to  our  painful  death,  and  we  began  to  have  serious 
intentions  of  letting  go  our  hold,  and  yielding.ourselves  up  at  once  to  the 
fury  ofThe  w.ves.^  The  vessel!  which  all  this  time  drifted  with  the  sea 
and  wind,  gradually  approximated  the  shore,  and  at  length  struck  th 
ground,  wWch,  for  an  instant,  revived  our  almost  departed  hopes,  but  we 
toon  found  that  it  did  not,  in  the  smallest  degree,  better  our  situation. 

Observing  the  people  consulting  together,  and  resolving  to  jom  them, 
I  made  an  effDrt  to  get  to  the  lee-shrouds,  where  they  were  standing,  or 
rather  clinging;  but  before  I  could  accomplish  it,  I  lost  my  hold  fell 
down  the  hatchway,  (the  gratings  having  been  earned  away  with  the 
long-boat,)  aiid  was  for  some  minutes  entangled  there  among  a  heap  ot 
packages,  which  the  violent  fluctuations  of  the  water  had  coU^cted  »„ 
the  lee-side.     As  the  vessel  moved  with  the  sea,  and  the  water  flowed 
in,  the  packages  and  I  wore  rolled  together-sometimes  one,  somet.ines 
another,  uppermost;  so  that  I  began  to  be  apprehensive  I  should  not  be 
able  to  extricate  myself:  by  the  merest  accident,  however,  I  grasped 
something  that  lay  in  my  way,  made  a  vigorous  spring,  and  gamed    he 
lee-shrouds.     Mrf  Hall,  who  followed  me,  in  seizing  the  shrouds,  came 
thump  against  me  with  such  violence,  that  I  could  scarcely  retain  my  hold 
of  the  rigging.     Compelled  by  the  perilous  situation  in  which  I  stood,  1 
called  out  to  him  for  God's  sake  to  keep  off",  that  I  was  rendered  quite 
breathless  and  worn  out:  he  generously  endeavored  to  make  way  for  mt 
aTd,  in  doing  so,  unfortunately  lost  his  hold,  and  went  do>yn  under  tlo 
ship's  side.     Never,  never  shall  I  forget  my  sensations  at  his  melancho,.v 
inddent-I  would  have  given  millions  of  worlds  that  I  could  have  recalled 
the  words  which  made  him  move  ;  my  mind  was  wound  up  to  the  laM 
pitch  of  anguish,  when,  as  much  to  my  astonishment  as  to  my  joy,  1  saw 
him  borne  by  a  returning  wave,  and  thrown  among  the  very  packages 


■■■■■■I 


SHIPWRECK. 


185 


[  callnd  to  him 
I,  ill  a  liiiiicutii- 
a!"  tlicii  soiitfd 
3ned  t<)  be  roil- 
8  afterward,  .vas 
f  released  from 

ta  in,  could  not 
3,  which,  at  any 
educed  no  other 
1  with  mangoes, 
St  in  the  world ; 
ack  boy,  in  the 

devouring  them 
e  horrors  of  liis 
1;  and  Mr.  Hall 
lions  how  many 

one  another  on 

r  down,  the  deck, 
licular  for  us  to 
uitting  it,  and  got 
and  allowing  our 
Thus  we  con- 
labor  so  entirely 
seemed  to  be  a 
I  to  have  serious 
up  at  once  to  the 
led  with  the  sea 
ength  struck  the 
ed  hopes,  but  we 
•  our  situation, 
ing  to  join  them, 
were  standing,  or 
lost  my  hold,  fell 
ed  away  with  the 
Bimong  a  heap  of 
had  collected  on 
the  water  flowed 
5S  one,  sometimes 
B  I  should  not  be 
>wever,  I  grasped 
g,  and  gained  tlie 
the  shrouds,  came 
:ely  retain  my  hold 
1  which  I  stood,  I 
as  rendered  quite 
make  way  for  mcj 
t  down  under  tho 
at  this  melancholy 
;ould  have  recalled 
ind  up  to  the  last 
13  to  my  joy,  I  saw 
the  very  packages 


from  which  1  had  but  just  before,  with  such  labor  and  difficulty,  extri- 
cated myself.  In  the  end,  he  proved  equally  fortunate,  but  after  a  much 
longer  and  harder  struggle,  and  after  sustaining  mucii  more  injury. 

I  once  more  changed  my  station,  and  made  my  way  to  the  poop,  where 
I  found  myself  ratiicr  more  sheltered.  I  earnestly  wished  Mr.  Hall  to 
i>e  witii  me,  whatever  might  be  my  ultimate  fate,  and  beckoned  to  him  to 
conio  to  me ;  but  he  only  answered  by  shaking  his  head,  in  a  feeble,  de- 
sponding manner — staring,  at  the  same  time,  wildly  alraut  him:  oven  his 
.spirit  was  subdued ;  and  despair,  I  perceived,  had  begun  to  take  posses- 
sion of  his  mind. 

Being  a  little  more  at  case  in  my  new  station  than  I  had  been  before, 
I  had  more  time  to  deliberate,  and  more  power  to  judge.  I  recollected 
that,  according  to  the  course  of  time,  the  day  was  far  gone,  and  the  night 
quickly  approaching:  I  reflected,  that  for  any  enterprise  whatsoever,  day 
was  much  preferable  to  night;  and,  above  all,  I  considered  that  the  ves- 
sel could  not  hold  long  together.  I  therefore  thought  that  the  beat  mode 
I  could  adopt,  would  be  to  take  to  the  water  with  the  first  buoyant  thing 
I  could  see,  and,  as  the  wind  and  water  both  seemed  to  run  to  the  shore, 
to  take  my  chance,  in  that  way,  of  reaching  it.  In  pursuance  of  this  reso- 
lution, I  tore  ofl*  my  shirt,  having  before  that  thrown  ofl'  the  other  parts 
of  my  dress.  I  looked  at  my  sleeve-buttons,  in  which  was  set  the  hair 
of  my  departed  children,  rolled  my  shirt  up,  and  very  carefully  thrust  it 
into  a  hole  between  decks,  with  the  wild  hope  that  the  sleeve-buttons 
might  yet  escape  untouched.  Watching  my  opportunity,  I  saw  a  log  of 
wood  floating  near  the  vessel,  and,  waving  my  hand  to  Mr.  Hall,  as  a  last 
adieu,  jumped  after  it.  Here,  again,  I  was  doomed  to  aggravated  hard- 
ships :  I  had  scarcely  touched  the  log  when  a  great  sea  snatched  it  from 
my  hold:  still,  as  it  came  near  me,  I  grasped  at  it  inefiectually,  till,  at 
last,  it  was  completely  carried  away,  hut  not  before  it  had  cut,  and  bat- 
tered, and  bruised  me  in  several  places,  and  in  a  manner  that,  at  any  other 
time,  I  should  have  thought  dreadful. 

Death  seemed  inevitable :  and  all  that  occurred  to  mo  now  to  do  was 
to  accelerate  it,  and  get  out  of  its  pangs  as  speedily  as  possible  ;  for, 
though  I  knew  how  to  swim,  the  tremendous  surf  rendered  swimming 
useless,  and  all  hope  from  that  would  have  been  ridiculous.  I  therefore 
began  to  swallow  as  much  water  as  possible;  yet,  still  rising  by  the  buoy- 
ant principle  of  the  waves  to  the  surface,  my  former  thoughts  began  to 
recur ;  and  whether  it  was  that,  or  natural  instinct,  which  survived  the 
temporary  impressions  of  despair,  I  know  not — but  I  endeavored  to  swim, 
which  I  had  not  done  long,  when  I  again  discovered  the  log  of  wood  1 
had  lost,  floating  near  me,  and  with  some  difficulty  caught  it :  hardly  had 
it  been  an  instant  in  my  hands,  when,  by  the  same  unlucky  means,  I  lost 
it  again.  I  had  often  heard  it  said  in  Scotland,  that  if  a  man  will  throw 
himself  flat  on  his  back  in  the  water,  lie  quite  straight  and  stifi*,  and  suf- 
fer himself  to  sink  till  the  water  gets  into  his  cars,  he  will  continue  to 
float  so  forever.  This  occurred  to  me  now,  and  I  determined  to  try  the 
experiment ;  so  I  threw  myself  on  jny  back,  in  the  manner  I  have  de- 
scribed, and  left  myself  to  the  disposal  of  Providence.  Nor  was  I  mis- 
taken ;  for,  in  a  short  time  more,  without  any  eflbrt  or  exertion,  and 
without  once  turning  from  oft'  my  back,  I  found  myself  strike  against  the 
sandy  beach.  Overjoyed,  as  you  may  well  suppose,  to  the  highest  pitch 
of  transport,  at  my  Providential  deliverance,  I  made  a  convulsive  spring, 
and  ran  up  a  little  distance  on  the  shore ;  but  was  so  weak  and  worn 
down  by  fatigue,  and  so  unable  to  clear  my  stomach  of  the  salt  water 


r 


; 


jgg  SUFFKUINOS  OF  DOXALD  CAMPBELL. 

with  which  it  was  loaded,  that  1  auddonly  Rrnw  deadly  sick,  and  appre 
hdndod  thai  I  had  only  exchanged  one  death   for   another;  and  m  . 

minuto  or  two  fainted  away.  w  u  i  i.„^  f,.ll«n   it  i^  in.. 

How  long  I  continued  in  the  swoon  into  which  I  had  fallen,  it  is    m 
posi  for'me  to  tell ;  but  when  I  recovered  I  found  7-'  JX:  ' 
by  a  guard  of  armed  soldiers,  sepoys,  and  pikemen.     I  knew  tlu  m    n 
mediately  to  be  the  troops  of  Hyder  Ali,  and  almost  wished  m.violt  .u  L 
il  the  iaves  again,     booking  round,  I  saw  that  the  P«;oP»e  ^"J  '^  \-^; 
that  had  been  saved  from  the*  wreck,  were  collected  all  together  alou  - 
viU,re.    In  this  state,  we  remained  till  it  was  dark.     A  Lascar  bolon- 
ng  to  the  vessel,  perceiving  that  my  nakedness  gave  me  great  concern 
o?e  in  two  a  piece  of  cloth  which  he  had  tied  round  his  waist  an  1 
gave  me  rae  pa^  of  it,  which  afforded  a  short  apron.     Of  aU  the  acts  o 
benhHcence  I  ever  met  with,  this  struck  me  the  most  f«7'^»y ;  'tj;^' 
kindness,  disinterestedness  and  delicacy  for  its  basis;  and  I  have  never 
sTnceSught  of  it  without  wishing  that  I  could  meet  the  man  to  reward 
him  for  his  beneficence,  with  a  subsistence  for  life      ^he  lower  order 
of  people   of  a   certain   country,  I   know,  would  think  a  man  in  such 
c  rcmns  ances  as  I  was  then  in,  a  fitter  object  of  pleasantry  than  pity 
The  vast  quantity  of  salt  water  I  had  swallowed  still  made  mo  deadly 

sick  in  the\tomach:  however,  after  ^^^  ^r '  ff 't''nV  h!f  befor? 
great  relief.     I  had  hardly  felt  the  comfortable  effects  of  this,  before  1 
^as  ordered  to  march  ;  nine  of  us,  all  Lascars  «''«<^Pt  ™y««lf;7«^Ve  "' 
veved  to  a  village  at  a  few  miles  distance,  on  the  sea-side,  where  we  were, 
fo7the  night,  put  into  a  square  place,  walled  round,  open  to  the  mcbm- 
encv  of  the  ;Jather  above'  and  below,  and  filled  with  large  logs  of  wood ; 
it  blew  most  violently,  and  the  rain  fell  in  iorrents-while  not  one  smooth 
plank  could  be  found  on  which  to  stretch  our  fatigued  and  wasted  bodies 
Thus,  naked,  sick,  exhausted  with  fatigue  and  f-«».ng,  drenched  vnth 
wet,  Ind  unable  to  lie  down,  our  misery  might  be  '^"PP^^^'V"  „  Jt  to 
oable   of  increase.    But,  alas!  where   are   the   bounds   we  can  set  to 
fma/tcler  Thirst,  th'at  most  dreadful   of  pains  o-asioned   by  the 

drenching  with  salt-water,  seizea  us:  ^«^\b«gg«'l'  ^„^.f "'^^J^'^^^d 
clamored  for  water,  but  the  inhuman  wretches,  deaf  to  the  groans  and 
scrrches  of  their  fellow-creatures,  (for  some  grew  delirious  with  the 
agony  of  thirst,)  refused  them  even  the  cheap  and  miserable  indulgence 

"^ndt°J  a^Tght 'of  more  exquisite  horror  cannot  be  imagined  The 
thoStof  being  a  prTsoner  in  the  hands  of  Hyder  Ali  was,  of  itself, 
ufSctnt  to  rir  L  completely  unhappy :  but  my  utter  want  of  clothes 
almost  put  me  beside  myself;  and  lying  exposed  to  t  e  open  a  ^  where 
I  was  glad  to  sit  close  to  the  Lascars,  to  receive  a  little  heat  f«»m  the. 
bodies:  and  to  hold  open  my  mouth  in  order  to  catch  ^  f  JP  f  ^^^^^gj^ 
scending  rain,  was  a  state  that  might  be  considered  as  the  highest  rehne 

™  ALTfouTo'cLk  in  the  morning,  a  little  cold  rice  -s  broug^  u^ 
cat,  and  water  was  dug  out  of  a  hole  near  the  spot  for  u;  but  as  alU^^^^^ 
m  this  life  are  good  or  bad  merely  relatively,  this  wretched  f^u^e  was  o me 
refreshment  to  us.    I  was  then  removed  to  the  ruins  of  a  lu  ,  separated 

from  the  rest,  and  a  guard   set  over  me.     ««^'^.   ^Jjf  J""  : 7^1  u 
reflection      The  whole  of  my  situation  appeared  before  me  with  all  us 
aggraSng  Circumstances  of  horror;  and  to  any  one  who  cons'ders  it 
bilieve  it  will  appear  that  it  was  hardly  possible  to  fill  the  bitter  cup  ol 
calamity  fuller. 


A  PAINFUL  MARCH. 


187 


ck,  and  nppre 
Iher;  anil  in  f 

fallen,  it  is  irii- 
jolfsurrou'  dnd 
knew  thciii  iiii- 
lod  rnvjolf  l):u;l; 
)ple  and  olViH-.t-* 
together  alou;^ 
.  Lascar  be  long- 
great  concern. 
1  his  waist,  and 
If  all  the  acts  of 
forcibly:  it  had 
d  I  have  never 
!  man,  to  reward 
'he  lower  order 
a  man  in  such 
itry  than  pity, 
nado  mo  deadly 
w  it  up,  and  got 
of  this,  before  1 
lysolf,  were  con- 
,  where  we  were, 
n  to  the  inclera- 
ge  logs  of  wood ; 
e  not  one  smooth 
id  wasted  bodies. 
I,  drenched  with 
osed  to  bo  inca- 
s   we  can  set  to 
;casioned   by  the 
e    entreated,  we 
)  the  groans  and 
elirious  with  the 
jrable  indulgence 

imagined.  The 
\.li  was,  of  itself, 
or  want  of  clothes 

open  air,  where 
3  heat  from  their 
I  drop  of  the  de- 
ihe  highest  refine- 

was  brought  us  to 
s;  but  as  all  things 
hcd  fare  was  some 
if  a  hut,  separated 
had  full  room  for 
re  me  with  all  its 
who  considers  it,  i 
the  bitter  cup  of 


In  this  state  I  was,  when,  to  my  utter  astonishment,  and  to  my  no  less 
joy,  the  companion  of  my  sliipwreck,  Mr.  Hall,  appeared  before  mo.  [ 
scarcely  knew  how  to  think  his  iippearanco  reality,  as  [  understood  that 
the  Lascars  then  along  willi  mo  were  all  that  w(!re  saved  from  the  wreck, 
and  he  was,  at  the  uuw  1  parted  from  him,  so  exhausted  both  in  body  and 
mind,  that  i  tlioii^'lit  he  would  be  the  last  who  could  escape.  He,  how- 
over,  shook  me  iiy  the  hand ;  and,  sitting  down,  told  me  that  he  had  given 
me  up  for  lost,  and  remained  with  the  vessel  until  the  tide,  having  ebbed, 
left  her  almost  dry:  that,  immediately  on  getting  ashore,  and  beiag  taken 
prisoner,  ho  made  inquiries  about  me;  and  heard  that  1  had  been  saved- 
that,  finding  this,  his  joy  was  such  as  to  make  him  almost  forget  his  own 
misfortunes,  and,  exerting  all  his  entreaties  not  to  be  separated  from  me, 
they  had  been  so  far  indulgent  to  him,  and  had  brought  him  to  me,  that 
wo  might  be  companions  in  bondage.  He  added,  that  out  of  eleven  Eu- 
ropeans and  filly-six  Lascars,  who  were  on  board,  only  he  and  I  of  the 
former,  and  fourteen  of  the  latter  were  saved  from  the  wreck,  the  re.st 
being  drowned  in  the  attempt,  excepting  some  who,  overcome  with  terror, 
anguish  and  anxiety,  and  exhausted  with  fatigue,  had  bid  a  formal  adieu 
u>  their  companions,  let  go  their  hold,  and  calmly  and  voluntarily  given 
themselves  up  to  the  deep. 

My  pleasure,  however,  at  escaping  shipwreck,  was  by  no  moans  as 
great  as  the  agony  my  mind  underwent,  as  the  prospect  now  before  me 
was  poignant.  The  unmerciful  disposition  of  flyder,  and  all  those  in 
authority  under  him,  and  the  cruel  policy  of  the  Eastern  chiefs,  making 
the  life  of  any  one,  particularly  a  British  prisoner,  at  the  best  a  preca- 
rious tenure,  1  did  not  know  the  moment  when  death  might  be  inflicted 
upon  me,  with  perhaps  a  thousand  aggravating  circumstances.  But  the  ab- 
ject state  of  want  and  nakedness  in  which  it  seemed  1  was  likely  to  remain 
struck  a  deep  and  damp  horror  to  my  heart,  and  almost  unmanned  me. 

For  some  days  we  lay  in  this  place,  exposed  to  the  weather,  without 
even  the  slender  comfort  of  a  little  straw  to  cover  the  ground  beneath 
us — our  food,  boiled  rice,  served  very  sparingly  twice  a  day,  by  an  old 
woman,  who  just  throw  a  handful  or  more  of  it  to  each,  upon  a  very  dirty 
board,  which  we  devoured  with  those  spoons  nature  gave  us.  At  the 
end  of  that  time,  we,  and  along  with  us  the  Lascars,  were  ordered  to 
proceed  into  the  country,  and  drove  on  foot  to  a  considerable  dis*-  '^ce, 
in  order  to  render  up  an  account  of  ourselves  to  persons  belop  /r  to 
Government  authorized  to  take  it.  It  was  advanced  in  the  morning  -,■  jn 
we  moved,  without  receiving  any  sort  of  sustenance;  and  were  mau'if  d 
in  that  wasting  climate  eight  hours,  without  breaking  our  fast,  during 
which  time  we  were  exposed  alternately  to  the  scorching  rays  of  the  sun, 
and  heavy  torrents  of  rain,  which  raised  painful  blisters  on  our  skin;  we 
had  oflen  to  stand  exposed  to  the  weather,  or  to  lie  down,  under  the  pres- 
sure of  fatigue  and  weakness,  on  the  bare  ground ;  then  wait  an  hour  or 
more  at  the  door  of  some  insolent,  unfeeling  monster,  until  he  finished 
his  dinner,  or  took  his  afternoon  nap;  and  when  this  was  over,  were 
driven  forward  with  wanton  barbarity  by  the  people  who  attended  us. 

Two  days  afler  this,  we  were  moved  again,  and  marched  up  the  country 
by  a  long  and  circuitous  route,  in  which  we  underwent  every  hardship  that 
cruelty  could  inflict,  or  human  fortitude  endure — now  blistered  with  the 
heat,  now  drenched  witii  rain,  and  now  chilled  with  the  night-damps — 
destitute  of  any  place  but  the  bare  earth  to  rest,  or  lay  our  heads  on,  with 
only  a  scanty  pittance  of  boiled  rice  for  our  support — often  without  water 
to  quench  our  thirst,  and  constantly  goaded  by  the  guards,  who  pricked 


188 


SUFFERINGS  OF  DONALD  CAMI'UF.LL. 


M'i  with  tl.cir  bayonets  ovory  now  and  then,  nt  oncc!  to  cvinco  thoir  power. 
rntprtain  the  spectators,  and  mortify  us.  Wo  mrivod  at  My  lornaRur,  th- 
„„>tr»|)oliH  of  the  province  of  Biddanore— a  lort  ol  .•onsulenihie  strcnKtl). 
„u.,n.tii.K  upward  of  seventy  Runs,  containing  a  larpe  frarrison  ol  n.un. 
H,ul  possesBcd, of  immense  wealth.  It  was  about  two  o  clock  .n  thn 
.....iniuK  when  we  arrived  at  Biddanore:  the  day  was  extremely  hot,  and 
w.>  were  kept  out,  under  tlio  full  heat  of  that  broiling  sun,  till  dix  o'clock 
in  the  evening  before  we  were  admitted  to  an  audience  of  the  Jemadar, 
or  governor  of  the  place,  without  having  a  mouthful  ot  victuals  ottered 
to  us  after  the  fatiguing  march  of  the  mornmg.       ,    ,    ^      ..     ,        , 

Wiiile  we  stood  in  tlie  court,  waiting  to  be  brought  before  the  Jemadar, 
we  presented  a  spectacle  that  would  have  wrung  pity,  one  would  think, 
frorn  the  heart  of  a  tiger,  if  a  tiger  was  endowed  with  reflection.  At 
Icnath  wo  were  summoned  to  appear  before  him,  and  brought  into  hin 
presence.  I  had  made  up  my  mind  for  the  occasion— determined  to 
deport  myself  in  a  manly,  candid  manner-and  to  let  no  consideration 
whatsoever  lead  mo  to  any  thing  disgraceful  to  my  real  character,  or  un- 
worthy my  situation  in  life  ;  and,  finally,  had  prepared  myself  to  meet, 
without  shrinking,  whatever  misfortunes  might  yet  be  in  store  for  me  or 
whatever  cruelties  the  barbarous  disposition,  or  wicked  policy,  ot  the 
tyrant  might  think  proper  to  inflict. 

On  entering,  wo  found  the  Jemadar  in  full  court.    He  was  theii  occu- 
pied with  the  reading  of  dispatches,  and  in  transacting  other  public  busi- 
ness.    We  were  placed  directly  opposite  to  him,  where  wo  stood  for  near 
an  hour,  during  which  time  he  never  cast  his  eyes  toward  us.     But  when 
at  last  he  had  concluded  the  business  in  which  he  was  engaged,  and 
deigned  to  look  at  us,  we  were  ordered  to  prostrate  ourselves  before  him: 
the  Lascars  immediately  obeyed  the  order,  and  threw  themselves  on 
the  ground;  but  1  contented  myself  with  making  a  su  am,  in  which  poor 
Mr.  Hall,  who  knew  not  the  Eastern  manner  as  I  did,  to  lowed  my  example 
As  so.>n  as  this  ceremony  was  over,  the  Jemadar  (who  was  no  othe 
man  than  the  famous  Hyat  Sahib,)  be„ran  to  question  me      »«  desirj^d  to 
know  who  I  was?-what  my  profession  was?-what  was  the  caje  and 
manner  of  my  approaching  the  country  ol  Hyder  Ah?    To  all  those 
rSns  I  gave  Lswers  that  seemed  to  satisfy  him.     Having  exhausted 
E  whole  stHng  of  questions,  he  turned  the  discourse  to  another  subject 
no  less  than  his  great  and  puissant  Lord  and  Master,  Hyder  of  whom  he 
had  endeavored  to  impress  me  with  a  great  if  n<>\»«"'ble  idea-a.npl.fy- 
ing  his  power,  his  wealth,  and  the  extent  and  opulence  of  «"« Jomimon  , 
and  describing  to  me,  in  the  most  exaggerated  terms,  the  number  of  his 
Uoops-his  military  talents-his  vast,  and,  according  to  his  acc^t  un- 
rivaled  genius  — his   amazing   abilities  in   conquering   and   governing 
nationsiand,  above  all,  his  many  amiable  qualit^s  and  splendid  endow- 
ments  of  heart,  no  less  than  understanding.     He  then  vaunted  of  h. 
soveeigu'    successes  over  the  English,  some  of  which  I. had  not  heard 
of  befme,and  did  not  believe;  and  concluded  by  assurmg  me,  that  it 
was     Ser'"    <lotermination   to  drive  all  Europeans  from  Hmdoostan 
which,  he  averred  he  could  not  fail  to  do,  considering  the  weakness  of  the 
Olio   and  boundless  power  of  the  other. 

Aftor  havina  expended  near  half  an  hour  in  this  manner,  he  called 
upon  me  to  come  over  near  him,  and  caused  me  to  scat  ™y««^  »Pf ,  ;; 
mat,  with  a  pillow  to  lean  upon-encouragqd  me,  by  every  means  ho 
cou  dTby  the  most  gentle  accents,  and  the  most  soothing,  «»"" »ty>°g  >f "j 
guage,  ti)  speak  to  him  without  the  least  reserve-exhorted  me  to  tell 


IN  PRISON. 


IS!) 


jco  tlioir  power. 
ly.lrrnaRur,  the 
IcTiililt!  HtrcnKtl), 
arrison  of  tnun. 
I  o'clock  ill  th(! 
iroinoly  hot,  and 
I,  till  dix  o'clock 
i)f  the  Jomadar, 
victuals  otic  rod 

ore  the  Jemadar, 
no  would  think. 
»  reflection.  At 
brought  into  hin 
— determined  to 
no  consideration 
character,  or  un- 
myself  to  meet, 
store  for  mc,  or 
3d  policy,  of  the 

[)  was  then  occu- 
ather  public  busi- 
wc  stood  for  Dear 
rd  us.  But  when 
vas  engajred,  and 
elves  before  him: 
w  themselves  on 
m,  in  which  poor 
)wed  my  example, 
irho  was  no  other 
e.  He  desired  to 
as  the  cause  and 
li?  To  all  those 
Having  exhausted 

0  another  subject, 
[yder,  of  whom  he 
ble  idea — amplify- 

1  of  his  dominions, 
;he  number  of  his 
0  his  account,  un- 
iig  and  governing 
i  splendid  endow- 
en  vaunted  of  his 
[i  I  had  not  heard 
isuring  me,  that  it 

from  Hindoostan. 
Lhe  weakness  of  thf 

manner,  he  called 
icat  myself  upon  ii 
)y  every  means  he 
ing,  mollifying  lan- 
jxhorted  me  to  tell 


him  the  truth  in  evnrytiiing  wo  spoke  of — and  hinted  to  ine,  tlint  my  i'allin^ 
into  his  hands  might  turn  out  the  most  fortunate  event  of  my  lite.  I  was 
at  a  loss  to  what  motive  to  attribute  all  those  singular  marks  of  indul- 
gence ;  but  found  that  he  had  learned  whose  son  i  was,  and  knew  my 
father,  by  reputation,  from  the  prisoners,  our  sepoys,  who  were  now  pri- 
soners at  large  hero:  and  as  rank  and  office  are  the  chief  recommenda- 
tions in  the  East,  as  elsewhere,  or  rather  much  more  than  any  where 
else,  the  sagacious  llyat  Sahib  found  many  claims  to  esteem  and  human- 
ity in  me,  as  tiie  son  of  a  Colonel  Campbell,  which  he  never  would  have 
found  in  mc,  had  I  been  the  son  of  a  plain,  humble  farmer,  or  tradesman 
in  England. 

Afler  a  full  hour's  audience,  in  which  Hyat  Sahib  treated  mo  with  dis- 
tinguislied  marks  of  his  favor,  considering  my  situation,  he  dismissed  me 
with  the  ceremony  of  beetle-nut,  rose-water,  and  other  compliments, 
which  are  in  that  country  held  as  the  strongest  marks  of  politeness,  re- 
spect and  good-will.  Leaving  the  Durbar,  1  was  led  to  the  inner  fort  or 
citadel:  and  the  officious  zeal  of  those  about  me,  unwilling  to  let  me 
remain  ignorant  of  that  which  they  conceived  to  be  a  most  fortunate  turn 
in  my  affairs,  gave  the  coup  de  grace,  to  my  miseries,  as  I  went  along,  by 
congratulating  me  on  the  favorable  opinion  which  the  Jemadar  had  formed 
of  me,  and  intimating,  at  the  same  time,  that  1  would  soon  be  honored 
with  a  respectable  command  in  Hyder's  service. 

That  night,  the  Jemadar  sent  me  an  excellent  supper,  of  not  less  than 
six  dishes,  from  his  own  table ;  and  although  I  had  been  so  long  famish- 
ing with  the  want  of  wholesome  food,  the  idea  of  being  enlisted  in  the 
service  of  Hyder  struck  me  with  such  horror,  that  I  lost  all  appetite,  and 
waa  scarcely  able  to  eat  a  mouthful.  Mr.  Hull  and  I,  however,  were 
separated  from  the  Lascars,  who  were  released  and  forced  to  work. 

Notwithstanding  the  favorable  intentions  manifested  toward  me  by  the 
Jemadar,  as  I  have  already  mentioned,  no  mark  of  it  whatsoever  appeared 
in  our  lodging.  This  consisted  of  a  small  place,  exactly  the  size  of  our 
length  and  breadth,  in  the  zigzag  of  one  of  the  gates  of  the  citadel.  It 
was  open  in  front,  but  covered  with  a  kind  of  shed  on  tiio  top ;  and  a 
number  of  other  prisoners  were  about  us.  Each  of  us  was  allowed  a 
mat  and  pillow,  and  this  formed  the  whole  of  our  local  accommodations. 
Upon  my  remarking  it,  we  were  told  that  in  conformity  to  the  custom  of 
the  country,  we  must  be  treated  so  for  some  time,  but  that  our  accommo- 
dations would  afterward  be  extended,  and  made  more  agreeable  to  our 
wishes:  even  this  was  better  than  our  situation  since  we  landed.  In 
addition  to  this  luxury,  we  were  allowed  to  the  value  of  four  pence  half- 
penny a  day  for  our  maintenance ;  and  a  guard  of  sepoys  was  put  over 
us  and  a  few  more  prisoners,  one  of  whom  was  directed  to  go  and 
purchase  our  victuals,  and  do  such  offices  for  us. 

In  two  or  three  days  after  this,  Hyat  Sahib  sent  for  me,  treated  mc 
with  great  kindness,  gave  me  some  tea,  and  furnished  me  with  two  or 
three  shirts,  an  old  coat,  and  two  pairs  of  breeches,  which  were  stripped 
from  the  dead  bodies  that  were  thrown  ashore  from  the  -wreck — every- 
thing that  was  saved  from  it  being  sent  to  Biddanore.  At  this  interview 
he  treated  me  great  respect — ^gave  me,  beside  the  articles  already  men- 
tioned, thirty  r  nees,  and,  upon  my  going  away,  told  me  that  in  a  few 
days  a  very  flattering  proposal  would  be  made  to  me,  and  that  my  situation 
would  be  rendered  not  only  comfortable,  but  enviable. 

On  the  evening  of  that  day,  I  was  sent  for  to  attend  not  at  the  Durbar, 
but  at  the  house  of  a  man  high  in  office.    Aa  I  expected  to  meet  Hyat 


tar 


100 


SUFFEIUNnS  OF  DONALD  CAMIMIFLL. 


iSiliil)  hiin-«<ll',  and  trctnMiid  at  tlin  tIioii;;lit.s  of  \m  oxpoctnd  propoitition, 
I  \v;i'i  HiirpiisiMl,  and  iiidrcd  pli'MHcd,  to  find  lliut  it  \vii8  with  itnii  of  hit 
puojil.'  only,  I  WHS  to  liuvi;  a  ('.urit'i^rcntio.  'V'tnn  man,  wlio.-ir  iiainfi  I  now 
tiir<;i't.  rcc-Mvi'd  inn  witli  ^'rcsit  kindni^HH,  (:n('onra;^i'd  in.',  in :i(li>  mo  sit 
d(i\vii  wiili  liiiii,  and  liii^nn  to  tipiMtk  of  liy.it  Haiiil),  whom  lie  rstohcd  to 
thi!  nkii'S,  a!4  a  ptiiHon  nndowc^d  with  ^'.\vty  ){i*'iit  and  luniahl)'  ipiaiity; 
inroi'iiiin;;  ino,  at  thi;  Harnn  limi!,  that  Ik;  was  posHn.sHud  ol'  tiic  t'j  icnditiiip 
and  contidiMict!  of  hiit  tnuHtiT,  llydor  Ali,  iu  a  ifrviiUr  dc/.Tci;  ilian  uoy 
oilier  pcM'Mon — 'I'ippoo  Hahib,  his  own  «oii.  not  ox(X'|)t<ui. 

When  ho  had  tininhud  hia  history  of  llyat  Hahib,  which  lie  ovorcliargod 
with  liilHoino  pani!}{yric,  iio  tohl  nio,  with  a  faco  I'nll  of  tliat  tiiuin|>hant 
importance  whicii  ono  who  thinks  iiu  is  conforrinK  a  f;reat  I'avor  ^'oncraliy 
assumes,  that  it  was  the  intention  of  Ilyat  Sahib,  tor  and  on  bclialt'of  hia 
master,  the  Sultan,  to  ),'ive  me  tlie  command  «)t'  live  tliousand  men— 
an  otVer  which  he  supposed  I  could  not  think  of  declining',  and  thore- 
foru  expected  no  other  answer  but  a  profusion  of  tlianks,  and  strong 
manifestations  of  joy,  on  my  part. 

It  is  not  possible  for  me  to  describe  to  you  my  dismay  at  this  formal 
proposal,  or  portray  to  you  the  various  emotions  tliat  took  possession  of 
my  breast.  Resentment  had  its  share — the  pride  of  tli(!  soldier,  not  un- 
accompanied with  the  pride  of  family  and  rank,  while  it  urged  mo  to 
spurn  from  me  such  a  base  accommodation,  made  me  consider  tiie  olTer 
as  a  great  insult.  1  therefore  paused  a  little  to  suppress  my  feelings, 
and  tiicn  told  him  my  firm  resolution  never  to  accept  of  such  a  proposal; 
and  upon  his  expressing  great  astonishment  at  my  declining  a  station  so 
fraught  with  advantage,  1  laid  down,  in  the  best  manu'n-  I  could,  my  roa- 
son.s ;  and  I  must  say,  that  he  listened  to  all  tiie  objections  i  started  with 
great  patience,  but,  m  the  conclusion,  said  he  had  little  doubt  of  finding 
means  to  overcome  my  reluctance. 

llu  dismissed  mc  for  the  present,  and  I  returned  to  my  prison,  where  I 
related  to  my  companion,  Mr.  Hall,  everything  that  passed  between  us. 
We  canvassed  the  matter  fully,  and  he  agreed  with  me  that  it  was  likely 
to  turn  out  a  most  dreadful  and  cruel  persecution.  Piqued  by  the  idea, 
I  began  to  feel  a  degree  of  enthusiasm  which  1  was  before  a  stranger  to. 
[  looked  forward  with  a  kind  of  gloomy  pleasure  to  the  miseries  that  bru- 
tal tyranny  might  inflict  upon  me.  even  to  death  itself:  and  already  began 
to  indulge  in  the  exultation  of  martyrdom.  Indeed,  I  had  wrought  my- 
self up  to  such  a  pitch  of  firmness,  that  I  am  persuaded  the  most  exqui- 
site and  refined  cruelties  which  the  ingenuity  of  an  Iroquois  Indian  could 
have  inflicted  on  my  body,  would  have  been  utterly  incapable  of  bending 
the  stubborn  temper  of  my  mind. 

On  the  day  succeeding  that  on  which  the  agent  of  Ilyat  Sahib  had 
held  the  discourse  with  me,  1  was  again  sent  for,  and  brought  to  tlie  same 
person,  who  asked  me,  whether  I  had  duly  considered  of  the  important 
ofler  made  me  by  Hyat  Sahib,  and  of  the  consequences  likely  to  result 
from  a  refusal?  and  he  apprised  me,  at  the  same  time,  that  the  command 
of  five  thousand  men  was  an  honor  which  the  first  rajahs  in  the  Mysorean 
dominions  would  grasp  at  with  transport.  I  told  him  I  was  well  convinced 
of  the  honor  such  a  command  would  confer  on  any  man  but  an  English- 
man, whose  country,  being  then  the  subject  of  Hyder^s  incessant  hostility 
would  make  the  acceptance  of  it  infamy  and  finally,  appealed  to  the 
good  sense  of  Hyat  Sahib,  whether  a  man  who,  in  such  circumstances, 
had  betrayed  his  country,  and  sacrified  her  interests  to  his  own  conve- 
nience, was  such  a  person  as  confidence  could  properly  be  put  in. 


rS 


^ 


TRMTOKOUS  Pi;0!'()S.\l,S. 


101 


tnd   propnoition, 

svitli  oiii:  of  hia 
).<4(i  iiaiiKi  I  now 
(!,  iindi^  iiio  ait 
1  li(!  *'\tolti!(l  to 
iiiiial)!)'  i|ii;ility; 
1'  tho  t'lii.'iultfliip 
lej{ro(;  lliiui  uny 

I  he  ovorcliargod 
tlint  ti'iain|)liant 
t  fiivoi  lu'oncraUy 
on  Ix.'lialf  of  his 
tlioiisaiid  inon— 
iiiii^,  und  thore- 
niikH,  and  Htrong 

iiy  at  tills  formal 
)k  posHCMsion  of 
Holdior,  not  un- 
it ur^rsd  mo  to 
ouaidcr  tlu!  offer 
rcss  my  foelings, 
Htich  a  proposal ; 
niiig  a  station  so 
I  could,  my  roa- 
Diis  I  started  with 
I  doubt  of  finding 

ly  prison,  where  I 
jsed  between  ua. 
tiiat  it  was  liitely 
pied  by  tiie  idea, 
fore  a  stranger  to. 
miseries  that  bru- 
and  already  began 
hud  wrought  my- 
d  the  most  exqui- 
quois  Indian  could 
apable  of  bending 

)f  Ilyat  Sahib  had 
fought  to  the  aame 
of  the  important 
es  likely  to  result 
that  the  command 
[13  in  the  Mysorean 
was  well  convinced 
m  but  an  English- 
I  incessant  hostility 
y,  appealed  to  the 
ich  circumstances, 
to  his  own  conve- 
ly  be  put  in.     ini, 


Notwithstanding  these  and  a  tliousaiid  otlicT  riMiioiiNtrnnces,  ho  still 
contiiiiied  to  press  m(«,  and  used  every  urgiiinent,  i^very  persuasion,  that 
ingenuity  tumid  dictiic,  or  hints  of  punishment  enforce,  to  HJinko  my 
(lurpose — hut  in  vain:  attachment  to  country  and  family  rose  |)aramount 
M  all  otlier  consideratiiins;  and  I  gave  a  pt^remptory,  d(;cisivo  refusal. 

Circumstanced  as  1  was,  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  keep  an  accurate 
journal  of  the  various  incidents  that  passed,  or  vicissitudes  of  tiioughts 
tlial  occurred,  during  the  period  of  my  imprisonm<Mit.  Indeed,  I  was 
scarcely  conscious  of  the  length  of  my  captivity,  and  could  not,  till  1  was 
released,  determine  exactly  how  long  it  had  continued.  I  can  only  say, 
in  general  terms,  that  1  was  repeatedly  urged  on  the  subject  by  fair  per- 
suasives: they  then  had  recourse  to  menace;  tlien  they  withheld  the 
daily  pittance  allowed  for  my  support;  and  at  length  proceeded  to  coer- 
cion— tying  a  rope  round  my  neck,  and  iioisting  me  up  to  a  tree.  All 
lliis,  however,  I  bore  firmly:  if  it  hud  any  elfect,  it  was  to  confirm  mo  in 
my  resolution,  and  call  in  policy  to  the  aid  of  honoris  dictates.  As  the 
horrors  of  my  situation  tiiickened  round  uu;,  1  felt  my  spirits  increase; 
my  resolution  became  more  firm,  my  hoptis  more  sanguine — I  even  began 
to  look  forward,  and  form  projects  fur  the  future:  whole  hours'  amuse- 
ment, every  day  and  every  night,  arose  from  the  contemplation  of  my 
beloved  boy.  I,  in  imagination,  traced  his  growth,  directed  iiis  rising 
sentiments,  formed  plans  for  his  future  success  and  prosperity,  and  in- 
dulged by  anticipation  in  ail  the  enjoyment  which  1  now  trust  1  shall  yet 
have  in  his  ripened  manhood. 

Thus  we  continued  for  muiiy  montiis,  during  whicii  no  alteration  what- 
soever took  place  in  our  treatment  or  situation.  Tlie  only  relief  from 
our  sufferings  lay  in  tiie  resources  of  our  own  minds,  and  in  our  mutual 
endeiivors  to  please  and  console  one  another.  The  circumstances  of 
aggravation  were  tiie  necessity  of  daily  bearing  witness  to  the  most  iiar- 
harous  punishments  he  inflicted  upon  wretched  individuals,  under  the 
HiMnblance  of  justice,  and  tiie  occasional  deprivation  of  our  food,  eitiier 
l)y  the  fraud  of  tiie  sepoys  wiio  attended  us,  or  tlio  caprice  or  cruelly  of 
•iieir  superiors.  It  is  but  justice,  however,  to  say  that  they  were  not  ail 
alike:  some  overflowed  with  mercy,  charity,  and  tli»*  miik  of  human  kind- 
ness ;  while  others,  again,  were  almost  as  bad  men  as  the  aovert.ign^ 
they  served.  We  were  not  allowed  the  use  of  pen,  ink,  or  paper ;  and 
very  seldom  could  afford  ourselves  the  luxury  of  shaving  or  clean  li/ien: 
nor  were  we  at  all  sheltered  from  tiie  inclemency  of  the  weather,  till  at 
length  a  little  room  was  built  for  us  of  mud,  which,  being  small  and  damp, 
rendered  our  situation  worse  than  it  was  before. 

Projects  and  hopes  of  a  new  kind  now  began  to  intrude  themselves  on 
my  thoughts;  and  I  conceived  a  design,  which  I  flattered  myself  was  not 
entirely  impracticable,  to  effect  an  escape,  and  even  a  revolt  in  the  place, 
but,  while  I  was  settling  this  much  to  my  own  satisfaction,  an  event 
occurred  which  extinguished  all  my  hopes  in  that  way. 

Whether  the  plan  was  discovered  or  not,  or  from  what  over  motive  it 
arose,  I  have  not  to  this  day  been  able  to  decide,  but  so  it  was,  that  while 
my  sanguine  mind  was  overflowing  with  the  hope  of  carrying  my  project 
for  an  escape  into  effect,  Mr.  Hall  and  I  were  one  day  unexpectedly 
loaded  with  irons,  and  fastened  together,  leg  by  leg,  by  one  bolt.  Tlie 
surprise  occasioned  by  the  appearance  of  the  irons,  and  the  precautionary 
manner  in  which  it  was  undertaken,  was  indeed  great:  still  more  was  I 
surprised  to  observe  that  the  person  who  was  employed  to  see  this  put 
in  execution,  manifested  unusual  emotions,  seemed  much  afl'ected,  and 


L| 


i| 


'•     {I 


I 


r^^j'i"— ■*»■ 


192 


SUFFERINGS  OF  DONALD  CAMPBELL. 


even  shed  tears  as  he  looked  on :  and  while  the  suddenness  and  caution- 
uiry  mode  of  doing  it,  convinced  mo  that  some  resistance  on  our  part  was 
apprehended,  the  sorrow  which  the  officer  who  superintended  it  disclosed, 
portended  in  my  mind  a  fatal,  or,  at  least,  a  very  serious  issue.  Unfortu- 
nately, poor  Mr.  Hall  had  for  some  time  been  afflicted  with  a  retarn  of 
Ills  dreadful  disorder,  the  dysentery.  From  this  unlucky  event,  I  re- 
ceived a  temporary  depression;  and  his  rapidly  increasing  illness  ren- 
dered our  situation  more  than  ever  calamitous.  The  disease  soon  fell 
upon  him  with  redoubled  fury:  a  very  scanty  portion  of  boiled  rice,  with 
u  more  scanty  morsel  of  stinking  salt  fish,  or  putrid  flesh,  was  a  very  in- 
adequate support  for  me,  who,  though  emaciated,  was  in  health — and 
very  improper  medicine  for  a  person  laboring  under  a  malady  such  as 
Mr.  HalPs,  which  required  comfort,  good  medical  skill,  and  delicate, 
nutritious  food.  The  tea  which  Hyat  Sahib  had  given  me  was  expended: 
und  we  were  not  allowed  to  be  shaved  from  the  hour  wo  were  put  iu 
irons,  an  indulgence  of  that  kind  being  forbidden  by  the  barbarous  rules 
of  the  prison :  and,  to  refine  upon  our  tortures,  sleep,  "  that  balm  of  hurt 
minds,"  was  not  allowed  us  uninterrupted,  for,  in  conformity  to  another 
regulation,  we  were  disturbed  every  half-hour  by  a  noise  something  re- 
sembling a  watchman's  rattle,  and  a  fellow  who,  striking  every  part  of 
uur  irons  with  a  kind  of  hammer,  and  examining  them  lest  they  shoiild 
be  cut,  broke  in  upon  that  kind  restorative,  and  awoke  our  souls  to  fresh 
horrors. 

Poor  Hall  was  now  approaching  to  his  end  with  hourly  accelerated 
slops.  Every  application  that  (  made  in  his  favor  was  refused,  or  rather 
treated  with  cruel  neglect  and  contemptuous  silence.  Hyat  Sahib,  the 
powerful,  the  wealthy,  the  governor  of  a  great  opulent  j"  evince,  refused 
to  an  expiring  fellow-creature  a  little  cheap  relief — while  a  poor  sepoy 
taxed  his  little  means  to  supply  it:  one  who  guarded  us,  of  his  own 
accord,  at  imminent  hazard  of  punishment,  purchased  us  a  lamp  and 
a  litile  oil,  which  we  burned  for  the  last  few  nights,  till  my  dear  jfricnd 
(lied,  exhausted  by  disease,  neglect,  and  cruelty. 

In  the  morning  a  report  was  made  to  the  commandant  of  the  death  of 
Mr.  Hall ;  and  in  about  an  hour  afterward  he  passed  me  by,  but  kept  his 
face  purposely  turned  away  from  me  to  the  other  side.  I  patiently  waited 
for  the  removal  of  the  dead  body  till  the  evening,  when  I  desired  the 
sc|)oys  who  guarded  mc  to  apply  for  its  being  removed.  They  returned, 
and  told  me  they  could  get  no  answer  respecting  it.  Night  came  on,  but 
there  was  no  appearance  of  an  intention  to  unfetter  me  from  the  corpse. 
Tlie  commandant  was  sitting  in  his  court,  administering,  in  the  manner  I 
have  before  described,  ^'tM<u:e/  I  called  out  to  him  myself,  with  all  my 
might,  but  could  get  no  answer  from  him.  Nothing  could  equal  my  rage 
and  consternation ;  for,  exclusive  of  the  painful  idea  of  being  shackled 
to  the  dead  body  of  a  friend  I  loved,  another  circumstance  contributed 
to  make  it  a  serious  subject  of  horror.  In  those  climates  the  weather  is 
so  intensely  hot,  that  putrefaction  almost  instantly  succeeds  death,  and 
meat  that  is  killed  in  the  morning,  and  kept  in  the  shade,  will  be  unfit 
for  dressing  at  night.  In  a  subject,  then,  on  which  putrefaction  had  made 
advances  even  before  death,  and  which  remained  exposed  to  the  open 
air,  the  process  must  have  been  much  more  rapid.  So  far,  however,  from 
compassionating  my  situation,  or  indulfring  me  by  a  removal  of  the  body, 
their  barbarity  suggested  to  them  to  make  it  an  instrument  of  punish- 
ment ;  and  they  pertinaciously  adhered  to  the  most  mortifying  silence 
and  disregard  of  my  complaints.    For  several  days  and  nights  it  remained 


L. 

nncss  and  caution- 
ce  on  our  part  was 
:ende(l  it  disclosed. 
18  issue.  Unfortu- 
1  with  a  ret  am  ot" 
iluciiy  event,  I  rr- 
easing  Illness  ren- 
;  disease  soon  fell 
of  boiled  rice,  with 
esh,  was  a  very  in- 
ras   in  health — and 

a  malady  such  as 
skill,  and  delicate, 
I  me  was  expended; 
ur  we  were  put  iu 
the  barbarous  rules 

"  that  balm  of  hurt 
nformity  to  another 
loise  something  re- 
iking  every  part  of 
3m  lest  they  should 
e  our  souls  to  fresh 

I  hourly  accelerated 
IS  refused,  or  rather 
e.  Hyat  Sahib,  the 
nt  f  evince,  refused 
-while  a  poor  sepoy 
led  us,  of  his  own 
sed  us  a  lamp  and 
I,  till  my  dear  friend 

iant  of  the  death  of 

me  by,  but  kept  his 
s.    I  patiently  waited 

when  I  desired  the 

,'ed.    They  returned. 

Night  came  on,  but 

me  from  the  corpse, 
ring,  in  the  manner  I 

myself,  with  all  my 
:  could  equal  my  rago 
sa  of  being  shackled 
imstance  contributed 
imates  the  weather  is 

succeeds  death,  and 
3  shade,  will  be  unfit 
jutrefaction  had  made 
exposed  to  the  open 

So  far,  however,  from 

removal  of  the  body, 
instrument  of  punish- 
Bst  mortifying  silence 
and  nights  it  remained 


mmm* 


OHAINBD  TO  A  CORPSE. 


W6 


attached  to  me  by  the  irons.  I  grew  almost  distracted — wished  for  the 
means  of  putting  an  end  to  my  miseries  by  death,  and  could  not  move 
without  witnessing  some  new  stage  of  putrescence  it  attained,  or  breathe 
without  inhaling  the  putrid  effluvia  that  arose  from  it — while  myriads  of 
Hies  and  loathsome  insects  rested  on  it,  the  former  of  which  every  now 
and  then  visited  me,  crawling  over  my  face  and  hands,  and  lighting  in 
liundreds  on  my  victuals. 

At  last,  when  the  body  had  reached  that  shocking,  loathsome  state  of 
putrefaction,  which  threatened  that  further  delay  would  render  removal 
nbominable,  if  not  impossible,  the  monsters  agreed  to  taka  it  awa;-  from 
me,  and  I  was  so  far  relieved :  but  the  mortification  and  injury  I  underwent 
from  it,  joined  to  the  agitation  of  the  preceding  week,  made  a  visible  in- 
road on  my  health.  I  totally  lost  my  spirits;  my  appetite  entirely  forsook 
me :  my  long  nourished  hopes  fled ;  and  I  looked  forward  to  death  as  the 
only  desirable  event  that  was  within  the  verge  of  likelihood  or  possibility. 
One  day  I  perceived  a  more  than  usual  bustle  in  the  citadel,  while  the 
sepoys  informed  me  that  they  were  ordered  on  immediate  service,  and 
that  some  events  of  great  importance  had  taken  place.  In  a  day  or  two 
the  bustle  increased  to  a  high  pitch,  accompanied  with  marks  of  conster- 
nation: the  whole  of  the  troops  in  the  citadel  were  ordered  to  march, 
and  the  commandant,  and  a  man  with  a  hammer  und  instrument,,  came  to 
take  off  my  irons. 

I  was  utterly  at  a  loss  to  conjecture  what  this  so  sudden  resolution  to 
release  me  meant.  I  endeavored  to  get  some  explanation  of  it  from  th«; 
persons  about  me ;  but  all  I  could  at  the  time  collect,  was  that  the  Jema- 
dar had  directed  me  to  be  taken  out  of  irons,  and  ordered  me  to  appear 
before  him.  As  we  proceeded  forward,  we  found,  at  some  distance  from 
the  fort,  an  open  dooly,  into  which  the  guards  forcibly  crammed  me;  and 
I  was  carried  off,  still  attended  by  the  same  men.  As  we  went  along, 
they  gave  me  to  understand  that  Hyat  Sahib,  the  Jemadar,  was  at  a  place 
ten  or  a  dozen  miles  distant  from  Biddanore,  I  thought  it  within  myself 
a  most  extraordinary  circumstance,  and  was  at  a  loss  to  conjecture  for 
what  purpose  he  required  my  presence  there. 

When  we  had  got  about  a  mile  from  the  fort,  we  met  a  person  attende<l 
by  three  others,  all  on  horseback.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable  rank 
in  that  country,  and  I  recollected  to  have  seen  him  at  the  Jemadar's  court, 
where  he  had  manifested  a  favorable  disposition  toward  me,  looking  al- 
ways graciously,  and  nodding  to  me,  which,  considering  my  circumstances 
and  his,  was  not  a  little  extraordinary.  The  moment  he  recognized  me, 
he  leaped  from  his  horse,  apparently  in  great  agitation :  then,  turning  to 
the  guards,  ordered  them  to  leave  me  immediately — saying,  at  the  same 
time,  that  he  would  be  answerable  for  the  consequences.  They  seemed, 
at  first,  to  hesitate  whether  to  obey  him  or  not:  but  on  his  shaking  at 
them  his  sword,  which  was  all  along  drawn  in  his  hand,  and  smeared  with 
blood,  and  repeating  his  orders  a  second  time,  in  a  firm  aD;d  decisive 
tone  of  voice  and  manner,  they  all  ran  off. 

As  soon  as  we  were  alone,  he  revealed  to  me,  that  he  had  all  along 
known  who  I  was — ^had  most  heartily  pitied  my  sufferings,  and  privately 
entertained  the  most  anxious  wishes  to  serve  me,  but  could  not  venture 
to  interfere — the  least  jealousy,  when  once  awakened,  being  ther  j  always 
followed  up  by  summary  vengeance.  He  then  mentioned  his  name,  in- 
forming me  that  he  was  the  son  of  a  Nabob  near  Vellore,  whose  domin> 
ions  had  been  wrested  from  him  by  force,  and  united  to  the  Carnatic ; 
that  his  family  had  received  great  favors  from  my  father,  in  return  for 


llpi 


i' 


194  SUFFERINGS  OF  DONALD  OAMI'BELL. 

«,«  h.  might  ..U«.  hi.  -wenge  ^y  J™'  J?"^    "°«  "J^th  mo. 
^■"just  a8  I  was  on  the  point  of  returning  with  him  to  Hydernagur,  we 

meant  to  have  cut  me  ott,  1  deemea  ii  pruucu         ,      ,. '        worse  fate 

I  was  soon  seized  with  the  most  «^""«";  '"^  f  foU  asTmy^nside  was 

succeeded  by  a  v-lent  vo^t.ng  ^^^^ 

utterly  decayed  and  allrt8func^.o„8^^^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^.^^  ^,. 

head  seemed  deranged— I  *^^°"''*  ,^*^*7-  ^    "_jL  with  agonizing  pain; 
what  was  said:  lifting  up  my  head  was  f«!^^f  ^'Jl,*?? as  approach- 

duties.  ,  ,,^  . 


ir»<^-i»«.w":^:''' 


mmmmmm 


his  power ;  but 
imily,  taken  into 
sequence  under 
I  and  esteem  in 
h  agitated  but. 
manner,  "This 
■e  him,  in  order 
r  happy  am  1  in 
I  back  with  mc 
ecurity  with  my 

Hydernagur,  wc 
n  afterward  suc- 
vard  us  at  some 
lented,  in   warm 
ith  which  wound 
cted  me  to  strikf 
[  should  certainly 
id  I  followed  liis 
without  interrup- 
n  that  Hyat  Sahib 
nyself  of  the  op- 
ling  a  worse  fate 
a. 

y  escape,  was  the 
friend  of  my  fa- 
valry  soon  after  I 
3p,  upon  the  bare 
le,  recollected  me 
ice,  for  it  was  full 
at  the  same  time, 
id.     I  had  no  hat, 
hes,  a  shirt  which 
n  a  web  of  cloth, 
my  size — while  my 
of  Indian  slippers, 
nd  stop  the  loqua- 
sral,  who  expressed 

I  my  restoration  to 
y  constitution ;  and 
pains,  which  were 
i  if  my  inside  was 
at  the  same  time  my 
nd  the  meaning  of 
ith  agonizing  pain; 
myself  as  approach- 
,  and  good  medical 
eeks,  so  material  a 
>  returD  to  .ay  usual 


THE    CAPTIVITY 


or 


THOMAS    ANDEOS. 

■wot  PMTOB  or  *n  obvbob  ai  Banunr,  mam.,  on  boaeo 


THE  OLD  JERSEY  PRISON  SHIP. 


I  WAS  but  m  my  seventeenth  year  when  the  revolutionary  struMle 
commenced,  and  no  politician;  but  even  a  schoolboy  could  see  the  jus- 
tice of  some  of  the  principles,  on  the  ground  of  which  the  country  had 
recourse  to  arms.  The  colonies  had  arrived  at  the  age  of  manhood. 
They  were  fully  competent  to  govern  themselves,  and  Ihey  demanded 
their  freedom,  or,  at  least,  a  just  representation  in  the  national  legislature, 
tor  a  power  three  thousand  miles  distant  to  claim  a  right  to  make  laws 
o  bind  us  in  all  cases  whatever,  and  wo  to  have  no  voice  in  that  legisla- 
tion, this,  i    seemed,  was  a  principle  to  which  two  millions  of  freemen 

^v«^£h  n  t?™^^  *^  '"'T'V.  .^°^  ^  ""  P«*'»'°"«  ''"d  remonstrances 
availed  nothing,  and  as  the  British  government,  instead  of  the  charter  of 
our  liberties  and  rights,  sent  her  fleets  and  armies  to  enforce  her  arbi- 
trary claims,  the  colonies  had  no  alternative  but  slavery  or  war      Anneal 

wilt^T^^'^  ^it  '^V^''^<^^  "f  '^^"  «ause,  they  chose"the  lE  . 
Whether  I  approved  the  motives  that  led  me  into  the  service,  is  another 
question,  which  I  shall  presently  notice. 

In  the  summer  of  1781,  the  ship  Hannah,  a  very  rich  prize,  was  cap- 
tured and  brought  into  the  port  of  New  London'  But  in  this  case  h 
w^re  ?ho7/r^!  ?  f°  coinmon  lottery-gambling,  for  it  followed  that  there 
were  thousands  of  fearful  blanks  to  this  one  prize.     It  infatuated  great 

h^^r  ?u  ^"""^  '"^"'  ''''*•  ^"""^^^  °°  ^""'^  °»'  P"^''te  armed  ships, 
fancying  the  same  success  would  attend  their  adventures;  but  no  such 

rS  an.«r7'*^'^'''°"«t*'"V°  't'  P°^-  B»*  New  Undon  became 
such  a  nest  of  privateers,  that  the  English  determined  on  its  destruction. 

ArntL  °i  *"  »™''"?«°t  ^i  laid  it  in  ashes,  took  Fort  Griswold,  on  the 
tiroton  side  of  the  river,  and,  with  savage  cruelty,  put  the  garrisoL  to  the 
sword,  after  they  had  surrendered.  Another  mighty  blank  to  this  prize, 
was,  that  our  privateers  so  swarmed  on  the  ocean,  that  the  British  cruisers 
who  were  everywhere  m  pursuit  of  them,  soon  filled  their  prisons  at  New 
York  tr  overflowing,  witn  captured  American  seamen. 

Among  these  deluded  and  infatuated  youth,  I  was  one.  I  entered  a 
volunteer  on  board  a  new  brig,  called  the  Fair  American,  built  on  purpose 
to  prey  upon  the  British  commerce.  She  mounted  sixteen  carriage  gCs, 
and  was  manned  with  a  crew,  who^e  numbers  exceeded  what  wL  really 
wIk  ™  'iT*"*-  ?''•'.  <l"*rter-dec.:,  tops,  and  long-boat,  were  crowdeJ. 
with  musketry,  so  that  in  action  she  was  a  complete  flame  of  fire. 

(196) 


196 


THE  OLD  JERSEY  CAPTIVE. 


W.  had  no.  been  long  ..  «.,  "-"fr.  »= ji'^»Lre'' roS  """«"" 

™  Engiw.  brig, ..  i°°e„'f  J/'J jJird^S:T.h  ho"  "tom-l"'".  b". 

ss;re,r;n7r«£™;t^^^^^      --,^1 :? 

Sft  ^e  r  c^rrK  X'rSe':  -And,  ,b.n.s  bo  .o  0«., 

no  lives  were  lost.  .  ^  ^^^j^^  ^er  into  port. 

I,  with  others,  went  on  board,  to  man  »«»«?['?;  ^  j^  approach 

But  the  P!i---»-,5^f;ra5"a  hed  "eTongUudrof  New  Bedford, 
the  American  coast  till  he  "ad/eacnea  vi  b  ^^^^ 

t>ei7s::rL";r.;r.a'^'ru,ro<r*or.e„riin;M;^^ 

New  York.  , ,    .  ,    i.       „.,„  _i,:„  whirh  throush  aap,  had  become 

This  was  an  old  s.xty-four  g^^.^'P' 7;;jV^^^^^^  ,,Jf '  ,,  and  all 
unfit  for/«rther  actual  s™  fp« -^K, tr  lion  fi^urlhead  was 
her  rigging.  After  a  »>«"e  wixn  a  -„pearance  of  ornament  was  left, 
taken  away,  to  repair  ajaother  «»VP'  "^^^JP^^n  hulk.  Her  dark  and 
and  nothing  remained  but  an  old,  uns.ghy,ro^^^^^^  ^^^^^  ^^^ 

filthy  external  appearance  perfectly  com  ^^^^ 

despair  that  reigned  w'»^'°' ^°«flvnS  or  anv  circumstance  or  appen- 
truth  than  to  paint  her  with  colors  fly>ng' />^  ^^^^^^  three  quarters  of  a  mile 
dage  to  please  the  «£     S^^^p-J™^  V^^^^^^^  Long  Island 

to  the  eastward  of  Brooklyn  Uerry,  near  u  ^^j 

shore.    The  »r'^'"'Te  Brit  s'h  naTeve^p^^^^^^^ 

doubtless,  no  other  ship  in  the  Bn  is^  "avy  ^^^^  P      ^  ^^^  „„  i^^g  ,han 

destruction  of  so  many  human  ^«™g^;  ." '^^n  her  But  after  it  was 
eleven  thousand  American  ^^^'"Xff  to  confine  a  prisoner  here,  the 
known  that  it  was  next  to  ««7'°  .f/J^^^XuTthe  Tame  as  if  he  had 
inhumanity  and  wickedness  f  ,.f '°g  *  X^n  some  public  square.  Once 
beentaken  intothecuy,  and  ^^^^^^^ ^^;::Z2cK  a  b'ag  of  apple. 
or  twice,  by  the  order  ot  a  stranger  o  ^  ^  ^  prisoners  crowdco 
was  hurled  promiscuously  '°t«}hp  ^^f^^'i-fe^d  limbs  were  endangered 
together  as  thick  -  ^.^s^SeX^^m^^^^^^^  a  cruel  sport.    When 

by  the  scramble.     1  his,  msteaa  oi  coi  ^  '  ,•  ^    ^    ^rt  of  the  ship. 

/saw  it  about  to  commence  I  fled  to  the  most  d^sta^t^pa  ^^.^^^  ^J^  ^^ 

On  the  commencement  ^i^^^^XvlronT^nss  and  an  armed  soldiery- 
darkness  between  <i««''«' ^^^^'^J^'y 'neSptSn,  presented  itself.  On 
and  a  scene  of  horror,  which  baffles  all  ^lescripuon,  p  Around 

"ery  side  wretched,  desponding  shapes  of  men  couW  ^e  seen.  ^^^ 

the  iell-room,  an  armed  guard  *«'^/«'";°S  JP  eJ^^  and  little 

winches,  to  clear  the  ship  of  water,  «f„^  P;^^""*,^^^^^^^^  and 

else  could  be  heard  but  '^Jo^\^l^l'^^[  S  dim  Ught  admitted  be- 

«Kth!tS;rw-Tr;tqu^^^^ 

pressed  into  the  service  of  ^«  ^^JSJ^J:"  The«  were  two  hospital- 
were  dysentery,  8m|dlpox,  and  yellow  teven  ^^^^  ^.^^^  ^j^^. 

ships  near  to  the  Old  J««!«y' ^"*  ^Jf  "llf  .'^  rMequence  was,  that  th. 
sick,  that  they  could  receive  no  more,     iiie  connenu 


>  et.ai»»i**i-^i**U'ift'^»' 


THE  BRUTAL  SENTRY. 


197 


I  gave  chase  to 
inting  as  many 
ern-chaaers,  but 
,  as  noar  as  wo 
I  one  salu*.  J  of 
anks  be  to  Go<l, 

ke  her  into  port, 
not  to  approach 
f  New  Bedford, 
of  sail,  to  make 
of  Long  Island : 
r  August,  by  the 
sy  prison  ship,  at 

igp,  had  become 
rery  spar,  and  all 
1  figure-head  was 
rnament  was  left, 
.     Iler  dark  and 
h  the  death  and 
are  foreign   from 
[Stance  or  appen- 
juarters  of  a  mile 
1  the  Long  Island 
renty  rods.     And, 
1  the  means  of  the 
1  that  no  less  than 

But  after  it  was 
prisoner  here,  the 
same  as  if  he  had 
iblic  square.  Once 
:k,  a  bag  of  apple? 

prisoners  crowdco 
IS  were  endangered 
cruel  sport.    When 
part  of  the  ship, 
re  driven  down  to 

an  armed  soldiery 
esented  itself.  On 
1  be  seen.  Around 
le  prisoners  to  the 
r  sinking,  and  little 
ins,  reproaches,  and 
a  light  admitted  be- 
horror  more  terrific, 
f  suffering,  despair 

on  board,  but  in  a 
in  proportion  to  our 
eadly  diseases  were 
;  his  prime  ministers 
3  were  two  hospital- 
10  crowded  vyith  tht; 
(uence  was,  that  thi' 


diseased  and  the  healthy  were  mingled  together  in  the  miiin  ship.  In  a 
.short  time  we  had  two  hundred,  or  more,  sick  &jd  dying,  lodged  in  the 
forepart  of  the  lower  gun-deck,  where  all  the  prisoners  were  confined 
at  niglit.  Utter  derangement  was  a  common  symptom  of  yellow  fever, 
and  \o  increase  the  horror  of  the  darkness  that  shrouded  us,  (for  wr 
wore  allowed  no  light  between  decks,)  the  voice  of  warning  would  he 
lieard,  "Take  heed  to  yourselves.  There  is  a  madman  stalking  through 
the  ship  with  a  knife  in  his  hand!"  i  sometimes  found  the  man  a  corps* 
in  tile  morning,  by  whose  side  I  laid  myself  down  at  night.  At  another 
time  he  would  become  deranged,  and  attempt,  in  darkness,  to  rise  and 
stumble  over  tlie  bodies  that  everywhere  covered  the  deck.  In  this  case. 
I  had  to  hold  him  in  his  place  by  main  strength.  In  spite  of  my  efforts 
he  would  sometimes  rise,  and  then  I  had  to  close  in  with  him,  trip  up  hit- 
heels,  and  lay  him  again  upon  the  deck.  While  so  many  were  sick  with 
raging  fever,  there  was  a  loud  cry  for  water,  but  none  could  be  had,  «;x- 
cept  on  the  upper  deck,  and  but  one  allowed  to  ascend  at  a  time.  Tlit 
sulfering,  then,  from  the  rage  of  thirst  during  the  night,  was  very  great : 
nor  was  it  at  all  times  safe  to  attempt  to  go  up.  Provoked  by  the  continual 
cry  for  leave  to  ascend,  when  there  was  already  one  on  deck,  the  sentry 
would  push  them  back  with  his  bayonet.  By  one  of  these  thrusts,  whicti 
was  more  spiteful  and  violent  than  common,  I  had  a  narrow  escape  of 
my  life.  In  the  morning  the  hatchways  were  thrown  open,  and  we  weri' 
allowed  to  ascend,"  all  at  once,  and  remain  on  the  upper-deck  during  th»; 
day.  But  the  first  object  that  met  our  view  in  the  morning,  was  an  appal- 
ling spectacle — a  boat  loaded  with  dead  bodies,  conveying  them  to  th» 
Long  Island  shore,  where  they  were  very  slightly  covered  with  sand.  I 
sometimes  used  to  stand  to  count  the  number  of  times  the  shovel  was 
filled  with  sand  to  cover  a  dead  body;  and  certain  I  am  that  a  few  higii 
tides,  or  torrents  of  rain,  must  have  disinterred  them.  And  had  they  noi 
been  removed,  I  should  suppose  the  shore,  even  now,  would  be  covered 
with  huge  piles  of  the  bones  of  American  seamen.  There  were,  proba 
bly,  four  hundred  on  board  who  had  never  had  the  smallpox — some,  p«T- 
haps,  might  have  been  saved  by  inoculation. 

Now  and  then  an  American  physician  was  brought  in  as  a  captive,  but 
if  he  could  obtain  his  parole,  he  left  the  ship;  nor  could  we  much  blame 
him  for  this — for  his  own  death  was  next  to  certain,  and  his  success  iii 
saving  others  by  medicine,  in  our  situation,  was  small.  I  remember  only 
two  American  physicians  who  tarried  on  board  a  few  days.  No  Engliaii 
physician,  or  any  one  from  the  city,  ever,  to  my  knowledge,  came  near  us. 
There  were  thirteen  of  the  crew  to  which  I  belonged;  but  in  a  short 
time  all  but  three  or  four  were  dead.  The  most  healthy  and  vigorou* 
were  first  seized  with  the  fever,  and  died  in  a  few  horrs.  For  them, 
there  seemed  to  be  no  mercy.  My  constitution  was  less  muscular  and 
plethoric,  and  I  escaped  the  fever  longer  than  any  of  the  thirteen,  except 
one,  and  the  first  onset  was  less  violent. 

There  is  one  palliating  circumstance,  as  to  the  inhumanity  of  the  Brit- 
ish, which  ought  to  be  mentioned.  The  prisoners  were  furnished  with 
buckets  and  brushes  to  cleanse  the  ship,  and  with  vinegar  to  sprinkle  her 
inside.  But  their  indolence  and  despair  were  such,  that  they  would  not 
use  them,  or  but  rarely.  And,  indeed,  at  this  time,  the  encouragement 
to  do  it  was  small.  For  the  whole  ship,  from  the  keel  to  the  tafferel,  was 
equally  aflected,  and  contained  pestilence  sufiicient  to  desolate  a  world — 
disease  and  death  were  wrought  into  her  very  timbers.  At  the  time  1 
left,  it  is  to  be  presumed  a  more  filthy,  contagious,  and  deadly  abode  for 


!-*«J  )»„,rflJ*f,iWi^,fc,-atT-*fl(*' 


198 


THE  OLD  JERSEY  CAPTIVE. 


human  beings  never  existed  among  a  Christianized  people.  It  fell  but 
little  short  of  the  Black  Hole  at  Calcutta.  Death  was  more  hngormg, 
but  almost  equally  certain. 

The  lower  hold  and  the  orlop-deck  were  such  a  terror,  that  no  man 
would  venture  down  into  them.     Humanity  would  have  dictated  a  mjre 
merciful  treatment  to  a  band  of  pirates,  who  had  been  condemned,  and  were 
only  awaiting  the  gibbet,  than  to  have  sent  them  here.     But,  m  thy  lew  of 
the  English,  we  were  rebels  and  traitors.     Our  water  was  good,  could 
we  havl  had  enough  of  it;  our  bread  was  bad  m  the  superlative  degree. 
I  do  not  recollect  seeing  any  which  was  not  full  of  living  vermin ;   but 
cat  it,  worms  and  all,  we  must,  or  starve.     The  prisoners  had  laws  and 
regulations  among  themselves.     In  severity  they  were  like  the  laws  of 
Draco— woe  to  him  that  dared  to  trample  them  under  foot.    A  secret,  pre- 
judicial to  a  prisoner,  revealed  to  the  guard,  was  death.     Captain  Young, 
of  Boston,  concealed  himself  in  a  largo  chest,  belonging  to  a  sailor  going 
to  be  exchanged,  and  was  carried  on  board  the  cartel,  and  we  considered 
his  escape  as  certain ;  but  the  secret  leaked  out,  and  he  was  brought 
back;  and  one  Spicer,  of  Providence,  being  suspected  as  the  traitor,  the 
enraged  prisoners  were  about  to  take  his  life.     His  head  vvas  Jfawn  back, 
and  the  knife  raised  to  cut  his  throat;  but,  having  obtained  a  hint  of  what 
was  going  on  below.,  the  guard  at  this  instant  rushed  down,  and  rescued 
the  man      Of  his  guilt,  at  the  time,  there  was  to  me,  at  least,  no  con- 
vincing evidence.     It  is  a  pleasure  now  to  reflect  that  I  had  no  hand  m 

*  IfXre  was  any  principle  among  the  prisoners  that  could  not  be  shaken 
it  was  the  love  of  their  country.  I  knew  no  one  to  be  seduced  into  the 
British  service.  They  attempted  to  force  one  of  our  prize  brig  s  crew 
into  the  navy;  but  he  chose  rather  to  die  than  perform  any  duty,  and  he 
was  again  Restored  to  the  prison  ship.  Another  rule,  the  violation  ot 
which  would  expose  the  oftender  to  great  danger,  was,  not  to  touch  the 
provisions  belonging  to  another  mess.  This  was  a  common  cause,  and 
if  any  one  complained  that  he  was  robbed,  it  produced  an  excitement  ot 

"°As\o  ieUg[on,  I  do  not  remember  of  beholding  any  trace  of  it  in  the 
shin  I  saw  no  Bible— heard  no  prayer— no  religious  conversation— no 
clergyman  visited  us,  though  no  set  of  afflicted  and  dying  men  more 
needid  the  light  and  Consolations  of  religion.  But  the  Bethel  flag  had 
not  yet  waved  over  any  ship.  I  know  not  that  God's  name  was  ever 
mentioned,  unless  it  was  in  profaneness  and  blasphemy;  but  as  every 
man  had  almost  the  certain  prospect  of  death  before  hm,  no  doubt  there 
were  more  or  less  who,  in  their  own  minds,  like  myself,  had  some  serious 
thoughts  of  their  accountability,  of  a  future  state,  and  of  a  judgment  to 
come;  but,  as  to  the  main  body,  it  seemed  that  when  they  most  needed 
relision,  they  treated  it  with  the  greatest  contempt. 

While  on"board,  almost  every  thought  was  occupied  »« .'Y^J  ?o™« 
plan  of  escape ;  but  day  after  day  passed,  and  none  presented  that  1  dared 
to  put  in  execution.  But  the  time  had  now  come  when  I  must  be  deliv- 
ered from  the  ship  or  die.  It  could  not  be  delayed  even  a  few  days  longer 
but  no  plan  could  I  think  of  that  off-ered  a  gleam  of  hope.  It  I  did  escape 
with  my  life,  I  could  see  no  way  for  it  but  by  a  miracle.  If  »  continued 
on  board  a  few  days,  or  even  hours  longer,  the  prospect  was  certain  death 
for  I  was  now  seized  with  the  yellow  fever,  and  should  unavoidably  take 
the  natural  smallpox  with  it;  and  who  does  not  know  that  I  could  not 
survive   the   operation   of  both  these  diseases  at  once?     1  had  never 


*<  f  ■-'*'■• 'T'-'^^^?^*^'" 


IK<#«.  AgMHf  M>f^  >'■ 


It  foil  but 
ore  lingering, 

that  no  man 
ctated  a  mjre 
ined,  and  were 

in  the  view  of 
good,  could 

ative  degree, 
vermin ;   but 

lad  laws  and 
the  lawa  of 

A  secret,  pre- 
]!aptain  Young, 
I  a  sailor  going 
we  considered 
!  was  brought 
the  traitor,  the 
raa  drawn  back, 

a  hint  of  what 

I,  and  rescued 

least,  no  con- 
ad  no  hand  in 

1  not  be  shaken, 
duced  into  the 
ize  brig's  crew 
ly  duty,  and  he 
the  violation  of 
ot  to  touch  the 
mon  cause,  and 
n  excitement  of 

ice  of  it  in  the 
anversation — no 
jring  men  more 
Bethel  flag  had 
name  was  ever 
f;  but  as  every 
,  no  doubt  there 
ad  some  serious 
■  a  judgment  to 
ey  most  needed 

to  invent  some 
ited  that  I  dared 
[  must  be  deliv- 
few  days  longer; 
If  I  did  escape 
If  I  continued 
as  certain  death; 
mavoidably  take 
hat  I  could  not 
?    I  had  never 


THE  STRATAGEM. 


199 


experienced  the  latter  disease  in  any  way,  and  it  was  now  lioginning  to 
rage  on  board  the  Old  Jersey,  and  none  could  bo  removed.  The  hospital- 
ships  being  already  full  of  the  sick,  the  pox  was  nearly  ripu  in  tiic  puH- 
tules  of  some;  and  I  not  only  slept  near  them,  but  assisted  in  nursing 
those  who  iiad  the  symptoms  must  violently.  In  a  very  short  time  my 
doom  must  have  been  settled,  had  i  remained  in  the  ship. 

The  arrival  of  a  cartel,  and  my  being  exchanged,  would  not  help  the 
matter,  but  render  my  death  the  more  sure.  When  a  list  of  the  names 
of  the  prisoners  was  called  for,  on  board  the  frigate  by  which  we  were 
captured,  1  stepped  up  and  gave  in  my  name  first,  supposing  that,  in  case 
of  an  exchange,  I  should  be  the  sooner  favored  with  this  privilege.  And 
the  fact,  indeed,  was,  that  no  exchanges  took  place  but  from  the  port  of 
New  London.  And  former  exchanges  had  left  me  first  on  the  roll  of 
captives  from  this  port ;  and  I  dreaded  nothing  more  than  the  arrival  of 
a  cartel,  for  numbers  would  be  put  on  board  and  sent  home  from  the 
hospital-ships,  whose  flesh  was  ready  to  fall  from  their  bones  in  this 
dreadful  disease;  and,  indeed,  I  had  no  sooner  uiado  my  escape  than  a 
cartel  did  arrive,  and  such  dying  men  were  actually  crowded  into  it ;  and 
it  was  evidently  the  policy  of  the  English  to  return,  for  sound  and  healthy 
men  sent  from  our  prisons,  such  Americans  as  had  just  the  breath  of  life 
in  them,  and  were  sure  to  die  before  they  reached  home.  The  guard 
were  wont  to  tell  a  man  while  in  health,  "  You  have  not  been  here  long 
enough — you  are  too  well  to  be  exchanged."  There  was  yet  one  more 
conceivable  method  of  getting  from  the  ship,  and  that  was,  the  next  night 
to  steal  down  through  a  gun-port,  which  we  had  managed  to  open  when 
we  pleased,  unbeknown  to  the  guard,  and  swim  ashore.  But  this  was  a 
most  forlorn  hope ;  for  I  was  under  the  operation  of  the  yellow  fever, 
and  but  just  able  to  walk,  and  when  well  I  could  never  swim  ten  rods, 
and  would  now  have  at  least  twenty  to  swim.  Beside,  when  in  the  water, 
there  was  almost  a  certainty  I  should  be  discovered  by  the  guard  and  shot, 
as  others  had  been.  In  this  situation  what  wisdom,  or  what  finite  power 
could  save  me?  If  I  tarried  on  board,  I  must  perish!  If  put  on  board  the 
cartel,  every  hour  expected,  I  must  perish!  If  I  attempted  to  swim 
away,  I  must  be  lost! 

Mr.  Emery,  the  sailing-master,  was  just  now  going  ashore  after  water. 
Without  really  considering  what  I  said,  and  without  the  least  expectation 
of  success,  I  thus  addressed  him, ''  Mr.  Emery,  may  I  go  on  shore  with 
you  after  water  ?''  My  lips  seemed  to  move  almost  involuntarily,  for  no 
such  thing  to  my  knowledge  had  ever  been  granted  to  such  a  prisoner. 
To  the  surprise  and  astonishment  of  all  that  heard  him,  he  replied,  '*  Yes, 
with  all  my  heart."  I  then  descended  immediately  into  the  boat,  which 
was  in  waiting  for  him.  But  the  prisoners  came  to  the  ship's  side  and 
queried,  "  What  is  that  sick  man  going  on  shore  for  ?"  And  the  British 
sailors  endeavored  to  dissuade  me  from  it,  but  never  was  counsel  so  little 
regarded  as  theirs,  and  to  put  them  all  to  silence  I  again  ascended  on 
board  ;  but  even  this  was  an  interposition  of  a  kind  Providence,  fur  I  had 
neglected  to  take  my  great-coat,  without  which  I  must  have  perished  in 
cold  and  storms.  But  I  now  put  it  on,  and  waited  for  the  sailing-master, 
meaning  to  step  down  again  into  the  boat  just  before  him,  which  I  did, 
and  turned  my  face  away,  that  I  might  not  be  recognised,  and  another 
attempt  be  made  to  prevent  my  going.  The  boat  was  pushed  otf,  and  we 
were  soon  clear  of  the  ship.  I  took  an  oar,  and  attempted  to  row,  but 
an  English  sailor  took  it  from  me,  and  very  kindly  said,  "  Give  me  that 
oar,  you  are  not  able  to  use  it;  you  are  too  unwell."     I  resigned  it,  and 


V<»f..i^  - 


aoo 


THE  OLD  JERSEY  CAPTIVE. 


1 


save  up  mysolf  to  the  most  intenBo  thought  upon  my  situation.     I  had 
commenced  the  execution  of  a  plan,  in  which,  if  I  failed,  my  life  was 
gone  ;  but  if  I  succeeded,  it  was  possible  I  might  live.     I  looked  back  to 
the  black  and  unsightly  old  ship,  as  an  object  of  the  greatest  horror. 
«  Am  I  to  escape,  or  return  there  and  perish,"  was  with  me  the  all-ab- 
sorbing question.     And  now  we  had  ascended  the  creek,  and  arrived  at 
the  spring  where  the  casks  were  to  be  filled,  and  I  proposed  to  tlie  sailors 
to  go  in  quest  of  apples.     I  had  before  told  them  that  this  was  my  object 
in  coming  on  shore,  but  they  chose  to  defer  it  till  the  boat  was  loaded  ; 
and  they  did  not  exact  any  labor  of  me.     This  was  just  as  I  would  have 
it.     I  thought  I  could  do  quite  as  well  without  their  company  as  with  it. 
The  sailing-master,  passing  by  me,  very  kindly  remarked,  "  The  fresh 
air  will  be  of  service  to  you."     This  emboldened  me  to  ask  leave  to  as- 
cend the  bank,  a  slope  of  about  forty-five  degrees  and  thirty  feet  in  height, 
terminating  in  a  plain  of  considerable  extent,  and  to  call  at  a  house  near 
by  for  some  refreshment.     Ho  said,  "  Go,  but  take  care  and  not  be  out 
of  the  way."     I  replied,  "  My  state  of  health  was  such  that  there  was 
nothing  to  fear  on  that  score."     But  here,  I  confess,  I  violated  a  princi- 
ple of  honor  for  which  I  could  not  then,  nor  can  I  now  entirely  excuse 
myself.     I  feel  a  degree  of  conscious  meanness  for  treating  a  man  thus, 
who  put  confidence  in  me,  and  treated  me  in  such  a  manner  as  showed 
lie  was  a  gentleman  of  sensibility  and  kindness.     But  the  love  of  life  was 
my  temptation  ;  but  this  principle  is  always  too  great,  when  it  tempts  us 
to  violate  any  principle  of  moral  rectitude  and  honor.     And  slmuld  I  even 
now  learn  that  my  escape  involved  him  in  any  trouble,  it  would  be  a 
matter  of  deep  regret.     Not  long  after  m^  arrival  at  home,  I  sent  hijn  my 
apology  for  what  1  did,  by  a  British  officer,  who  was  exchanged,  and  going 

directly  to  New  York.  ,     ,      ^        •  /     i 

When  the  boat  returned,  the  inquiry  was  made  by  the  prisoners,  ^as  l 
was  afterward  informed,)  "  Where  is  the  sick  man  that  wem  with  you  ? 
The  English  sailors  consoled  themselves  with  this  reply,  "  Ah,  he  is  safe 
enough,  he  will  never  live  to  go  a  mile."     They  did  not  know  what  the 
Sovereign  of  life  and  death  could  enable  a  sick  man  to  do.     Intent  on  the 
business  of  escape,  I  surveyed  the  landscape  all  around.     I  discovered 
at  the  distance  of  a  half  a  mile,  what  appeared  to  be  a  dense  swamp  of 
young  maples  and  other  bushes.     On  this  I  fixed  as  my  hiding-place  ; 
but  how  should  I  get  to  it  without  being  discovered  and  apprehended  be- 
fore I  could  reach  it?     I  had  reason  to  think  the  boat's  crew  would  keep 
an  eye  upon  me ;  and  people  were  to  be  seen  at  ti  distance  in  almost 
every  direction.     But  there  was  an  orchard  which  extended  a  good  way 
toward  the  swamp,  and  while  I  wandered  from  tree  to  tree,  in  this  orchard, 
I  should  not  be  suspected  of  anything  more  than  searching  after  fruit. 
But  at  my  first  entrance  into  it  I  found  a  soldier  on  sentry,  and  I  had  to 
find  out  what  his  business  was,  and  soon  discovered  he  had  nothing  to  do 
with  me,  but  only  to  guard  a  heap  of  apples;  and  I  now  gradually  worked 
myself  oflf  to  the  end  of  the  orchard  next  to  the  swamp,  and,  looking  round 
on  every  side,  I  saw  no  person  from  whom  I  might  apprehend  immediate 

The  boat's  crew  being  yet  at  work  under  the  bank  of  the  creek,  and 
out  of  sight,  1  stepped  off  deliberately,  (for  I  was  unable  to  run,  and  had 
I  been  able,  it  would  have  tended  to  excite  suspicion  in  any  one  that  might 
have  seen  me,  even  at  a  distance,)  and  having  forded  the  creek  once  or 
twice,  I  reached  the  swamp  in  safety.  I  soon  found  a  place  which  seemed 
to  have  been  formed  by  nature  for  concealment.     A  huge  log,  twenty 


■  ■t-^^^gtm^pi^fi^-i-^ff***^^'*^.-^ 


-^ym^^,*iri;'ii^f^^:^i»fiif^yf'* 


ESCAPE. 


201 


tuation.     I  had 

d,  my  life  wa« 

looked  back  to 

reatcst  horror. 

me  the  all-ab- 

and  arrived  at 

d  to  t!ie  sailorH 

was  my  object 

at  was  loaded ; 

18  I  would  have 

)any  as  with  it. 

d,  "  The  fresh 

ask  leave  to  as- 

y  fuet  in  height, 

at  a  house  near 

and  not  be  out 

that  there  was 

olated  a  princi- 

entirely  excuse 

ing  a  man  thus, 

iner  as  showed 

love  of  life  was 

icn  it  tempts  us 

id  sliould  I  even 

I,  it  would  be  a 

),  I  sent  hun  my 

iiged,  and  going 

prisoners,  (as  1 
■em  with  you  ?" 
"  Ah,  he  is  safe 
;  know  what  the 
I.  Intent  on  tlie 
I.  I  discovered 
dense  swamp  of 
ly  hiding-place  ; 
ipprehended  be- 
rew  would  keep 
stance  in  almost 
ided  a  good  way 
,  in  this  orchard, 
;hing  after  fruit, 
try,  and  I  had  to 
ad  nothing  to  do 
gradually  worked 
id,  looking  round 
bend  immediate 

r  the  creek,  and 
!  to  run,  and  had 
ly  one  that  might 
le  creek  once  or 
ce  which  seemed 
mge  log,  twenty 


feet  in  length,  having  laid  there  for  many  years,  was  spread  over,  on  both 
sides,  with  such  a  dense  covering  of  green  running  briers  as  to  bo  imper- 
vious to  the  eye.  Lifting  up  this  covering  at  one  end,  1  crept  in  close 
by  the  log,  and  rested  comfortably  and  securely,  for  I  was  well  defended 
from  the  nortli-east  storm,  which  soon  commenced. 

Wlieu  the  complete  darkness  of  the  night  had  set  in,  and  while  rain- 
ing in  torrents,  I  began  to  feel  my  way  out.  And  though  but  just  able 
to  walk,  and  though  often  thrown  all  along  into  the  water,  by  my  clothes 
getting  entangled  with  the  bushes,  yet  I  reached  the  dry  land,  and  en- 
deavor(xl  to  shape  my  course  for  the  east  end  of  Long  island.  In  this  I 
was  assisted  by  finding  how  New  York  bore  from  me,  by  the  sound  ol' 
ship-bcUs,  and  the  din  of  labor  and  activity,  even  at  that  late  time  of  night. 
Here  let  me  remark,  how  easy  it  is  with  (iod  to  cause  men  to  do  good, 
when  they  intend  no  such  thing.  Without  any  great-coat,  it  would  have 
been  scarcely  possible  to  have  survived  the  tempest  of  rain  and  cold  of 
this  night  in  the  month  of  October.  But  had  not  the  prisoners  endeavored 
to  prevent  my  going  in  the  boat  and  caused  me  to  ascend  again  into 
the  ship,  I  should  have  left  it  behind.  Little  did  I  then  think  what  good 
heaven  meant  to  bestow  on  me,  by  the  trouble  they  then  gave  me. 

I  soon  fell  into  a  road  that  seemed  to  lead  the  right  way,  and  when, 
during  the  night,  I  perceived  I  was  about  to  meet  any  one,  my  constant 
plan  was  to  retire  to  a  small  distance  from  the  path,  and  roll  myself  up  as< 
well  as  I  could  to  resemble  a  small  bunch  orbushes,  or  fern.  By  this 
expedient  I  was  often  saved  from  recapture.  This  road  soon  brought  mv 
into  a  quiet,  populous  village,  which  was  resounding  with  drums  and  fifes, 
and  full  of  soldiers ;  but,  in  great  mercy  to  me,  it  rained  in  torrents,  so  I 
passed  through,  in  the  midst  of  the  street,  in  safety.  Being  sick  and  greatly 
exhausted  by  the  adventures  of  the  day  and  night,  it  now  became  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  seek  a  place  of  rest,  and  a  barn  to  me  was  now  the 
only  place  in  which  I  dared  to  enter.  I  stepped  up  to  the  door,  of  what 
I  took  to  be  such  a  building,  and  was  just  about  to  open  it,  when  my  eye 
was  arrested  by  a  white  streak  on  the  threshold,  which  I  found  to  be  the 
light  reflected  from  a  candle,  and  I  heard  human  voices  within.  But 
human  voices  were  now  to  me  the  object  of  the  greatest  terror,  and  1  fled 
with  all  the  speed  I  possessed.  Coming  to  another  barn,  I  discovered  a 
high  stack  of  hay  in  the  yard,  covered  with  a  Dutch  cap :  I  ascended  and 
sunk  myself  down  deep  in  the  hay,  supposing  I  had  found  a  most  com- 
fortable retreat.  But  how  miserably  was  I  deceived!  The  weather  had 
now  cleared  up,  and  the  wind  blew  strong  and  cold  from  the  north-west, 
and  the  hay  was  nothing  but  coarse  sedge,  and  the  wind  passed  into  it 
and  reached  me  as  if  I  had  no  protection  from  it.  I  had  not  a  dry  thread 
in  my  clothes,  and  my  sufferings  from  this  time,  to  about  eleven  o'clock 
the  next  day,  were  great — too  great  even  for  health,  but  I  had  to  encoun- 
ter them  under  the  operation  of  a  malignant  fever,  which  would  have  con- 
fined me  to  my  room,  if  not  to  my  bed,  had  I  been  at  home. 

A  young  woman  came  into  the  yard  and  milked  a  cow,  just  at  the  foot 
of  the  tower  where  I  lay  concealed :  but  I  had  no  eye  to  pity,  or  kind 
hand  to  alleviate  my  distress.  This  brought  home,  with  all  the  tender 
charities  of  mother,  sister,  and  brothers,  to  my  recollection,  with  a  sensi- 
bility I  coul^  feel,  but  cannot  describe.  The  day  was  clear  and  grew 
more  moderate,  and  the  coast  being  clear,  also,  I  left  my  cold  and  wretched 
retreat,  and  deliberately  made  off  for  the  woods,  at  the  distance  of  half 
a  mile.  Before  I  left  the  ship  1  had  seen  prisoners  who  had  escaped, 
retaken  and  carried  back.     But  their  mistake  was,  they  would  go  two,  oi 


•«rT 


j,7wmtw 


202 


THE  OLD  JERSEY  CAPTIVE. 


It 


more,  in  company.  But  I  would  havn  no  companion,  it  wonlil  nxcitn  8U9< 
picion,  and  render  concealm(!nt  moro  diflicnit,  and,  under  tlin  kind  pro- 
videnco  of  (iod,  I  clioKe  to  lie  my  own  coimsnior,  and  to  have  none  to 
fall  out  with  on  the  way,  as  to  what  course  we  should  pursue. 

Having  entered  the  woods,  I  found  a  small,  but  deep,  dry  hollow,  clear 
of  brush  in  the  center,  though  surrounded  with  a  thicket  on  cv-ry  si<lo. 
Into  this  the  sun  shone  witii  a  must  delightful  warmth.  Here  I  Htripped 
myself  naked,  and  spread  out  my  clothes  to  dry.  Being  too  impatic^nt  of 
delay,  I  regained  the  road  just  as  the  sun  was  setting,  but  it  came  near 
proving  fatal ;  for  I  discovered,  just  ahead,  two  light  dragoons  coming  down 
upon  me.  At  first  it  seemed  escape  was  impossible.  But  that  God,  who 
gave  me  a  quickness  of  thought  in  expedients,  that  seemed  to  go  (luite 
beyond  myself,  was  present  with  his  kind  aid.  I  now  happened  to  bo 
near  a  small  cottage,  and  a  cornfield  adjoining  the  road,  I  feigned  my- 
self to  be  the  man  of  that  cottage,  the  owner  of  that  cornfield.  And 
getting  over  the  fence,  I  went  about  the  field,  deliberately  picking  up  the 
ears  of  corn  that  had  fallen  down,  and  righting  up  the  cap-sheaf  of  a  stack 
of  stalks.  The  dragoons  came  nigh,  eyed  mo  carefully,  though  I  affected 
to  take  no  notice  of  them,  and  passed  on.  They  were  probably  in  search 
of  me. 

I  had  lost  my  hat  overboard,  when  in  the  Old  Jersey,  and  had  hence- 
forward to  cover  my  head  with  a  handkerchief.  I  deemed  it  a  calamity  at  the 
time,  but,  as  an  act  of  Providence,  the  mystery  now  began  to  be  unfolded. 
Having  no  hat,  but  a  handkerchief  about  my  head,  helped  to  deceive  the 
dragoons,  and  cause  them  to  think  I  was  the  cottager,  who  owned  the 
corn-field.  To  lie  concealed  during  the  day,  and  to  travel  at  night,  was 
my  practice,  till  I  had  got  far  toward  the  east  end  of  the  island.  For 
several  days  I  had  not  taken  any  nourishment,  but  water  and  apples.  I 
found  late  pears,  and  was  pleased  with  their  taste,  but  they  operated  us  an 
emetic,  quicker  than  ipecacuanha.  A  subacid  apple  sat  well  on  my  stomach, 
and  was  very  refreshing,  though  had  I  been  sick  at  home,  with  the  same 
disease,  I  should  probably  have  been  denied  this  favor.  Indeed,  from 
what  I  experienced  in  the  free  use  of  water,  ripe  fruit,  unfermcntcd 
cider,  found  at  the  presses,  etc.,  I  was  led  to  suspect,  that  a  great  deal  of 
the  kind  nursing  of  persons  in  fever,  was  an  unnecessary  and  cruel  kind 
of  self-denial.  But  I  supposed  nature  would  sink  without  some  other  kind 
of  aliment.  But  the  first  attempt  to  act  upon  this  principle  would  have 
proved  fatal,  had  it  not  been  for  a  kind  providential  interference. 

Late  in  the  evening,  I  stepped  up  to  a  house  on  the  road,  and  lifted 
my  hand  to  rap,  but  the  door  folded  inward,  and  evaded  my  stroke,  and 
a  lady  appeared  with  a  light  in  her  hand.  I  besought  of  her  a  draught 
of  milk :  she  replied,  "  that  there  was  then  a  guard  of  soldiers  in  the 
house,  and  they  had  consumed  it  all."  The  business  of  this  guard  was 
to  keep  a  look-out  toward  the  Long  Island  sound,  and  their  sentries  were 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  house.  Had  I  rapped  and  been  met  by  one 
of  this  guard,  instead  of  the  lady,  what  would  have  been  the  result? 
And  by  whose  arrangement  did  the  incident  so  happen  that  I  escaped? 
Pursuing  my  journey,  I  came  to  a  place  where  the  road  parted.  One 
branch  turned  off  through  a  lofty  grove  of  wood ;  the  other  ascended  a 
gentle  rise  toward  a  house  near  by.  I  knew  not  which  to  take ;  but  that 
leading  toward  the  house  best  suited  my  general  course.  But  coming  up 
near  the  house,  there  issued  forth  from  the  out-buildings  a  greater  ken- 
nel of  dogs  than  I  had  ever  before  seen,  and  assaulted  me  with  a  furious 
yelling.     I  stopped  short,  drew  up  my  hands  as  far  as  I  could  out  of  their 


1 1,  <iMCT»i..ip  I   111  I  ff«f  J  m  , 


■'T> 


PERILDUS  POSITION. 


208 


1(1  nxrito  »us- 
tlio  kind  pro- 
have  noiio  to 
n. 

hollow,  clear 

II  cvry  fi«lo. 

sro  I  stripped 

impiitiont  of 

it  rKiiio  near 

^orllin^  down 

that  God,  who 

(d  to  go  quite 

appened  to  be 

[  feigned  my- 

ornfield.     And 

picking  up  the 

iheaf  of  a  stack 

ough  I  affected 

bably  in  search 

ind  had  hencc- 
a  calamity  at  the 

to  be  unfolded. 

to  deceive  the 
tvho  owned  the 
el  at  night,  was 
iie  island.     For 

and  apples.  1 
y  operated  as  an 
il  on  my  stomach, 
3,  with  the  same 
r.  Indeed,  from 
uit,  unfermented 
at  a  great  deal  of 
f  and  cruel  kind 
I  some  other  kind 
;iple  would  have 
ference. 

road,  and  liiled 
d  my  stroke,  and 
of  her  a  draught 
f  soldiers  in  the 
)f  this  guard  was 
leir  sentries  were 
been  met  by  one 
been  the  result? 
n  that  I  escaped! 
)ad  parted.  One 
other  ascended  a 

to  take ;  but  that 
.  But  coming  up 
igs  a  greater  ken- 
me  with  a  furious 
could  out  of  their 


reach,  and  stood  still.     Thoy  snapped  at  me  v(;ry  spitefully,  with  th((ir 

i'aws  within  a  few  inches  of  my  body.  And  now  what  should  I  do? 
'o  have  attacked  them,  or  lied  precipitately,  would  have  bci-n  instant 
destruction.  I  concluded  to  take  no  notice  of  them,  but  to  turn  about 
gently  and  take  the  other  road,  as  if  there  was  no  such  creature  in  the 
world  as  a  dog.  I  did  so,  and  they  followed  mn  for  about  twenty  rods, 
snapping  at  me,  and  seeming  to  say,  "You  shall  not  escape ;  we  will  have 
a  taste  of  your  blood."  And  in  this  design,  there  seemed  to  be  a  pisrfoct 
union,  from  the  great  bow-wow  down  to  the  yelping  spaniel.  But  at  last 
they  all  ceased  to  roar,  bid  me  a  good  night  and  disappeared. 

Had  I  ventured  into  the  habitations  of  men,  instead  of  those  of  the 
horned  ox,  my  escape  had  been  impossible.  Soon  aAcr  escaping  the 
fury  of  the  dogs,  in  this  peaceful  abode,  I  took  up  my  lodgings  for  the 
night.  A  man  coming  into  it  in  the  morning,  I  made  bold  to  slide  down 
from  the  hay-loil ;  and,  atler  making  some  apology  for  trespassing  upon 
his  premises,  1  asked  him  if  it  was  probable  1  could  get  some  refresii- 
ment  in  the  house.  He  seemed  to  think  I  could.  I  then  entered  the 
house,  and  stated  my  wants;  but  as  i  did  not  design  to  be  a  mean,  dis- 
honest beggar,  first  get  what  I  wanted,  and  then  say  I  had  nothing  to  pay, 
or  sneak  off,  and  say  nothing  about  pay,  I  told  the  family  I  had  but 
three  coppers  with  me,  so  that  if  they  gave  me  meat  or  drink,  it  must  be 
done  merely  on  the  score  of  charity.  But  the  woman  seemed  to  be 
thinking  more  about  providing  something  for  the  relief  of  a  wretched 
sufferer,  as  I  must  have  appeared  to  her,  than  about  money.  But  tiie  old 
man  was  troublesome  with  his  questions.  He  said  it  was  but  a  few  days 
ago,  two  men  called  at  his  house,  and  told  a  story,  which  was  found  to  bo 
all  false ;  and  at  last  he  observed,  outright,  "  I  believe  thee  also  is  a 
rogue" — but  the  woman  would,  now  and  then,  as  he  pressed  hard  upon 
me,  check  him,  and  say,  "  Do  let  him  alone."  She  had  no  questions  to 
ask — all  she  wanted  was  to  feed  me;  and,  had  it  not  been  for  her,  1 
know  not  what  the  crabbed  old  man  would  have  done  with  mo. 

After  I  had  taken  my  refreshment,  I  said  to  the  old  man,  "  I  thank  you 
for  your  kindness — here  are  three  coppers,  all  I  have  to  carry  me  a  long 
journey.'"  He  did  not  take  them,  but  said,  "  You  may  give  them  to  that 
iittle  girl."  She  took  them ;  but  if  she  was  illiberal  and  mean,  the  old 
man  made  her  so.  I  left  the  house,  and  going  a  short  distance,  a  spacious 
plain  opened  to  my  view  ;  and  on  it,  by  the  tents  I  saw,  I  concluded  there 
was  an  encampment  of  soldiers.  I,  therefore,  turned  aside  into  tiie 
field,  ascended  a  stack  of  rye,  covered  with  a  Dutch  cap,  and  here  I 
remained  all  the  day,  it  being  very  stormy ;  but  in  the  evening  I  looked 
out  from  my  hiding-place,  and  behold,  a  most  lovely  moonshine  had  suc- 
ceeded the  storm.  The  tents  had  all  disappeared,  and  I  took  up  my 
journey  over  the  plain.  Some  time  in  the  latter  part  of  the  night,  I 
reached  the  east  end  of  it,  and  saw  before  me  a  number  of  buildings, 
though  before  this,  I  had  not  seen  any  on  the  plain.  But  no  sooner  had 
I  come  up  to  the  first  house,  than  I  was  drawn  into  a  scene  of  the  utmost 
peril.  In  the  midst  of  the  road  there  was  a  blacksmith's  shop;  on  the 
north  side  there  was  a  lane  forming  a  right-angle  with  the  road,  and 
leading  up  to  a  house  about  twelve  rods  from  it.  To  the  westward  of  the 
house,  about  eight  rods  distant,  stood  the  barn,  and  a  lane  leading  from 
the  house  to  it;  and  the  square,  three  sides  of  which  were  formed  by  the 
road  aud  these  two  lanes,  was  the  garden ;  and,  in  thq  corner  of  this 
garden,  near  to  the  house,  I  discovered  a  number  of  beehives,  and  I 
coveted  some  of  the  honey.     I  went  first  vip  to  the  house,  and,  though 


; 


I 


THE  OLD  JERflFT  OAPTIVE. 

th"  door  vmn  oppn,  I  saw  no  lifflit,  and  honni  no  noi^o.  Hut  I  dnnmnd  it 
prudent  not  to  climb  over  tho  fonco,  juM  nt  tlio  door  of  tlin  house,  to  get 
iit  tlic  l)ccH,  but  to  take  thu  lanr;  down  to  tlx;  barn,  and  thnre  to  m^t  into 
til'-  fj.irdon,  and  romo  up,  und<ir  rover  of  the  fence,  to  the  bee-houHe. 
Thi.-<  I  did  not  then  call  stealing;,  for  I  waa  in  an  oncinyN  Inud,  nnd  might 
iMiil{(>  pri/e  of  whatever  I  could  lay  my  hand  upon. 

Having  just  stopped  into  the  biirn-yard,  and  not  fluspeeting  the  leant 
danger,  I  saw  a  great  number  of  horses  tied  all  around  tho  yard,  with  all 
their  mancH  and  docks  cut  in  uniform.  I  stood  motionlcsH  lor  a  moment, 
and  began  to  say  to  myself,  "  What  does  this  mean?  ('an  one  farmer 
own  so  many  horses?'*  But  before  the  thought  was  finished,  and  as 
unexpected  as  a  flash  of  lightning  in  a  clear  day,  a  dragoon  coming  out 
of  the  barn,  with  his  burnished  steel  glittering  in  the  bright  rays  of  the 
moon,  stepped  up  to  me,  and  challenged,  "Who  comes  there?"  I 
answered,  "  A  friend."  But  before  ho  coidd  say  to  whom,  a  plan  of 
escape  must  bo  formed,  and  put  in  execution.  It  was  formed,  and  suc- 
ceeded. Before  ho  could  ask  the  second  question,  I  called  out,  as  if  1 
were  angry,  "  Where  is  the  well?  I  want  to  get  some  water!"  Taking 
me,  from  tliis  seemingly  honest  and  fearless  query,  to  be  one  of  tho  party, 
he  showed  me  the  well,  and  I  went  to  it  deliberately,  drew  water,  and 
escaped  out  of  his  hands.  The  fact  was,  as  I  soon  found,  this  was  a 
detachment  of  horse  and  foot  going  out  on  the  island  for  forage,  to  be 
conveyed  to  tho  army  at  New  York,  and,  doubtless,  he  supposed  me  to  be 
a  person,  a  wagoner,  perhaps,  attached  to  it.  And  here  again  I  found 
tho  great  advantage  of  losing  my  liat.  Having  a  handkerchief  tied  about 
my  iiead,  helped  me  in  the  deception. 

Aller  leaving  tho  well,  I  went  down  the  lane  into  the  road,  near  the 
blacksmith's  shop.  At  this  moment  four  of  the  party  came  out  from 
behind  the  opposite  side  of  the  shop,  in  full  view,  at  the  distance  of  about 
tliree  rods  from  mo.  I  stood  motionless,  and  said  to  myself,  "  All  is  now 
lost."  But  their  attention  was  taken  up  with  a  small  dog,  with  which 
they  woro  sporting.  But  as  they  did  not  come  at  once,  and  coize  me  in 
the  brightness  of  the  moonlight,  I  began  again  to  conceive  hope,  and 
edged  away  to  the  fence,  and  rolled  through  between  the  two  lower  rails. 
Boon  afterward  the  men  said,  "  Let  us  go  to  the  barn,  and  turn  in,"  and 
immediately  disappeared.  Their  sporting  with  tho  dog,  in  itself,  was  a 
trifling  circumstance,  but  to  me  it  was  a  great  event.  It  saved  my  life — 
to  me,  in  the  hour  of  despair,  it  brought  deliverance. 

Stretching  along  as  close  as  I  could  lie  to  the  lower  rail  of  the  fence, 
I  took  a  little  time  to  survey  my  situation  on  all  sides,  and  to  discover, 
if  I  could,  any  opening  for  escape.  If  I  attempted  to  save  myself  by 
going  into  the  open  field,  I  must  be  discovered  by  the  sentries,  and  picked 
up  by  a  dragoon.  If  I  remained  where  I  was,  it  would  soon  be  daylight, 
and  I  could  not  be  mistaken  for  one  of  the  party.  About  thirty  rods 
ahead,  I  discovered  a  large  house,  illuminated  from  the  ground-floor  to  the 
garret.  This,  I  was  sure,  must  be  the  main  bivouac  of  both  infantry  and 
horse,  and  wagons  were  in  numbers  passing  on  to  this  house.  At  last  I 
hit  upon  this  plan,  when  another  wagon  should  pass,  I  would  rise,  and 
lay  hold  of  it  behind,  and  let  it  carry  me  forward  into  the  midst  of  the 
party,  and  they  would  suppose  me  to  belong  to  it.  The  driver  sitting 
under  cover,  forward,  could  not  bo  able  to  see  me.  When  the  next 
wagon  passed,  I  attempted  to  got  hold  of  it,  but  could  not  overtake  it, 
and  was  left  alone  in  the  middle  of  the  road,  and  considerably  advanced 
toward  the  house  just  mentioned  as  the  general  rendezvous.     And  now. 


-r«*»**»«»«^tv. 


'•'**i'f.''^W*" 


•■•-.•rr-.-  i,7vf  i'W.s'.' 


{lit  I  (Innmnd  it 
i<^  liniiHc,  to  K<i 
hor<i  to  f(vl  ioto 

tli*^  l)<!(i-l)nuHf. 

mill,  iind  inifrht 

)r(tinj{  tlin  Irant 

10  yard,  with  all 

for  a  moment, 

nil  ono  farmer 

nishod,  and  a<* 

[oon  coming;  out 

ight  rays  of  th« 

lines    there?"     I 

vhoin,  a  plan  of 

formed,  and  »uc- 

allcd  out,  as  if  I 

water!"     Takinjj 

one  of  the  party, 

drew  water,  and 

bund,  this  was  a 

for  forage,  to  be 

upposed  me  to  be 

re  again  I  found 

erchief  tied  about 


\^' 


lo  road,  near  the 
ty  came  out  from 
3  distance  of  aboul 
lyself,  "  All  is  now 
11  dog,  with  which 
3,  and  ::oizo  me  in 
sncoivo  hope,  and 
he  two  lower  rails. 

and  turn  in,"  and 
Dg,  in  itself,  was  a 

It  saved  my  life — 

r  rail  of  the  fence, 
B,  and  to  discover, 
to  save  myself  by 
entries,  and  picked 
i  soon  be  daylight. 
About  thirty  rods 
ground-floor  to  the 
f  both  infantry  and 
8  house.  At  last  I 
,  I  would  rise,  and 
o  the  midst  of  the 
The  driver  sitting 
(.  When  the  next 
lid  not  overtake  it, 
siderably  advanced 
szvous.     And  now. 


1> 


THK  ORAGOON. 


205 


M  no  other  modi;  of  eBcnjii-  ofli-rcd,  f  ff^nlv  <!  to  walk  Itoldly  and 
Ifliiurely  into  and  tliroii^'h  ttu  mid^t  of  the  yhhi  .'  of  men  and  liorHi.'s, 
and  wagons  and  neiitrios.  uid  pa:4H  Awuy  if  I  <o\ili)  The  plan  hui> 
cooded — I  piwsi'd  ftariossly,  wiljh  groat  d«<liber»lion,  ik  •  i  and  hrm,  with- 
out any  Hhynesri,  through  the  midit  of  them,  i^im  <-y<-(l  inn  carefully, 
yet  no  one  naid,  "  Who  art  thouT*— "(Wld  I  was  .soon  n\.,  nf  sight,  ami  hid 
in  a  dense  prim-bush  fence,  leat  a  suspii  ion  should  arise  tliat  a  ><trango 
man  had  pnNsed,  and  a  dragoon  should  purlin'  ine. 

Twenty  miles  further  to  the  eastward,  I  narrowly  escaped  falling  again 
into  the  hands  of  tiie  same  party.  Had  I  not,  without  any  knowledge  or 
intention  of  my  own,  happened  to  tako  another  road,  I  should  have  met 
thom  in  full  march  on  their  return;  and,  being  in  the  day-time,  escapo 
would  have  been  next  to  impossible.  As  it  was,  my  roud  brought  mo 
on  to  the  ground  where,  the  uight  before,  they  hud  i-hosen  to  bivouac,  and 
I  found  their  tires  still  burning.  Aller  leaving  my  hiding-place  in  the 
prim  fence,  I  soon  found  myself  in  a  large  orchard,  in  quest  of  fruit.  1 
had  examined  nearly  every  tree,  and  found  none.  But  just  as  I  was 
about  to  give  up  the  search,  I  lit  upon  a  tree  whore  the  ground  was 
covered  with  the  fairest  and  richest  species  of  apple  I  ever  tasted. 
Thoy  refreshed  me  as  if  they  had  been  gathered  from  para<lise,  having 
neither  oaten  nor  drank  anything  for  a  considerable  time.  How  all  tho 
othor  fruit  in  the  orchard  should  have  been  gathered  in,  and  tho  produce 
of  this  uncommonly  excellent  tree  left,  struck  mo  as  a  mystery.  It  was 
no  miracle,  but  it  was  a  mercy  to  a  wretched  sutTerer,  then  burning  up 
with  fever  and  thirst.  I  now  sought  for  and  took  up  my  lodgings  in  tho 
birth-place  of  my  Saviour. 

Prosecuting  my  journey  on  a  succeeding  evening,  I  happened  to  lie 
opposite  to  a  house  standing  a  little  out  of  the  road.  Before  I  was  aware 
of  tho  danger,  a  dragoon  met  me,  and  stopped  so  near,  I  could  have  put 
my  hand  on  his  holsters.  Now,  thought  I  to  myself, ''  I  am  taken" — but 
what  a  blessed  thing  it  was  I  lost  my  hat!  The  old  dirty  handkerchief 
upon  my  head  saved  me  again.  From  this  appearance,  taking  mo  to 
be  tho  master  of  the  house  near  by,  he  says,  "Have  you  any  cider?" 
"No,  sir,"  was  my  reply,  "but  we  expect  to  make  next  week  —  call 
then,  and  we  shall  be  glad  to  treat  you."  This  said,  we  each  went  his 
own  way. 

Commencing  my  journey  at  another  time,  early  in  the  evening,  I  was 
accosted  by  a  man  oC  stern  appearance  and  address,  standing  on  the 
door-step.  He  wished  to  know  whence  I  came,  and  where  bound.  I 
told  him  I  had  just  sailed  out  of  New  York,  bound  to  Augustine  in 
Florida,  and  was  driven  ashore  by  an  American  privateer,  a  little  to  tho 
eastward' of  Sandy  Hook,  and  was  making  my  way  down  to  Huntington, 
where  I  belonged.  "  What?"  says  he,  "  you  belong  to  an  American 
privateer?  I  wonder  you  havo  not  been  taken  up  before."  By  this  it 
seems,  he  would  have  apprehended  me  had  he  known  what  I  was.  He 
was,  no  doubt,  a  Long  Island  tory.  But  I  replied,  "  Sir,  you  mistake  me, 
I  did  not  say  I  belonged,  or  had  belonged,  to  an  American  privateer.  I 
meant  to  say  I  belonged  to  an  English  vessel  out  of  New  York,  and  had 
been  driven  ashore  by  such  a  privateer."  Then,  without  further  cere- 
mony, I  passed  on,  and  he  did  not  attempt  to  stop  inc.  And  now  again 
I  sought  rest  and  concealment,  as  it  grew  late  in  the  evening,  and  a^aiii 
I  found  it  in  a  bam.  But  I  had  now,  by  exiwsure,  contracted  a  violent 
cough,  and  could  not  suppress  it,  though  deep  sunk  in  a  hay-mow.  Tiio 
owner  coming  into  the  bam,  in  the  morning,  heard  me,  but  he  ofiered 


.1 


f 


■^,-n-.: 


'■T^-. 


206 


THE  OLD  JERSEY  CAPTIVE. 


me  no  disturbance,  and  I  hoped  it  would  have  been  my  peaceful  retreat 
for  the  whole  day.  But  some  time  after  the  man,  who  visited  the  barn,  had 
left  it ,  a  number  of  children  came  up  to  it,  and  placed  their  hands  against 
the  door,  and  gave  it  a  violent  shaking,  crying  out,  at  the  same  time, 
"Come  out,  you  runaway,  you  thief,  you  robber !"  and  then  retreateo  with 
great  precipitation.  But  1  did  not  remove  out  of  my  bed,  hoping  they 
might  not  give  me  another  such  honorable  salute.  But  it  wa^  not  long 
before  they  appeared  again,  and  cried  out,  "  Come  out,  you  old  rogue, 
you  runaway,  you  thief!  We  know  you  are  here,  for  daddy  heard  you 
cough,"  and  then  retreated  as  before.  And  I  retreated  also,  fearing 
some  older  children  might  honor  me  with  a  visit,  and  find  out  in  very 
deed  that  I  was  a  runaway. 

After  I  had  ex])erienced  so  many  narrow  escapes,  and  had  now  passed, 
as  I  supposed,  and  as  proved  to  be  the  fact,  beyond  all  further  danger 
from  foraging  parties,  scouts,  and  patrol  of  a  military  character;  and 
though  the  fever  was  still  upon  me,  yet  it  seemed  rather  to  abate  than  to 
be  aggravated  by  all  the  exposure,  cold,  storms,  fatigues,  fears,  anxieties 
and  privations  I  endured ;  I  inferred,  with  great  confidence,  that  it  was 
the  design  of  Almighty  God  that  I  should  yet  again  see  home ;  and  enter- 
ing a  wood,  where  no  human  eye  could  see  me,  I  fell  upon  my  knees, 
and,  looking  up  to  Heaven,  I  attributed  to  Him  all  my  deliverances,  and 
all  the  understanding,  a.ssislanoe  and  strength  by  which  I  had  been  sus- 
tained; and  besoufr'.t  t!  •,  continuance  of  his  mercy  to  extricate  mo  from 
all  remaining  danger  and  sufferings,  and  to  complete  my  deliverance.  I 
arose,  and  now  went  forward,  more  than  ever,  under  a  sense  of  the  Divine 
goodness  and  protection. 

I  come  now  to  a  day  in  which  various  and  interesting  incidents  oc- 
curred. I  now  ventured  to  travel  in  open  daylight,  and  no  longer  to  ask 
protection  from  the  sable  honors  of  an  absent  sun.  Commencing  my 
journey  early  in  tlio  morning,  I  came  to  a  large  and  respectable  dwell- 
ing-house, and  thinking  it  time  to  seek  something  to  nourish  my  feeble 
frame,  for  appetite  I  had  scarce  any,  I  entered  it.  Neatness,  wealth  and 
plenty  seemed  to  reside  there.  Among  the  inmates  of  it,  a  decent 
woman,  who  appeared  to  be  the  mistress  of  the  family,  and  a  tailor,  who 
was  mounted  upon  a  large  table,  and  plying  his  occupation,  were  all  that 
attracted  my  notice.  To  the  lady  I  expressed  my  wants,  telling  her,  at 
the  same  time,  which  wsis  my  invariable  practice,  if  she  could  impart  to 
me  a  morsel,  it  must  be  a  mere  act  of  charity,  giving  and  hoping  to 
receive  nothing  again.  For  poverty  was  a  companion  of  which  I  could 
not  rid  myself.  She  made  no  objections,  asked  no  questions,  but 
promptly  furnished  me  with  a  dish  of  light  food  I  desired.  Expressing 
my  obligations  to  her,  I  rose  to  depart.  But,  going  round  through  another 
room,  she  met  me  in  the  front  entry,  placed  a  hat  upon  my  head,  put  an 
apple-pie  in  my  hand,  and  said,  "  You  will  want  this  before  you  get 
through  the  woods."  I  opened  my  mouth  to  give  vent  to  the  greatful 
feelings  with  which  my  heart  was  filled,  but  she  would  not  tarry  to  hear 
a  word,  but  instantly  vanished  out  of  my  sight.  The  mystery  of  her  con- 
duct, as  I  suppose,  was  this:  she,  her  family  and  property,  were  under 
British  government.  She  was,  doubtless,  well  satisfied  that  I  was  a 
prisoner  escaping  from  the  hands  of  the  English ;  and  if  she  granted  me 
any  protection  or  succor,  knowing  me  to  be  such,  it  might  cost  the  family 
the  confiscation  of  all  their  estate.  She  did  not,  therefore,  wish  to  ask 
me  any  questions,  or  hear  me  explain  who  I  was,  within  hearing  of  that 
tailor.     He  might  turn  out  to  be  a  dangerous  informer.    I  then  departed; 


DE8PAIR  AND  3TARVAT10N. 


207 


peaceful  retreat 

ited  the  barn,  had 
leir  hands  against 
it  the  same  time, 
hen  retreateo  with 

bed,  hoping  they 
lit  it  visii'  not  long 
It,  you  old  rogue, 

daddy  heard  you 
ated  also,  fearing 
find  out  in  very 

d  had  now  passed, 
all  further  danger 
iry  character;  and 
er  to  abate  than  to 
cs,  fears,  anxieties 
idence,  that  it  was 
3  home ;  and  enter- 
11  upon  my  knees, 
y  deliverances,  and 
ch  I  had  been  sus- 
I  extricate  me  from 
my  deliverance.  I 
sense  of  the  Divine 

sting  incidents  oc- 
d  no  longer  to  ask 
Commencing  my 
respectable  dwell- 
nourish  my  feeble 
eatness,  wealth  and 
:es  of  it,  a  decent 
y,  and  a  tailor,  who 
)ation,  were  all  that 
'ants,  telling  her,  at 
he  could  impart  to 
kring  and  hoping  to 
in  of  which  I  could 
no  questions,  but 
isired.  Expressing 
iind  through  another 
an  my  head,  put  an 
this  before  you  get 
rent  to  the  greatful 
Id  not  tarry  to  hear 
mystery  of  her  con- 
operty,  were  under 
sfied  that  I  was  a 
d  if  she  granted  me 
light  cost  the  family 
erefore,  wish  to  ask 
:hin  hearing  of  that 
r.    I  then  departed; 


but  this  mark  of  kindness  was  more  than  I  could  well  boar,  and,  as  I 
went  on  for  some  rods,  the  tears  flowed  copiously. 

By  and  by  I  began  to  recollect  and  consider  what  the  lady  meant  by 
tlie  woods.  I  supposed  it  possible  there  might  be  a  forest,  four  or  five 
miles  in  length,  tlirough  which  I  might  pass ;  uf  the  real  fact  I  had  not 
the  least  anticipation.  But  very  soon  I  came  to  the  woods,  and  found  a 
narrow  road,  of  deep,  loose  sand,  loading  through  them.  The  bushes  on 
both  sides,  grew  hard  up  to  the  wagon-ruts,  and  there  was  not  a  step  of  a 
side-walk  of  more  solid  ground,  and  the  traveling  was  very  laborious. 
But  I  pressed  on  with  what  strength  1  had,  and,  after  a  few  miles,  sup- 
posed I  was  nearly  through  the  wilderness,  and  began  to  look  ahead  for 
cleared  land  and  human  dwellings,  but  none  appeared.  After  I  had,  with 
great  labor  and  almost  unsupportable  distress,  traveled  a  distance  I  deemed 
at  least  nine  miles,  I  met  two  men  pressing  on  in  a  direction  opposite  to 
my  own.  They  seemed  to  be  in  a  hurry,  and  anxious  to  know  how  far 
I  had  come  in  these  woods.  "  About  nine  miles,"  said  I ;  "  how  far  have 
you  come  in  them?"  They  replied,  "  about  the  same  distance,"  and 
immediately  pushed  forward,  asking  me  no  other  question.  Then  said  I 
to  myself,  "  Here  I  make  my  grave.  My  feet  were  swollen  so  that  the 
tumefaction  hung  over  the  tops  of  my  shoes  for  three-fourths  of  an  inch, 
and  1  was  about  to  seek  out  a  favorable  spot  to  lie  down  and  rise  no  more. 
But  at  this  instant,  something  seemed  to  whisper  to  me,  "  Will  it  not  be 
just  as  well,  if  you  must  die,  to  die  standing  and  walking?"  I  could  not 
aay  no,  and  resolved  to  walk  on,  till  I  fell  down  dead.  And  this  whisper 
has  bbcn  of  great  service  to  me  in  after-life,  when  I  have  been  ready  to 
sink  in  discouragement  under  difficulties  and  troubles,  or  opposition  and 
persecution.  When  I  say,  I  have  been  ready  to  sink  under  such  trials, 
[  have  recollected  these  woods,  and  said,  "  Will  it  not  be  as  well  to  die 
standing  up,  as  l^'ing  down?"  And  thus  I  have  taken  courage,  and  gone 
forward,  and  the  result  has  been  as  auspicious. 

The  first  house  I  came  to,  at  the  east  end  of  these  woods,  I  entered  in 
quest  of  humanity  and  pity.  But  these  virtues  appeared  not  to  be  at  home 
there.  Everything  without  and  within,  denoted  a  situation  happily  above 
penury,  or  the  trials,  vexations,  and  griefs  of  poverty.  A  degree  of  ele- 
gance and  neatness  appeared.  In  the  kitchen  I  discovered  a  number  of 
flah  just  touched  with  salt,  and  hung  up  and  dried.  My  feverish  appetite 
fixed  on  a  piece  of  one  of  these  fish,  as  a  rasher  that  might  taste  well. 
[  besought  the  lady  of  the  house,  to  give  me  a  very  small  bit ;  but  my 
request  was  not  granted.  I  repeated  it,  again  and  again.  But  her  denial 
was  irrevocable.  Now,  thought  I,  I  will  try  an  experiment,  and  measure 
the  hardness  of  your  heart.  So  I  stated  to  her  my  sickly,  destitute  con- 
dition; told  her  she  might  judge  by  my  appearance,  that  I  was  overwhelmed 
with  misfortune,  and  had  been  very  unsuccessful  at  sea.  I  wished  her 
to  consider  how  she  would  be  delighted,  had  she  a  brother,  or  a  dear  friend, 
suffering  in  a  strange  land,  if  any  one  should  stretch  out  to  him  the  hand 
of  relief,  minister  to  his  necessities,  wipe  away  his  tears,  and  console  his 
heart.  Indeed,  1  suggested  every  thought  and  plea  of  which  I  was  master, 
that  could  move  a  heart  not  made  of  steel.  And  what  was  it  all  for? 
For  a  piece  of  dried  blue-fish,  not  more  than  two  inches  square!  And 
diJ  I  succeed?  No.  All  my  entreaties  were  in  vain;  so  without  mur- 
muring, or  casting  on  her  any  reflections,  I  took  my  leave. 

Passing  on  but  a  few  rods,  I  entered  another  dwelling,  and  what  renders 
the  circumstance  that  took  place,  the  more  to  be  noticed  is,  it  appnared 
to  be  a  tavern.     I  expressed  my  wants  to  a  lady  who,  I  had  no  doubt, 


^-^  ••*M(«ia 


208 


THE  OLD  JERSEY  CAPTIVE. 


was  the  mistress  of  the  house.  By  the  cheerfulness  and  good  nature  de- 
picted in  her  countenance,  and  her  first  movements,  I  knew  my  suit  was 
granted,  and  I  had  nothing  more  to  say,  than  to  apprise  her  that  I  was 
penniless  ;  and  if  she  afforded  me  any  relief,  she  must  do  it  hoping  for 
nothing  again.  Now  behold  the  contrast!  In  a  few  moments  she  placed 
on  the  table  a  bowl  of  bread  and  milk,  the  whole  of  one  of  those  fish 
roasted,  that  I  had  begged  for  in  vain,  at  the  other  house,  and  a  mug  of 
cider.  And,  says  she,  "  Sit  down  and  eat."  But  her  mercy  came  near 
to  cruelty  in  its  consequences ;  for  although  I  wis  aware  of  the  danger, 
yet  I  indulged  too  freely.  My  fever  was  soon  enraged  to  violence,  and  I 
was  filled  with  alarm. 

It  was  now  growing  dark,  and  I  went  but  a  short  distance  further,  and 
entered  a  house,  and  begged  the  privilege  of  lodging  by  the  fire.  My 
request  was  granted,  and  I  sat  down  in  silence,  too  sick  and  distressed  to 
do  or  say  anything.  But  I  could  see  and  hear.  There  was  no  one  in  the 
house,  but  the  man  and  his  wife.  They  appeared  to  be  plain,  open- 
hearted,  honest  people,  who  never  had  their  minds  elated  with  pride,  nor 
their  taste  perverted  by  false  refinement,  or  that  education,  which  just 
unfits  persons  to  be  useful  and  happy  in  the  common  walks  of  life. 

Before  it  became  late  in  the  evening,  the  man  took  his  Bible,  and  read 
a  chapter,  and  that  with  a  tone  and  air  that  induced  me  to  tiiink  he  believed 
it     He  then  arose  and  devoutly  offered  up  his  grateful  acknowledgments 
and  supplications  to  God,  through  the  Mediator.     By  this  time  I  began  to 
think  I  had  gone  into  a  safe,  as  well  as  a  hospitable  retreat.    They  had 
before  made  many  inquiries,  not  impertinent  and  captious,  but  such  as 
indicated  that  they  felt  tenderly,  and  took  an  interest  in  my  welfare ;  but 
they  evidently  obtained  no  satisfaction  from  my  answers,  for  I  was  too 
weary  and  distressed,  to  take  pains  to  form,  or  relate,  anything  like  a  con- 
sistent story.     But  they  seemed  as  if  they  could  not  rest  till  they  had 
drawn  from  mc,  the  real  truth,  though  they  gave  not  the  least  hmt,  that 
might  reproach  me  for  the  want  of  truth  and  honesty.     At  last  I  resolved 
I  would  treat  them  so  no  longer— I  would  throw  off  the  mask,  risk  ail 
consequences,  and  let  them  into  the  real  secret  of  my  condition— and  said, 
"  You  have  asked  mo  many  questions  this  evening,  and  I  have  told  you 
nothing  but  falsehoods.     Now  hear  the  truth.     I  am  a  prisoner,  making 
my  escape  from  the  Old  Jersey,  al  New  York.     Of  the  horrors  of  this 
dreadful  prison  you  may  have  been  informed.     There,  aBer  many  suffer- 
ings, I  was  brought  to  have  no  prospect  before  me,  but  certain  death. 
By  a  remarkable  and  unexpected  interposition  of  Providence,  I  got  on 
shore,  and  having  had  many  hair-breadth  escapes,  I  have  reached  this 
place,  and  am  now  lodged  under  your  hospitable  roof.     I  am  loaded  with 
disease,  and  am  in  torment  from  the  thousands  of  vermm  which  are  now 
devouring  my  flesh.    I  have  dear  and  kind  friends  in  Connecticut,  and  am 
now  aiming  to  regain  my  native  home.    The  kindest  of  mothers  is  now 
probably  weeping  for  me,  as  having,  ere  this,  perished  in  my  captivity, 
never  more  expecting  to  see  her  child.    Thus  I  have  told  you  the  red 
truth.     I  have  put  my  life  in  your  hands.    Go  and  inform  against  me,  and 
I  shall  be  taken  back  to  the  prison  ship,  and  death  will  be  inevitable. 
1  ceased  to  speak,  and  aU  was  profound  silence.    It  took  some  time  to 
recover  themselves  from  a  flood  of  tears,  in  which  they  were  bathed. 
At  last  the  kind  and  amiable  woman  said,  « Let  us  go  and  bake  his 
clothes."    No  sooner  said,  than  the  man  seized  a  brand  of  fire  and  threw 
it  into  the  oven.    The  woman  provided  a  clean  suit  of  clothes,  to  supply 
the  place  of  mine,  till  they  had  purified  them  by  fire.    The  work  done, 


-^^.  .  ;^if'r:S^^^-^- 


u^^^,*«;^*»'***f^»^ 


ri-W-jf^^flj^^ 


"^ 


CAPTURED  BY  A  PRIVATEER. 


909 


good  nature  de- 
new  my  suit  was 
e  her  that  I  was 

do  it  hopipg  for 
nents  she  placed 
me  of  those  fish 
36,  and  a  mug  of 
nercy  came  near 
e  of  the  danger, 
;o  violence,  and  I 

incc  further,  and 
by  the  fire.     My 
and  distressed  to 
nras  no  one  in  the 
>  be  plain,  open- 
d  with  pride,  nor 
ation,  which  just 
Iks  of  life. 
9  Bible,  and  read 
think  he  believed 
acknowledgments  . 
is  time  I  began  to 
treat.     They  had 
ious,  but  such  as 
1  my  welfare ;  but 
rs,  for  I  was  too 
ything  like  a  con- 
rest  till  they  had 
he  least  hint,  that 
At  last  I  resolved 
the  mask,  risk  all 
ndition — and  said, 
d  I  have  told  you 
I  prisoner,  making 
he  horrors  of  this 
after  many  suffer- 
but  certain  death. 
)vidence,  I  got  on 
have  reached  this 

I  am  loaded  with 
nin  which  are  now 
snnecticut,  and  am 
of  mothers  is  now 
d  in  my  captivity, 

told  you  the  real 
rm  against  me,  and 
'ill  be  inevitable." 
took  some  time  to 
they  were  bathed. 
i  go  and  bake  his 
id  of  fire  and  threw 
r  clothes,  to  supply 
The  work  done, 


a  clean  bed  was  laid  down,  on  which  I  was  to  rest ;  and  rest  I  did,  as  in 
a  new  world;  for  I  had  got  rid  of  a  swarm  of  cannibals,  who  were  without 
mercy  eating  me  up  alive ! 

In  the  morning,  I  took  my  leave  of  this  dear  family,  who  had  enchained 
and  riveted  my  soul  to  them  by  their  kindness,  in  esteem  and  gratitude, 
which  have  for  fifty  years  suffered  no  abatement.  I  learned  from  them  a 
lesson  of  humanity,  I  have  ever  remembered,  and  ever  wished  to  imitate. 
The  day  was  clear,  and  after  traveling  a  short  distance,  I  threw  myself  down 
on  the  sunny  side  of  a  stinted  pitch-pine,  upon  a  bed  of  warm  sand.  I 
rested  as  on  a  bed  of  down. 

In  about  a  week  after  this,  I  found  myself  at  Sag  Harbor,  at  the  east  end 
of  Long  Island.  Nor  did  the  kind  providence  of  God  forsake  me.  Again 
I  found  humanity  and  pity  In  a  public  house.  I  was  permitted  to  lie  by 
a  warm  fire,  (a  great  luxury,  the  weather  having  become  cold,)  while 
two  others  of  my  companions  on  board  the  same  engine  of  perdition  to 
American  seamen,  having  made  their  escape,  were  denied  this  favor,  and 
had  to  take  lodgings  in  the  barn.  While  lying  on  my  bed  of  down,  (the 
warm  brick  hearth,)  the  door  of  an  adjoining  room,  where  our  host  and 
landlady  slept,  being  open,  I  heard  her  say,  "  I  could  not  consent  that  the 
other  two  should  lodge  in  the  house,  but  I  pitied  this  young  man."  But 
I  could  see  no  cause  for  this  difference  of  feeling  in  this  woman,  but  the 
agency  of  Him,  who  hath  all  hearts  in  his  hand.  In  a  few  days  an  oppor- 
tunity of  crossing  the  sound  presented.  A  whale-boat,  with  a  commission 
to  make  reprisals  upon  the  enemy,  came  into  the  harbor.  Her  crew,  as 
I  supposed,  were  a  set  of  honest,  good  farmers,  who  resided  at  Norwich, 
in  Connecticut,  where  I  was  born,  and  knew  my  connections.  They 
agreed  to  give  me  passage  to  New  London.  A  sloop  also  came  into  the 
harbor,  with  a  like  commission,  which  belonged  on  the  island.  This  boat 
and  sloop  made  sail  together,  one  bound  to  New  London,  the  other  to 
Saybrook.  But  the  weather  being  very  boisterous,  the  boat  was  in  dan- 
ger ;  so  we  all  went  on  board  the  sloop,  and  the  boat  was  made  fast  to  her 
by  a  tow-line.  But  at  no  great  distance  from  Plumb  Island,  a  privateer, 
which  proved  to  be  out  of  Stonington,  pounced  upon  us ;  and,  under  the 
suspicion  of  our  being  illicit  traders,  carried  us  all  into  New  London. 
And  here  a  scene  of  wickedness  was  developed,  of  which  I  could  not 
have  supposed  my  honest  friends  had  been  capable.  An  agent  had  been 
sent  to  New  York,  had  obtained  a  quantity  of  dry  goods,  and  brought 
them  to  Sag  Harbor.  Here  the  cruising  whale-boat  was  to  receive  and 
carry  them  to  New  London,  where  they  would  be  libelled ;  and  some  of 
the  crew  would  come  into  court,  and  give  oath  that  they  were  taken  from 
the  enemy,  by  virtue  of  their  commission.  And  thus  a  trade  was  carried 
on  with  the  enemy  to  on  infinite  extent.  These  goods  were  put  on  board 
the  sloop,  when  the  boat  was  made  fast  to  her.  And  when  the  privateer 
appeared,  and  we  could  not  escape  her,  the  captain  of  the  sloop  agreed 
to  declare  the  goods  were  his,  and  that  he  had  taken  them  as  a  lawful 
prizo  from  the  enemy.  And  the  crew  of  the  whale-boat,  the  purchasers 
and  owners  of  the  goods,  were  to  swear  they  saw  him  do  it.  The  goods 
being  condemned,  the  captain  of  the  sloop  was  then  to  act  like  an  honest 
rogue,  and  to  restore  them  to  the  crew  of  tho  boat.  Birt  after  the  goods 
were  actually  condemned,  and  the  crew  of  the  boat,  the  real  owners,  had 
in  open  court  sworn,  that  the  goods  were  his  by  lawful  capture,  the  cap- 
tain of  the  sloop  thought  he  had  now  a  fair  opportunity,  to  play  on  them 
a  profitable  trick.  Accordingly,  he  refused  to  restore  them,  and  went  off 
with  the  goods,  sloop  and  all,  to  Connecticut  River.  But  the  crew  of  the 
li 


M 


^i 


>;.<4^>*<''^J^^*^'-'>iK'>~.-i^,  .J.  , 


THE  OLD  JERSEY  CAPTIVE. 

sworn  they  were  not  theirs,  and  <^o°*"/®°  „  !  „.„  gent  for  as  a  witness. 

Tzed.     Ind  I,  who  1--  *^;/^^^^^^  l-d 

And  by  my  testimony,  and  that  ot  one  oi  »»        ^  .     ^^^  ^^^^^^  „.  tho 

not  testified  before,  tha.  the  ^^7/^  JX°P  "^"^  goods  were  con- 
"loop,  the  real  truth  came  to  'f 'Jjf^.^^  ultimately  obtained,  not  only 
demned ;  so  that  the  crew  of  ^Je  ^ Je  boat  «        ^^ J  ^^^^  ^^^ 

their  goods,  but  the  sloop  also,  as  "^ '"'""'^"h  °i„tended^    He  was  taken  in 

"J^^'rSi^lC^ntTc^^^^^^^^^  is  a  matter  of  wonder, 

^atTro^^nrnf^^^^^^^^        tli.r  vill^J.    ^^^  ^^  ^^..^  ,,,,,, 

tared  by  the  privateer  out  of  Stomngton ,  oiner  ^^  ^^^^^ 

carried  Into  Connecticut  ^'^^^  "^^j^^^^^  sunk  under 

did  I  set  my  foot  down  in  a  ^a°d  °t  satety,  inaii  j  j^j^ 

Sle  power  of  that  disease,  which  had  preyedup^^^^^^  ^^^^^^  ^^^^  ^^ 
the  prison-ship.     After  arriving  at  New  London,  i  ^^^ 

threS  miles,  Ld  all  my  strength  f^;l«^' "jj^^j,  „7  S  of  woman  had 

rage  of  the'feven    B"V\*'JJ:' Pf^r'  who^^^^^^^  "le  in  her  pity, 

some  agency.    The  lady  at  Sag  Harbor  wnop  unsolicited, 

thought  of  my  welfare  after  J  ^j^oj^^^j;^^^^^^  I  hLd  not  much  relish 

gave  me  a  meat-pie,  and  a  l«>ttle  °f^"*f„'- , -^uthe         ^      j  ^^^  before 
for  the  pie,  yet  my  thirst  te^^f  ">«  Jo  ^rrnkj^t^^,  i8\he  difference :  the 

j[dtii«tt\^eXKfrr«^^^^ 

*^tri'';ouldgonofu.her,Ifound^ 

carry  me  to  Norwich  Landing,    ^nd  I  tarried  mer  ^^^^^^ 

mTLnds  at  PV^-fi«^^.r:!ohSrmehome'  Thet'st  night  f  lodged 
brother  came  with  a  c""'^^' **» 'jj  P  ^^t  Ideemed  myself  to  be  dying, 
with  a  brother  at  Canterbury.    This  nighty  Id  y       j  ^^  ^^^j    ^ 

and  going  directly  to  my  1^8  J>«™^;  ,f^*  „o8t  affectionate  mother, 
as  to  realh  the  dwelling  "^  ^f.  "^'^J  ^fo,  X  good  of  her  children, 
who  always  seemed  v^'J^Jg  ^nd  [o  sibrntt  to  the  will  of  God,  and  never 
and  who  had  made  up  her  ™'"y°;V^„  jown  with  sickness,  and  other 
more  tosee  her  son,  and  a  ^J^.V/taginartate  of  perfect  derangement. 
^         calamities    Fo^boutthree  weelj^I  wa^^^^^^^^  ^^.^.^  ^^^  ^.^ed 

But,  about  ten  days  later,  an  ""^'^PJ^^/^eath  was  looked  for  as  certain. 

fir/:K'KTL7hS"«a  t^  h,  .^  co.e .  .^^  for 

my  coffin.  i  „„  f„r  rp^ained  my  health,  through  the  great 

>iear  the  close  of  winter,  I  so  f"  '^g*"*^  ^  instruction  of  a  school 

kindness  of  the  God  of  love  -b  to  engage  '«  the  »^.^^   ^^^^^  ^^  ^^^^ 

irhasTen^'rotLrre'iS:  of  yoU,  and  preaching  the 

everlasting  gospel. 


^u»5««^*9jg!iifl*#¥*§?^iB?3" 


^,^j,»i.;,^«M,«gj^«e.^'^ 


4«Mll.!i^|lt  «■»'" 


"T 


though  they  had 
p  with  the  goods 
for  as  a  witness. 
i  crew,  who  liad 
3  captain  oi  tho 
joods  were  con- 
btained,  not  only 
lus  the  treachery 
He  was  taken  in 
latter  of  wonder, 

jras  safely  landed 
at  we  were  cap- 
ihould  have  been 
.     But  no  sooner 
liatcly  sunk  under 
ever  since  I  lett 
I  travel  only  aboyt 
viving  power  and 
ad  of  woman  had 
1  me  in  her  pity, 
,  and,  unsolicited, 
ad  not  much  relish 
aid.     I  had  before 
the  difference :  the 
hand  in  producing 

as  kind  enough  to 
with  a  relative,  till 
ral,  and  my  eldest 
first  night  I  lodged 
myself  to  be  dying, 
t  day,  I  so  revived 
ffectionatc   mother, 
od  of  her  children, 
I  of  God, and  never 
sickness,  and  other 
lerfect  derangement, 
le  crisis  was  formed 
looked  for  as  certain, 
that  having  seen  me 
se  the  next  morning, 
id  come  to  speak  for 

1th,  through  the  great 
rtruction  of  a  school 
od  almost  my  whole 
,  and  preaching  the 


A  SAILOR'S  STORY 


OF 


WHAT   HE   SAW   AND    SUFFERED, 

ni  THK  NAVAL  BBBVIOB  OF  THB  CNIT80  8TATI8,   IN  THE 

WAR  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.* 


D0RINO  the  Revolutionary  war  our  coast  was  lined  with  British  cruisers, 
which  had  almost  annihilated  our  commerce ;  and  the  state  of  Massa- 
chusetts judged  it  expedient  to  build  a  government  vessel,  rated  as  a 
twenty-gun  ship,  named  the  "Protector,"  commanded  by  Captain  John 
Foster  Williams.  She  was  to  be  fitted  out  for  service  as  soon  as  possible, 
to  protect  our  commerce,  and  to  annoy  the  enemy. 

All  means  were  resorted  to,  which  ingenuity  could  devise,  to  induce 
men  to  enlist.  A  recruiting  officer,  bearing  a  flag  and  attended  by  a 
band  of  martial  music,  paraded  the  streets,  to  excite  a  thirst  for  glory  and 
a  spirit  of  military  ambition.  The  recruiting  officer  possessed  the  quali- 
fications requisite  to  make  the  service  appear  alluring,  especially  to  the 
young.  He  was  a  jovial,  good-natured  fellow,  of  ready  wit  and  much 
broad  humor.  When  he  espied  any  large  boys  among  the  idle  crowd 
around  him,  he  would  attract  their  attention  by  singing,  in  a  comical 
manner,  the  following  doggerel : 

"  All  jou  that  have  bad  masteni, 
Aud  cannot  get  your  due  ; 
Oome,  come,  mv  brave  boys. 
And  join  with  our  ship's  crew."  ^ 

A  shout  and  a  huzza  would  follow,  and  some  would  join  in  the  ranks. 
My  excitable  feelings  were  roused ;  I  repaired  to  the  rendezvous,  signed 
the  ship's  papers,  mounted  a  cockade,  and  was  in  my  own  estimation 
already  more  than  half  a  sailor.  Appeals  continued  to  be  made  to  the 
patriotism  of  every  young  man  to  lend  his  aid,  by  his  exertions  on  sea 
or  land,  to  free  his  country  from  the  common  enemy.  About  the  last 
of  February  the  ship  was  ready  to  receive  her  crew,  and  was  hauled  off 
into  the  channel,  that  the  sailors  might  have  no  opportunity  to  run  away 
after  they  were  got  on  board.  Upward  of  three  hundred  and  thirty  men 
were  carried,  dragged,  and  driven  on  board,  of  all  kinds,  ages,  and  de- 
acriptions,  in  all  the  various  stages  of  intoxication  ;  from  that  of  "sober 
tipsiness"  to  beastly  drunkenness,  with  an  uproar  and  clamor  that  may 
be  more  easily  imagined  than  described. 

The  wind  being  fair,  we  weighed  uichor  and  dropped  down  to  Nan- 
tasket  roads,  where  we  lay  till  about  the  first  of  April ;  and  then  set  sail 
for  a  cruise  of  six  months.  We  continued  to  sail  along  the  coast  for  a  few 
weeks,  without  meeting  with  any  of  the  enemy,  when,  some  indications 

•  Tho  narrative  here  given,  is  that  of  Ebeneser  Fox,  who  was  born  in  the  Ticinitr. 
of  Boston,  Mass.,  in  the  year  1763,  and  was  living  as  late  as  the  year  1838. 

(211) 


'  J 


li 


1^ 


Lu-u-.Hirt  <.i<>i«rt^''i'ft<J*^**'"!Baii«^gS!»g^'!ll^^ 


212 


A  SAILOR'S  NARRATIVE. 


of  tempestuous  weather  appearing,  our  captain  judged  it  expedient  to 
steer  for  the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  that  he  might  have  more  sea  room 
in  case  of  a  gale.  On  the  morning  of  June  9th,  1780,  the  fog  began  to 
clear  away;  and  the  man  at  the  mast-head  gave  notice  that  he  saw  a  ship  to 
♦he  westward  of  us.  As  the  fog  cleared  up,  we  perceived  her  to  be  a  large 
ship  under  English  colors,  to  the  windward,  standing  athwart  our  starboard 
bow.  As  she  came  down  upon  us,  she  appeared  as  large  ad  a  seventy- 
four  ;  and  we  were  not  deceived  respecting  her  size,  for  it  afterward 
proved  that  she  was  an  old  East-Indiaman,  of  eleven-hundred  tons  burden, 
fitted  out  as  a  letter-of-marque  for  the  West  India  trade,  mounted  with 
thirty-two  guns,  and  furnished  with  a  complement  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men.  She  was  called  the  Admiral  DuflT,  commanded  by  Richard  Strange, 
from  St.  Christopher  and  St.  Eustatia,  laden  with  sugar  and  tobacco,  and 
bound  to  London.  I  was  standing  near  our  first  lieutenant,  Mr.  Little, 
who  was  calmly  examining  the  enemy,  as  she  approached,  with  his  spy- 
glass, when  Captain  Williams  stepped  up  and  asked  his  opinion  of  her. 
The  lieutenant  applied  the  glass  to  his  eye  again  and  took  a  deliberate 
look  in  silence,  and  replied,  ''I  think  she  is  a  heavy  ship  and  that  we 
shall  have  some  hard  fighting,  but  of  one  thing  I  am  certain,  she  is  not  a 
frigate ;  if  she  wore,  she  would  not  keep  yawing,  and  showing  her  broad- 
sides as  she  docs ;  she  would  show  nothing  but  her  head  and  stern ;  we 
shall  have  the  advantage  of  her,  and  the  quicker  we  get  along  side  the 
better.*'  Our  captain  ordered  English  colors  to  be  hoisted,  and  the  ship 
to  be  cleared  for  action. 

The  enemy  approached  till  within  musket  shot  of  us.  The  two  ships 
were  so  near  to  each  other  that  we  could  distinguish  the  ofiicers  from 
the  men ;  and  I  particularly  noticed  the  captain  on  the  gangway,  a  noble 
looking  man,  having  a  large  gold-laced  cocked  hat  on  his  head,  and  a 
speaking-trumpet  in  his  hand.  Lieutenant  Little  possessed  a  powerful 
voice,  and  he  was  directed  to  hail  the  enemy ;  at  the  same  time  the  quarter 
master  was  ordered  to  stand  ready  to  haul  down  the  English  flag  and  to 
hoist  up  the  American.  Our  lieutenant  took  his  station  on  the  after  part 
of  the  starboard  gangway,  and  elevating  the  trumpet,  exclaimed,  "Hallo! 
whence  come  you?" — "From  Jamaica,  bound  to  London,"  was  the 
answer.  "  What  is  the  ship's  name  ?"  inquired  the  lieutenant.  "  The  Ad- 
miral Duif,"  was  the  reply.  The  English  captain  then  thought  it  his  turn 
to  interrogate,  and  asked  the  name  of  our  ship.  Lieutenant  Little,  in  order 
to  gain  time,  put  the  trumpet  to  his  ear,  pretending  not  to  hear  the  ques- 
tion. During  the  short  interval,  thus  gained.  Captain  Williams  called 
upon  the  gunner  to  ascertain  how  many  guns  could  be  brought  to  bear 
upon  the  enemy.  "  Five,"  was  the  answer.  "  Then  fire,  and  shift  the 
colors,"  were  the  orders.  The  cannons  poured  forth  their  deadly  contents, 
and,  with  the  first  flash,  the  American  flag  took  the  place'  of  the  British 
ensign  at  our  mast-head. 

The  compliment  was  returned  in  the  form  of  a  full  broadside,  and  the 
action  commenced.  I  was  stationed  on  the  edge  of  the  quarter-deck,  to 
sponge  and  load  a  six-poiinder ;  this  position  gave  me  a  fine  opportunity 
to  see  the  whole  action.  Broadsides  were  exchanged  with  great  rapidity 
for  nearly  an  hour;  our  fire,  as  we  afterward  ascertain'' ',  p'vduced  a 
terrible  slaughter  among  the  enem^,  while  our  loss  w:^^^^  tn'  yet  trifling. 
I  happened  to  be  looking  for  a  moment  toward  the  toain-deck,  when  a 
large  shot  came  through  our  ship's  side  and  killed  a  midshipman.  At 
this  moment  a  shot  from  one  of  oar  marines  killed  the  man  at  the  wheel 
of  the  enemy's  ship,  and,  his  place  not  being  immediately  supplied,  she 


■■?••..»  - 


.iUa. 


,r 


(1  it  expedient  to 
vc  more  sea  room 
,  the  fog  began  to 
at  he  saw  a  ship  to 
d  her  to  be  a  large 
iwart  our  starboard 
arge  aa  a  seventy- 
9,  for  it  afterward 
idred  tons  burden, 
ide,  mounted  with 
hundred  and  fifty 
Richard  Strange, 
_.  and  tobacco,  and 
utenant,  Mr.  Little, 
iched,  with  his  spy- 
his  opinion  of  her. 
1  took  a  deliberate 
y  ship  and  that  we 
certain,  she  is  not  a 
showing  her  broad- 
head  and  stern ;  we 
I  get  along  side  the 
misted,  and  the  ship 

us.    The  two  ships 
ish  the  officers  from 
le  gangway,  a  noble 
t  on  his  head,  and  a 
jossessed  a  powerful 
same  time  the  quarter 
e  English  flag  and  to 
ition  on  the  after  part 
t,  exclaimed,  "Hallo! 
)   London,"  was   the 
lieutenant.  "The  Ad- 
len  thought  it  his  turn 
itenant  Little,  in  order 
r  not  to  hear  the  ques- 
!ptain  Williams  called 
Id  be  brought  to  bear 
'hen  fire,  and  shift  the 
J  their  deadly  contents, 
lie  place'  of  the  British 

full  broadside,  and  the 
of  the  quarter-deck,  to 
3  me  a  fine  opportunity 
iged  with  great  rapidity 
flcertain*'',  ["^duced  a 
loss  w-  a!^  yet  trifling, 
the  Kiain-deck,  when  a 
led  a  midshipman.  At 
Hi  the  man  at  the  wheel 
imediately  supplied,  she 


-^i 


»»»».^^M.fiw'7'i'*'.*Mw»^  "T^^^TS?' 


DESTRITOTION  OF  AW  EAST-INDIAMAN. 


313 


was  brought  along  side  of  us  in  such  a  manner  as  to  bring  her  bowsprit 
directly  across  our  forecastle.  Not  knowing  the  cause  of  this  movement, 
wo  supposed  it  to  be  the  intention  of  the  enemy  to  board  us.  Our  boarders 
were  ordered  to  be  ready  with  their  pikes  to  resist  any  such  attempt,  while 
our  guns  on  the  main-deck  were  sending  death  and  destruction  among 
the  crew  of  the  enemy.  Their  principal  object  now  seemed  to  be  to  get 
liberated  from  us,  and  by  cutting  away  some  of  thoir  rigging,  they  were 
soon  clear,  and  at  the  distance  of  a  pistol  shot. 

The  action  was  then  renewed,  with  additional  fury;  broadside  for 
broadside  continued  with  unabated  vigor ;  at  times  so  near  to  each  other 
that  the  muzzles  of  our  guns  came  almost  in  contact,  then  again  at  such 
a  distance  as  to  allow  of  taking  deliberate  aim.  The  contest  was  obsti- 
nately continued  by  the  enemy,  although  we  c»uld  perceive  that  great 
havoc  was  made  among  them,  and  that  it  was  with  much  difficulty  that 
their  men  were  compelled  to  remain  at  their  quarters.  A  charge  of 
grape-shot  came  in  at  one  of  our  port-holes,  which  dangerously  wounded 
four  or  five  of  our  men,  among  whom  was  our  third  lieutenant,  Mr.  Little, 
brother  to  the  first. 

Tiie  action  had  now  lasted  about  an  hour  and  a  half,  and  the  fire  firom 
the  enemy  began  to  slacken,  when  we  suddenly  discovered  that  all  the 
sails  on  hor  mainmast  were  enveloped  in  a  blaze.  The  fire  spread  with 
amazing  rapidity,  and,-  running  down  the  after-rigging,  it  soon  communi- 
cated with  her  magazine,  when  her  whole  stern  was  blown  ofl",  and  her 
valuable  cargo  emptied  into  the  sea.  Our  enemy^s  ship  was  now  a 
complete  wreck,  though  she  still  floated,  and  the  survivors  were  endea- 
voring to  save  themselves  in  the  only  boat  that  had  escaped  the  general 
destruction.  The  humanity  of  our  captain  urged  him  to  make  all  pos- 
sible exertion  to  save  the  miserable,  wounded,  and  burned  wretches,  who 
were  struggling  for  thoir  lives  in  the  water.  The  ship  of  the  enemy  was 
greatly  our  superior  in  size,  and  lay  much  higher  out  of  the  water.  Our 
boats  had  been  much  exposed  to  his  fire,  as  they  were  placed  on  spars 
between  the  fore  and  main  masts  during  the  action,  and  had  sufiered 
considerable  damage.  The  carpenters  were  ordered  to  repair  them  with 
the  utmost  expedition,  and  we  got  them  out  in  season  to  take  up  fifty- 
five  men,  the  greater  part  of  whom  had  been  wounded  by  our  shot  or 
burned  when  the  powder  magazine  exploded.  Their  limbs  were  muti- 
lated by  all  manner  of  wounds,  while  some  were  burned  to  such  a  degree 
that  the  skin  was  nearly  flayed  from  their  bodies.  Our  surgeon  and  his 
assistants  had  just  completed  the  task  of  dressing  the  wounds  of  our  own 
crew,  and  then  they  directed  their  attention  to  the  wounded  of  the  enemy. 
Several  of  them  suifcred  the  amputation  of  their  limbs.  Five  of  them 
died  of  their  wounds,  and  were  committed  to  their  watery  graves.  From 
the  survivors  we  learned,  that  the  British  commander  had  frequently 
expressed  a  desire  to  come  in  contact  with  a  "Yankee  frigate,"  during 
his  voyage,  that  he  might  have  a  prize  to  carry  to  London.  Poor  fellow! 
he  little  thought  of  loosing  his  ship  and  his  life  in  an  engagement  with  a 
ship  so  much  inferior  to  his  own — with  an  enemy  upon  whom  he  looked 
with  so  much  contempt. 

Our  sailors  were  busily  employed  in  picking  up  the  various  articles 
that  were  floating,  and  getting  them  on  board,  while  the  carpenters  and 
riggers  were  engaged  in  repairing  the  damages  we  had  received.  The 
ship  was  soon  in  good  order  and  prepared  again  to  meet  the  enemy,  and 
we  continued  on  our  cruise.    Our  captain,  soon  finding  that  sickness 


I 


»p<"»" 


A  SAILOR'S  NARRATIVE. 

-«,„««  thfi  crew  and  that  the  wounded  were  suffering 
was  increasing  among  Jhe  w^'  ana  ^^^  ^^  ^,^^^ 

greatly,   udged  it  expedient  ^''^SnhZnABnnvUof  wood  and  water, 
for  some  eastern  port,  that  we  "'fh*  f  »•'»*" W«  ,o„veniently 

pr;;;r'ations  to  get  our  sick  and  ^^^^2^2^  .e^dy  ?or  sea,  we  weighed 

Our  repairs  being  completed,  and  all  h,ng8^^^^^^  'j^     banks  of 

anchor  about  the  last  of  June,  .and  steered  «°^«  -^^jM^^^  ,^  f,;,,  ^nd  no 

Newfoundland,  where  the  P'°'''^'''Z?La^n^c^Z^n%iih  the  advice  of 

paired,  and  everything  was  do'^e   to  p"» J.^^^^^  [J^  {  ^,^^,,  ^f  ^ix  months, 

;epa::tions  were  made  for  o^^^^^^^^^^^J^^^^^^  ^eck  and  secured. 
About  the  last  of  October,  our  boats  were  no  remained  a  few 

and  we  dropped  down  into  ^a"  ^sket^^^^^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^ 

days,  and  then  set  sail  upon  °»^ ^?,^^°"°^  ""'^pt'^in  concluded  to  steer  for 

time   and  not  falling  in  vv.th  ^^ytj  "g.  ««;  ^JP*^^^^ 

the  southern  coastot  the  United  States.  We  arrivea  on  ^^^^^^ 

Soutli  Carolina ;  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  day«  te^Un  J^      ^^ 

the  Polly,  a  lotter-of- marque,  of  ^^^f  "*y -f ""''  7,"°  dark,  wo  lost  sight 
gave  chase  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  as  soon  g^ewdarK^^  ^^^  ^g^_ 
Sf  her.     A  thunder  storm  came  on,  and  f"  jands  were  w  g 

Zd  by  the  flashes  of  the  lightmng  we  at  length  d^^^J^  J„„  J;  We 
in  a  different  direction  from  ^^at  we jmd  a^  fi^^^f  "^j^^^^^^^  By  the  aid 

accordingly  shifted  our  course,  a'"^^""^^;^^^^^  ^"  ^e  up  with  her. 
of  the  lightning,  wo  kept  in  \«'Xmr  roared  oriieitenant  through 
"What  ship  is  that,  and  where  f™™j.   '°"  ,    °Sia„ce  to  the  thunder 
his  trumpet,  in  a  voice  that  bore  ^o  sight  -sc^^^^^^ 

which  rolled  above  our  heads,  „  J^.^X'^^^  upon  her  colors, 

to  London,"  was  the  ^«P»y:  ,  ^t?  .WhTS^A  had^the  same  means  of 
showed  that  they  were  English ;  ^/^^J^^,  We  were  completoly 
seeing  the  American  flag  Ay'^g  f»"^  Sed  the  lanterns  burning  fore 
prepared  for  action ;  the  matches  were  bghte^^  ^^^^^^     ^^^ 

and  aft;  and  all  anxiously  waiting  for  the  commands o  ^^^^  ^.^ 

shot  was  fired,  and  our  <V^P'am  ordered  the  enemy  to  ^^^^^  ^^^.^^ 
colors,  or  he  would  blow  him  out  of  the  water.  *"  F^.o„piicd  with. 
Tp  being  formidable  our  captam'^^^^^^^^^  £.,,,,  ^^o 

Our  boat  was  lowered,  and  a  P"^^®™*^^^  ,!"',,  f„.  Boston, 
took  possession  of  the  ship,  and  she  ^^s  ordered  fo^  Boston  ^^^^.^ 

Ourcruisc  thus  far  had  ^eon  prosperous,  and  we  tho„g^ 
day  was  afar  off.".   We  continued  ^^rnly  onjj  cou-r  ^  ^^^  ^^ 

fri'end  or  foe,  during  the  next  ^fy  ;J"  ^jf  J^^leelard."  Mr.  Little 
at  the  mast-head  cried  out,  * «» J*"^  ^^^  ascertained  that  they 
ascended  to  the  mamtop  with  ^  ?  g*J«"' "^J^'^^fnd,  in  full  chase  of  us 
were  two  large  ships,  closely  ha«l«d  "Pon  the  win  ,  ^^^^^  ^^^^^ 

Our  yards  were  braced,  and  all  sad  crowaea  in  r  ^^^^ 

The  chase  continued,  without  gaining  much  upon  us 


jjiMijjji; 


^^p,,,5P^g*-g|-«».-^ 


■*aff  j^^hpy;  *1'???;^;i^i^t^ 


\  were  suffering 
ind,  and  to  steer 
wood  and  water, 
not  conveniently 
id  from  the  Danks 
n  or  eight  days, 
made  immediate 
I. 

sea,  we  weighed 
For  the  banks  of 
ing  to  fail,  and  no 
ith  the  advice  of 
lays  we  came  in 
roads.  In  a  short 
raped,  rigging  re- 
3ct  order.  Wood 
lise  of  six  months, 
ivo  hundred  men, 

deck  and  secured, 
e  remained  a  few 

cruising  for  some 
iluded  to  steer  for 
3  bar  of  Charleston, 

with  a  ship  called 
[  to  London.     We 
dark,  wo  lost  sight 
I  watching  for  her ; 
rered  her,  standing 
Iter  pursuing.    We 
ursuit.     By  the  aid 
B  up  with  her. 
lieutenant  through 
nee  to  the  thunder 
1  Charleston,  bound 
g  upon  her  colors, 
the  same  means  of 
Ve  were  completely 
.nterns  burning  fore 
,f  the  officers.    One 
to  "  Haul  down  his 
B  appearance  of  rat 
antly  complied  with. 
IT  put  on  board,  who 

Boston. 

re  thought  the  "evil 
urse,  without  seeing 
IS  morning,  the  man 
eward."  Mr.  Little 
scertained  that  they 
,  in  full  chase  of  us 
the  ship  could  carry. 
1  us  till  about  p'H)n. 


■q>-»1B 


"> 


THE  STARS  AND  STRIPES  LOWERED. 


215 


when,  the  wind  shifting,  they  fell  into  our  wake,  and  gained  upon  us  very 
fast.  Our  captain,  calling  all  the  hands  aft,  on  the  quiirter-deck,  expressed 
his  opinion,  that  the  ships  in  pursuit  of  us  were  English,  and  that  we 
should  bo  captured.  lie  then  distributed  among  us  his  money  for  safe 
ki3C|)ing,  in  sums  of  fifteen  dollars  to  each,  upon  condition  that  it  should 
bo  returned  to  him  if  we  were  so  fortunate  as  to  escape.  It  was  now 
nearly  sunset,  and  the  enemy  were  gaining  upon  us  rapidly. 

To  attempt  resistance  against  a  force  so  much  our  superior  would  have 
been  unjustifiable ;  and  the  flag  of  thirteen  stars  and  stripes  was  reluctantly 
pulled  down.  The  boats  of  the  enemy  were  manned  and  sent  along  side 
of  our  ship.  Our  crew  were  now  permitted  by  our  officers  to  collect 
their  clothing  and  their  little  property  together,  and  secure  them  in  the 
best  manner  they  could.  By  this  time,  the  boats  had  arrived  along  side, 
and  the  enemy  had  ascended  the  deck. 

Their  first  exploit  was  to  strike  or  kick  every  sailor  that  came  in  their 
way,  bestowing  a  variety  of  opprobrious  epithets,  among  which  "damned 
rebels"  was  of  the  most  frequent  recurrence;   then  they  commenced 
searching  in  every  part  of  the  ship  for  articles  of  value.     Our  crew  were 
ordered  to  pass  down  the  side  of  the  ship  into  the  enemy's  boats ;  but 
were  forbidden  to  carry  anything  with  them.    Some  of  our  crew  fastened 
their  bedding  upon  their  backs,  and  tumbled  themselves  head  foremost 
down  into  the  boats ;  and,  as  it  was  quite  dark,  they  would  unperceived  get 
into  the  cuddy  with  their  bedding,  trusting  to  future  circumstances  for 
opportunity  to  use  or  secrete  it.    We  arrived  along  side,  and  were  ordered 
on  to  the  quarter-deck  of  our  captors.     Some  English  sailor  among  our 
crew,  to  recommend  himself  to  the  favor  of  the  British  captain,  had  given 
information  respecting  the  money  we  had  secreted  about  our  persons. 
The  sergeant  of  arms  was  ordered  to  search  every  one  of  us  till  the  sum 
of  fifteen  dollars  was  found  upon  each  of  us.     In  the  capacity  of  cabin 
steward  I  was  most  of  the  time  in  the  cabin,  and  had  recommended  myself 
to  the  favorable  notice  of  the  American  captain  by  performing  my  duties 
to  his  satisfaction ;  and,  when  the  money  was  distributed   among  our 
crew,  the  captain  gave  me  a  double  share.     I  put  fifteen  dollars  in  the 
crown  of  my  hat,  which  I  pressed  down  upon  my  head  as  closely  as 
possible ;  the  remaining  fifteen  I  placed  in  my  shoes,  between  the  soles. 
At  length  my  turn  to  be  searched  came ;  and  I,  as  the  rest  of  my  fellow- 
prisoners  had  done,  denied  having  any  money.     This  assertion,  however, 
did  not  avail ;  I  was  seized  by  the  collar,  and  shaken  so  violently  that  my 
hat  fell  off,  and  the  dollars  rolled  out  upon  the  deck.     The  sum  of  fifteen 
dollars  being  found,  it  was  concluded  that  I  had  no  more,  and  I  was  sent 
into  the  ship's  hold,  where  I  found  those  of  the  crew  who  had  been 
previously  searched.    Our  accommodations  in  the  hold  were  not  very 
desirable,  especially  to  those  who  had  not  succeeded  in  getting  their 
bedding  into  that  place.     We  found  nothing  to  lie  upon  softer  than  the 
ship's  ballast,  consisting  of  stones  of  all  shapes  and  sizes,  with  here  and 
there  a  lump  of  pig-iron  by  way  of  variety  ;  and  the  water-casks,  which 
afforded  a  surface  rather  uneven  for  the  comfort  and  convenience  of  our 
weary  limbs.     Here  we  spent  the  first  night,  and  were  not  allowed  to  go 
on  deck  till  the  next  morning. 

Shortly  after,  we  anchored  off  Sandy  Hook,  and  preparations  were 
made  to  examine  the  prisoners,  to  ascertain  what  part  of  them  were 
Englishmen ;  or  rather,  who  among  them  would  carry  the  appearance  of 
able-bodied  seamen.  We  were  called  up  from  the  hold  ;  ordered  to  the 
larboard  side  of  the  quarter-deck ;  thence  marched,  in  single  file,  past  a 


-"-■V^  ^Tr--'''  '-^-rl^'""''^""  "'^'~'^.^i'.f''..'i""'inT|-'''''nVrirwrft«rii»w«i  iim   •AavMttS'* 


i*gia^tMftii-y'^- 


216 


▲  SAILOR'S  NARRATIVE. 


m 


number  of  British  officers  on  the  starboard  side  ;  after  that  to  the  gangway, 
and  down  again  into  the  hold.  The  object  of  thus  moving  in  procession 
before  the  officers  was,  to  give  them  an  opportunity  to  select  such  as 
they  chose,  to  serve  on  board  of  their  ships.  With  fear  and  trembling 
wo  paased  through  this  examination.  Whenever  a  healthy,  athletic  looking 
man  passed  by,  he  was  hailed,  and  accused  of  being  an  En^lislunan. 
In  vain  would  his  comrades  attest  to  the  fact  of  his  being  a  native-born 
American,  tell  the  place  of  his  birth  and  the  circumstances  of  his  youth, 
detailed  with  all  the  consistency  and  connection  which  belong  to  truth  ; 
it  was  all  to  no  purpose.  Sailors  they  wanted,  and  have  them  they  would, 
if  they  set  law  and  gospel  at  defiance.  In  this  manner  was  many  an 
American  citizen,  in  the  morning  of  life,  dragged  from  his  country,  his 
friends,  and  his  home ;  forced  on  board  a  ship  of  war  ;  compelled  to  fight 
against  his  own  country ;  and,  if  he  lived,  to  fight  in  battle  with  other 
nations,  against  whom  he  had  no  feelings  of  hostility. 

About  a  third  part  of  our  ship's  crew  were  taken  on  board  of  their 
vessels,  to  serve  in  the  capacity  of  sailors,  without  regarding  their  remon- 
strances ;  while  the  remainder  of  us  were  put  on  board  of  a  wood  coaster, 
to  bo  conveyed  on  board  the  noted  prison  ship  called  the  "Jersey.'*  We 
wished,  if  possible,  to  avoid  the  hard  fate  that  awaited  us ;  and  conceived 
the  design  of  rising  upon  the  guard,  seizing  upon  the  sloop,  and  rur.r':!>g 
her  aground  upon  the  Jersey  shore.  The  plan  could  have  been  easily 
executed  had  there  been  any  one  among  us  to  act  as  a  leader  in  the 
enterprise.  Our  captain  with  his  officers  were  confined  in  the  cabin, 
under  the  watchful  care  of  a  number  of  British  officers  well  armed ;  while 
a  guard  of  soldiers  stood  at  the  head  of  the  companion-way,  to  prevent 
any  communication  with  the  prisoners  upon  the  deck.  Sailors  and  sol- 
diers have  the  courage  to  execute,  but  not  the  skill  to  plan.  Had  our 
captain,  in  whom  we  had  been  in  the  habit  of  pla'  iui^  the  utmost  confi- 
dence, been  with  us,  I  have  no  doubt  we  should  have  obtained  our  freedom. 
As  the  deck  was  loaded  with  wood,  we  could  in  a  moment  have  obtained 
weapons  sufficient  for  our  purpose,  and,  had  any  one  among  us  been 
disposed  to  act  as  a  leader,  we  should  soon  have  had  possession  of  the 
vessel.  We  afterward  regretted  exceedingly  that  we  did  not  make  the 
attempt.  We  proceeded  slowly  up  the  river  toward  our  much  dreaded 
place  of  confinement,  and  at  doubling  a  point  we  came  in  sight  of  the 
gloomy  looking  hulk  of  the  old  Jersey,  aptly  named  by  the  sailors,  "  The 
hell  afloat."  The  Jersey  was  originally  a  seventy-four  gun  ship,  and,  at 
the  commencement  of  the  American  Revolution,  being  found  m  a  state 
of  decay  and  unfit  for  service  at  sea,  she  was  dismantled,  moored  in  the 
East  River,  at  New  York,  and  used  as  a  store-ship.  In  the  year  1780, 
she  was  converted  into  a  prison  ship,  and  continued  to  be  used  for  that 
purpose  during  the  remainder  of  tiie  war. 

In  consequence  of  the  fears  that  were  entertained  that  the  sickness, 
which  prevailed  among  the  prisoners,  might  spread  to  the  shore,  she  was 
removed,  and  moored  with  chain  cables  at  the  Wallabout,  a  lonely  and 
unfrequented  place  on  the  shore  of  Long  Island.  Her  external  appear- 
ance was  forbidding  and  gloomy.  She  was  dismantled ;  her  only  spars 
were  the  bowsprit ;  a  derrick,  that  looked  like  a  gallows,  for  hoisting 
supplies  on  board;  and  a  flag-staff  at  the  stern.  The  port-holes  weri; 
closed  and  secured.  Two  tiers  of  holts  were  cut  through  her  sides, 
about  two  feet  square  and  about  ten  feet  apart,  strongly  guarded  by  a 
grating  of  irqk  bars.  The  sloop  anchored  at  a  little  distance  from  the 
Jersey,  and  two  boats  were  sent  along  side  to  receive  us.    The  boats 


» 


<■  t^aHfi^MiDiiitUtiti/n 


i»M»*<l»*j>Wi  MJitwWIifc  t 


o  the  f(angwty, 
in  procession 
lolect  such  as 
and  trembling 
ithlotic  looking 
n  En^litiliinan. 
a  native-born 
a  of  his  youth, 
telong  to  truth ; 
cm  they  would, 
was  many  an 
va  country,  his 
npclled  to  fight 
Lttle  with  other 

board  of  their 
ng  their  remon- 
a  wood  coaster, 
"Jersey."     Wo 

and  coccoived 
op,  and  Tur.r'tig 
avo  been  easily 
a  leader  in  the 
id  in  the  cabin, 
ell  armed ;  while 
i-way,  to  prevent 

Sailors  and  sol- 
plan.  Had  our 
the  utmost  confi- 
ned our  freedom. 
lui  have  obtained 
among  us  been 
possession  of  the 
id  not  make  the 
T  much  dreaded 
3  in  sight  of  the 
the  sailors, "  The 
gun  ship,  and,  at 
found  in  a  state 
d,  moored  in  the 
;n  tlie  year  1780, 
o  be  used  for  that 

that  the  sickness, 
he  shore,  she  was 
MUt,  a  lonely  and 
r  external  appear- 
d;  her  only  spars 
ilows,  for  hoisting 
le  port-holes  wero 
hrough  her  sides, 
igly  guarded  by  a 
distance  from  the 
e  us.    The  boats 


•'"•I*' 


SENT  ON  BOARD  "THE  OLD  JERSEY." 


317 


poanod  and  re-passed  several  times  before  all  of  us  got  on  board;  and 
iadtiy  tlio  ca|)tain'8  barge  was  sent  to  convoy  our  officers  to  their  place 
of  potiiiiicniont.  Not  a  groat  while  oiler  wn  were  imprisoned  our  captain, 
to^'i^tlicr  with  the  lieutenant  and  the  sailing-master,  Mr.  Lemon,  were 
<4;Mit  to  England ;  tho  latter,  being  an  Englishman,  had  the  comfortable 
assurance,  tliat  ho  should  be  hanged  as  soon  as  he  arrived.  At\or  being 
(li  tained  in  the  boats  along  side  a  little  while,  wo  wore  ordered  to  ascend 
to  ilio  up|)(  r  dock  of  the  prison  ship.  Here  our  names  were  registered, 
and  I  Ik-  capacity  in  which  we  had  served  previous  to  our  capture.  Each 
of  us  was  permitted  to  retain  whatever  clothing  and  bedding  wo  had 
broii;:,'ht,  atlcr  having  been  examined  to  ascertain  that  they  contained  no 
weapons  nor  money  ;  and  then  wo  were  directed  to  pass  through  a  strong 
door,  on  the  atarlward  side,  down  a  ladder  leading  to  the  main  hatchway. ' 
I  now  found  myself  in  a  loathsome  prison,  among  a  collection  of  tho 
mo.si  wretched  and  disgusting  looking  objects  that  I  ever  behold  in  human 
form.  Here  was  a  motley  crew,  covered  with  rags  and  filth;  visages 
pallid  with  disease,  emaciated  with  hunger  and  anxiety,  and  retainmg 
hardly  u  trace  of  their  original  appearance.  Hero  were  men,  who  had 
onco  enjoyed  life  while  riding  over  the  mountain  wave  or  roaming  through 
pleasant  fields,  full  of  health  and  vigor,  now  shriveled  by  a  scanty  and 
uuwholcsoi.io  diet,  ghastly  with  inhaling  an  impure  atmosphere,  exposed 
to  contagion,  in  contact  with  disease,  and  surrounded  with  tho  horrors 
of  sickness  and  death.  Here,  thought  I,  must  I  linger  out  tho  morning 
of  my  life,  in  tedious  days  and  sleepless  nights,  enduring  a  weary  and 
degrading  captivity,  till  death  shall  terminate  my  sufferings,  and  no  friend 
will  know  of  my  departure.  A  prisoner  on  board  of  "the  old  Jersey!" 
The  very  thought  was  appalling.     1  could  hardly  realize  my  situation. 

Tho  first  thing  we  found  it  necessary  to  do  after  our  captivity  was  to 
form  ourselves  into  small  parties,  called  "messes,"  consisting  of  six  men 
each ;  as,  previous  to  doing  this,  wo  could  obtain  no  food.  All  tho  pkis- 
oners  were  obliged  to  fast  on  the  first  day  of  their  arrival ;  and  seldom  on 
tho  second  could  thoy  procure  any  food  in  season  for  cooking  it.  No 
matter  how  hungry  they  were,  no  deviation  from  tho  rules  of  the  ship 
was  permitted.  All  the  prisoners  fared  alike ;  officers  and  sailors  received 
the  same  treatment  on  board  of  this  old  hulk.  Our  keepers  were  no 
respecters  of  persons.  We  were  all  "rebels."  The  quantity  and  quality 
of  our  faro  was  the  same  for  all.  The  only  distinction  known  among  us 
was  made  by  tho  prisoners  themselves,  which  was  shown  in  allowing 
those  who  had  been  officers  previous  to  their  capture,  to  congregate  in 
the  extreme  after-part  of  the  ship,  and  to  keep  it  exclusively  to  themselves 
as  their  places  of  abode.  The  various  messes  of  the  prisoners  were 
numbered ;  and  nine  in  the  morning  was  the  hour  when  the  steward  would 
deliver  from  the  window  in  his  room,  at  the  after-part  of  the  ship,  the 
allowance  granted  to  each  mess.  Each  mess  chose  one  of  their  company 
to  be  prepared  to  answer  to  their  number  when  it  was  called  by  the 
steward,  and  to  receive  the  allowance  as  it  was  handed  from  the  window. 
Whatever  was  thrust  out  must  be  taken ;  no  change  could  be  made  in 
its  quantity  or  quality.  Each  mess  received  daily  what  was  equivalent 
in  weight  or  measure,  but  not  in  quality,  to  the  rations  of  four  men  at  full 
allowance:  that  is,  each  prisoner  received  two-thirds  as  much  as  was 
allowed  to  a  seaman  in  the  British  navy. 

Our  bill  of  fare  was  as  follows :  On  Sunday,  one  pound  of  biscuit,  one 
pound  of  pork,  and  half  a  pint  of  peas.  Monday,  ono  pound  of  biscuit, 
one  pint  of  oatmeal,  and  two  ounces  of  butter.    Tuesday,  one  pound  of 


\ 


I 


w,»iti0i'i-*  i>ri,MaiM(ii 


■'  11   nm  I 


218 


A  SAILORS  NAUUATIVE. 


biscuit,  and  two  poundH  of  Halt  borT.  Wcdiitmilay,  nnn  and  a  half  pounds 
ot'iloiir,  and  two  ntinm  ofNitot.  Thursday  was  a  repetition  of  Siindny^s 
la'i",  Friday  of  Monday's,  and  Saturday  of  Tucsday^H. 

If  thin  food  had  been  of  a  pood  tpiality  and  properly  cooked,  as  wr 
had  no  labor  to  perform,  it  would  have  kept  iir  comfortable,  at  leant  from 
8ulierin)(.  But  this  was  not  the  caao.  All  our  food  appeared  to  bo 
damaged.  As  for  tho  pork,  wo  were  cheated  out  of  it  more  than  half  ot 
the  time:  and,  when  it  was  obtained,  ono  would  have  judged  from  its 
motley  hues,  exhibiting  tho  consistence  and  appearance  of  varie^nlcd 
fancy  soap,  that  it  was  tlio  flesh  of  the  porpoise,  or  sea-hoj^,  and  had  been 
an  inhaliitant  of  tho  ocean  rather  than  of  the  sty.  Tho  peas  were  gener- 
ally damaged,  and,  from  the  imperfect  manner  in  which  they  were  cooked, 
were  about  as  indigestible  as  grape-shot.  The  butter  tho  rcadctr  will 
not  suppose  was  the  real  "(ioshen  ;^*  and  had  it  not  been  for  its  adhesive 
properties  to  retain  toget!?er  the  particles  of  tho  biscuit,  that  had  been  so 
riddled  by  the  worms  as  to  lose  all  their  attraction  of  cohesion,  we  siiould 
have  considered  it  no  desirable  addition  to  our  viands.  The  flour  and 
the  oatmeal  were  often  sour,  and  when  the  suet  was  mixed  with  it,  we 
should  have  considered  it  a  blessing  to  have  been  destitute  of  the  sense 
of  smelling  before  wo  admitted  it  into  our  mouths:  it  might  be  nr^ncd 
half  tho  length  of  the  ship.  And  last,  though  not  the  least  item  among 
our  staples  in  the  eating  line^-our  beef.  Its  color  was  of  dark  mahogany  ; 
and  it  could  be  pulled  into  pieces  ono  way  in  strings,  lik'.>  rope-yarn.  It 
was  so  completely  saturated  with  salt,  that,  after  having  been  boiled  in 
water  taken  from  the  sea,  it  was  found  to  bo  considerably  freshened  by 
the  process. 

Such  was  our  food.  But  the  quality  of  it  was  not  all  that  wc  had  reason 
to  complain  of.  The  manner  in  which  it  was  cooked  was  more  injurious 
to  our  health  than  tho  quality  of  the  food  ;  and,  in  many  cases,  laid  tho 
foundation  of  diseases,  that  brought  many  a  suflcrer  to  his  gnive,  years 
after  his  liberation.  The  cooking  for  the  prisoners  was  done  in  a  great 
copper  vessel,  that  contained  between  two  and  three  hogsheadis  of  water, 
set  in  brick-work.  The  form  of  it  was  square,  and  it  was  divided  into 
two  compartments  by  a  partition.  In  one  of  these,  tiie  pens  and  oat- 
meal were  boiled  ;  this  was  done  in  fresh  water:  in  the  oth':r,  the  meat 
was  boiled  in  salt  water  taken  up  from  along  side  of  the  ship. 

Tho  Jersey,  from  her  size  and  lying  near  the  shore,  was  imbedded  in 
the  mud ;  and  I  do  not  recollect  seeing  her  afloat  during  the  whole  time 
I  was  a  prisoner.  All  the  filth  that  accumulated  among  upward  of  a 
thousand  men  was  daily  thrown  overboard,  and  would  remain  there  till 
carried  away  by  the  tide.  The  impurity  of  the  water  may  be  easily 
conceived  ;  and  in  this  water  our  meat  was  boiled.  It  will  be  recollected, 
too,  that  the  water  was  salt,  which  caused  the  inside  of  the  copper  to 
become  corroded  to  such  a  degree  thai  it  was  lined  with  a  coat  of  verdi- 
gris. Meat  thus  cooked  must  in  some  degree  be  poisoned;  and  the 
eflfects  of  it  were  manifest  in  the  cadaverous  countenances  of  the  ema- 
ciated beings,  who  had  remained  on  board  for  any  length  of  time. 

The  persons  chosen  by  each  mess  to  receive  their  portions  of  food, 
were  summoned  by  the  cook's  bell  to  receive  their  allowance,  and,  when 
it  had  remained  in  the  boiler  a  certain  time,  the  bell  would  again  sound, 
and  the  allowance  must  be  immediately  taken  away:  whether  it  was 
sufficiently  cooked  or  not,  it  could  remain  no  longer.  The  food  was 
generally  very  imperfectly  cooked ;  yet  this  sustenance,  wretched  as  it 
was,  and  deficient  in  quantity,  was  greedily  devoured  by  the  half-starred 


ir's'ir  Lf^ii^i  mMCi^mmkm 


^*»w^  •*  ijV»-ty'**vA.**»  t**^ 


■^."i'^:-.",:"f,y. 


"^f 


KfUNOS  OP  THE  JERSEY  PRISONERS. 


210 


I  a  hiiir  poiindi 
Lion  «r  Sunday's 

y  cooked,  bh  wo 
li^  at  IcMMt  from 
ii|>|i(>ar<;(l  to  bo 
lorr  than  lialfot 
_udj{ed  from  its 

I'  of  varicxnicd 

ijr,  and  hud  bcun 

as  wcro  gencr- 

u-y  wor«^  cookr*!, 

the  reader  will 
1  for  its  adhesive 
that  had  hern  so 
lesion,  wi;  should 
Tlio  flour  and 
[lixcd  witii  it.  we 
tute  of  the  sense 

niijjht  bo  iK^Hcd 
east  item  among 
f  dark  malio^any  ; 

!  rope-yarn.     It 
been  boiled  in 
ibly  freshened  by 

liat  we  hud  reason 
as  more  injurious 
ny  cases,  laid  the 

0  liis  grave,  years 
Ls  done  in  a  great 
)gshca(ls  of  water, 
t  was  divided  into 
tiio  peas  and  oat- 
10  oth'jr,  tiie  meat 
^  ship. 

was  imbedded  in 
ng  the  whole  time 
lonfi  upward  of  a 

1  remain  there  till 
tcr  may  bo  easily 
will  be  recollected, 
)  of  the  copper  to 
th  a  coat  of  verdi- 
)oisoned;  and  the 
ances  of  the  ema- 
igth  of  time. 

r  portions  of  food, 
owance,  and,  when 
tvould  again  sound, 
y:  whether  it  was 
sr.  The  food  was 
ice,  wretched  as  it 
by  the  half-starved 


priHonom.  No  vegetables  were  allowed  us.  Many  times  since,  wlien  I 
nave  seen  in  the  country,  n  large  kettle  of  potnloesand  pumpkins  steam- 
ing over  ill'-  fire  to  satisfy  the  a|ipetites  of  a  farmer's  swine,  I  have  ihoiight 
of  our  desiii  and  slarveil  condition,  and  what  a  luxury  we  should  have 
considered  i!  ontents  of  that  kettle  on  board  the  .lersey.  The  prisoners 
were  contiix  in  the  two  'nnin-ilecks  below.  The  lowest  dungeon  was 
inhabited  by  those  prisoners  who  wore  foreigners,  and  whoso  treatment 
was  more  severe  than  that  of  the  Americans.  The  inhabitants  of  this 
lowf^r  reyioii  were  the  most  miserable  and  disgusting  looking  objects  that 
can  be  conceived.  Daily  washing  with  salt  water,  together  with  their 
extreme  emaciation,  caused  their  skin  to  ap|iear  like  dried  parchment. 
Many  of  them  remained  unwashed  for  weeks;  their  hair  long  an<l  matted, 
and  filled  with  vermin ;  their  beards  never  cut,  excepting  occasionally  with 
a  pair  of  shears,  which  did  not  improve  their  comeliness,  though  it  might 
add  t(»  their  comfort.  Their  clothes  were  mere  rags,  secured  to  tln^ir 
bodies  in  every  way  that  ingenuity  could  devise.  Many  of  these  nien  had 
been  in  this  lamentable  condition  for  two  years,  part  of  the  time  on  board 
other  prison  ships ;  and,  having  ,7ivon  up  all  hope  of  over  being  e.xchanged, 
had  become  resigned  to  their  situation.  These  men  were  foreigners, 
whose  whole  lives  had  been  cyno  continual  scene  of  toil,  hardship,  and 
suffering.  But  far  ditl'erent  'vas  the  condition  of  the  most  numerous  class 
of  the  prisoners,  composed  mostly  of  young  men  from  New  England,  fresh 
from  home.  They  had  reanon  to  deplore  the  sudden  change  in  their  con- 
dition. The  thoughts  of  home,  of  parents,  brothers,  sisters,  and  friends, 
would  crowd  upon  their  minds;  till  "their  desire  for  home  became  n 
madness." 

In  the  morning,  the  prisoners  were  permitted  to  ascend  the  upper 
deck,  to  spend  the  day,  till  ordered  below  at  sunset.  A  certain  number, 
who  were  for  the  time  called  the  "working  party,"  performed  in  rotiition 
the  duty  of  bringing  up  hammocks  and  bedding  for  airing^  likewise  the 
sick  and  in6rm,  and  tne  bodies  of  those  who  had  died  during  the  night: 
of  these  there  were  generally  a  number  every  morning.  After  these 
services  it  was  their  duty  to  wash  the  decks.  Our  hods  and  clothing 
wore  allowed  to  remain  on  dock  till  we  were  ordered  below  for  the  night; 
this  was  of  considerable  benefit,  as  it  gave  some  of  the  vermin  an  oppor- 
tunity to  migrate  from  the  quarters  they  had  inhabited.  About  two  hours 
before  sunset,  orders  were  given  to  the  prisoners  to  carry  all  their  things 
below ;  but  we  wore  permitted  to  remain  above  till  wo  retired  for  the 
night  into  our  unhealthy  and  crowded  dungeons.  At  sunset,  our  ears 
were  saluted  with  the  insulting  and  hateful  sound  from  our  keepers,  of 
"Down,  rebels,  down,"  and  we  were  hurried  below,  the  hatchways  fastened 
over  IIS,  and  we  were  Icfl  to  pass  the  night  amid  the  accumulated  horrors 
of  sighs  and  groans,  of  foul  vapor,  a  nauseous  and  putrid  atmosphere,  in 
a  stifled  and  almost  suffocating  heat.  The  tiers  of  holes  through  the 
sides  of  the  ship  were  strongly  grated,  but  not  provided  with  glass ;  and 
it  was  considered  a  privilege  to  sleep  tjear  one  of  these  apertures  in  hot 
weather,  for  the  pure  air  that  passed  in  at  them.  But  little  sleep,  however, 
could  be  enjoyed  even  there ;  for  the  vermin  were  so  horribly  abundant, 
that  all  the  personal  cleanliness  we  could  practice  would  not  protect  us 
from  their  attacks,  or  prevent  their  effecting  a  lodgment  upon  us. 

When  any  of  the  prisoners  died  in  the  night,  their  bodies  were  brought 
to  the  upper  deck  in  the  morning,  and  placed  upon  the  gratings.  If  the 
deceased  had  owned  a  blanket,  any  prisoner  might  sew  it  around  the 
corpse,  and  then  it  was  lowered,  with  a  rope  tied  round  the  middle,  down 


Si 


«r 


■fllli 


m\ 


220 


A  SAILOR'S  NARRATIVE. 


the  a'ie  o:the  ship  into  a  boat.  Some  of  the  prisoners  were  allowed  to 
go  on  shore,  under  a  guard,  to  perform  the  labor  of  interment.  Having 
arrived  on  shore,  they  found  in  a  small  hut  some  tools  for  digging,  and  a 
hand-barrow  on  which  the  body  was  conveyed  to  the  place  for  burial. 
Here,  in  a  bank  near  the  Wallabout,  a  hole  was  excavated  in  the  sa^d,  in 
which  the  body  was  put,  and  then  slightly  covered ;  the  guard  not  giving 
time  sufficient  to  perforin  this  melancholy  service  in  a  faithful  manner. 
Many  bodies  would,  in  a  few  days  afler  this  mockery  of  a  burial,  be 
exposed  nearly  bare  by  the  action  of  the  elements. 

■*  By  feeble  hands  their  shallow  graves  were  made: 
No  stone,  memorial  of  their  corpses,  laid. 
In  barren  sands,  and  far  from  home,  they  lie, 
No  friend  to  shed  a  tear  when  pasning  by— 
O'er  the  mean  tombs  insulting  foemen  tread  ; 
Spurn  at  the  sand,  and  curse  the  rebel  dead." 

This  was  the  last  resting  place  of  many  a  son  and  brother ;  young  and 
noble  spirited  men,  who  had  left  their  happy  homes  and  kind  friends  to 
offer  their  lives  in  the  service  of  their  country;  but  they  little  thought  of 
such  a  termination  to  their  active  career.  The  fpte  of  many  of  these 
unhappy  victims  must  have  remained  forever  unknown  to  their  friends;  for, 
in  so  large  a  number,  no  exact  account  could  be  kept  of  those  who  died,  and 
they  rested  in  a  nameless  grave ;  while  those  who  performed  the  last  sad 
rites  were  hurried  away  before  their  task  was  half  completed,  and  for- 
bidden to  express  their  horror  and  indignation  at  this  insulting  negligence 
toward  the  dead. 

The  regular  crew  of  the  Jersey  consisted  of  a  captain,  two  mates,  a 
steward,  a  cook,  and  about  a  dozen  sailors.  There  was  likewise  on  board 
a  guard  of  ten  or  twelve  old  invalid  marines^  who  were  unfit  for  active 
service ;  and  a  guard  of  about  thirty  soldiers,  from  the  different  regiments 
quartered  on  Long  Island,  who  were  relieved  by  a  fresh  party  every 
week.  The  physical  force  of  the  prisoners  was  sufficient  at  any  time  to 
take  possession  of  the  ship;  but  the  difficulty  was,  to  dispose  of  themselves 
after  a  successful  attempt.  Long  Island  was  in  possession  of  the  British, 
and  the  inhabitants  were  favorable  to  the  British  cause.  To  leave  the 
ship,  and  land  upon  the  island,  would  be  followed  by  almost  certain 
detection.  Yet,  small  as  was  the  chance  for  succeeding  in  an  underta- 
king, the  attempt  to  escape  was  often  made,  and  in  not  a  few  instances 
with  success. 

Some  weeks  after  our  imprisonment  on  board  the  Jersey  the  following 
successful  attempt  was  made  by  a  number  of  the  prison<;rs.  At  sunset  the 
prisoners  were  driven  below,  and  the  main  hatchway  was  closed,  in 
this  there  was  a  small  trap-door,  large  enough  for  a  man  to  pass  through, 
and  a  sentinel  was  placed  over  it  with  orders  to  permit  but  one  prisoner 
at  a  time  to  come  up  during  the  night.  The  plan  that  had  been  formed 
was  this :  one  of  the  prisoners  should  ascend,  and  dispose  of  the  sentinel 
in  such  a  manner  that  he  should  be  no  obstacle  in  the  way  of  those  who 
were  to  follow.  Among  the  soldiers  was  an  Irishman  who,  in  consequence 
of  having  a  head  of  hair  remarkable  for  its  curly  appearance,  and  withal 
0  "ery  crabbed  disposition,  had  been  nicknamed  "  Billy  the  Ram."  He 
was  the  sentry  on  deck  this  night,  for  one  was  deemed  sufficient,  as  the 
prisoners  were  considered  secure  when  they  were  below,  having  no 
other  place  of  egress  saving  the  trap-door,  over  which  the  sentinel  was 
stationed.    Late  in  the  night,  one  of  the  prisoners,  a  bold,  athletic  fellow. 


Ill 


[i  * 


FLOORING  OP  "  BILLY  THE  RAM." 


221 


I  were  allowed  to 
terment.  Having 
For  digging,  and  a 
place  for  burial. 
;ed  in  the  sai.d,  in 
e  guard  not  giving 
a  faithful  manner. 
ry  of  a  burial,  be 


e: 


>rother ;  young  and 
md  kind  friends  to 
ey  little  thought  of 
3  of  many  of  these 
to  their  friends;  for, 
those  who  died,  and 
rtormed  the  last  sad 
completed,  and  for- 
insulting  negligence 

aptain,  two  mates,  a 
as  likewise  on  board 
were  unfit  for  active 
B  different  regiments 
a  fresh  party  every 
&cient  at  any  time  to 
lispose  of  themselves 
ession  of  the  British, 
ause.  To  leave  the 
d  by  almost  certain 
eding  in  an  underta- 
i  not  a  few  instances 

Jersey  the  following 
Dn<^rs.    At  sunset  the 
way  was  closed.    In 
man  to  pass  through, 
rmit  but  one  prisoner 
that  had  been  formed 
lispose  of  the  sentinel 
the  way  of  those  who 
n  who,  in  consequence 
ppearance,  and  withal 
Billy  the  Ram."    He 
emed  sufficient,  as  the 
ere  below,  having  no 
vhich  the  sentinel  was 
,B  bold,  athletic  fellow. 


ascended  upon  deck,  and  in  an  artful  manner  engaged  the  attention  of 
«  Billy  the  Ram,"  in  conversation  respecting  the  war ;  lamentmg  that  he 
had  ever  engaged  in  so  unnatural  a  contest ;  expressing  his  intention  of 
enlisting  in  the  British  service  ;  and  requesting  Billfs  advice  as  to  the 
course  necessary  to  be  pursued  to  obtain  the  confidence  of  the  officers. 
Billy  happened  to  be  in  a  mood  to  take  some  interest  in  his  views,  and 
showed  an  inclination,  quite  uncommon  for  him,  to  prolong  the  conver- 
sation. Unsuspicious  of  any  evil  design  on  the  part  of  the  prisoner,  and 
while  leaning  carelessly  on  his  gun,  "Billy"  received  a  tremendous 
blow  from  the  fist  of  his  entertainer,  on  the  back  of  his  head,  whiph 
brought  him  to  the  deck  in  a  state  of  insensibility.  As  soon  as  he  was 
heard  to  fall  by  those  below,  who  were  anxiously  waiting  the  result 
of  the  friendly  conversation  of  their  pioneer  with  "  Billy,"  and  were  satis- 
fied that  the  final  knock-down  argument  had  been  given ;  they  bogan 
10  ascend,  and,  one  after  another,  to  jump  overboard,  to  the  amount  of 

°^  The  noise  aroused  the  guard,  who  came  upon  deck,  where  they  found 
»  Billv,"  not  sufficiently  recovered  from  the  stunning  eflTecta  of  the  blow 
ho  had  received,  to  give  any  account  of  the  transaction.  A  noise  was 
heard  in  the  water  ;  but  it  was  so  dark  that  no  object  could  be  distinguished. 
The  attention  of  the  guard,  however,  was  directed  to  certain  spots,  which 
exhibited  a  luminous  appearance,  which  salt  water  is  known  to  assume 
in  the  night  when  it  is  agitated  ;  and  to  these  appearances  they  directed 
their  fire,  and,  getting  out  the  boats,  picked  up  about  half  of  the  number 
that  attempted  to  escape,  many  of  whom  were  wounded,  though  no  one 
was  killed.  The  rest  escaped.  During  the  uproar  overhead,  tne  priso- 
ners below  encouraged  the  fugitives  and  expressed  their  approbation  of 
their  proceedings  in  three  hearty  cheers ;  for  which  gratification  we  suf- 
fered our  usual  punishment— a  short  allowance  of  our  already  short  and 
miflerable  fare. 

Not  long  after  this,  another  successful  attempt  to  escape  was  made, 
which  for  its  boldness  is,  perhaps,  unparalleled  in  the  history  of  such 
transactions.  One  pleasant  morning  about  ten  o'clock,  a  boat  came 
along  side,  containing  a  number  of  gentlemen  from  New  York,  who  came 
for  the  purpose  of  gratifying  themselves  with  a  sight  of  the  miserable 
tenants  of  the  prison  ship:  influenced  by  the  same  kind  of  curiosity  that 
induces  some  people  to  travel  a  great  distance  to  witness  an  execution. 
The  boat,  which  was  a  beautiful  yawl,  and  sat  like  a  swan  upon  the  water, 
was  manned  by  four  oarsmen,  with  a  man  at  the  helm.  Considerable 
attention  and  respect  was  shown  to  the  visitors,  the  ship's  side  being 
manned  when  they  showed  their  intention  of  coming  on  board,  and  the 
usual  naval  courtesies  extended.  The  gentlemen  were  soon  on  board ; 
and  the  crew  of  the  yawl,  having  secured  her-  to  the  fore-chains  on  the 
larboard  side  of  the  ship,  were  permitted  to  ascend  the  deck. 

A  soldier,  as  usual,  was  pacing  with  a  slow  and  measured  tread  the 
whole  length  of  the  deck,  wheeling  round  with  military  precision  when 
he  arrived  at  the  end  of  his  walk  ;  and,  whether  upon  this  occasion  any 
one  interested  in  his  movements  had  secretly  slipped  a  guinea  into  his 
hand,  not  to  quicken,  but  to  retard  his  progress,  was  never  known;  but 
it  was  evident  to  the  prisoners  that  he  had  never  occupied  so  much  time 
before  in  measuring  the  distance  with  his  back  to  the  place  where  the 
yawl  was  fastened.  At  this  time,  there  were  sitting  in  the  forecastlt), 
8pparf,ntly  admiring  the  beautiful  ap)  earance  of  the  yawl,  four  mates 
and  a  captain,  wh©  had  been  brought  on  board  as  priaoners  a  few  days 


•  -*-_«sifw-,t#*«#=* 


•  '-"v.^^rM/e"^-^- 


Illl 


222 


A  SAILOR'S  NARRATIVE. 


previous,  taken  in  some  vo.ssel  from  a  southern  port.  As  soon  as  the 
sentry  had  passed  these  men,  in  his  straight-forward  march,  they  in  a 
very  quiet  manner  lowered  themselves  down  into  the  yawl,  cut  the  rope, 
and  the  four  mates  taking  in  hand  the  oars,  while  the  captain  managed 
the  helm,  in  less  time  than  I  have  taken  to  describe  it  they  were  under 
full  sweep  from  the  ship.  They  plied  the  oars  with  such  v'gor,  that 
every  stroke  they  took  seemed  to  take  the  boat  out  of  the  water.  In  the 
meantime,  the  sentry  heard  nothing  and  saw  nothing  of  this  transaction, 
till  he  had  arrived  at  the  end  of  his  march,  when,  in  wheeling  slowly 
round,  he  could  no  longer  affect  ignorance,  or  avoid  seeing  that  the 
boat  was  several  times  its  length  from  the  ship.  lie  immediately  fired; 
but,  whether  he  exercised  his  best  skill  as  a  marksman,  or  whether  it  was 
on  account  of  the  boat  going  ahead  its  whole  length  at  every  pull  of  the 
rowers,  I  could  never  exactly  ascertain:  but  the  ball  fell  harmless  into 
the  water.  The  report  of  the  gun  brought  the  whole  guard  out,  who 
blazed  away  at  the  fugitives,  without  producing  any  diminution  in  the 
rapidity  of  their  progress. 

By  this  time,  the  oflicers  of  the  ship  were  on  deck  with  their  visitors; 
and,  while  all  were  gazing  with  astonishment  at  the  boldness  and  efiVon- 
tery  of  the  achievement,  and  the  guard  were  firing  as  fast  as  they  could 
load  their  guns,  the  captain  in  the  yawl  lefl  the  helm,  and,  standing  erect 
in  the  stern,  with  his  back  to  the  Jersey,  bendiiig  his  body  to  a  right  angle 
he  exhibited  the  broadest  part  of  himself  to  their  view,  and  with  a  signi- 
ficant gesture  directed  their  attention  to  it  as  a  proper  target  for  the  exer- 
cise of  their  skill.  This  contemptuous  defiance  caused  our  captain  to 
swell  with  rage ;  and  when  the  prisoners  gave  three  cheers  to  the  yawPa 
crew,  as  expressive  of  their  joy  at  their  success,  he  ordered  all  of  us  to  be 
driven  below  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  and  there  we  were  confined 
the  remainder  of  the  day.  These  five  men  escaped,  greatly  to  the  morti- 
fication of  the  captain  and  officers  of  the  prison  ship.  After  this,  as  long 
as  I  remained  a  prisoner,  whenever  any  visitors  came  on  board,  all  the 
prisoners  were  driven  below,  where  they  were  obliged  to  remain  till  the 
company  had  departed. 

The  miseries  of  our  condition  were  continually  increasing:  the  pesti- 
lence on  board  spread  rapidly,  and  every  day  added  to  our  bill  of  mor- 
tality. With  the  hope  that  some  relief  might  be  obtained  to  meliorato 
the  wretchedness  of  our  situation,  the  prisoners  petitioned  Gen.  Clinton, 
commanding  the  British  forces  in  New  York,  for  permission  to  send  a 
memorial  to  General  Washington,  describing  our  condition,  and  reques- 
ting his  influence  in  our  behalf,  that  some  exchange  of  prisoners  might 
be  effected.  Permission  was  obtained,  and  the  memorial  was  sent.  In 
a  few  days,  an  answer  was  received  from  Gen.  Washington,  containing 
expressions  full  of  interest  and  sympathy,  but  declaring  his  inability  to 
do  anytiiing  for  our  relief  by  way  of  exchange,  as  his  authority  did  not 
extend  to  the  marine  department  of  the  service,  and  that  soldiers  could 
not  consistently  be  exchanged  for  sailors.  He  declared  his  intention, 
however,  to  lay  our  memorial  before  Congress,  and  that  no  exertion 
should  be  spared  by  him  to  mitigate  our  sufferings.  Gen.  Washington 
at  the  same  time  sent  letters  to  Gen.  Clinton,  and  to  the  British  Com- 
missary of  Prisoners,  in  which  he  remonstrated  against  their  cruel  treat- 
ment of  the  American  prisoners,  and  threatened,  if  our  situation  was  not 
made  more  tolerable,  to  retaliate  by  placing  British  prisonera  in  circum- 
stances as  rigorous  and  uncomfortable  as  were  our  own :  that  "  with  what 
measure  they  meted,  the  same  should  be  measured  to  them  again." 


.*JfV 


lilWHIillH  »nw 


iiKiiiil  l-iliill»Jlii  I  111.  IMI* 


PRANKS  OF  THE  PRISONERS. 


223 


S.a  soon  as  the 
larch,  they  in  8 
vl,  cut  the  rope, 
laptain  managed 
hey  were  under 
juch  v'gor,  that 
j  water.  In  the 
this  transaction, 
wheeling  slowly 

seeing  that  the 
imediatcly  fired ; 

whether  it  was 
!very  pull  of  the 
11  harmless  into 

guard  out,  who 
iminution  in  the 

th  their  visitors ; 
Iness  and  eflVon- 
ast  as  they  could 
id,  standing  erect 
y  to  a  right  angle 
and  with  a  signi- 
rget  for  the  exer- 
d  our  captain  to 
sers  to  the  yawl's 
ed  all  of  us  to  be 
re  were  confined 
3atly  to  the  morti- 
\.fter  this,  as  long 
on  board,  all  the 
to  remain  till  the 

easing:  the  pesti- 
)  our  bill  of  mor- 
ined  to  meliorate 
ned  Gen.  Clinton, 
mission  to  send  a 
ition,  and  reques- 
»f  prisoners  might 
rial  was  sent.    In 
ington,  containing 
ng  his  inability  to 
I  authority  did  not 
that  soldiers  could 
ired  his  intention, 
that  no  exertion 
Gen.  Washington 
the  British  Com- 
jt  their  cruel  trcat- 
r  situation  was  not 
risoners  in  circum- 
n:  that  "with  what 
1  to  them  again.'* 


Wc  experienced  after  this  some  little  improvement  in  our  food,  but  no 
relaxation  in  the  severity  of  our  confinement. 

As  every  principle  of  justice  and  humanity  was  disregarded  by  the 
British  in  the  treatment  of  their  prisoners,  so,  likewise,  every  moral  and 
legal  right  was  violated  in  compelling  them  to  enter  into  their  service. 
Wc  had  obtained  some  information  in  relation  to  an  expected  draught 
that  would  soon  be  made  upon  the  prisoners  to  fill  up  a  complement  of 
men  that  were  wanted  for  the  service  of  his  Majesty's  fleet.  One  day 
in  the  latter  part  of  August,  our  fears  of  the  dreaded  event  were  realized. 
A  British  officer  with  a  number  of  soldiers  came  on  board.  The  prisoners 
were  all  ordered  on  deck,  placed  on  the  larboard-gangway,  and  marched  • 
in  single  file  round  to  the  quarter-deck,  where  the  officers  stood  to 
inspect  them  and  select  such  ones  as  suited  their  fancies,  without  any 
reference  to  the  rights  of  the  prisoners,  or  considering  at  all  the  duties 
they  owed  to  the  land  of  their  nativity,  or  the  government  for  which  they 
had  fought  and  suflfered.  We  continued  to  march  round,  in  solemn  and 
melancholy  procession,  till  they  had  selected  from  among  our  number 
about  three  hundred  of  the  ablest,  nearly  all  of  whom  were  Americans, 
and  they  were  directed  to  go  below  under  a  guard,  to  collect  together 
whatever  things  they  wished  to  take  belonging  to  them.  They  were 
then  driven  into  the  boats,  waiting  along  side,  and  left  the  prison  ship, 
not  to  enjoy  their  freedom,  but  to  be  subjected  to  the  iron  despotism, 
and  galling  slavery  of  a  British  man-of-war;  to  waste  their  lives  in  a 
foreign  service ;  and  toil  for  masters  whom  they  hated.  Such,  however, 
the  horrors  of  our  situation  as  prisoners,  and  so  small  was  the 


A 


were 


prospect  of  relief,  that  we  almost  envied  the  lot  of  those  who  left  the  ship 
to  go  into  the  service  even  of  our  enemy. 

In  the  midst  of  our  distress,  perplexities,  and  troubles  at  this  period, 
we  were  not  a  little  puzzled  to  know  how  to  dispose  of  the  vermin  that 
would  accumulate  upon  our  persons,  notwithstanding  all  our  attempts  at 
cleanliness.  To  catch  them  was  a  very  easy  task,  but  to  undertake  to 
deprive  each  individual  captive  of  life,  as  rapidly  as  they  could  have 
been  taken,  would  have  beei.  i  herculean  task.  To  throw  them  overboard 
would  have  been  but  a  small  relief;  as  they  would  probably  add  to  the 
impurities  of  the  boiler,  by  being  deposited  in  it  the  first  time  it  was 
filled  up  for  cooking  our  unsavory  mess.  What  then  was  to  be  done  |^ 
with  them?  A  general  consultation  was  held,  and  it  was  determined  to 
deprive  them  of  their  liberty.  This  being  agreed  upon,  the  prisoners 
immediately  went  to  work,  for  their  comfort  and  amusement,  to  make  a 
liberal  contribution  of  those  migratory  creatures,  who  were  compelled  to 
colonize  for  a  time  within  the  boundaries  of  a  large  snufi'-box  appropriated 
for  the  purpose.  There  they  lay,  snugly  ensconced,  of  all  colors,  ages, 
and  sizes,  to  the  amount  of  some  thousands,  waiting  for  orders.  British 
recruiting  officers  frequently  came  on  board,  and  held  out  to  the  prisoners 
tempting  offers  to  enlist  in  his  Majesty's  service ;  not  to  fight  against  their 
own  country,  but  to  perform  garrison  duty  in  the  island  of  Jamaica.  One 
day  an  Irish  officer  came  on  board  for  this  purpose,  and  not  meeting 
with  much  success  among  the  prisoners  who  happened  to  be  upon  deck, 
he  descended  below  to  repeat  his  offers.  He  was  a  remarkably  tall  man, 
and  was  obliged  to  stoop  as  he  passed  along  between  the  decks.  The 
prisoners  were  disposed  for  a  frolic,  and  kept  the  officer  in  their  company 
for  some  time,  flattering  him  with  expectations,  till  he  discovered  their 
insincerity,  and  left  them  in  no  very  pleasant  humor.  As  he  passed 
along,  bending  his  body,  and  bringing  his  broad  shoulders  to  nearly  a 


,■  --.-»=,  •'.i*l?i^-"-«nv*Jt«jt*«!a«aw!A=0<^  »■<**-■ 


i  i 


224 


A  SAILOR'S  NARRATIVB. 


ii 


•      i. 


horizontal  position,  the  idea  occurred  to  our  minds  to  furnish  him  with 
soAie  recruits  from  the  colony  in  the  snuif-bcx.  A  favorable  opportunity 
presented,  the  cover  of  the  box  was  removed,  and  the  whole  contents 
discharged  upon  the  red-coated  back  of  the  officer.  Three  cheers  from 
the  prisoners  followed  the  migration,  and  the  officer  ascended  to  the 
deck,  unconscious  of  the  number  and  variety  of  recruits  he  had  obtained 
without  the  formality  of  an  enlistment.  The  captain  of  the  ship,  suspi- 
cious that  some  joke  had  been  practiced,  or  some  mischief  perpetrated, 
from  the  noise  below,  met  the  officer  at  the  head  of  the  gangway,  and, 
seeing  the  vermin  crawling  up  his  shoulders  and  aiming  at  his  head  with 
*  the  instinct  peculiar  to  them,  exclaimed,  "Hoot,  mon,  wha^  is  the  matter 
wi'  yer  bock?"  The  captain  was  a  Scotchman.  By  this  time  many  of 
them,  in  their  wanderings,  had  traveled  round  from  the  rear  to  the  front, 
and  showed  themselves,  to  the  astonishment  of  the  officer.  He  flung  ofi* 
his  coat  in  a  paroxysm  of  rage,  which  was  not  allayed  by  three  cheers 
from  the  prisoners  on  the  deck.  Confinement  below,  with  a  short  allow- 
ance, was  our  punishment  for  this  gratification. 

Situated  as  we  were,  there  appeared  to  us  to  bo  no  moral  turpitude  in 
enlisting  in  the  British  service,  especially  when  we  considered  that  it 
was  almost  certain  we  should  s-^on  be  impressed  into  the  same.  Soon 
after  we  had  formed  this  desperate  resolution,  a  recruiting  officer  came 
on  board  to  enlist  men  for  the  eighty-eighth  regiment,  to  be  stationed  at 
Kingston,  in  the  island  of  Jamaica.  We  had  just  been  trying  to  satisfy 
our  hunger  upon  a  piece  of  beef,  which  was  so  tough  that  no  teeth  could 
make  an  impression  on  it,  when  the  officer  descended  between  decks, 
and  represented  to  us  the  immense  improvement  that  we  should  expe- 
rience in  our  condition,  if  we  were  in  his  Majesty's  service ;  an  abundance 
of  good  food,  comfortable  clothing,  service  easy,  and  in  the  finest  climate 
in  the  world,  were  temptations  too  great  to  be  resisted  by  a  set  of  miserable, 
half-starved,  and  almost  nakcc  wretches,  as  we  were,  and  who  had  already 
concluded  to  accept  of  the  proposition  even  had  it  been  made  under 
circumstait  .es  less  exciting.  The  recruiting  officer  presented  his  papers 
for  our  signature.  Again  we  heard  the  tempting  oflers,  and  again  the 
assurance  that  we  should  not  be  called  upon  to  fight  against  our  govern- 
ment or  country ;  and,  with  the  hope  that  we  should  find  an  opportunity 
J-  to  d«iert,  ef  which  it  was  our  firm  intention  to  avail  ourselves  when  oflfered 
•^vith  such  hopes,  expectations,  and  motives,  we  signed  the  papers,  and 
became  soldiers  in  his  Majesty's  service.* 

But  to  return  to  our  story,  we  shortly  after,  twelve  in  number,  left  the 
Jersey,  and  were  landed  upon  Long  Island  and  marched  under  a  guard 
about  a  mile  to  an  old  barn,  where  we  were  quartered.  Under  various 
pretexts,  we  frequently  went  out  that  night  to  reconnoiter;  but  were 
satisfied  that  there  was  no  chance  for  escape  then,  and  must  trust  to 


•The  reader  may  have  some  curiosity  to  know  what  became  of  the  "  Old  Jersey." 
The  prisoners,  who  were  on  board  of  her  at  tlie  conclasion  of  the  war,  in  1763,  were 
liberated.  The  prison  ship  was  then  abandoned,  and  the  dread  of  contagion  pre- 
vented any  une  visiting  her.  Worms  soon  destroyed  her  bottom,  and  she  afterward 
sunk.  It  18  said  Uiat  her  planks  were  covered  with  the  names  of  the  captives  who  had 
been  imtnured  there ;  a  lone  and  melancholy  catalogue,  as  it  is  supposed  that  a 
greater  number  of  men  periuied  on  board  of  ner  than  history  inform*  na  of  in  aay 
other  place  of  eonfinonent  in  the  sane  pwiod  of  time. 

In  the  year  1803,  the  bank  at  the  Wallabout  was  removed,  as  preparatory  to 
bnildine  b  Navy  Yard.  A  vast  (quantity  of  bones  were  found,  which  were  carefully 
eoUected  and  buried  under  the  direetioa  of  the  Tammany  Society  of  Ifew  York. 


■^% 


i^Sk*.. 


■  --    .^■..■.■.     -.  ....^.^.-i...^  ^■■.^.... ■.■■...■.       I  !■   'I 


0  furnish  him  with 
orable  opportunity 
lie  whole  contents 
rhree  cheers  from 
r  ascended  to  the 
its  he  had  obtained 
of  the  ship,  suspi- 
Bchief  perpetrated, 
the  gangway,  and, 
ag  at  his  head  with 

wha'  is  the  matter 
'  this  time  many  of 
le  rear  to  the  front, 
icer.  He  flung  ofi" 
ed  by  three  cheers 
,  with  a  short  allow- 

>  moral  turpitude  in 
considered  that  it 
to  the  same.  Soon 
iruiting  officer  came 
It,  to  be  stationed  at 
een  trying  to  satisfy 

1  that  no  teeth  could 
ded  between  decks, 
nat  we  should  expe- 
rvice ;  an  abundance 
in  the  finest  climate 
by  a  set  of  miserable, 
and  who  had  already 
it  been  made  under 
presented  his  papers 
offers,  and  again  the 
it  against  our  govern- 
d  find  an  opportunity 
iirselves  when  offered 
igned  the  papers,  and 

re  in  number,  left  the 
iTched  under  a  guard 
;ered.  Under  various 
econnoiter;  but  were 
en,  and  must  trust  to 


uneof  the  "Old  Jersey.' 
of  the  war,  in  1783,  were 
)  dread  of  contagion  pre- 
Mttcm,  and  she  afterward 
es  of  the  captives  who  had 
as  it  is  supposed  that  a 
»ry  infonn«  na  of  in  wy 

moved,  as  preparatoiy  to 
and,  which  were  carefully 
Society  ^  ^^  York. 


imc 


PRESSED  INTO  THE  BRITISH  ARM7. 


236 


Providence  for  some  more  favorable  opportunity.  Disappointed  in  all 
our  hopes  and  expectations  of  escape,  we  were  hurried  on  board  of  a 
vessel  ready  to  sail  for  Jamaica,  only  waiting  for  a  favorable  wind.  We 
entertained  a  faint  hope,  that,  during  our  voyage,  we  might  be  taken  by 
some  American  privateer,  and  consequently  obtain  our  freedom.  In  the 
course  of  six  or  eight  days,  we  weighed  anchor,  and  hoisted  our  sail  for 
Jamaica. 

The  next  day  we  anchored  in  the  harbor  of  Port  Royal,  where  we  lay 
one  day,  and  sailed  for  Kingston.  We  here  landed,  and  with  the  sergeant 
at  the  head  marched  in  single  file  through  Kingston  to  a  place  called 
"  Harmony-hall,"  where  the  regiment  was  quartered,  and  were  placed 
under  the  care  of  a  drill  sergeant.  The  next  morning  we  were  ordered 
out  for  drill,  and  received  our  uniform  and  arms,  which  we  were  ordered 
to  keep  bright  and  in  good  order  for  service.  We  had  but  liitle  o.nploy- 
ment,  excepting  being  drilled  to  our  hearts'  content  by  the  sergeant,  to 
make  good  soldiers  of  us  for  the  service  of  his  majesty,  King  George  the 
Third.  It  appeared  to  be  the  object  of  our  officers  to  reconcile  us  to 
the  service,  by  making  our  duties  easy  and  agreeable.  We  were  often 
indulged  with  the  privilege  of  leaving  our  quarters  to  visit  the  town  or 
wander  about  the  country  adjacent.  In  our  rambles  about  the  town  and 
country,  we  visited  the  grog-shops  and  taverns,  places  where  sailors 
generally  resort,  and  had  got  considerably  acquainted  with  the  keepers 
of  these  establishments.  Our  "passes"  were  signed  by  a  commissioned 
officer,  and  they  gave  us  permission  to  carry  our  side-arms,  that  is,  a 
bayonet,  and  to  be  absent  two  hours  at  a  time. 

While  I  and  one  of  my  comrades  were  wandering  about  the  town  one 
day,  we  stepped  into  a  house  where  liquors  and  refreshments  were  to 
bo  obtained.  We  found  one  of  the  seats  occupied  by  an  English  sailor, 
to  whom  we,  rather  too  frankly  for  prudence,  communicated  our  inten- 
tions ;  or,  more  correctly  speaking,  gave  him  some  cause  for  suspecting 
our  designs  from  the  questions  we  asked  him  respecting  the  probability 
of  obtaining  employment  on  board  of  some  merchant  vessel,  in  case  we 
could  get  released  from  our  present  engagements.  The  sailor  was 
inclined  to  be  very  sociable,  and  discovered  no  objections  to  drinking 
freely  at  our  expense ;  telling  us  that  he  belonged  to  an  English  ship  that 
would  sail  in  a  few  days;  that  his  captain  was  in  want  of  hands;  and  that, 
at  his  intercession,  he  would  undoubtedly  take  us  on  board.  He  appeared 
so  friendly,  and  his  manners  were  so  insinuating,  that  he  completely  won 
our  confidence.  He  asked  us  how  we  could  obtain  liberty  to  leave  the 
garrison,  and  to  pass  in  and  out  when  we  pleased?  Taking  my  "pass" 
out  of  my  pocket,  I  showed  it  to  him,  and  told  him  that  was  our  authority. 
He  took  it  into  his  hand,  apparently  with  an  intention  of  reading  it ;  and, 
after  looking  at  it  for  some  time,  in  a  sort  of  careless  manner,  he  put  it 
into  his  pocket.  I  felt  a  little  surprised  when  I  saw  him  do  it,  and  my 
companion  expressed  his  fears  by  whispering  into  my  ear, "  Blast  hia 
eyes,  he  means  to  keep  the  pass."  :; 

Having  allowed  the  fellow  to  get  possession  of  the  paper,  I  felt  myself 
responsible  for  it,  and  that  it  was  necessary  for  me  to  recover  it,  even  if 
I  were  obliged  to  resort  to  violent  measures.  I  therefore  said  to  him, 
"  My  friend,  I  must  have  that  paper,  as  we  cannot  return  to  our  quarters 
without  it."  He  replied,  "You  had  better  be  peaceable  about  it,  for  I 
mean  to  see  your  commanding  officer." 

Matters  had  now  come  to  a  crisis.    I  saw  that  it  was  the  sailor^s  object 
to  inform  against  us,  and  to  carry  the  «pus"  as  an  evidence  of  our 
16 


i  I 


l-li 


m 


H 


■!:r 


*  !- 


4^ 


i 


226 


A  SAILOR'S  NARRATIVE. 


conference  with  him.  I  immediately  drew  my  bayonet  from  its  scabbard, 
and  thrusting  it  against  his  side  with  force  suiFicicnt  to  inflict  a  slight 
wound,  put  my  hand  into  his  pocket  and  toolc  out  the  "  pass  ;^'  and  then, 
giving  him  a  blow  upon  the  head  with  the  butt-end  of  my  bayonet,  dropped 
him  senseless  on  the  floor.  The  noise  of  this  conflict  brought  the  land- 
lord into  the  room,  followed  by  his  wife,  with  whom  a  previous  acquain- 
tance had  made  me  somewhat  of  a  favorite.  The  rascal  had  by  this  lime 
recovered  his  senses  and  had  got  upon  his  legs,  and  began  to  represent 
the  matter  in  a  light  the  most  favorable  to  himself. 

We  vehemently  contradicted  his  assertions,  and  were  stoutly  backed 
up  by  the  landlady,  who  was  considerable  of  a  termagant,  and  declared 
that  "the  sailor  was  a  quarrelsome  fellow;  that  he  had  made  a  difficulty 
once  before  in  the  house ;  and  that  her  husband  would  be  a  fool  if  he  did 
not  kick  him  out  of  doors."  The  landlord,  to  prove  that  he  was  "compos 
mentis,"  and  to  appease  the  wrath  of  his  wife,  whicH  waxed  warm,  com- 
plied with  her  kind  wishes,  and  the  sailor  was,  without  much  ceremony, 
hurried  through  the  door,  his  progress  not  a  little  accelerated  by  a  brisk 
application  of  the  landlord's  foot,  which  sent  him  spinning  into  the  street 
in  the  manner  prescribed  by  the  good  woman.  We  were  then  advised 
by  our  friends  to  return  to  our  quarters  as  quick  as  possible,  lest  the 
fellow  might  make  some  trouble  for  us.  We  paid  our  bill,  and  gave  the 
landlord  many  thanks,  not  forgetting  the  landlady,  to  whose  kind  inter- 
ference we  owed  our  fortunate  escape.  About  this  time  I  was  unex- 
pectedly released  from  the  duties  of  a  soldier.  One  day  I  attracted  the 
attention  of  an  officer,  by  the  exercise  of  my  skill  as  a  barber,  in  the  act 
of  shaving  a  comrade;  and  was  forthwith  promoted  to  the  high  station  of 
hairdresser  and  shaver  for  the  officers.  I  was  assiduous  in  my  attentions 
to  my  superiors,  and  thereby  gained  their  confidence,  and  could,  almost 
whenever  I  wished,  procure  a  pass  to  go  out  when  I  desired. 

To  visit  my  dear  native  land,  my  friends,  and  the  scenes  of  my  child- 
hood, was  the  prevailing  wish  of  my  mind;  to  accomplish  this  desire  I 
was  willing  to  hazard  my  life.  Many  difficuhies  were  to  be  surmounted 
before  this  could  be  eifected.  Friends  were  to  be  found,  in  whom  confi- 
dence could  be  placed. 

I  had  become  acquainted  with  five  soldiers,  who  had  been  rcleusod 
from  military  duty,  because  they  were  mechanics,  and  could  make  tiiom- 
selves  useful  in  the  performance  of  various  mechanical  services.  They 
enjoyed  considerable  liberty,  but  did  not  possess  the  confidence  of  the 
officers  in  so  great  a  degree  as  I  did,  having  made  myself  useful  and 
agreeable  to  them  by  personal  attention  in  contributing  to  their  comfort 
and  convenience.  About  this  time  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  obtain  a 
high  degree  of  confidence,  and  to  find  great  favor  in  the  sight  of  the 
commanding  officer,  by  the  exercise  of  my  professional  skill  in  making 
him  wonderfully  satisfied  with  himself  upon  the  occasion  of  a  military 
ball.  He  was  so  much  pleased  with  the  improvement  I  made  in  his  per- 
sonal appearance,  that  in  the  fullness  of  his  heart  he  gave  me  a  "  pass  to 
go  out  whenever  I  chose  till  further  orders."  The  five  comrades,  with 
whom  I  had  associated,  as  I  have  observed,  were  mechanics,  two  of 
.whom  were  armorers ;  and  they  had  obtained  from  the  arsenal  two  pis- 
tols and  three  swords,  which  were  all  the  weapons  we  had :  these,  together 
with  some  articles  of  clothing,  we  had  deposited  in  the  hut  of  an  old 
negro,  whom  we  had  bribed  to  secrecy. 

I  had  a  general  pass,  as  I  have  before  observed,  for  myself  to  go 
out  at  pleasure ;  but  it  was  neceaaary  to  obtain  a  special  one  for  my 


■^"S« 


,      lp||l|||||iJlMllf>J»»''q'.*..W''«>|«7il'l  .J.tl.T?*. \J  Pll'f  If;  - 


■--'£?''"-^"- 


ADVENTURES  OF  THE  DESERTERS. 


237 


from  its  scabbard, 
to  inflict  a  slight 
'  j)a83  ;"  and  then, 
^  bayonet,  dropped 
brought  the  iarid- 
i  previous  acquain- 
;al  had  by  tliis  lime 
began  to  represent 

ere  stoutly  backed 
gant,  and  declared 
id  made  a  difficulty 

be  a  fool  if  he  did 
at  he  was  "  compos 

waxed  warm,  com- 
ut  much  ceremony, 
;elerated  by  a  brisk 
ining  into  the  street 

were  then  advised 
is  possible,  lest  the 
ir  bill,  and  gave  the 

0  whose  kind  inter- 
3  time  I  was  unex- 
!  day  I  attracted  the 

1  a  barber,  in  the  act 
0  the  high  station  of 
lous  in  my  attentions 
ie,  and  could,  almost 
[  desired. 

scenes  of  my  child- 
omplish  this  desire  I 
jre  to  be  surmounted 
bund,  in  whom  confi- 

a  had  been  released 
nd  could  make  thom- 
lical  services.     They 
the  confidence  of  the 
le  myself  useful  and 
uting  to  their  comfort 
od  fortune  to  obtain  a 
»r  iu  the  sight  of  the 
sional  skill  in  making 
occasion  of  a  military 
lent  I  made  in  his  per- 
he  gave  me  a  "  pass  to 
[le  five  comrades,  with 
re  mechanics,  two  of 
m  the  arsenal  two  pis- 
ive  had:  these,  together 
in  the  hut  of  an  old 

■vcd,  for  myself  to  go 
a  special  one  for  my 


companions,  and  this  duty  devolved  on  mo.  In  the  afternoon,  soon  after 
dinner,  I  asked  the  commanding  officer  to  grant  mc  the  favor  of  a  pass 
for  five  of  my  acquaintances  to  go  out  to  spend  the  evening,  upon  condition 
of  returning  before  nine  o'clock.  The  officer  hesitated  for  a  moment ; 
and  then,  as  he  signed  tho  pass,  said,  "  I  believe  I  can  trust  you  ;  but 
remember  that  you  must  not  come  back  without  them."  Tliis  I  readily 
promised,  and  I  faithfully  fulfilled  the  obligation. 

About  the  middle  of  the  week,  in  th«  month  of  July,  1782,  our  little 
party  of  six, — five  Americans,  and  one  Irishman,  an  active,  courageous 
fellow, — loft  the  town,  and  proceeded  to  the  negro's  hut,  where  we 
received  our  weapons  and  clothing,  and  some  little  stores  of  piovisions 
which  we  had  deposited.  That  afternoon  a  soldier  had  been  buried  at 
Rockfort,  and  part  of  the  i-egiment  had  been  out  to  attend  the  funeral. 
Seeing  these  soldiers  upon  their  return,  at  a  distance,  and  fearing  that 
our  bundles  might  excite  their  suspicion,  we  concluded  to  separate  and 
meet  again  as  soon  as  the  soldiers  had  passed.  We  escaped  their  notice, 
and  fortunately  met  together  a  little  time  after,— all  but  one,  who  was 
niissing.  We  waited  some  time,  and  looked  in  various  directions  for 
him,  without  success. 

The  man  whom  we  missed  was  somewhat  intoxicated,  and  the  proba- 
bility was  that  he  had  lain  down  and  fallen  asleep  ;  or,  perhaps,  his  courage 
had  failed,  and  he  had  given  up  the  undertaking,  and  might  have  gone 
back  and  given  information  a^jainst  us.  We  were  satisfied  that  we  could 
wait  no  longer  for  him  without  exposing  ourselves  to  great  danger,  and, 
therefore,  concluded  to  proceed  without  him.  What  was  his  fate  I  have 
never  been  able  to  ascertain.  We  pushed  rapidly  forward  till  we  had 
got  about  a  mile  from  Kingston,  when  we  entered  a  small  piece  of  wood- 
land, and  divested  ourselves  of  our  uniform,  which  we  had  worn  with 
much  reluctance,  and  had  never  ceased  to  regret  having  exposed  ourselves 
to  the  necessity  of  putting  on  ;  clothed  ourselves  in  the  sailor  garments, 
which  we  had  taken  care  to  provide  ;  cut  the  white  binding  from  our  hats ; 
and  were  soon  metamorphosed  into  much  better  sailors  than  we  had 
ever  been  soldiers.  Having  loaded  our  pistols,  we  again  proceeded. 
We  had  advanced  but  a  few  rods,  when  we  met  a  sergeant,  belonging  to 
a  regiment  called  the  Liverpool  Blues,  who  had  been  to  Rockfort  to  see 
some  of  his  acquaintance,  and  was  then  upon  his  return.  It  was  near 
the  time  for  stationing  the  guard,  as  usual,  at  the  place  called  the  "  Plum- 
tree."  The  sergeant  hailed  us  with,  "  Where  are  you  bound,  my  lads?" 
We  answered,  "  To  Rockfort."  He  replied,  "I  have  just  come  from 
there  and  found  all  well:  how  goes  on  the  recruiting  at  New  York?  and 
what  is  the  news?" 

A  ship  had  arrived  the  day  previous,  from  New  York,  and  he  supposed 
that  we  were  some  of  the  recruits  that  she  had  brought  over.  We  per- 
ceived his  mistake,  and  adapted  our  answers  to  his  questions,  so  as  to 
encourage  his  delusion.  We  told  him  that  the  recruiting  went  on  bravely, 
end  we  were  going  to  join  our  regiment  at  Rockfort.  The  fellow  seemed, 
to  be  in  a  very  happy  mood,  and  immediately  declared  his  intention  of 
turning  back  to  show  us  tho  way  to  the  fort.  Our  situation  was  rendered 
very  embarrassing  by  this  kind  offer ;  and  to  refuse  it  we  feared  would 
excite  suspicion.  Our  generous  guide  thought  he  was  doing  us  service, 
when  he  was  leading  us  directly  to  destruction  ;  and  the  idea  of  killing 
him,  while  he  imagined  that  he  was  performing  a  good  service  for  us, 
was  very  unpleasant ;  but  it  was  our  only  alternative.  In  a  few  moments 
the  deed  would  have  been  done ;  self-preservation  made  it  necessary ; 


32g  A  SAILOR'S  NARRATIVE. 

masaa  buckra  menT  there  De  a  picmy  ui  du.  ^,   ^         ^  j^. 

will  take  you  up,  and  put  you  ^.t^tl^^ST^o  c.r^^^^^^^^ 
?.';\rurbrrd\^r;„JtrTVetist^^  u/for  sailors  who  we,e 

'Thltfve'migKethLause,  I  always  found  the  negroes  in  and  about 

which  Jamaica  abounds.     As  we  *«^^  ""  o^ecd  with  caution, 

or  depth  was,  in  the  darkness,  '^^f  "^^^^"7^  J^J  ^^de  aoross.     Th« 
The  tallest  of  our  party  was  ««"»  f"'^^"^,,;"  ^'^  SivTh^  ;  I,  being 

rest  followed  in  single  file   '^«^<^°;d'"g^\°  °"' 7,  Cs  tndlrovisio;^  and 
the  shortest,  brought  up  the  '^^'-ff^^^^^^  ^^^^.^^  on  the  opposite 

Trf  °w;t:JffitTur°;:t'd^^^^^^^^^^         ? « -«»'' -ji 

to^rrkdryH^t^o^^^^^^ 

rJo^rSSd^/ott  c^Siin  pifStvel  by  daylight  at  so 

of  concealment,  and  proceeded  on  ""^^f  ;°"J„3,;  Cd^ourselves 
having  traveled  three  or  four  hours  we  --^-^-%2l^Zce  exclaim, 

4~roVtt^&Xrwr;^^^^^^  to  refresh  ourselves 

wHh  some  of  our  bread  and  dj^?^;-"„"J;3,„es  considerably  refreshed  ; 
After  several -hours  rest,  we  lounu  uu  exausted,  and  we  had 

and  as  our  small  stock  of  P^J^Jf  J"    j  ^d  b«  ^^^^^^^        '°  ""'' 
consumed  nearly  the  *V™in«^"d^e'rncl«^^^^^^        we\ould  venture 
,on  the  opposite  Side  of^^e  «^«jd/X^^^^  till  about  three 

to  travel  by  daylight.  We  "*^®'®.°  „ '"  j;__  .  1,111  we  were  alarmed 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and,  ^^''iSJ^JJ^^  ^j  colkcted  together  to 
by  hearing  the  sound  of  'ndnotia  few  momenta,  we  saw,  coming 
■  consult  upon  what  course  to  adopt.    In  »  »«*  3"      ^j^j^i,  theV  imme 

.over  the  hill,  three  stout  "«f »««' "S^J.^'i^Sp^^^^^  "  I  b"« 

diately  presented  at  u»,  and  ordered  ub  to  flwp. 


J 


CONFLICT  OF  THE  DESERTERS  WITH  MAROONS. 


■  satiflfaction,  he 
;k  to  Kingston  by 
that  we  could  no» 
in  at  a  rapid  pace 
m  Kingston  that 
1  in  the  morning ; 
1  give  info'ination 
I  were  deserters, 
lile  faither,  when 
ere  be  you  going, 
way  ahead ;  they 
."     We  told  him 
care  for  dat,  dey 
sailors  who  were 

;roes  in  and  about 
ilor  who  wished  to 
ir  to  guide  us  into 
Id  avoid  the  guard 
We  followed  our 
ast  the  guard,  and, 
after  having  called 
3.     Our  anxiety  to 
I  wtj  could  through 
many  rivulets  with 
nine  what  its  width 
)cecd  with  caution, 
jrade  aoross.     The. 
a  heights  ;  I,  being 
and  provisions  and 
?d  on  the  opposite 
r  of  the  night,  and, 
ot,  where  we  could 
hat  it  would  expose 
el  by  daylight  at  so 

y,  we  left  our  place 
t's  journey.  After 
dly  found  ourselves 
male  voice  exclaim, 
immediately  started 
i  till  we  had  traveled 
to  refresh  ourselves 

siderably  refreshed ; 
lausted,  and  we  had 
be  required  to  arrive 
at  we  would  venture 
ption  till  about  three 
11,  we  were  alarmed 
collected  together  to 
ents,  we  saw,  coming 
Its,  which  they  imme 
Our  arms,  as  I  have 


229 


formerly  observed,  conHistod  of  two  pistols  and  throo  swords:  upon  the  pis- 
tols we  could  place  but  little  dcpondonco,  as  they  were  not  in  good  order ; 
and  the  swords  were  concealed  under  our  clothes;  to  attempt  to  draw 
them  out  would  have  caused  the  negroes  instantly  to  fire  upon  us.  Thev 
wore  about  ten  rods  before  us,  and  stood  in  the  attitude  of  taking  a 
deliberate  aim  at  us.  To  run  would  be  certain  death  to  some  of  us; 
wu  thuroforo  saw  no  alternative  but  to  advance.  One  of  our  number,  a 
man  named  Jones,  a  tall,  powerful  fellow,  took  a  paper  from  his  pocket. 
and,  holding  it  up  before  him,  advanced,  with  groat  apparent  confidence 
in  his  manner,  and  the  rest  of  us  imitated  his  example.  As  we  approached, 
.Tones  held  out  the  paper  to  one  of  them,  telling  him  that  it  was  our  pass, 
giving  us  authority  to  travel  across  the  island.  The  negroes,  as  we  very 
well  knew,  were  unable  to  road ;  it  was  therefore  immaterial  what  was 
written  upon  the  paper, — I  believe  it  was  an  old  letter, — as  manuscript 
or  print  was  entirely  beyond  their  comprehension.  While  we  were  ad- 
vancing, we  had  time  to  confer  with  each  other;  and  the  circumstances 
of  the  moment,  the  critical  situation  in  which  we  were  placed,  naturally 
led  our  minds  to^one  conclusion,  to  obtain  the  consent  of  the  negroes 
that  we  might  pursue  our  journey ;  but  if  they  opposed  our  progress,  to 
resort  to  violence,  if  we  perished  in  the  attempt. 

Our  sufferings  had  made  us  somewhat  savage  in  our  feelings;  an^  we 
marched  up  to  tliem  with  that  determination  of  purpose  which  desperatf 
men  have  resolved  upon,  when  life,  liberty,  and  everything  they  value  is 
at  stake; — all  depended  upon  prompt  and  decisive  action.  This  was  a 
fearful  moment.  The  negroes  stood  in  a  row,  their  muskets  still  presented, 
but  their  attention  was  principally  directed  to  the  paper  which  Jones 
held  before  them ;  while  our  eyes  wore  constantly  fixed  upon  them,  onx- 
iously  watching  their  motions^,  and  designing  to  disarm  them  as  soon  as  a 
favorable  opportunity  should  be  offered.  The  negioes  were  large  and 
powerful  men,  while  we,  though  we  outnumbered  them,  were  worn  down 
by  our  long  march,  and  enfeebled  by  hunger.  In  physical  power  we 
wore  greatly  their  inferiors.  But  the  desperate  circumstances  in  which 
we  were  placed  inspired  us  with  uncommon  courage,  and  gave  us  an 
unnatural  degree  of  strengt'i. 

We  advanced  steadily  forward,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  till  the  breasts  of 
three  of  us  were  within  a  few  inches  of  the  muzzles  of  their  guns.  Jones 
reached  forward  and  handed  the  paper  to  one  of  the  negroes.  He  took 
it,  and  having  turned  it  round  several  times,  and  examined  both  sides, 
and  finding  himself  not  much  the  wiser  for  it,  shook  his  head  and  said, 
"  We  must  stop  you."  The  expression  of  his  countenance,  the  doubts 
which  were  manifested  in  his  manner  of  receiving  the  paper,  convinced 
us,  that  all  hope  of  deceiving  or  conciliating  them  was  at  an  end.  Their 
muskets  were  still  presented,  their  fingers  upon  the  triggers.  An  awful 
pause  of  a  moment  ensued,  when  we  made  a  sudden  and  desperate  spring 
forward,  and  seized  their  muskets ;  our  attack  was  so  unexpected,  that 
we  wrenched  them  from  their  hands  before  they  were  aware  of  our  inten- 
tion. The  negro,  whom  I  attacked,  fired  just  as  I  seized  his  gun,  but  I 
had  fortunately  turned  the  direction  of  it,  and  the  ball  inflicted  a  slight 
wound  upon  my  side,  the  scar  of  which  remains  to  this  day.  This  was 
the  only  gun  that  was  discharged  during  this  dreadful  encounter.  As 
soon  as  it  was  in  my  possession,  I  exercised  all  my  strength,  more  than  I 
thought  I  possessed,  and  gave  him  a  tremendous  blow  over  the  head  with 
the  breech,  which  brought  him  to  the  ground,  from  which  he  never  rose. 
I  had  no  sooner  accomplished  my  work,  than  I  found  my  companion.<i 


,«^"' 


230 


A  BAILOR'S  NARRATIVE. 


had  been  equally  active,  and  had  dispatched  the  other  two  negroes  in 
the  same  space  of  time.     None  of  our  party  received  any  injury  but 
myself,  and  my  wound  I  considered  as  tnflmg.     The  report  of  the  gun 
we  were  fearful  would  alarm  some  of  our  enemies'  comrades,  who  might 
l,c  in  the  vicinity,  and  bring  them  to  the  spot.     We  accordingly  dragged 
the  bodies  to  a  considerable  distance  into  the  woods,  where  wo  buried 
them  under  a  quantity  of  leaves  and  brush.     In  their  pockets  we  found  a 
few  biscuit,  which  were  very  acceptable  to  us  in  our  famished  condition. 
The  best  gun  was  selected,  as  we  did  not  think  it  necessary  to  burden 
ourselves  with  the  others,  as  they  had  been  injured  in  the  conflic  .     We 
took  what  ammunition  we  thought  necessary,  and  then  sought  a  place  of 
rest  for  the  remainder  of  the  day.     The  negroes  whom  we  had  encoun- 
tered,  belonged  to  a  class  called  "  Cudjoe  men."     They  were  encouraged 
to  exorcise  their  vigilance  by  the  promise  of  receiving  a  certain  sum  of 
money  for  every  fugitive  slave  they  restored  to  his  mas  er,  or  soldier 
wSom    hJy  should  arrest  as  a  deserter.     We  lay  down  m  the  woods 
lancuid  and  exhausted,  after  the  excitement  and  fatigue  from  our  contest 
wUhtire  negroes,  and  slept  soundly  for  some  hours.    As  it  was  now  near  y 
dark,  we  thouglit  we  would  venture  again  upon  our  Journey.     Having 
roadcdou    musket,  the  spoils  of  our  victory  we  entered  the  road   and 
leaving  looked  arouid  with  great  caution,  and  finding  no  obstacles  in  the  way 
o  excite  any  apprehension,  we  started  forward.     We  knew  not  for  a 
.TerSy  where  we  were  ;  but  were  satisfied,  from  the  time  we  had  con- 
sumed in  our  journey,  that  we  could  not  be  at  a  great  distance  from  the 
northern  side  of  the  island.     We  traveled  all  night,  occasionally  stopping 
:  est  and  re  resh  ourselves  with  some  of  the  hard  biscuit  which  we 
had  found  in  the  pockets  of  the  negroes,  and  a  draught  of  water  Irom  the 
prings  by  the  road-side.     As  daylight  approached   we  found  ourse lve« 
on  the  summit  of  a  hill,  and  in  sight  of  the  ocean.     After  we  ••^fjemained 
as  long  as  we  thought  prudent  upon  the  eminence   we  retired  to    he 
voods,Sbr  concealment  during  the  day.     We  needed  rest,  and  slept  the 
Greater  part  of  the  day.     Before  suuset,  wo  left  our  hiding-place,  after 
eating  the  remainder  of  our  bread,  and  proceeded  -utiously  toward 
hP  shore   keeping  ourselves  concealed  as  much  as  possible  behind  the 
ushos      The  Sd  of  Cuba  could  just  be  seen  in  the  horizon,  at  the 
Sance  of  thirty  leagues  ;  between  that  and  us  lay  the  ocean  smooth 
and  imruffled  and  noh  sail  to  whiten  its  surface.     To  remain  whore  we 
were  long,  w  thout  starving  or  being  detected,  was  impossible  ;  but  how 
To  g,>    awLy  was  the  problem  to  be  solved.     Undetermined  what  to  do 
weleftoTir  retreat  again,  and  the  first  object  that  met  our  view  upon  the 
water  was  a  sail-boat  directing  her  course  to  the  shore  near  where  we 

**Tho  Question  now  to  be  decided  was,  whether  we  should  attempt  to 
male  aS  of  "he  boat,  and  escape  to  Cuba.  The  wind  was  blowing 
t"om  the  shore,  and  the  boat  was  consequently  beating  in  against  the 
S  This  was  a  favorable  circumstance  for  us,  if  we  could  get  posses- 
Tn  of  the  bor  The  undertaking  was  fraught  with  difficulty  and  danger 
but  it  was  our  only  chance  for  escape.  We  crept  cautious  y  down  to  tho 
Zr  .,  keeZg  concealed  as  much  as  possible  behind  the  Pushes,  till  we 
arHvcd  near  to  the  point,  at  which  we  thought  the  boat  was  steer  ng 
\s  sic  was  beating  against  the  wind,  we  concluded,  if  the  man  at  the 
helm  Ldd  be  brought  down,  the  boat  would  luft>h.chwouM^ 

near  the  shore,  when  we  were  immediately  to  spring  on  board.     Jones, 
lleing  the  best' marksman,  took  the  musket,  and  seeing  that  .t  was  well 


two  negroes  in 
I  any  injury  but 
}port  of  tlio  ijun 
radcB,  wlio  might 
ordingly  dragged 
ifhero  wo  buriod 
ciieta  we  found  a 
nished  condition, 
csaary  to  burden 
:he  conflict.     We 
sought  a  place  of 
we  had  encoun- 
were  encouraged 
a  certain  sum  of 
naster,  or  soldier 
vn  in  the  woods, 
3  from  our  contest 
it  was  now  nearly 
fourney.     Having 
cd  the  road,  and, 
bstacles  in  the  way 
B  knew  not  for  a 
time  we  had  con- 
distance  from  tiie 
asionally  stopping 
biscuit,  which  we 
of  water  from  the 
e  found  ourselves 
r  we  had  remained 
we  retired  to  the 
rest,  and  slept  the 
hiding-place,  after 
cautiously  toward 
ossible  behind  the 
the  horizon,  at  the 
the  ocean,  smooth 
}  remain  where  we 
possible  ;  but  how 
mined  what  to  do, 
our  view  upon  the 
»re  near  where  we 

should  attempt  to 
wind  was  blowing 
ting  in  against  the 
^e  could  get  posses- 
iflSculty  and  danger, 
itiously  down  to  the 
I  the  bushes,  till  we 
s  boat  was  steering 
,  if  the  man  at  the 
ich  would  bring  her 
r  on  board.  Jones, 
ing  that  it  was  well 


CAPTURE  OF  THE  BOAT. 


231 


loaded  and  primed,  crept  as  close  to  the  edge  of  the  shore  as  lie  could 
svithoiit  being  discovered  by  the  crow,  and  lay  down,  to  wait  for  a  good 
opportunity  to  firo  at  the  man  at  the  helm.  Tiie  rest  of  us  kept  as  near 
to  liim  as  ponsiblo.  Every  circumstance  seemed  to  favor  our  design. 
Tiio  negroes  were  all  in  their  huts,  and  everything  around  was  quiet  and 
Mill. 

The  boat  8oon  approached  near  enough  for  Jones  to  take  a  sure  aim ; 
and  wo  scarcely  breathed  as  we  lay  extended  on  the  ground,  waiting  for 
him  to  perform  the  duty  assigned  him. 

In  a  few  moments,  bang  went  the  gun,  and  down  wont  the  negro  from 
the  helm  into  the  bottom  of  the  boat;  and,  as  we  had  anticipated,  the  helm 
being  abandoned,  the  boat  lufllDd  up  in  the  wind  and  was  brought  close 
to  the  shore,  which  was  bold,  and  the  water  deep  enough  to  float  her. 
The  instant  the  gun  was  flred,  we  were  upon  our  feet,  and  in  the  next 
moment  up  to  our  waists  in  the  water  along  side  of  the  boat.  No  time 
was  lost  ill  shoving  her  about,  and  getting  her  bows  from  the  land. 
There  was  a  fresh  breeze  from  the  shore ;  the  sails  filled ;  and  the  boat 
was  soon  under  a  brisk  headway.  I  remained  in  the  water  the  Inst,  and, 
as  1  attempted  to  get  on  board,  my  hands  slipped  from  my  hold  on  the 

funwale,  and  I  fell  into  the  water.  I  heard  an  exclamation,  "  Good  God! 
'ox  is  lost!"  from  one  of  our  party ;  but  as  the  boat  swept  by  mc,  I  caught 
with  my  middle  finger  in  the  noose  of  a  rope  that  hung  over  the  stern, 
and  was  seized  by  the  cape  of  my  jacket  and  drawn  into  the  boat  by  the 
powerful  arm  of  Jones,  who  was  managing  the  helm.  All  that  I  have 
described  was  apparently  the  work  of  a  moment.  Never  did  men  use 
greater  exertions  than  we  did  at  this  time.  The  report  of  Jones'  gun 
alarmed  the  negroes,  and  brouglit  them  from  their  huts  in  all  directions 
down  to  the  shore,  armed  with  muskets  and  clubs,  and  full  of  rage  and 
fury.  They  waded  out  after  us,  up  to  their  chins  in  the  water;  and 
fired  volley  after  volley,  as  fast  as  they  could  load.  The  bullets  fell 
thickly  around  us,  but  fortunately  none  of  us  were  injured. 

Our  attention  was  next  directed  to  the  disposal  of  the  crew  of  the  boat 
we  had  captured,  consisting  of  three  men  and  a  boy.  As  soon  as  we 
sprung  into  the  boat,  they  fled  with  terror  and  amazement  into  a  sort  of 
cabin  in  the  bow,  where  they  still  remained.  It  was  no  wonder  that  they 
were  frightened,  attacked  so  suddenly  by  an  enemy,  who,  as  it  seemed 
to  them,  had  arisen  all  at  once  from  the  bowels  of  the  earth  or  the  depths 
of  the  ocean.  Whether  the  head  of  the  negro  at  the  helm  was  bullet- 
proof, or  whether  the  ball  approached  so  near  to  it  as  to  frighten  him 
into  insensibility,  we  never  knew ;  but  we  found  him  prostrated  in  the 
bottom  of  the  boat,  when  we  entered  it,  apparently  dead ;  but  to  our 
gratification,  we  soon  found  that  he  was  alive,  and  not  a  curl  of  his  wool 
discomposed.  He  was  soon  upon  his  knees,  supplicating  mercy,  in  which 
attitude  and  tone  he  was  followed  by  the  rest  of  the  crew  as  we  called 
them  from  their  hiding-place.  We  gave  them  their  choice  to  proceed 
with  us  on  our  voyage,  or  expose  themselves  to  the  hazard  of  drowning 
by  attempting  to  swim  ashore.  They  accepted  the  latter  proposition 
with  much  gratitude,  and  were  soon  swimming  lustily  for  the  shore,  from 
which  we  were  at  the  distance  of  more  than  a  mile,  where  we  saw  them 
all  safely  arrive.  The  negroes  collected  around  them  in  great  numbers 
after  they  landed,  probably  to  hear  their  account  of  the  transaction ;  and 
to  obtain  information  concerning  our  intentions  and  destination.  We 
felt  animated  by  our  success.  We  found  the  boat  in  good  order ;  and, 
with  a  fresh  breeze,  we  made  rapid  progress.     We  found  a  plenty  of 


-'  »*;-*»   A- 


-*.    '#Jftrfit*.i»tt  i^ntH^-r  * 


r^ 


A  SAILOR'S  NARRATIVE. 

proviiiona  in  tho  boat,  with  which,  for  tho  first  timo  for  five  dnys,  wo  abun- 
dantly satisfied  our  hunger.     It  was  now  nearly  dark,  and  wo  had  got  a 
considerable  distance  from  tho  shore ;  but  w«  continued  lo  watch  the 
movomonts  of  tho  negroes  with  anxiety,  least  they  should  pursue  us. 
Aftor  tho  negroes  had  hold  a  short  consultation  together,  we  saw  them 
all  start  off  with  great  rapidity  toward  a  point  of  land,  under  winch  «•> 
thought  wo  could  boo  something  lying,  that  had  tho  appearance  of  u  vessel. 
As  tho  negroes  ran  in  that  direction,  we  had  no  doubt  that  they  had  some 
plan  in  contemplation  in  relation  to  our  capture.     Our  fears  and  conjec- 
tures were  soon  reduced  to  a  matter  of  fact ;  for  wo  had  proceeded  but 
a  little  distance  farther,  when  we  came  in  plain  sight  of  a  schot-iier  at 
anchor.     Tho  vessel  was  soon  under  weigh,  and  sailing  in  a  direction  to 
cut  us  off;  but  wo  trusted  that  tho  approaching  aarknoss  would  m  a  short 
time  conceal  us  from  tho  sight  of  our  pursuers.     As  tho  schooner  was  a 
largo  object,  compared  with  our  little  boat,  we  could  see  her  long  after 
we  were    invisible   to  thorn.     After  being  satisfied  of  the   course  the 
schooner  was  taking,  we  thought  the  best  way  to  avoid  her  would  be  to 
put  about  directly  for  Jamaica. 

Wo  sailed  in  this  direction  till  we  supposed  that  our  enemy  had  got 
vonsidorably  past  the  course  for  us  to  pursue,  when  we  again  put  about, 
and  steered  as  directly  as  we  were  able  for  Cuba.  We  saded  without 
interruption  through  the  night,  and,  from  the  rapidity  with  which  wo  had 
passed  through  tho  water,  we  concluded  we  could  not  be  a  groat  distance 
from  the  land.  As  soon  as  daylight  approached  we  espied  the  shore, 
and  lost  no  time  in  making  for  it.  Shortly  after,  we  saw,  at  a  consid- 
erable distanco,  the  schooner,  apparently  steering  for  Jamaica.  They 
discovered  us,  and  altered  their  course  directly  for  us.  Their  approach, 
however  excited  no  alarm  in  our  minds  now,  for  we  wore  sure  that  we 
could  run  our  boat  on  shore  before  they  could  come  up  with  us.  Their 
kind  intentions  were  manifested  in  the  compliment  of  a  few  salutes  from 
a  swivel,  which  proved  as  harmless  as  the  courtesy  we  endeavored  to 
.show  them  by  half  a  dozen  salutes  from  the  musket  which  had  previously 
done  us  more  faithful  servic<j.  The  schooner  soon  gave  up  the  chase, 
"  «nd  left  us  alone  in  our  glory." 

In  a  few  days  we  found  a  vessel  bound  for  St.  Domingo  in  which  we 
took  passage  and  on  our  arrival  there  found  the  American  frigate  Flora 
at  anchor.  A  few  hours  saw  us  safe  beneath  the  protection  ol  the  stars 
and  stripes. 


J 


ivo  dnys,  wo  abun* 
and  wo  had  got  a 
lued  to  watch  the 
should  purHun  us. 
thor,  we  saw  thorn 
1,  undor  wliich  w<i 
mrnrico  of  u  vessel, 
that  they  hud  some 
r  fears  and  conjcc- 
lad  proceeded  but 
it  of  a  schooner  at 
ig  in  a  direction  to 
S8  would  in  a  short 
:ho  schooner  was  a 
see  her  long  at\er 
of  the  course  the 
id  her  would  be  to 

our  enemy  had  got 
te  again  put  about, 
Wc  sailed  without 
with  which  wo  had 
be  a  groat  distance 
}  c-ripied  the  shore, 
)  saw,  at  a  consid- 
yr  Jamaica.  They 
1.  Their  approach, 
were  sure  that  we 
up  with  us.  Their 
r  a  fow  salutes  from 
r  we  endeavored  to 
■hich  had  previously 
gave  up  the  chase, 

)mingo  in  which  we 
Qrican  frigate  Flora 
ttection  of  the  stars 


THE   NARRATIVE 


OP  THB 


MUTINY    OF  THE  BOUNTY. 

riTH  THt  i80Ari  or  paptain  blioh,  and  hm  mivovn  votao«  or  ncai  roua  tiioiwand 

MILKH  IN  an  open  BOAT  TO  THK  WLAND  Or  TIMOR,  TOOKTHU  WITH  THE  rATE  OP  rLKTOUB 
0HB18TIAN,  THE  lEAI.tR  Ojr  THE  MUTINEER*.  ANi>  THE  riNAL  SETTLEMENT  or  TH«  LATTRM  AT 

PITOAIRN  ISLAND,  IN  TUK  PACIFIC  OCEAN. 


His  Majesty's  ihip  Bounty  was  purchased  into  the  service,  and  placed 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Bligh,  in  1787.  She  letl  England  in 
December  of  that  year,  with  orders  to  proceed  to  Otahcite,  and  transport 
the  bread-fruit  of  that  country  to  the  British  settlements  in  the  West 
Indies,  and  to  bring  also  some  specimens  of  it  to  England.  Her  crew 
consisted  of  forty-four  persons,  and  a  gardener.  She  was  ordered  to  make 
the  passage  round  Cape  Horn,  but  after  contending  a  long  time  with 
adverse  gales,  in  extremely  cold  weather,  she  was  obliged  to  bear  away  for 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  where  she  underwent  a  refit,  and  arrived  at  her 
destination  in  October  1788.  Six  months  were  spent  at  Otaheite, collecting 
and  stowmg  away  the  fruit,  during  which  time  the  officers  and  seamen 
had  free  access  to  the  shore,  and  made  many  friends,  though  only  one 
of  the  seamen  formed  any  alliance  there. 

In  April  178y,  they  took  leave  of  their  friends  at  Otaheite,  and  proceeded 
to  Anamooka,  where  Bligh  replenished  his  stock  of  water,  and  took  on 
board  hogs,  Iruit,  vegetables,  etc.,  and  put  to  sea  again  on  the  26th  of  the 
same  month.  Throughout  the  voyage  Bligh,  who  was  of  an  exceedingly 
tyrannical  disposition,  had  repeated  misunderstandings  with  his  officers, 
and  had  on  several  occasions  given  them  and  the  ship's  company  just 
reasons  for  complaint.  Still,  whatever  might  have  been  the  feelings  of 
the  officers,  Adams  declares  there  was  no  real  discontent  among  the  crew- 
much  less  was  there  any  idea  of  offering  violence  to  their  commander! 
The  officers,  it  must  be  admitted,  had  much  more  cause  for  dissatisfaction 
than  the  seamen,  especially  the  master  and  the  lieutenant,  Fletcher 
Christian.  The  latter  was  a  proteg6  of  Bligh,  and  unfortunately  was 
under  some  obligations  to  him  of  a  pecuniary  nature,  of  which  Bligh 
frequently  reminded  him  when  any  difference  arose.  Christian,  excess- 
ively annoyed  at  the  share  of  blame  which  repeatedly  fell  to  his  lot  in 
cominon  with  the  rest  of  the  officers,  could  ill  endure  the  additional  taunt 
of  private  obligations  ;  and  in  a  moment  of  excitement  told  his  commander 
that  sooner  or  later  a  day  of  reckoning  would  arrive.  The  day  previous 
to  the  mutiny  a  serious  quarrel  occurred  between  Bligh  and  his  officers, 
about  some  cocoa-nuts  which  were  missed  from  his  private  stock ;  and 
Christian  again  fell  under  his  commander's  displeasure.  The  same 
evening  he  was  invited  to  supper  in  the  cabin,  but  he  had  not  so  soon 
forgotten  his  injuries  as  to  accept  of  this  iU-timed  civility ,«nd  returned 
an  excuse.  ' 

"  (233) 


^W*"** 


234 


MUTINY  OF  THE  BOUNTY. 


Matters  were  in  this  state  on  the  28th  of  April  1789,  when  the  Bounty, 
on  her  homeward  voyage,  was  passing  to  the  southward  of  Tofoa,  one 
of  the  Friendly  Islands.  It  was  one  of  those  beautiful  nights  which 
characterize  the  tropical  regions,  when  the  mildness  of  the  air  and  the 
stillness  of  nature  dispose  the  mind  to  reflection.  Christian,  pc:idering 
over  his  grievances, considered  them  so  intolciable,  that  anything  appeared 
preferable  to  enduring  them,  and  he  determined,  as  he  couh'.  not  redress 
them,  that  he  would  at  least  escape  from  the  possibility  of  their  being 
increased.  Absence  from  England,  and  a  long  residence  at  Otaheite, 
where  new  connections  were  formed,  weakened  the  recollection  of  his 
native  country,  and  prepared  his  mind  for  the  reception  of  ideas  which 
the  situation  of  the  ship  and  the  serenity  of  the  moment  particularly 
favored.  His  plan,  strange  as  it  must  appear  for  a  young  oflicer  to  adopt, 
who  was  fairly  advanced  in  an  honorable  profession,  was  to  set  himself 
adrift  upon  a  rafl,  and  make  his  way  to  the  island  then  in  sight.  As 
quick  in  the  execution  as  in  the  design,  the  rafl  was  soon  constructed, 
various  useful  articles  were  got  together,  and  he  was  on  point  of  launching 
it,  when  a  young  officer,  who  afterward  perished  in  the  Pandora,  to  whom 
Christian  communicated  his  intention,  recommended  him,  rather  than 
risk  his  life  on  so  hazardous  an  expedition,  to  endeavor  to  take  possession 
of  the  ship,  which  he  thought  would  not  be  very  difficult,  as  many  of  the 
ship^s  company  were  not  well  disposed  toward  the  commander,  and  would 
all  be  very  glad  to  return  to  Otaheite,  and  reside  among  their  friends  in 
that  island.  This  daring  proposition  is  even  more  extraordinary  than  the 
premeditated  scheme  of  his  companion,  and,  if  true,  certainly  relieves 
Christian  from  part  of  the  odium  which  has  hitherto  attached  to  him  as 
the  sole  instigator  of  the  mutiny. 

It  however  accorded  too  well  with  the  disposition  of  Christianas  mind, 
and  hazardous  as  it  was,  he  determined  to  co-operate  with  his  friend  in 
cS'ecting  it,  resolving,  if  he  failed,  to  throw  himself  into  the  sea;  and  that 
there  might  be  no  chance  of  being  saved,  he  tied  a  deep  sea-lead  about 
his  neck,  and  concealed  it  within  his  clothes.  Christian  happened  to 
have  the  morning  watch,  and  as  soon  as  he  had  relieved  the  oflicer  of  the 
deck,  he  entered  into  conversation  with  Quintal,  the  only  one  of  the  sea- 
men who,  Adams  said,  had  formed  any  serious  attachment  at  Otaheite ; 
and  after  expatiating  on  the  happy  hours  they  had  passed  there,  disclosed 
his  intentions.  Quintal,  after  some  consideration,  said  he  thought  it  a 
dangerous  attempt,  and  declined  taking  a  part.  Vexed  at  a  repulse  in  a 
quarter  where  he  was  most  sanguine  of  success,  and  particularly  at  having 
revealed  sentiments  which,  if  made  known,  would  bring  him  to  an  ignomi- 
nious death.  Christian  became  desperate,  exhibited  the  lead  about  his 
neck  in  testimony  of  his  own  resolution,  and  taxed  Quintal  with  cowardice, 
declaring  it  was  fear  alone  that  restrained  him.  Quintal  denied  this 
accusation  ;  and  in  reply  to  Christianas  further  argument,  that  success 
would  restore  them  all  to  the  happy  island,  and  the  connections  they  had 
left  behind,  the  strongest  persuasion  he  could  have  used  to  a  mind  some- 
what prepared  to  acquiesce,  he  recommended  that  some  one  else  should 
be  tried — Isaac  Martin  for  instance,  who  was  standing  by.  Martin,  more 
ready  than  his  shipmate,  emphatically  declared,  "  He  was  for  it ;  it  was 
the  very  thing."  Successful  in  one  instance.  Christian  went  to  every  man 
of  his  watch,  many  of  whom  he  found  disposed  to  join  him,  and  before 
daylight  the  greater  portion  of  the  ship's  company  were  brought  over. 

Adams  was  sleeping  in  his  hammock,  when  Sumner,  one  of  the  seamen, 
came  to  him,  and  whispered  that  Christian  was  going  to  take  the  ship 


si*'^ 


9,  when  the  Bounty, 
ward  of  Tofoa,  one 
utiful  nights  which 
is  of  the  air  and  the 
Christian,  pondering 
at  anything  appeared 
he  could  not  redress 
bility  of  their  being 
sidence  at  Otaheite, 
le  recollection  of  his 
ption  of  ideas  which 
moment  particularly 
oung  officer  to  adopt, 
n,  was  to  set  himself 
i  then  in  sight.     As 
iras  soon  constructed, 
on  point  of  launching 
the  Pandora,  to  whom 
ded  him,  rather  than 
Lvor  to  take  possession 
fficult,  as  many  of  the 
iommander,  and  would 
among  their  friends  in 
extraordinary  than  the 
rue,  certainly  relieves 
jrto  attached  to  him  as 

)n  of  Christian's  mind, 
rate  with  his  friend  in 
f  into  the  sea ;  and  that 
1  a  deep  sea-lead  about 

Christian  happened  to 
ilieved  the  officer  of  the 
the  only  one  of  the  sea- 
attachment  at  Otaheite ; 
I  passed  there,  disclosed 
on,  said  he  thought  it  a 

Vexed  at  a  repulse  in  a 
md  particularly  at  having 
I  bring  him  to  an  ignomi- 
»ited  the  lead  about  his 

Quintal  with  cowardice, 
tn.    Quintal  denied  this 
r  argument,  that  success 
the  connections  they  had 
ave  used  to  a  mind  some- 
hat  some  one  else  should 
anding  by.     Martin,  more 
I,  » He  was  for  it;  it  was 
hristianwentto  every  man 
d  to  join  him,  and  before 
many  were  brought  over, 
umner,  cue  of  the  seamen, 
IS  going  to  take  the  ship 


lo'mmm^- 


MUTINY  OF  THE  BOUNTY.  286 

from  her  commander,  and  set  him  and  the  master  on  shore.  On  hearing 
this,  Adams  went  upon  deck,  and  found  everything  in  great  confusion ; 
but  not  then  liking  to  takr  li/  part  in  the  transaction,  he  returned  to  ills 
hammock,  and  remained  ihere  until  he  saw  Christian  at  the  arm-ciie«t, 
distributing  arms  to  all  wr  '  ame  for  them  ;  and  then  seeing  measures 
had  proceeded  so  far,  and  ij.prehensive  of  being  on  the  weaker  side,  he 
turned  out  again  and  went  for  a  cutlass.  All  those  who  proposed  to 
assist  Christian  being  armed,  Adams,  with  others,  was  ordered  to  secure 
the  officers,  while  Christian  and  the  master-at-arms  proceeded  to  the 
cabin  to  make  a  prisoner  of  Captain  Bligh.  They  seized  him  in  his  cot, 
bound  h<5  hands  behind  him,  and  brought  him  upon  deck.  He  remon- 
strated with  them  on  their  conduct,  but  received  only  abuse  in  return, 
and  a  blow  from  the  master-at-arms  with  the  flat  side  of  a  cutlass.  He 
was  placed  near  the  binnacle,  and  detained  there,  with  his  arms  pinioned, 
by  Christian,  who  held  him  with  one  hand,  and  a  bayonet  with  the  other. 
As  soon  as  the  lieutenant  was  secured,  the  sentinels  that  had  been  placed 
over  the  doors  of  the  officers'  cabins  were  taken  off;  the  master  then 
jumped  upon  the  forecastle,  and  endeavored  to  form  a  party  to  retake 
the  ship ;  but  he  was  quickly  secured,  and  sent  below  in  confinement. 

This  conduct  of  the  master,  who  was  the  only  officer  that  tried  to  bring 
the  mutineers  to  a  sense  of  their  duty,  was  the  more  highly  creditable  to 
him,  as  he  had  the  greatest  cause  for  discontent,  Bligh  having  been  more 
severe  to  him  than  to  any  of  the  other  officers.  About  this  time  a  dispute 
arose,  whether  the  lieutenant  and  his  party,  whom  the  mutineers  resolved 
to  set  adrift,  should  have  the  launch  or  the  cutter  ;  and  it  being  decided 
in  favor  of  the  launch.  Christian  ordered  her  to  be  hoisted  out.  Martin, 
who,  it  may  be  remembered,  was  the  first  convert  to  Christian's  plan, 
foreseeing  that  with  the  aid  of  so  large  a  boat  the  party  would  find  their 
way  to  England,  and  that  their  information  would,  in  all  probability,  lead 
to  the  detection  of  the  oflenders,  relinquished  his  first  intention,  and 
exclaimed,  "If  you  give  him  the  launch,  I  will  go  with  him  ;  you  may  as 
well  give  him  the  ship."  He  really  appears  to  have  been  in  earnest  in 
making  this  declaration,  as  he  was  afterward  ordered  to  the  gangway  from 
his  po&'t  of  command  over  the  lieutenant,  in  consequence  of  having  fed 
him  with  a  shaddock,  and  exchanged  looks  with  him  indicative  of  his 
friendly  intentions.  It  also  fell  to  the  lot  of  Adams  to  guard  the  lieutenant, 
who,  observing  him  stationed  by  his  side,  exclaimed,  "And  you,  Smith, 
are  you  against  me?"*  To  which  Adams  replied  that  he  only  acted  as 
the  others  did — he  must  be  like  the  rest.  Captain  Bligh,  while  thus 
secured,  reproached  Christian  with  ingratitude,  reminded  x  him  of  his 
obligations  to  him,  and  begged  he  would  recollect  he  had  a  wife  and 
family.  To  which  Christian  replied,  that  he  should  have  thought  of  that 
before. 

The  launch  was  by  this  time  hoisted  out ;  and  the  officers  and  seamen 
of  Captain  Bligh's  party  having  collected  what  was  necessary  for  their 
voyage,  were  ordered  into  her.  Among  those  who  took  their  seats  in 
the  boat  was  Martin,  which  being  noticed  by  Quintal,  he  pointed  a  musket 
at  him,  and  declared  he  would  shoot  him  unless  he  instantly  returned  to 
the  ship,  which  he  did.  The  armorer  and  carpenter's  mates  were  also 
forcibly  detained,  as  they  might  be  required  hereafter.  All  those  now 
being  in  the  boat  who  were  intended  to  accompany  their  unfortunate 
commander,  Christian  addressed  him,  saying — "Come,  Captain  Bligh, 

'Adams  went  by  the  name  of  Alexander  Smith  in  the  Bounty. 


..i^im     I.'  fmr^ 


1 


MUTINY  OF  THE  BOUNTY. 
Z  officers  and  .en  are  now  in  th;^,^-^^^^^^^^^^^  J- 

if  you  attempt  to  make  the  >«»«*  'f 'J^^g^de!  and  his  hands  unbound. 
death."  He  wa8  then  f"!*^*"^  "'".r^J  p  'fiUgh  looked  stcadfaatly  at 
When  they  were  putting  h.m  out  of  the^sh^^^^^  ^^^^^„  ^^  jhe 

Christian,  and  asked  h.m,  if  *>'^  ^/^.^V".^?  ^dghip?    At  this  question  he 
manv  instances  he  had  received  of  his  f"«°f  ^'P^^ion--"  That,  Captain 
seemed  confused,  and  answered  ^^^  nmch  em°^^,^„  ;„  hell!" 
Bligh, thatisthething;  — lam'nhel^   1^^^^   adrift,  amid  the 

The  boat  ^''«;^J7.^^,;t;de3Vd  un^^^ 

^ttansaS:  Zl  ':^:iS:i:=t  express  bj  their  manner  a 
contrition  for  having  joined  in  »»'«J^";^'°y_     j  ^^at  some  arms  might  be 
Before  the  boat  was  cast  "A' J  'gJ'^SeV  at  him,  and  said 

handed  into  her  ;  but  these  "»f««''"g  !^STmonr  I'O  was  going, 

"he  was  well  acquainted  with  the  people  among  ^^^^^^^^ 

and  therefore  did  not  wan  ^henij^'     They,  ho^^^^^^^^^  ^f  „„,  hundred 

into  the  boat.     Their  whole  sock  oJ?;o..^o.sjo  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^^  ^.^^ 

and  fifty  pounds  of  bread,  sixteen  piec  f      ,        ^„  ^    barrecoes  m 

twenty-eight  gallons  of  water     there  were  a  i^  ^^^^^^    ^^^^^^^ 

the  boat.     The  boatswam  Jad  been  aUowed  to  ^^^  ^^^^^^ 

of  twine,  some  canvas,  lines,  and  cordage      «ir^  ^^^  ^^^^.^^ 

been  also  permitted  to  take  a  H^.^Jj*"*^^"^^^^^ 

den,on  painofdeath,to  touch  either  chartephemer.s  ^^  ^^^^.^^^ 

observations,  sextant,  time-keeper    or  any  ol  the  y  ^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^ 

which  Bligh  had  '-n/"  «;;V;?iJS  ^ith  some  other 

good  fortune  to  secure  Bl.gh  s  Jp^'J^J^^^j^     ^oat  left  the  ship  they  were 
material  ship  papers.     And  at  the    «ne  tn  ^^^^^^  ^^^  »„  ^teer 

about  ten  leagues  from   Tosoa      Bl>g ^^JJ/^    ^  ^^^      f,^^  thence  to 

for  this  place,  to  seek  a  «»PP  J  °\f  ^  tThe  king  to  suffer  him  to  equip 
proceed  to  Tongataboo,  and  there  to  so^^icUtne^  g  provisions  as  might 
[he  boat,  and  grant  them  such  a  supply  ^^^^.^^  /^osoa,  they  found 
enable  them  to  reach  the  E^st  Uidies.  ^'V  « jj^^ggives  of  the  de- 
the  natives  unfriendly  and  ^''^^^J^^ZZeniXy  mih  stones,  so  ih,A 
fenseless  state  of  the  English,  attacked  them  vioie     y  ^.^^  ^^^^ 

the  supply  they  got  ^ZZeS\y^^ok  by  the  iatives  ;  which  mo.t 
difficulty  they  escaped  being  ^"^^'f '^ J'"  "  ^^e  of  the  crew  (John  Norton) 

relief  remained,  excepting  what  m.ght^b^^^^^^^^  ^^  ^  , 

island  of  Timor,  which  was  ^\^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^  ^.^  observed,  with  regard 

that  it  would  require  the  £«,^*f  «\"i,*=°d  ^  ^°'  '°  ^""«  '  '"^'*^" 

to  the  scanty  allowance  Tlhich  they  had  to  ive    p         ^^  ^^^^^  ^^  ^^^^^^ 

It  was  therefore  agreed  by  the  «no  f  "^j'  'J^j  to  each  person  per  day. 
„d  a  quarter  of  a  pint  of  w^ter  should  be  ?«"^^  ^^  j^^J  manner  not  to 
After  Bligh  had  recommended  to  them  m  ^h«  "ojj  «o  ^^^^^  of  May,  bore 
depart  from  the  promise  ^hey  had  maj^e     ne,  ^.^^^^  explored, 

-KtSyXti^Srfe^-S^^^^^^ 


J 


flp^ 


MUTINY  OF  THE  BOUNTY. 


237 


ust  go  with  them ; 
instantly  be  put  to 
9  hands  unbound. 
»kcd  steadfastly  at 
jer  return  for  the 
It  this  question  he 
,— "That,  Captain 
in  hell!" 

t   adrift,  amid  the 
len,  whose  general 

carpenter's  mates 
hey  had  no  hand  in 

by  their  manner  a 

ome  arms  might  be 
led  at  him,  and  said 
dom  ho  was  going, 
threw  four  cutlasses 
sted  of  one  hundred 
quarts  of  rum,  with 
empty  barrecoes  in 
lect  a  small  quantity 
muel,  the  clerk,  had 
;  but  he  was  forbid- 
,  book  of  astronomical 
mrveys  or  drawings 
Mr.  Samuel  had  the 
ion,  with  some  other 
ft  the  ship  they  were 
mination  was  to  steer 
vater,  from  thence  to 
to  suffer  him  to  equip 
i  provisions  as  might 
at  Tosoa,  they  found 
hemselves  of  the  de- 
ily  with  stones,  so  that 
18,  indeed,  with  some 
!  natives  ;  which  mort 
le  crew  (John  Norton) 
fast  of  the  boat ;  this 
f  his  companions  ;  he 
savages. 

oat,  that  Bligh  should 
hem  that  no  hopes  of 
it  New  Holland,  or  the 
ill  1200  leagues;  and 
observed,  with  regard 
,n  for  so  long  a  voyage, 
nly  an  ounce  of  bread, 
o  each  person  per  day. 
t  solemn  manner  not  to 
he  second  of  May,  bore 
>ss  a  sea  little  explored, 
nine  inches  in  breadth, 


and  two  feet  nine  inches  deep,  with  eighteen  persons  on  board,  and 
heavy  laden. 

The  men  were  divided  into  watches,  and  they  returned  thanks  to  God 
for  their  miraculous  escape.  The  second  day  was  stormy ;  and,  to  lighten 
the  boat,  everything  was  thrown  overboard  that  could  be  spared,  except 
two  suits  of  clothes  to  each.  A  teaspoonful  of  rum,  and  a  quarter  of  a 
bread-fruit,  was  served  out  for  dinner,  with  a  determination  to  make 
their  provisions  last  out  eight  weeks.  The  sixth  day  their  allowances 
were  delivered  out  by  a  pair  of  scales  made  of  two  cocoanut  shells ;  and 
the  weight  of  a  pistol-ball  of  bread  was  served  out,  making  one  twenty- 
fifth  part  of  a  pound  of  sixteen  ounces,  or  two  hundred  and  seventy-two 
grains,  at  a  meal.  The  ninth  day  they  wore  served  regularly  with  one 
twenty-fifth  of  a  pound  of  bread,  and  a  quarter  of  a  pintof  water  at  morning, 
noon,  and  sunset ;  and  this  day  with  half  an  ounce  of  pork  for  dinner  to 
each,  which  was  divided  into  three  or  four  mouthfuls.  The  eleventh  day 
it  rained,  and  was  cold  ;  and  the  men  began  to  be  dejected,  full  of  wants, 
and  without  the  means  of  relief.  Their  clothes  were  wet  through,  which 
they  stripped  ofl',  and  wrung  through  salt  water  ;  by  which  means  they  felt 
a  warmth  which  they  could  not  have  had  while  wet  with  rain.*  The 
fourteenth  day  they  passed  by  islands  they  dared  not  touch  at,  for  fear 
of  the  natives,  having  been  in  other  places  pursued  ;  which  rather  in- 
creased their  misery.  A  general  run  of  cloudy  wet  weather  was  considered 
as  a  great  blessing  of  Providence,  as  the  hot  weather  would  have  caused 
them  to  have  died  with  thirst.  Being  so  constantly  covered  with  rain  or 
sea,  they  conceived  it  protected  them  from  that  dreadful  calamity. 

The  nineteenth  day  the  men  seemed  half  dead,  and  their  appearances 
were  horrible.  Extreme  hunger  was  now  very  great.  No  one  suffered 
from  thirst,  nor  had  they  much  inclination  to  drink,  that  desire  being 
satisfied  through  the  skin ;  and  the  little  sleep  they  got  was  in  the  midst 
of  water.  Two  spoonfuls  of  rum  were  served  out  this  morning,  with  their 
usual  allowance  of  bread  and  water.  At  noon  the  sun  broke  out,  which 
rejoiced  every  one.  In  the  afternoon  they  were  covered  with  rain  and 
salt  water — the  cold  was  extreme — and  every  one  dreaded  the  approach 
of  night.  Sleep,  though  longed  for,  gave  but  little  comfort.  Captain 
Bligh  himself  almost  lived  without  it.  The  next  morning  the  weather 
abated,  and  a  larger  allowance  of  rum  was  given  out.  The  twenty-second 
day  the  weather  was  bad,  and  the  men  in  great  distress,  and  in  expectation 
that  such  another  night  as  their  last  would  put  an  end  to  their  lives. 
Several  seemed  to  be  no  longer  able  to  support  their  sufferings.  Two 
teaspoonfuls  of  rum  were  served  out ;  after  which,  with  wringing  their 
clothes,  and  their  breakfast  of  bread  and  water,  they  became  a  little 
refreshed.  The  weather  abated,  all  hands  were  rejoiced,  and  they  ate 
their  other  scanty  meals  with  more  satisfaction  than  for  some  time  past. 

The  twenty-third  day  the  fineness  of  the  morning  produced  cheerful 
countenances,  and  they  experienced,  for  the  first  time,  for  fifteen  days 
past,  comfort  from  the  warmth  of  the  sun.  They  stripped,  and  hung  up 
their  clothes  to  dry  ;  which  were  now  so  threadbare  as  to  keep  neither 


*Oaptain  Bligh  afterward  frequently  practiced  it  with  great  benefit,  and  states  that 
tbe  preservation  of  their  health  during  sixteen  days  of  continued  heavy  rains,  wrk 
owing  to  this  practice  of  wringing  their  clothes  out  as  often  as  they  became  iillpii 
with  rain  ;  and  that  the  men  felt  a  change  more  like  that  of  dry  clothes  than  could 
have  been  imagined  ;  that  they  often  repeated  it,  and  it  gave  great  refreshment  nnil 
warmth. 


ii 


MUTINY  OP  THE  BOUNTY. 

c„,dnor.ctou.     The,  saw  .any  b.^^^ 

The  state  of  ^'^eir  provisions  this  day,  at  ^^^^  ^  ^^ 

would  l-.ave  lasted  ^""^  "'"^^^f"  ^  do3«  ^^^^  "'S**^  ^"  "'"^  ^°  ^° 
the  island  of  Timor.  But  as  '\  ^''f  P°\7'\ke  their  stock  hold  out  for 
to  Java,  they  reduced  ^he.r  allowance  to  make  tn^  ^^^  ^^^^^^^^^^ 

six  weeks.    The  necessity  of  the  case  was  staged         ^^^J  ^^^  ^^^^ 
agreed  to  receive  one  »^^«"»y-<^i,^^^^^^^^^^  they  had  forty-three 

and  llie  same  for  dinner;  ^"^  ,^>  °™X;^„  J  ^5  the  size  of  a  pigeon 
days^  allowance.     The  .twenty-fourth Jayj^  bird  ^ 

was  caught,  and  divided  into  «'ghtf  "Portions      in  y  ^^^^^^  ^^  ^^^^^ 

which  was  killed  for  .f^PP^'^/f'*',  3  as  a  favor,  an  allowance  of 
were  most  distressed  lor  want  ^^ /°?°.'  ""^'.^e  a  good  supper,  compared 
bread  was  given  out  for  supper  ;  ^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^  booby.  The 

with  their  usual  fare.  Jho  twenty-fifth  day  Uiey        g  ^^  ^^  ^^^.^^^^^ 

weather  was  fine ;  and  they  ^bought  Providen^^     app  ^.^^  ^^  ^^^. 
their  wants.     The  men  were  °^^  3»y^^^f  J^^ted  food.     To  make  their 
The  blood  was  given  to  those  who  ^os^  wan  „^,     ;„  g^lt   water,  while 

bread  a  little   savory,  many  ^.'5;/''^  atet  in  their  allowance  of  water, 
others  broke  theirs  into  smal  pieces,  and  ate  inn  ^^  ^^^ 

out  of  a  cocoanut  shell,  with  ^«; ^^^^-'.^^Xg  It  dinner  as  if  they 
too  large  a  piece  at  a  time  ;  so  th  t  they  were  J        g      ^^^^^^^ 
had  been  at  a  more  plentiful  ™«,f  •  JJ^^^jS  of  another  kind.     The 
without  its  inconvenience,  and  distress  now  c^^^^^  and  faintneBS, 

sun  was  so  powerful  that  tbe  men  were  seized  w^.^g^  ^^^^  ^       j 

which  made  life  to  some  indifferent^    ioobie^  whose  stomachs  contain»;d 
by  much  drifted  wood,  and  caugh  two  boobie^w      ^^^^    ^^^^idered   as 

several   flying-fish   and   «n}''?\^7"7,^^^^^    ^a^s,  into  eighteen  portions, 
valuable  prizes,  and  were  divided,  with  their  ma^  ^        ^|^  ,„ 

in  addition  to  theii  common  allowance.     t.ap^  g  ^^^^^^^  ^^ 

that  with  this  every  person  thought  he  h^J JeaJ^^^j  ;„  ^he  west,  they  had 
saw  a  gannet;  and,  as  the  ^^""f ,^ ^^ JJ^ey  aU  amused  themselves  by 
no  doubt  of  being  near  to  ^''"•^ '  ^"J.!.  ^ Jould  find, 
conversing  on  the  probabiU  y  of  what  they  shj.^  ^^^  ^^„  3^, 

The  twenty-eighth  day  they  made  an  is        ,  j^^gto^^tion  Island, 

(by  account)  40«»  35'  W.  of  Toloa,  which  tney  ^^  ^.^^  ^^  ^^^^ 

iLe  they  found  pleiity  «[ JJ*"; J^^ 3S:    '^  ^ome'^ceWer.' 

rocks  that  they  were  «hl'gedtoopenthe  sheas.  y    ^^^^^  ^^  ^ 

stews  of  them,  mixed  with  bread  and  a  J^J  "J  P^     \i,',t  had  been  thrown 
pot  which  they   fo«?donboard,andat^^^^^^^^^^ 

into  the  boatonturningoff.     Each  person  ^.^^  ^  f 

though  weak,  appeared  much  refreshed,  an  v      encounter.    The 

beini  able  to  surmount  the  d.ffic«lt^8  thJJ  «  ,,knes8ofjo.^^^ 

diseases  of  the  people  were,  a  toess  m  m  ^^  evacuation  by  siool 

and  violent  tenesmus-few  of  the  men  Javing  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^ 

since  they  had  left  the  ship  'J^^'^XS^y^iit,  a  mind  possessed  of  a 
Every  one  retained  marks  of  strength  tnai,w  ^^^^  ^^ey 

Tolerable  share  of  f«t"t  i^tSS   vo^ge  to^T^^^^^      The  men  were  not 
imagined  they  should  have   n  their  voyage  i  ^^^  ^^  ^^^    ^^eir 

permitted  to  expose  themselves  to  the  heat  ot  J  ^^ 

Jhprt  sleep  in  the  «hade :  they  were  cau^^on  ^^olesome.    Some 

fruit,  which,  unless  eaten  by  b  ds,  ''"J  "J^^^^     i„th  day,  finding  them- 
suffered  by  neglecting  this  cauion.^^         twe    y   ^^  ^^^^^^^^     ^,^6 
selves  discovered  W  the  native  ,  theyjaid  p    J  j^^^^^^  ^„  a  twenty-fifth 
stock  of  bread,  according  to  their  lasi  mouo 


f  being  near  land, 
rate  of  allowance, 
ey  hoped  to  reach 
t  be  obliged  to  go 
itock  hold  out  for 
ery  one  cheerfully 
ead  for  breakfast, 
jy  had  forty-three 
size  of  a  pigeon 
Iso  caught  a  booby, 
three  of  those  who 
r,  an  allowance  of 
I  supper,  compared 
mother  booby.  The 
ired  to  be  relieving 
ion  to  their  dinner, 
d.    To  make  their 
I  salt   water,  while 
allowance  of  water, 
ly  avoiding  to  take 
at  dinner  as  if  they 
the  weather  was  not 
another  kind.     The 
nguor  and  faintness, 
xth  day  they  passed 
!  stomachs  containwd 
vere    considered   as 
ito  eighteen  portions, 
igh  was  happy  to  see 
In  the  evening,  they 
n  the  west,  they  had 
[lused  themselves  by 

id. 

lat.  12»  39'  S.,  long, 
id  Restoration  Island, 
;h  were  so  fast  to  the 
ymade  some  excellent 
by  means  of  a  copper 
hat  had  been  thrown 
I  full  pint.    The  men, 
pirits,  with  a  hope  of 
to  encounter.    The 
.a  weakness  of  joints, 
an  evacuation  by  stool 
f  none  were  alarming. 
I  mind  possessed  of  a 
lore  fatigue  than  they 
r.    The  men  were  not 
sun,  but  to  take  their 
)out  taking  berries  or 
Bd  wholesome.    Some 
inth  day,  finding  them- 
and  embarked.    Their 
mce,  was  a  twenty-fifth 


H 


MUTINY    OF    THE    BOUNTY. 


239 


of  a  pound  at  breakfast  and  at  dinner.  The  thirtieth  day  they  landed  on 
another  island,  and  parties  were  sent  out  for  supplies.  But  a  spirit  of 
discontent  began  to  discover  itself  among  some,  and  from  one  man  in 
particular ;  but  it  was  instantly  checked,  and  everything  became  quiet 
again.  Each  person  got  this  day  a  full  pint  and  a  half  of  stowed  oysters 
and  clams,  thickened  with  small  beans,  which  the  botanists  call  a  species 
of  dolichos. 

The  thirty-first  day,  Mr.  Nelson,  the  botanist,  was  taken  very  ill  with 
violent  pains  in  his  bowels,  loss  of  sight,  much  drought,  and  an  inability 
to  walk.  This  was  partly  owing  to  heat  and  fatigue,  and  not  retiring  to 
sleep  in  the  shade,  or  to  improper  food.  The  little  wine  that  remained 
was  of  real  use.  With  a  few  pieces  of  bread  soaked  in  half  a  glass  of 
wine  occasionally,  he  continued  to  mend,  and  it  was  found  at  last  not 
necessary  to  continue  the  wine.  For  six  days  they  coasted  along  New 
Holland,  and,  on  landing,  got  occasionally  supplies  of  oysters,  birds,  and 
water.  These,  though  small,  with  rest,  and  being  relieved  from  many 
fatigues,  preserved  their  lives;  but,  even  in  their  present  state,  they  were 
deplorable  objects.  The  thirty-third  day  from  their  leaving  Tofoa,  which 
was  the  third  of  June,  they  again  launclied  into  the  open  ocean  for  tbe 
island  of  Timor.  Bligh  was  happy  to  find  that  no  one  was  so  much 
afiected  with  their  miserable  situation  as  himself;  but  that  the  men 
seemed  as  if  they  were  embarked  on  a  voyage  to  Timor,  in  a  vessel  suffi- 
ciently calculated  for  safety  and  convenience.  This  confidence  gave 
him  pleasure  ;  and  to  this  cause  did  he  attribute  their  preservation. 
Every  one  was  encouraged  to  believe  that  eight  or  ten  days  would  bring 
them  to  Timor  ;  and,  after  prayers,  their  allowance  of  water  was  served 
out  for  supper.  The  thirty-sixth  day,  the  state  of  stores  on  hand,  at  their 
former  rate  of  serving,  was  equal  to  nineteen  days^  allowance,  at  three 
times  a  day ;  and  there  being  now  every  prospect  of  a  quick  passage, 
their  suppers  were  again  granted.  The  thirty-seventh  day  the  sea  was 
high,  with  much  rain,  and  the  night  cold.  The  surgeon  and  an  old 
hardy  seamen  appeared  to  be  giving  way  very  fast.  They  were  assisted 
by  a  teaspoonfui  or  two  of  the  wine  at  a  time,  which  had  been  carefully 
saved,  expecting  such  a  melancholy  necessity.  The  thirty-eighth  day 
they  caught  a  small  dolphin,  which  was  their  first  relief  of  this  kind 
Two  ounces  were  delivered  out  to  each  man  this  day,  and  the  remaindei 
was  reserved  for  the  next  day.  The  thirty-ninth  day  the  men  were  he 
ginning  to  complain  generally ;  and,  by  the  feelings  of  all,  they  wer* 
convinced  they  were  but  too  well  founded.  The  surgeon  and  the  olo 
seaman  had  a  little  wine  given  to  them  ;  and  encouraged  with  the  hopeii 
of  reaching  Timor  in  a  very  few  days,  on  their  present  fine  rate  of  sailing. 
The  fortieth  day,  in  the  morning,  after  a  comfortless  night,  there  was 
such  a  visible  alteration  in  many  of  the  people,  as  to  occasion  many  ap- 
prehensions. Extreme  weakness,  swelled  legs,  hollow  ghastly  counte- 
nances, a  more  than  common  inclination  to  sleep,  and  an  apparent  debility 
of  understanding,  seemed  to  indicate  approaching  dissolution.  The  sur- 
geon and  the  old  seaman  were  the  most  miserable  of  objects.  A  few 
teaapoonfuls  of  the  little  wine  that  remained,  greatly  assisted  them :  hope 
was  their  principal  support,  and  birds  and  rockweed  showed  they  were 
not  far  from  land. 

On  the  forty-first  day  every  one  received  his  accustomed  allowance, 
and  an  extra  supply  of  water  to  those  who  wanted  it.  By  observation, 
they  found  they  had  now  passed  the  meridian  of  the  eastern  part  of 
Timor,  which  gave  great  joy.    On  the  forty-second  day,  the  1 2th  of  June. 


-*J^»-<-t.*^.i3Wfcv-« 


<f' 


240 


MUTINY    OF    THE   BOUNTY. 


at  three  in  the  morning,  they  discovered  Timor,  at  two  leagues^  distance. 
It  was  impossible  to  describe  the  joy  it  diffused.  It  appeared  scarcely 
credible  to  themselves,  that  in  an  open  boat,  so  poorly  provided,  they 
should  have  been  enabled  to  reach  the  coast  of  Timor  in  forty-one  days 
after  leaving  the  island  of  Tofoa  ;  having  in  that  time  run  the  distance 
of  3,618  miles;  and  that,  notwithstanding  their  extreme  distress,  no  one 
should  have  perished  on  the  voyage. 

Some  of  the  natives  brought  them  some  Indian  com,  and  pilots  to  con- 
duct them  to  Coupang.  They  were  becalmed,  and  the  men  were  obliged 
to  try  at  the  oars,  which  they  used  with  some  effect.  On  the  14th  of 
June  they  reached  Coupang,  where  they  received  every  attention  huma- 
nity and  kindness  could  dictate.  Nothing  but  the  strictest  economy  of 
their  provisions,  the  sacredly  keeping  to  their  agreements,  and  due  sub- 
ordination and  perseverance,  could  have  saved  Bligh  and  his  men.  Such 
had  been  their  attention  to  these  points,  that  when  they  arrived  at  Timor, 
there  remained  on  hand  eleven  days'  provisions  to  have  carried  them  on 
to  Java,  if  they  had  missed  this  island.  The  quantity  of  provisions,  with 
which  they  left  the  ship  was  not  more  than  would  have  been  consumed 
in  five  days,  without  such  precautions. 

In  March  of  the  following  year.  Captain  Bligh  arrived  in  England. 
Out  of  nineteen  who  were  in  the  boat,  when  she  was  turned  adrift  by 
the  mutineers,  only  twelve  lived  to  reach  their  native  country. 

We  now  return  to  the  Bounty,  and  the  adventures  of  its  mutinous  crew. 
Christian,  who  was  the  mate.  Hey  wood.  Young  and  Stewart,  midshipmen, 
the  mr -«ter-at-arms,  and  sixteen  seamen,  beside  the  three  artificers  and 
the  gardener — forming  in  all  twenty-five — made  up  the  entire  crew. 

The  ship  having  stood  for  some  time  to  the  W.N.W.,  with  a  view  to 
deceive  the  party  in  the  launch,  was  afterward  put  about,  and  her  course 
directed  as  near  to  Otaheite  as  the  wind  would  permit.  In  a  few  days 
they  found  some  diiRculty  in  reaching  that  island,  and  Uire  away  for  To- 
bouai,  a  small  island  about  three  hundred  miles  to  the  southward  of  it, 
where  they  agreed  to  establish  themselves,  provided  the  natives,  who 
were  numerous,  were  not  hostile  to  their  purpose.  Of  this  they  had 
very  early  intimation,  an  attack  being  made  upon  a  boat  which  they  sent  to 
sound  the  harbor.  She,  however,  effected  her  purpose ;  and  the  next 
morning  the  Bounty  was  warped  inside  the  reef  that  formed  the  port,  and 
stationed  close  to  the  beach.  An  attempt  to  land  was  next  made ; 
but  the  natives  disputed  every  foot  of  ground  with  spears,  clubs  and 
stones,  until  they  were  dispersed  by  a  discharge  of  cannon  and  muricetry. 
On  this  they  fled  to  the  interior,  and  refused  to  hold  any  further  inter- 
course with  their  visitors.  The  determined  hostility  of  the  natives  put 
an  end  to  the  mutineers*  design  of  settling '  among  them  at  that  time ; 
and,  after  two  days*  fruitless  attempt  at  reconciliatbn,  they  left  the 
island  and  proceeded  to  Otaheite.  Tobouai  was,  however,  a  favorite 
spot  with  them,  and  they  determined  to  maL«>  another  effort  to  settle 
there,  v/hich  they  thought  would  yet  be  feasible,  provided  the  islanders 
could  be  made  acquainted  with  their  friendly  intentions^  The  only  way 
to  do  this  was  through  interpreters,  who  might  be  procured  at  Otaheite ; 
and  in  order  not  to  be  dependent  upon  the  natives  of  Tobouai  for  wives, 
they  determined  to  engage  several  Otaheitan  women  to  accompany  them. 
They  reached  Otaheite  in  eight  days,  and  werereceived  with  the  greatest 
kindness  by  their  former  friends,  who  immedislely  inqoired  for  the  captain 
and  his  officers.  Christian  and  his  party  having  anticipated^  inquiries  of 
this  nature,  invented  a  story  to  tGCoant  for  their  absence^  and  told  them 


MUTINY  OF  THE  BOUNTY. 


241 


eagues'  distance- 
ppeared  scarcely 
rly  provided,  they 
in  forty-oPd  days 
run  the  distance 
,e  distress,  no  one 

,  and  pilots  to  con- 
men  were  obliged 
On  the  14th  of 
ry  attention  huma- 
ictest  economy  of 
snts,  and  due  sub- 
.ndhismen.    Such 
jy  arrived  at  Timor, 
ve  carried  them  on 
f  of  provisions,  v«th 
ve  been  consumed 

jrived   in  England- 
as  turned  adrift  by 

5  country. 

of  its  mutinous  crew- 
Uewart,  midshipmen, 
three  artificers  and 
the  entire  crew. 
N.W.,  with  a  view  to 
bout,  and  her  course 
:mit.    In  a  few  days 
id  bore  away  for  lo- 
♦he  southward  of  it, 
ded  the  natives,  who 
le.    Of  this  they  had 
,oat  which  they  sent  to 

irpose ;  and  the  next 
t  formed  the  port,  Mid 
ind  was  next  made; 
ith  spears,  clubs  and 
cannon  and  musketry, 
lold  any  further  intet- 
lity  of  the  natives  put 
,g  them  at  that  ume; 
liation,  they  left  the 
as,  however,  a  favorite 
aother  effort  to  settle 
rprovidedthe  islanders 
Intions-    The  only  way 

procured  at  Otaheite ; 

-of  Tobouai  for  wives, 

len  to  accompany  them. 

iceived  vrith  the  greatest 

■^inqaired  for  the  captain 

anticipated  inquiries  of 

absence,  and  told  them 


that  Bligh,  having  found  an  island  suitable  for  a  settlement,  had  landed 
there  with  some  of  his  officers,  and  sent  then  in  the  ship  to  procure  live 
stock  and  whatever  else  would  be  useful  to  the  colony,  and  to  bring  beside 
such  of  the  natives  as  were  willing  to  accompany  them.  Satisfied  with 
this  plausible  account,  the  chiefs  supplied  them  with  everything  they 
wanted,  and  even  gave  them  a  bull  and  a  cow  which  had  been  confided 
to  their  care,  the  only  ones,  I  believe,  that  were  on  the  island.  They 
wore  equally  fortunate  in  finding  several  persons,  both  male  and  female, 
willing  to  accompany  them ;  and  thus  furnished,  they  again  sailed  for 
Tubouai,  where,  as  they  expected,  they  were  better  received  than  before, 
in  conseodence  of  being  able  to  communicate  with  the  natives  through 
their  interpreters. 

Experience  had  taught  them  the  necessity  of  making  self-defense  their 
first  consideration,  and  a  fort  was  consequently  commenced,  eight  yards 
square,  surrounded  by  a  wide  ditch.  It  was  nearly  completed,  when  the 
natives,  imagining  they  were  going  to  destroy  them,  and  that  the  ditch 
was  intended  for  their  place  of  interment,  planned  a  general  attack  when 
the  party  should  proceed  to  work  in  the  morning.  It  fortunately  happened 
that  one  of  the  natives  who  accompanied  them  from  Otaheite  overheard 
tliis  conspiracy,  and  instantly  swam  off  to  the  ship  and  apprised  the  crew 
of  their  danger.  Instead,  therefore,  of  proceeding  to  their  work  at  the 
fort,  as  usual,  the  following  morning,  they  made  an  attack  upon  the  natives, 
killed  and  wounded  several,  and  obliged  the  others  to  retire  inland. 
Great  dissatisfaction  and  diSerence  of  opinion  now  arose  among  the  crew: 
some  were  for  abandoning  the  fort  and  returning  to  Otaheite ;  while  others 
were  for  proceeding  to  the  Marquesas;  but  the  majority  were  at  that 
time  for  completing  what  they  had  begun,  and  remaining  at  Tobouai.  At 
length  the  continued  state  of  suspense  in  which  they  were  kept  by  the 
natives  made  them  decide  to  return  to  Otaheite,  though  much  against  the 
inclination  of  Christian,  who  in  vain  expostulated  with  them  on  the  folly 
of  such  a  resolution,  and  the  certain  detection  that  must  ensue. 

The  implements  being  embarked,  they  proceeded,  therefore,  a  second 
time  to  Otaheite,  and  were  again  well  received  by  their  friends,  who 
replenished  their  stock  of  provisions.  During  the  passage  Christian 
formed  his  intention  of  proceeding  in  the  ship  to  some  distant  uninhabited 
island,  for  the  purpose  of  permanently  settling,  as  the  most  likely  means 
of  escaping  the  punishment  which  he  well  knew  awaited  him  in  the  event 
of  being  discovered.  On  communicating  this  plan  to  his  shipmates  he 
found  only  a  few  inclined  to  assent  to  it ;  but  no  objections  were  offered 
by  those  who  dissented,  to  his  taking  the  ship  ;  all  they  required  was  an 
equal  distribution  of  such  provisions  and  stores  as  might  be  useful. 
Young,  Brown,  Mills,  Williams,  Quintal,  M'Coy,  Martin,  Adams,  and  six 
natives  (four  of  Otaheite  and  two  of  Tobouai)  determined  to  follow  the 
fate  of  Christian.  Remaining,  therefore,  only  twenty-four  hours  at  Ota- 
heite, they  took  leave  of  their  own  comrades,  and  having  invited  oo  board 
seve'al  of  the  women  with  the  feigned  purpose  of  taking  leave,  the  cables 
were  cut  and  they  were  carried  off  to  sea. 

The  mutineers  now  bade  adieu  to  all  the  world,  save  the  few  fndividualf 
associated  with  them  in  exile.  But  where  that  exile  should  be  passed, 
was  yet  undecided:  the  Marquesas  Islands  were  first  mentioned;  but 
Christian,on  reading  Captain  Carteret's  account  of  Pitcairn  Island,  thought 
it  better  adapted  to  the  purpose,  and  accordingly  shaped  a  course  thither. 
They  reached  it  not  many  days  afterward ;  and  Christian,  with  one  of 
tlic  seamen,  landed  in  a  little  nook,  which  was  afterward  found  very 
16 


.•'ISi'^^SiwC"' 


^^  MUTINY  or  THB  BOUNTY. 

..       w    i,.»5„n    ThPV  soon  traversed  the  island  sufficiontlv 
convenient  for  disembarkation.   T^^^^^  ,j  p         ,ed 

to  be  satisfied  that  it  was  «"'^*^  "rlV°  The  anchorage  in  the  offing 
water,  wood  a  good  sod,  J"*  '"^JSely  hazardous.  The  n'-n.nta.ns 
was  very  bad,  and  landing  ^O' ''°''|?^  ";7«,  J  narrow,  that  t^ey  might  bo 
were  so  difficult  of  access,  and  the  pass  ««  """^j  ^^_^  „^,^  several 

Maintained  by  a  few  ?"«>"» ///J^    hey  ^uid  retreat,  and  where,  as 

caves,  to  which,  m  .«*««  '*ln''^I^;'J;iht  Wd  defiance  to  their  pursuers, 
long  as  their  FOv.«onB  la«ted_  ^^^^^^^^  ^^^  j,^„    y,,  ,^,  ,hip  to  an 

With  this  intelligence  »»'^y"*"T*;°gide  of  he  island,  where  everything 
anchor  in  a  small  bay  on  the  ""^hern  side  oi  ^^  ^^^^^^^ 

that  could  be  of  utility  >-•;«  l';"'*;^''"!^;'  burning  her.  Christian, 
the  ship,  either  by.  running  her  on  sj^^^^^^^  but  while  they 

Adams,  and  the  majori  y,  were  ["^ Jj^^^h'j,  J-.ness,  Matthew  Quintal 
went  to  the  forepart  "^ /'^^/'^'P' ^V^^""' The  vessel  burnt  to  the  water's 
,et  fire  to  the  c»^P«")«^  ^^/'/S'  where  the  remainderof  the  wreck 
;tCrrfr<j'S:!^-  *  on  the  twentyUnrdof 

^TaKotc.groundfc.^v^^^J^;;^';:-^ 
of  which  the  island  was  fl^^d  '?^"  ^^ndi  Sf  the  seamen,  were  not  con- 
of  the  poor  blacks,  who,  bemgo"V/"«°''«tJi,d  to  lend  their  assis^^ 
sidered  as  entit  ed  to  the  «>""«  P"'  ^"f  ;„i,s^tence,  they  thus,  from  being 
to  the  others  in  order  to  PI0'^"'^^'"r'e  their  slaves.     No  discontent, 
their  friends,  in  ^I'e  course  o    time  becam^^^^^^^  .^  the  cultivation 

however,  «'»^'"^"'f«?'«AesDice^haw?s  allotted  to  the  village,  a  row 
of  the  soil.  Tn  clearing  the  «P»7  ^'^^^J^fo,  ^he  purpose  of  concea  ing 
of  trees  was  left  between  it  and  the  jea,  lor  V  ^  .^^  be  passing, 

the  houses  from  the  «b^«'7„'^'i°";/e,3  That  might  in  any  way  attract 
and  nothing  was  allowed  '»,*>«  Jl^g^^J-ghed,  the  sails  of  the  Bounty  were 
attention.     Until  these  ^ousej /^ere  f.  „e^  ^^^  ^,,at  purpose, 

converted  into  tents;  and  v^hen  no  7^8^  ^  ,5^^  ^i^h  all  the  neces- 
became  very  «cc«ptable  as  clothing.  ^^"J^i^ , PP.,  ,o„dition  comfortable 
aaries  of  life,  and  some  of  its  luxuries,  tneyi  ^^^  ^hing  went  on 

even  beyond  their  most  .'^J^S-^^ZtZlt  the  expifation  of  which, 
peaceably  and  prosperously  ^o^,^°°"Vo  ?oK  his  wife  about  a  month  after 
Williams!  who  had  the  ^'f/l^jj"  Jrcoiect  birds'  eggs,  became 
his  arrival,  by  a  faU  f'0"»X?;P';e  the  island  in  one  of  the  boats  of  the 
dissatisfied,  a"d  t*'r«'\*""^l'VX  .  an  unreasonable  request,  as  it  could 
Bounty,  unless  he  had  another  wfe     an  un  ^^^  ^^     ^^^^^  ^^         „f 

not  be  complied  V'^^^^^S^^'J^' Med  by  selfish  considerations  alone, 
his  companions:  but  y^'"'?"^  "gJJopeanJ  not  willing  to  part  with  him, 
persisted  in  h.s  threat,  and  the  Luro^ea  .^^^  one  of  the  blacks 

on  account  of  his  usefulness  .«  an  armor  ^       ^  outrageous  at  this 

to  bestow  his  wife  upon  \»'«»PPj/^o„„on  cause  with  their  comp^^^ 
aecond  act  of  flagrant  injustice,  made  co»^  ^^.^^^  ,^^j 

and  matured  a  plan  of  'f«''«»g^  "^".,  th^  SVopeans.  Fortunately,  the 
ceeded,  would  have  proved  fatal  to  '^"^''«^;„i  P„,,y  communicated  it  to 
«,cretwas  imparted  »«  tbe  worn^n,  wko  mgen  ^^  J  ^^^^^  does  black 
the  white  men  in  a  song,  of  ^""^ "^^^^^  ^^  i„gtant  Christian  became 
men  irtiarpen  ax  T  To  H'^/J^**  ™i'",„d  went  in  search  of  the  blacks ; 
aware  of  the  plot,  he  seized  h'«£»  X^^^eir  scheme  was  discovered, 
but  with  a  view  only  of  -♦'"^'^K^JS^^JoJ^  to  prevent  the  execution  of 


,-  j^^^-*a<e^'B''*'^*«"'*^ 


MUTINY  OF  THE  BOUNTY. 


243 


island  sufficiently 
es.     It  possessed 
^rogc  in  the  ofling 
I.    The  w-iuntains 
hat  t'^ey  might  be 
heic  were  several 
cat,  and  where,  as 
.  to  their  pursuers, 
ught  the  ship  to  an 
\,  where  everything 

agreed  to  destroy 
nc  her.  Christian, 
ent ;  but  while  they 
ss,  Matthew  Quintal 
burnt  to  the  water  9 
nainder  of  the  wreck 

the  twenty-third  ot 

>n,  with  the  exception 
but  to  the  exclusion 
aamen,  were  not  con- 
o  lend  their  assistanc*! 
hey  thus,  from  being 
aves.     No  discontent, 
ted  in  the  cultivation 
d  to  the  village,  a  row 
Urpose  of  concealing 
lat  might  be  passing, 
ht  in  any  way  attract 
^ils  of  the  Bounty  were 

ired  for  that  purpose, 
ied  with  all  the  neces- 
r  condition  comfortable 
nd  everything  went  on 
,he  expiration  of  which, 

ife  about  a  month  alter 
ing  birds' eggs,  became 

one  of  the  boats  of  the 
able  request,as  It  could 

he  happiness  ot  one  of 
h  considerations  alone, 

willing  to  part  with  him, 
Sne'd  one  of  the  blacks 

acks,  outragous  at  this 
,86  with  their  companion, 

essor,  which,  had  it  suc- 

peans.     ^OTUxn^ifj,.^^ 
jusly  communicated  t  to 

iere.  "Why  does  black 

■instant  Christian  became 

in  search  of  the  blacks . 

scheme  was  discovered, 

prevent  the  execution  ot 

ttce  from  the  village,  taxed 


him  with  the  conspiracy,  and,  in  order  to  intimidate  him,  discharged  his 
gun,  wiiich  he  had  humanely  loaded  with  powder  only.  Ohoo,  however, 
imagining  otherwise,  and  that  the  bullet  had  missed  its  object,  derided 
his  unskilH'ulncsd,  and  fled  into  the  woods,  followed  by  his  accomplice 
Talaloo,  who  had  been  deprived  of  his  wife.  The  remaining  blacks, 
finding  their  plot  discovered,  purchased  pardon  by  promising  to  murder 
their  accomplices,  who  had  fled;  which  they  afterward  performed  by  an 
act  of  tlio  most  odious  treachery.  Ohoo  was  belray<;d  and  murdered  by 
ills  own  nephew  ;  and  Talaloo,  after  an  ineflectual  attempt  made  upon  him 
by  poison,  fell  by  the  hands  of  his  friend  and  his  wife,  the  very  woman  on 
whose  account  all  the  disturbance  began,  and  whono  injuries  Talaloo  felt 
he  was  revenging  in  common  with  his  own. 

Tranquillity  was  by  these  means  restored,  and  p/iserved  for  about  two 
years  ;  at  the  expiration  of  which,  dissatisfaction  w;s  again  manifested  by 
the  blacks,  in  consequence  of  oppression  and  ill  treatment,  principally  by 
Quintal  and  M^Coy.  Meeting  with  no  compassion  or  redress  from  their 
masters,  a  second  plan  to  destroy  their  oppressors  was  matured,  and, 
unfortunately,  too  successfully  executed. 

It  was  agreed  that  two  of  the  blacks,  Timoa  and  Nehow,  should  desert 
from  their  masters,  provide  themselves  with  arms,  and  hide  in  the  woods, 
but  maintain  a  frequent  communication  with  the  other  two,  Tetahcite  and 
Menalee  ;  and  that  on  a  certain  day  they  should  attack  and  put  to  death 
all  the  Englishmen,  when  at  work  in  their  plantations.  Tetaheite,  to 
strengthen  the  party  of  the  blacks  on  this  day,  borrowed  a  gun  and  am- 
munition of  his  master,  under  the  pretence  of  shooting  hogs,  which  had 
become  wild  and  very  numerous ;  but  instead  of  using  it  in  this  way,  he 
joined  his  accomplices,  and  with  them  fell  upon  Williams  and  shot  him. 
Martin,  who  was  at  no  great  distance,  heard  the  report  of  the  musket, 
and  exclaimed,  "  Well  done!  we  shall  have  a  gl  <.iuus  feast  to-day!*' 
supposing  that  a  hog  had  been  shot.  The  party  proceeded  from  Williams' 
toward  Christian's  plantation,  where  Menalee,  the  other  black,  was  at  work 
with  Mills  and  M'Coy ;  and,  in  order  that  the  suspicions  of  the  whites 
might  not  be  excited  by  the  report  they  had  heard,  requested  Mills  to 
allow  him  (Menalee)  to  assist  them  in  bringing  home  the  hog  they  pre- 
tended to  have  killed.  Mills  agreed ;  and  the  four,  being  united, 
proceeded  to  Christian,  who  was  working  at  his  yam-plot,  and  shot  him. 
Thus  fell  a  man,  who,  from  being  the  reputed  ringleader  of  the  mutiny, 
has  obtained  an  unenviable  celebrity,  and  whose  crime,  if  anything  can 
excuse  mutiny,  may,  perhaps,  be  considered  as  in  some  degree  palliated  1^ 
the  tyranny  which  led  to  its  commission.  M'Coy,  hearing  his  groans, 
observed  to  Mills,  "there  was  surely  some  person  dying;"  but  MiUs 
replied,  "It  is  only  Mainmast  (Christian's  wife)  calling  her  children  tO' 
dinner."  The  white  men  being  yet  too  strong  for  the  blacks  to  risk  < 
conflict  with  them,  it  was  necessary  to  concert  a  plan,  in  order  to  separate 
Mills  and  M'Coy.  Two  o4  them  accordingly  secreted  themselves  in 
M'Coy's  house,  and  Tetaheite  ran  and  told  him  that  the  two  blacks  wlio 
had  deserted  were  stealing  things  out  of  his  house.  M'Coy  instantly 
hastened  to  detect  them,  and  «&  enteriof  was  fired  at;  but  the  ball  passed 
htsfi.  M'Coy  immedi«telj  communicated  the  alarm  to  Mills,  and  advised 
him  to  seek  shelter  in  the  w«ods  ;  but  Mills,  being  quite  satisfied  that  one 
of  the  blacks  whom  he  had  made  bis  friend  would  not  suffer  him  to  be 
killed,  determined  to  remain.  M'Coy,  less  confident,  ran  in  search  of 
Christian,  but  finding  him  dead,  joined  Quintal  (whe  was  already  apprised: 
of  the  work  of  destruction,  nad  had  seat  hit  wife  to  give  4h«  nlasm  to  the 


244 


iniTINT  OP  THE  BOITNTY. 


others,)  and  fled  with  him  to  the  woo<i8.  Milla  had  scarcely  boon  led 
tloiie,  when  the  two  blacks  fell  upon  him,  and  he  became  a  victim  to  his 
misplaced  contidcnco  in  the  fidelity  of  his  friend.  Martin  and  Brown 
were  next  separately  murdered  by  Menaleo  and  Tcnina ;  Menalee  of- 
fecting  with  a  maul  what  the  musket  had  loft  unfinished.  Tenina,  it  is 
said,  wished  to  save  the  life  of  Brown,  and  fired  at  him  with  powder  only, 
desiring  him,  at  the  same  time,  to  fall  as  if  killed ;  but,  unfortunately 
rising  too  soon,  the  other  black,  Menalee,  shot  him. 

Adams  was  first  apprised  of  his  danger  by  QuintaPs  wife,  who,  in  hur- 
rying through  his  plantation,  asked  why  he  was  working  at  such  a  time? 
Not  understanding  the  question,  but  seeing  her  alarmed,  he  followed  her, 
and  was  almost  immediately  met  by  the  blacks,  whoso  appearance  exciting 
suspicion,  he  made  his  escape  into  the  woods.  After  remaining  three  or 
four  hours,  Adams,  thinking  all  was  quiet,  stole  to  his  yam-plot  for  a  supply 
of  provisions;  his  movements,  however,  did  not  escape  the  vigilance  of  the 
blacks,  who  attacked  and  shot  him  through  the  body,  the  ball  entering  at  his 
right  shoulder,  and  passing  out  through  his  throat.  He  fell  upon  his  side, 
and  was  instantly  assailed  by  one  of  them  with  the  butt-end  of  the  gun  ; 
but  he  parried  the  blows  at  the  expense  of  a  broken  finger.  Tetaheite  then 
placed  his  gun  to  his  side,  but  it  fortunately  missed  fire  twice.  Adams, 
recovering  a  little  from  the  shock  of  the  wound,  sprung  on  his  legs,  and 
ran  off  with  as  much  spued  as  he  was  able,  and  fortunately  outstripped 
his  pursuers,  wlio,  seeing  him  likely  to  escape,  oflfered  him  protection  if 
he  would  stop.  Adams,  much  exhausted  by  his  wound,  readily  accepted 
their  terms,  and  was  conducted  to  Christian's  house,  where  he  was  kindly 
treated.  Here  this  day  of  bloodshed  ended,  leaving  only  four  Englishmen 
alive  out  of  nine.  It  was  a  day  of  emancipation  to  the  blacks,  who  were 
now  masters  of  the  island,  and  of  humiliation  and  retribution  to  tiie  whites. 
Young,  who  was  a  great  favorite  with  the  women,  and  had,  during  this 
attack,  been  secreted  by  them,  was  now  also  taken  to  Christianas  house. 
The  other  two,  M'Coy  and  Quintal,  who  hud  always  been  the  great  op- 
pressors of  the  blacks,  escaped  to  the  mountains,  where  they  supported 
themselves  upon  the  produce  of  the  ground  about  them. 

The  party  in  the  village  lived  in  tolerable  tranquillity  for  about  a  week ; 
at  the  expiration  of  which,  the  men  of  color  began  to  quarrel  about  th« 
right  of  choosing  the  women  whose  husbands  had  been  killed  ;  which 
ended  in  Menalee's  shooting  Timoa  as  he  sat  by  the  side  of  Young's  wife, 
accompanying  her  song  with  his  flute.  Timoa  not  dying  immediately, 
Menalee  reloaded,  and  deliberately  dispatched  him  by  a  second  discharge. 
He  afterward  attacked  Tetaheite,  who  was  condoling  with  Young's  wife 
for  the  loss  of  her  favorite  black,  and  would  have  murdered  him  also, 
but  for  the  interference  of  the  women.  Afraid  to  remain  longer  in  the 
village,  he  escaped  to  the  mountains  and  joined  Quintal  and  M'Coy,  who, 
though  glad  of  his  service,  at  first  received  him  with  suspicion.  This 
great  acquisition  to  their  force  enabled  them  to  bid  defiance  to  the  opposite 
party ;  and  to  show  their  strength,  and  that  they  were  provided  with 
muskets,  they  appeared  on  a  ridge  of  mountains,  within  sight  of  the  village. 
and  fired  a  volley  which  so  alarmed  the  others  that  they  sent  Adams  to 
say,  if  they  would  kill  the  black  man,  Menalee,  and  return  to  the  village, 
they  would  all  be  friends  again.  The  terms  were  so  far  complied  with 
that  Menalee  was  shot;  but,  apprehensive  of  the  sincerity  of  the  remaining 
blacks,  they  refused  to  return  while  they  were  alive. 

Adams  says  it  was  not  long  before  the  #idowB  of  the  white  men  bo 
•deeply  deplored  their  loss,  that  thej  determiDed  to  revenge  their  death. 


T  •^-.^^rrir'^titv^*^-* 


W^'^^fV??*  ?»-*J^^'.'-?'*j»'?'>'y*T:-;*" 


MUTINT  OP  THE  BOUNTY. 


940 


scarcely  boen  left 
me  a  victim  to  ni« 
tiartin  and  Brown 
lina;  Menalee  ef- 
led.     Tenina,  it  is 

with  powder  only, 

but,  unfortunately 

a  wife,  who,  in  hur- 
ipg  at  such  a  timcT 
ed,  he  followed  her, 
appearance  exciting 
r  remaining  three  or 
^am-plot  for  a  supply 
a  the  vigilance  of  the 
le  ball  entering  at  hiB 

He  fell  upon  his  side, 
butt-end  of  the  gun  ; 
gor.     Tetaheite  then 

fire  twice.     Adams, 
rung  on  his  leg«,  and 
.rtunately  outstripped 
red  him  protection  it 
,und,  readily  accepted 
,  where  he  was  kindly 
-only  four  Englishmen 
;  the  blacks,  who  were 
tribution  to  the  whites. 
,  and  had,  during  tins 
II  to  Christian's  liouse. 
lya  been  the  great  op- 

where  they  supporteU 

them.  ,  . 

jillity  for  about  a  week. 

in  to  quarrel  about  th« 
id  been  killed  ;  which 
he  side  of  Young's  wife, 

not  dying  immediately, 
n  by  a  second  discharge, 
oling  with  Young's  wife 
tve  murdered  him  also, 
to  remain  longer  in  the 
Quintal  and  M^Coy,  who, 

m  with  suspicion.  1  hib 
d  defiance  to  the  opposite 
they  were  provided  with 
within sightof  the  village, 
that  they  sent  Adams  to 
and  return  to  the  village, 

ivere  so  far  complied  with 
sincerity  of  the  remaining 

alive.  .  ^ 

lows  of  the  white  men  BO 

Bd  to  revenge  their  death, 


and  concerted  a  plan  to  murder  thn  only  two  remaining  men  of  color. 
Another  account,  communicated  by  tlio  iHlandors,  is  that  it  was  only  part 
of  a  plot  formed  at  the  same  time  that  Menalee  was  murdered,  wliich 
could  not  be  put  in  execution  before.  However  this  may  be,  it  was 
equally  fatal  to  the  poor  blacks.  The  arrangement  was,  that  Susan  Hfiould 
murder  one  of  them,  Tetaheite,  while  he  was  sleeping  by  the  side  of  his 
favorite  ;  and  that  Young  should,  at  the  same  instant,  upon  a  signal  being 
given,  shoot  the  other,  Nehow.  The  unsuspecting  Tetaheite  retired,  as 
usual,  and  fell  by  the  blow  of  an  ax;  the  other  was  looking  at  Young 
loading  his  gun,  which  ho  supposed  was  for  the  purpose  of  shooting  hogs, 
and  rc<|uest(;d  him  to  put  in  a  good  charge,  when  he  received  the  deadly 
contents. 

In  this  manner  the  existence  of  the  last  of  the  men  of  color  terminated, 
who,  thougli  treacherous  and  revengeful,  had,  it  is  feared,  too  much  cause 
for  coniplaint.  The  accomplishment  of  this  fatal  scheme  was  immediately 
communicuted  to  the  two  absentees,  and  their  return  solicited.  But  so 
many  instances  of  treachery  had  occurred,  that  they  would  not  believe 
tho  report,  though  delivered  by  Adams  himself,  until  the  hands  and  heads 
of  tho  deceased  were  produced,  which  being  done,  they  returned  to  the 
village.  This  eventful  day  was  the  third  of  October,  1793.  There  were 
now  iefl  upon  tho  island,  Adams,  Young,  M'Coy,  and  Quintal,  ten  women, 
and  some  children.  Two  months  after  tills  period.  Young  commenced  a 
manuscript  journal,  vhich  aflbrds  a  good  insight  into  the  state  of  the 
island,  and  the  occupations  of  the  settlers.  From  it  we  learn,  that  they 
lived  peaceably  together,  building  their  houses,  fencing  in  and  cultivating 
their  grounds,  fishing,  and  catching  birds,  and  constructing  pits  for  the 
purpose  of  entrapping  hogs,  which  had  become  very  numerous  and  wild, 
as  well  as  injurious  to  the  yam-crops.  The  only  discontent  appears  to 
have  been  among  the  women,  who  lived  promiscuously  with  the  men, 
frequently  changing  their  abode. 

Young  says,  March  twelfth,  1794,  "Going  over  to  borrow  a  rake, 
to  rake  the  dust  oft  my  ground,  I  saw  Jenny  having  a  skull  in  her  hand: 
I  asked  her  whose  it  was?  and  was  told  it  was  Jack  Williams's.  I  desired 
it  might  be  buried :  the  women  who  were  with  Jenny  gave  me  for  answer,  it 
should  not.  I  said  it  should  ;  and  demanded  it  accordingly.  I  was  asked 
the  reason  why  I,  in  particular,  should  insist  on  such  a  thing,  when  the 
rest  of  the  white  men  did  not?  I  said,  if  they  gave  them  leave  to  keep 
the  skulls  above  ground,  I  did  not.  Accordingly  when  I  saw  M'Coy, 
Smith,  and  Mat.  Quintal,  I  acquainted  them  with  it,  and  said,  I  thought 
that  if  the  girls  did  not  agree  to  give  up  the  heads  of  the  five  white  men 
in  a  peaceable  manner,  they  ought  to  be  taken  by  force,  and  buried.^' 
About  this  time  the  women  appear  to  have  been  much  dissatisfied  ;  and 
Young's  journal  declares  that,  "since  the  massacre,  it  has  been  the  desire 
of  the  greater  part  of  them  to  get  some  conveyance,  to  enable  them  to 
leave  the  island."  This  feeling  continued,  and  on  the  fourteenth  of  April, 
1794,  was  so  strongly  urged,  that  the  men  began  to  build  them  a  boat; 
but  wanting  planks  and  nails,  Jenny,  who  now  resides  at  Otaheite,  in  her 
zeal  tore  up  the  boards  of  her  house,  and  endeavored,  though  without 
success,  to  persuade  some  others  to  follow  her  example. 

On  the  thirteen  of  August  following,  the  vessel  was  finished,  and  on  the 

fifteenth  slie  was  launched :  but,  as  Young  says,  "according  to  expectntion 

she  upset,"  and  it  was  most  fortunate  for  them  that  she  did  so  ;  for  had 

they  launched  out  upon  the  ocean,  where  could  they  have  gone?  or  what 

,  could  a  few  ignorant  women  have  done  by  themselves,  drifting  upon  the 


346 


MUTirr  OK  THE  BOUNTT. 


wavea,  hut  ultimately  have  fallen  a  aacrifico  to  thoir  folly?  Howofer, 
the  fato  of  the  ? osiel  waa  a  great  diaappointmont,  and  they  continued  much 
diiiBnti!*tir>d  with  thoir  condition;  probably  not  without  aomo  roajton,  aa 
thoy  weru  kept  in  great  aubordination,  and  wore  froquontly  beaten  by 
MH'ny  und  Quintal,  who  appear  to  have  been  of  very  «|uarr(!iRome  dii- 
ponitiofifl  ;  Quintal  in  particular,  who  propoaod  "not  to  laugh,  joke,  or 
give  aiiytiiing  to  any  of  the  girla.**  On  tho  aixteenth  <>'  \ugu8t  they  dug 
a  grave,  and  buried  the  bonea  of  the  murdered  people:  and  on  October 
third,  1794,  they  celebrated  the  murder  of  tho  black  men  at  QuintaPa 
houae.  On  tho  eleventh  of  November  a  conspiracy  of  tho  women  to  kill 
the  white  men  in  their  alecp  waa  discovered  ;  upon  which  thoy  wcro  all 
rioizcd,  iiud  a  dim:luHuro  ensued  ;  but  no  punisiimcnt  appears  to  have  been 
inflicted  upon  them,  in  consequence  of  their  promising  to  conduct  tliom- 
selvea  properly,  and  never  again  to  give  any  cauae  "  even  to  auspect  their 
behavior."  However,  though  thoy  were  pardoned.  Young  observes  "  We 
did  not  tbrgot  their  conduct;  and  it  was  agreed  among  ua,  that  tho  first 
female  who  misbohaved  should  be  put  to  death  ;  and  this  punishment  waa 
to  bo  repeated  on  each  oH'ense  until  we  could  discover  the  real  intentions 
of  the  women."  Young  appears  to  have  aufTored  much  from  mental 
perturbation  in  consequence  of  these  disturbances ;  and  observes  of 
himself  on  the  two  following  daya,  that  "he  waa  bothered  and  idle." 

Tho  suspicions  of  the  men  induced  them,  on  the  fifteenth,  to  conceal 
two  miiakets  in  tho  bush,  for  the  use  of  any  peraon  who  might  bo  so 
fortunate  as  to  escape,  in  the  event  of  an  attack  being  made.  On  tho 
thirtieth  of  November,  the  women  again  collected  and  attacked  them ; 
but  no  lives  were  lost,  and  Ihoy  returned  on  being  once  more  pardoned, 
but  were  again  threatened  with  death  the  next  timo  they  misbehaved. 
Threats  thus  repeatedly  mndo,  and  as  often  unexecuted,  as  might  bo 
expected,  soon  lost  thoir  otTcct,  and  the  women  formed  a  party  whenever 
their  displeasure  was  excited,  and  hid  themselves  in  the  unfrequented 
parts  of  the  island,  carefully  providing  themselves  with  firearms.  In  this 
manner  the  men  were  kept  in  continual  suspense,  dreading  tho  result  of 
each  disturbance,  as  the  numerical  strength  of  the  women  was  inuch 
greater  than  their  own. 

On  the  fourth  of  May,  1796,  two  canoes  were  begun,  and  in  two  daya 
completed.  These  were  used  for  fishing,  in  which  employment  the 
people  were  frequently  successful,  supplying  themselves  with  rock-fiah 
and  large  mackerel. 

So  little  occurred  in  the  year  1796,  that  one  page  records  tho  whole 
of  the  events;  and  throughout  the  following  year  there  are  but  three 
incidents  worthy  of  notice.  The  first,  their  endeavor  to  procure  a  quantity 
of  meat  lor  salting ;  the  next,  their  attempt  to  make  syrup  from  the  tea- 
plant  (dracxna  terminalis)  and  sugarcane;  and  the  third,  a  serious  accident 
that  happened  to  M'Coy,  who  fell  from  a  cocoanul  tree  and  hurt  his  right 
thigh,  aprained  both  his  ancles  and  wounded  his  side.  The  occupations 
of  tho  men  continued  similar  to  those  already  related,  occasionally  enliv- 
ened by  visits  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  island.  They  appear  to  have 
been  more  sociable ;  dining  frequently  at  each  other's  houses,  and 
contributing  more  to  the  comfort  of  the  women,  who,  on  their  part,  gave 
•no  ground  for  uneaainesa.  There  waa  also  a  mutual  accommodation 
among  them  in  regard  to  proviaiona,  of  which  a  regular  account  was 
taken.  If  one  person  was  successful  in  hunting,  he  lent  the  others  as 
much  meat  as  they  required,  to  be  repaid  at  leisure;  and  the  same 
occurred  with  yams,  taros,  etc.,  so  that  they  lived  in  a  very  domestic  and  ^ 


bllyt     Howoter, 
r  cnntinuorf  much 
Hoiiin  reason,  at 
noiitly  bent<n  by 
(jnarrolHome  dii- 
)  laiiRli,  joko,  or 
\u)(u»t  thoy  ting 
.  and  on  October 
men  at  Quintal's 
the  womon  to  kill 
ich  tlicv  wore  all 
(oars  to  have  been 
to  conduct  tlicni- 
n  to  suspect  their 
ing  observes  "  We 
{  us,  that  the  first 
is  punishment  was 
the  real  intentions 
nuch  from  mental 
and   observes  of 
cd  and  idle." 
fteenth,  to  conceal 
who  might  bo  so 
ig  made.     On  the 
nd  attacked  them; 
ce  more  pordonod, 
D  they  misbchiivi'd. 
cuted,  as  might  bo 
d  a  party  whenever 
n  the  unfrequented 
h  firearms.     In  this 
Bading  the  result  of 
women  was   much 

;uii,  and  in  two  doys 
ch  employment  the 
elves  with  rock-fish 

B  records  the  whole 
there  are  but  three 
to  procure  a  quantity 
I  syrup  from  the  tea- 
rd*,  a  serious  accident 
■ee  and  hurt  his  right 
e.     The  occupations 
id,  occasionally  enliv- 
They  appear  to  have 
other's   houses,  and 
0,  on  their  part,  gave 
utual   accommodation 
regular  account  was 
lie  lent  the  others  as 
sure  ;   and  the  same 
n  a  very  domestic  and  , 


MUTINY  OP  THK  IJOUNTY. 


247 


tranquil  state.  It  unfortunately  happened  that  MToy  had  been  emp  ned 
in  a  (liitillery  in  Hcotlaud  ;  and  iM^iiig  very  much  addicted  to  iiijuoi,  he 
tried  an  experiment  with  the  tee-ruot,  and  on  the  twentielli  April  1798, 
succeeded  in  producing  a  bottle  of  ardent  spirit.  This  success  induced 
\m  companion,  Matthew  Quintal,  to  "  alter  his  kettle  into  n  vtiil,"  a  ron- 
trivan<'.e  which  unfortunately  succeeded  too  well,  as  frequent  intoxication 
wus  tlie  consequence,  with  M'Coy  in  particular  upon  whom  at  length 
it  produced  lita  of  delirium;  in  one  of  which,  he  threw  himself  from  a 
clitf  and  wiis  killed.  The  melancholy  fate  of  this  man  created  so  forcible 
an  impression  on  the  remaining  few,  that  they  resolved  never  again  to 
touch  spirits;  and  Adama,  1  havo  every  reason  to  believe,  to  the  day  uf 
his  death  kept  his  vow. 

The  journal  finishes  nearly  at  the  period  of  M'Coy'a  death,  wi)ich  is 
not  related  in  it:  but  we  learned  from  Adams,  that  about  1799,  Quintal 
lost  his  wife  hy  a  fall  from  the  did'  while  in  search  of  birds'  eggs  ;  that 
ho  grew  discontented,  and,  though  there  were  several  disposable  women 
on  the  island,  and  he  had  already  experienced  the  fatal  etTects  of  a  similar 
demand,  nothing  would  satisfy  him  but  the  wife  of  one  of  his  companions. 
Of  course  neither  of  them  felt  inclined  to  accede  to  this  unrenNoiiublu 
indulgence  ;  and  he  sought  an  opportunity  of  putting  them  both  to  deuth. 
He  was  fortunately  foiled  in  his  first  attempt,  but  swore  he  would  repeat 
it.  Adams  and  Young,  having  no  doubt  he  would  follow  up  his  resolution, 
and  fearing  he  might  be  more  successful  in  his  next  attempt,  came  to  the 
conclusion,  that  their  own  lives  were  not  safe  while  he  was  in  existence, 
and  that  they  were  justified  in  putting  him  to  death,  which  they  did  with 
an  ax. 

Such  was  the  melancholy  fate  of  seven  of  the  leading  mutineers,  who 
escaped  from  juntice  only  to  add  murder  to  their  former  crimes;  for  though 
■ome  of  them  may  not  have  actually  imbrued  their  hands  in  the  blood 
of  their  fellow-creatures,  yet  all  were  accessary  to  the  deed. 

As  Christian  and  Young  were  descended  from  respectable  parents,  and 
had  received  educations  suitable  to  their  birth,  it  might  be  supposed  that 
they  felt  their  altered  and  degraded  situation  much  more  than  the  seamen, 
who  were  comparatively  well  off;  but,  if  so,  Adams  says,  they  had  the 
good  sense  to  conceal  it,  as  not  a  single  murmur  or  regret  escaped  them ; 
on  the  contrary,  Christian  was  always  cheerful,  and  his  example  was  of 
the  greatest  service  in  exciting  his  companions  to  labor.  He  was  naturally 
of  a  happy,  ingenuous  disposition,  and  won  the  good  opinion  and  respect 
of  all  those  who  served  under  him  ;  which  cannot  be  better  exemplified 
than  by  his  maintaining,  under  circumstances  of  great  perplexity,  the 
respect  and  regard  of  all  who  were  associated  with  him  up  to  the  hour 
of  his  death  ;  and  even  at  the  period  of  our  visit,  Adams,  in  speaking  of 
him,  never  omitted  to  say  "  Mr.  Chrutian.'** 

Adams  and  Young  were  now  the  sole  survivors  out  of  the  fifteen  males 
that  landed  upon  the  island.  They  were  both,  and  more  particularly 
Young,  of  a  serious  turn  of  mind ;  and  it  would  have  been  wonderful, 
after  the  many  dreadful  scenes  at  which  they  had  assisted,  if  the  solitude 
and  tranquillity  that  ensued  had  not  disposed  them  to  repentance.  During 
Christian's  lifetime  they  had  only  once  read  the  church  service,  but  since 
his  disease  this  had  been  regularly  done  on  every  Sunday.  They  now, 
however,  resolved  to  have  morning  and  evening  family  prayers,  to  add 
afternoon  service  to  the  duty  of  the  Sabbath,  and  to  train  up  their  own 
children  and  those  of  their  late  unfortunate  companions,  in  piety  and  virtue. 
Au  the  execution  of  this  resolution,  Young's  education  enabled  him  to  be 


m 


MUTINY  OP  THE  BOUNTY. 

of  the  greatest  assistance  ;  but  he  was  not  long  suffered  to  survive  his 
repentance.  An  asthmatic  complaint,  under  which  he  had  for  some  time 
labored,  terminated  hia  existence  about  a  year  after  the  death  of  Quintal, 
and  Adams  was  left  the  sole  survivor  of  the  misguided  and  unfortunate 
mutineers  of  the  Bounty.  The  loss  of  his  last  companion  was  a  great 
affliction  to  him,  and  was  for  some  time  most  severely  felt.  It  was  a  catas- 
trophe, however,  that  more  than  ever  disposed  him  to  repentance,  and 
determined  him  to  execute  the  pious  resolution  he  had  made,  in  the  hope 
of  expiating  his  otTenses. 

His  reformation  could  not,  perhaps,  have  taken  place  at  a  more  propitious 
moment.  Out  of  nineteen  children  upon  the  island,  there  were  several 
between  the  ages  of  seven  and  nine  years  ;  who,  had  they  been  longer 
suffered  to  follow  their  own  inclinations,  might  have  acquired  habits  which 
it  would  have  been  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  for  Adams  to  eradicate. 
The  moment  was  therefore  most  favorable  for  his  design,  and  his  laudable 
exertions  were  attended  by  advantages  both  to  the  objects  of  his  care  and 
to  his  own  mind,  which  surpassed  his  most  sanguine  expectations.  He, 
nevertheless,  had  an  arduous  task  to  perform.  Beside  the  children  to  be 
educated,  the  Otaheitan  women  were  to  be  converted;  and,  as  the  example 
of  the  parents  had  a  powerful  influence  over  their  children,  he  resolved 
to  make  them  his  first  care.  Here  also  his  labors  succeeded ;  the  Ota- 
heitans  were  naturally  of  a  tractable  disposition,  and  gave  him  less  trouble 
than  he  anticipated :  the  children  also  acquired  such  a  thirst  after  Scrip- 
tural knowledge,  that  Adams  in  a  short  time  had  little  else  to  do  than  to 
answer  their  inquiries  and  put  them  in  the  right  way.  As  ihey  grew  up, 
they  acquired  fixed  habits  of  morality  and  piety  ;  their  colony  improved  ; 
intermarriages  occurred:  and  they  now  form  a  happy  and  well  regulated 
society,  the  merit  of  which,  in  a  great  degree,  belongs  to  Adams,  and 
tends  to  redeem  the  former  errors  of  his  life. 

The  preceding  facts  in  reference  to  the  mutineers,  came  gradually  to 
light  in  the  course  of  years,  from  the  visit  of  Captain  Folger,  an  American, 
of  the  English  ship  Briton,  and  of  Captain  Beechy.  Lieutenant  Shillibeer 
of  the  Briton,  gives  the  following  graphic  account  of  his  unexpected  visit 
to  the  island,  in  the  year  1813. 

It  was  in  the  second  watch  when  we  made  an  island  unknown  to  us. 
At  daylight  we  proceeded  to  a  more  close  examination,  and  soon  perceived 
huts,  cultivation,  and  people  ;  of  the  latter,  some  were  making  signs, 
others  launching  their  little  canoes  through  the  surf,  into  which  they 
threw  themselves  with  great  dexterity,  and  pulled  toward  us.  They  came 
along  side,  and  for  me  to  picture  the  wonder  which  was  conspicuous  in 
every  countenance,  at  being  hailed  in  perfect  English,  what  was  the  name 
of  the  ship,  and  who  commanded  her,  would  be  impossible — our  surprise 
can  alone  be  conceived.  The  captain  answered,  and  now  a  regular 
conversation  commenced.  He  requested  them  to  come  along  side,  and 
the  reply  was,  "  We  have  no  boat-hook  to  hold  on  by."  "  I  Will  throw 
you  a  rope,"  said  the  captain.  "If  you  do  we  have  nothing  to  make  it 
fast  to,"  was  the  answer.  However,  they  at  length  came  on  board, 
exemplifying  not  the  least  fear,  but  their  astonishment  was  unbounded. 
After  the  friendly  salutati  jn  of  "Good  morrow  Sir,"  from  the  first  man  who 
entered,  (>Iackey,  for  tlat  was  his  name,)  "  Do  you  know,"  said  he,  "one 
William  Bligh,  in  England?"  This  question  threw  a  new  light  on  the 
subject,  and  he  was  immediately  asked  if  he  knew  one  Christian,  and  the 
reply  was  given  with  so  much  natural  simplicity,  that  I  shall  here  use  his 
proper  words.   "  Oh  yes,"  said  he,  "very  well;  his  aon  is  in  the  boat 


% 


•'%i 


-stov^jr*';'?^>^^±j^^^*jL^  ■-■'J«"."'<;v"'*'-H.'i-V-X'_^.ww.<^ 


.mwtwswSMBrii -=»'  m'r»"%aii  nn.'r:f:tiMni^  ji,'jWay.^«y'r.r»t~ga!gB«»)8»'<W»a»- 


•tweMT 


affered  to  survive  his 
he  had  for  some  time 
the  death  of  Quintal, 
ided  and  unfortunate 
jmpanion  was  a  great 
y  felt.  It  was  a  catas- 
n  to  repentance,  and 
had  made,  in  the  hope 

ce  at  a  more  propitious 
id,  there  were  several 
had  they  been  longer 
acquired  habits  which 
•  Adams  to  eradicate, 
jsign,  and  his  laudable 
objects  of  his  care  and 
lie  expectations.     He, 
side  the  children  to  be 
d;  and,  as  the  example 
r  children,  he  resolved 
1  succeeded ;  the  Ota- 
i  gave  him  less  trouble 
\c\\  a  thirst  after  Scrip- 
little  else  to  do  than  to 
ay.     As  ihey  grew  up, 
their  colony  improved ; 
ppy  and  well  regulated 
)elongs  to  Adams,  and 

eers,  came  gradually  to 

in  Folger,  an  American, 

Lieutenant  Shillibeer 

t  of  his  unexpected  visit 

I  island  unknown  to  us. 
tion,  and  soon  perceived 
ne  were  making  signs, 
le  surf,  into  which  they 
toward  us.     They  came 
[lich  was  conspicuous  in 
glish.  what  was  the  name 
impossible— our  surprise 
red,  and  now  a  regular 
to  come  along  side,  and 
on  by."     "I  w. 11  throw 
have  nothing  to  make  it 
length  came  on  board, 
ishment  was  unbounded. 
r,"  from  the  first  man  who 
you  know,"  said  he,  "one 
threw  a  new  light  on  the 
ew  one  Christian,  and  the 
r,  that  I  shall  here  use  his 
his  son  is  in  the  boat  ther^ 


MUTINY  OF  THE  BOUNTY. 


249 
His  father 


coming  up,  his  name  is  Friday  Fletcher  October  Christian. 
is  dead  now — he  was  shot  by  a  black  fellow." 

The  questions  which  were  now  put  were  numerous,  among  which  were 
the  following: 

Q.     At  what  age  do  you  marry? 

A.     Not  before  nineteen  or  twenty. 

Q.     Are  you  allowed  to  have  more  than  one  wifeT 

A.     No!  we  can  have  but  one,  and  it  is  wicked  to  have  more. 

Q.     Have  you  been  taught  any  religion? 

A.     Yes,  a  very  good  religion. 

Q.     In  what  do  you  believe? 

A.  I  believe  in  God,  the  Father  Almighty,  etc.  (Here  he  went  through 
the  whole  of  the  Belief.) 

Q.     Who  first  taught  you  this  belief? 

A.  John  Adams  says  it  was  first  by  F.  Christian's  order,  and  that  he 
likewise  caused  a  prayer  to  be  said  every  day  at  noon. 

Q.     And  what  is  the  prayer? 

A.  It  is — "1  will  arise  and  go  to  my  Father,  and  say  unto  him.  Father, 
I  have  sinned  against  Heaven,  and  before  Thee,  and  am  no  more  worthy 
of  being  called  thy  son." 

Q.     Do  you  continue  to  say  this  every  day? 

A.     Yes,  we  never  neglect  it. 

Q.     What  language  do  you  commonly  speak? 

A.     Always  English. 

Q.     But  you  understand  the  Otaheitan? 

A.     Yes,  but  not  so  well. 

Q.     Do  the  old  women  speak  English? 

A.  Yes,  but  not  so  well  as  they  understand  it,  thsir  pronunciation  is 
not  good. 

Q.     What  countrymen  do  you  call  yourselves? 

A.     Half  English,  and  half  Otaheite. 

Q.     Who  is  your  king? 

A.     Why,  King  George  to  be  sure. 

Q.     Have  you  ever  seen  a  ship  before? 

A.  Yes,  we  have  seen  four  from  the  island,  but  only  one  stopped. 
Mayhew  Folger  was  the  captain  ;  I  suppose  you  know  him?  No  we  do 
not  know  him. 

Q.     How  long  did  he  stay? 

A.     Two  days. 

Q.     Should  you  like  to  go  to  England? 

A.     No!  I  cannot;  I  am  married,  and  have  a  family. 

Before  we  had  finished  our  interrogatories  the  hour  of  breakfast  had 
arrived,  and  we  solicited  our  half  countrymen,  as  they  styled  themselves, 
to  acco.  pany  us  below,  and  partake  of  our  repast,  to  which  they  acqui- 
esced without  much  ceremony.  The  circle  in  which  we  had  surrounded 
them  being  opened,  brought  to  the  notice  of  Mackey,  a  little  black  terrier. 
He  was  at  first  frightened,  ran  behind  one  of  the  officers,  and  looking 
over  his  shoulder  said,  pointing  to  the  dog,  "I. know  what  that  is,  it  is  a 
dog  ;  I  never  saw  a  dog  before — will  it  bite?"  After  a  short  pause  he 
addressed  himself  to  Christian,  saying  with  great  admiration,  "  It  is  a 
pretty  thing,  too,  to  look  at,  is  it  not?" 

The  whole  of  them  were  inquisitive,  and  in  their  questions  as  well  as 
answers,  betrayed  a  very  great  share  of  natural  abilities.  They  asked 
the  names  of  whatever  they  saw,  and  the  purposes  to  which  it  was  applied. 


js„^aBca»wr=»eisast»Wtt"***«^"^ 


■S!^0r-? 


MUTINY  OF  THE  BOUNTY. 
250  .u  ♦  .K.»  Hid  not  like,  and  were  greatly 

attention  or  created  the.r  wonder,  ^«tar°^^  "  ^^  ,„,p,i8e.  The  astonish- 
K  but  arriving  there,  we  had  J  "^  .^^^Jn^tratc^  in  then.,  was  now 
l„t  which  before  had  bee"  ««  f  ^"f  Jeh  greater  deg«ee  than  when 
become  conspicuous  '»  ."*' ®''^°  °  .  and  I  must  here  confess  Iblusliea 
thevllailed  us  in  our  native  language  .  and  i  ^^^^  ^^j^^,^  „f  respect 

partake  in  peace  what  was  set  betore     jj.'^^  fervent  prayer  of  thanks- 

should  do  myself  an  i"«P"''^'« 'J^Sv  at  a  loss  for  a  sound  reply,  and 
ledge,  I  was  both  embarrassed  and  ^jhoUy  a  ^^^^^^.^^  ^^  ^^^ 

cvaffed  this  poor  fellow^s  quest  on  Jj^^^^^^^^^^  ^s  he  had  never  seen 
which  wa.  then  looking  down  ^^e  hatchway^  gratification  to  h.m. 

illustrate  which  I  shall  here  relate 

breakfast.  ^,   ..      .     ,  begun,  a  West  Indian  black,  who  wa« 

Soon  after  young  Christian  had  ««£"  '  ^  ^^b  e  as  usual.     Chr  s 

on!of  the  serJantsfentered  tb«  «nj---J«,St'  and  said,  "I.<lonn  ike 
Ln  looked  at  him  sternly,  \f^,^^^;.^^^^  some  little  persuasion,  before 
that  black  fellow,  I  must  go,"  and  it  requir 

he  would  again  resume  his  8«at.  ^^ey  to  get  on  board, 

"'Xfter  coming  along  side  the  «b>P,  BOjg  ^,^„j„„ed,  and  gone  adr  ft^ 
that  several  of  the  canoes  had  '»«^°'*'r.Z^iu  show  most  con 
Th  8  was  the  occasion  of  an  a^f.«''«*\^J\heTnode  resorted  to  in  deeding 
Se  g'od  nature  of  their  «ii«PO«;tion«,  and  the  mo     ^^  ^^^  ^^.^^  ^^^  ,,p 

a  double  claim.  The  <^''\««f  .^^'"^aS  each,  when  it  became  a  question 
nrdered  that  one  of  them  should  "^e"*'" '"„_..'  ^  was  soon  adjusted,  tor 
to  which  that  duty  should  devolve  ;  b')*"'*'  ^equally  anxious  to  see 
Mackey  observed  that  he  ««PP°^«f  »l*'"J,^Sem  w  cast  lols.  as  then  there 
SeshTp,  and  the  tost  way  woj^^^^  to,  and  those  to 

would  be  no  ill  will  on  either  ««»«•     *  "^     j^hout  a  murmur. 

\tir»i:itnXrgK 

age      We  conversed  with  him  a  long^^^^^^^^  being  accessary 

Jtounty,  and  the  ultimate  fate  «[  Chrjst.an.  ^ut  he  expressed 

t^  or  having  the  least  knowledge  of  ^he  con  h     only  toward  his  men, 
«rVa  horror  at  the  conduct  of  Captam  BLgh,  not  o    y  ^^  ^^^^^^^^ 

Sufoffir;  iso.    I  asked  him  jj ^h^a^.Jvt'crus^d  me  great  surpr  ze 

and  I  must  confess  his  rei>^y  in  the  amrroa      ,        ^^^  ^^^  evolved  ;  that 
Heboid  me  he  was  P«'ff '^  JJ^,  he  bad  nJt  only  sacrificed  every 

by  following  the  fo^une  of  Chrirtian^n        ^^  necessary  forfeiture  tor 

claim  to  his  country,  but  that  his  uie 


/ 


,,,^^*«:,*«S^.*««=^''**^ 


VftJSSSWSB^-?' 


>.,  -_  -...'-■'^^^j^r^'^^^'^A^ 


MUTINY  OF  THE  BOUNTY. 


251 


nd  were  greatly 
1  not  possessed 

step  drew  their 
I  to  the  breakfast 
The  astonish- 
1  them,  was  now 
jgree  than  when 
confess  1  blushed 
ribute  of  respect 
not  perforn^nor 
ey  began  to  eat ; 
ore  permission  to 
n  they  had  eaten 
t  prayer  of  thanks- 
Our"  omission  of 
asked  me  whether 
triumphant,  for  1 
Lh  candor  acknow- 
a  sound  reply,  and 
tentiontothe  cow, 
le  had  never  seen 
gratification  to  him. 
-  rooted,  and  which 
1  Christian  and  his 
al  at  Pitcairn's  ;  to 
rhich  took  place  at 

lian  black,  who  was 
)le  as  usual.  Chns- 
,d  said,  "I  don't  like 
le  persuasion,  before 

they  to  get  on  board, 
led,  and  gone  adriR. 
w  most  conspicuouBiy 
esorted  to  in  deciding 
the  ship,  the  captain 
nit  became  a  question 
as  soon  adjusted,  for 
equally  anxious  to  see 
;a8t  lots,  as  then  there 
eded  to,  and  those  to 
I  murmur. 
;hing  to  sixty  years  of 

B  to  the  mutiny  of  the 
onied  being  accessary 
acy,  but  he  expressed 
only  toward  his  men, 
to  return  to  England, 
tsed  me  great  surprize, 
he  was  involved  ;  that 
t  only  sacrificed  every 
lecessary  forfeiture  tor 


such  an  act,  and  he  supposed  would  be  exacted  from  him  was  he  ever 
to  return  ;  notwithstanding  all  these  circumstances,  nothing  would  lie  able 
to  occasion  him  so  much  gratification  as  that  of  seeing  once  more,  prior 
to  his  death,  that  country  which  gave  him  birth,  and  from  which  he  had 
been  so  long  estranged. 

There  was  a  sincerity  in  his  speech,  I  can  badly  describe  it — but  it  had 
a  very  powerful  influence  in  persuading  me  these  were  his  real  sentiments. 
My  interest  was  excited  to  so  great  a  degree,  that  1  off'ered  him  a  con- 
veyance for  himself,  with  any  of  his  family  who  chose  to  accompany  him. 
He  appeared  pleased  at  the  proposal,  and  as  no  one  was  then  present, 
he  sent  for  his  wife  and  children.  The  rest  of  this  little  community 
surrounded  the  door.  He  communicated  his  desire,  and  solicited  their 
acquiescence.  Appalled  at  a  request  not  less  sudden  than  in  opposition 
to  their  wishes,  they  were  all  al  a  loss  for  a  reply. 

His  charming  daughter  although  inundated  with  tears,  first  broke  the 
silence. 

"  Oh  do  not,  sir,"  said  she,  "take  from  me  my  father!  do  not  take  away 
my  best — my  dearest  friend."  Her  voice  failed  her — she  was  unable  to 
proceed — leaned  her  head  upon  her  hand,  and  gave  full  vent  to  her  grief. 
His  wife,  too,  (an  Otaheitan)  expressed  a  lively  sorrow.  The  wishes  of 
Adams  soon  became  known  among  the  others,  who  joined  in  pathetic 
solicitation  for  his  stay  on  the  island.  Not  an  eye  was  dry — the  big  tear 
stood  in  those  of  the  men — the  women  shed  them  in  full  abundance.  I 
never  witnessed  a  scene  so  fully  aflfecting,  or  more  replete  with  interest. 
To  have  taken  him  from  a  circle  of  such  friends,  would  have  ill  become 
a  feeling  heart,  to  have  forced  him  away  in  opposition  to  their  joint  and 
earnest  entreaties,  would  have  been  an  outrage  on  humanity. 

Those  men  who  came  on  board,  were  finely  formed,  and  of  manly 
features.  Their  height  about  five  feet  ten  inches.  Their  hair  black  and 
long,  generally  plaited  into  a  tail.  They  wore  a  straw  hat,  similar  to  those 
worn  by  sailors,  with  a  few  feathers  stuck  into  them  by  way  of  ornament. 
I  spoke  to  young  Christian,  particularly  of  Adams,  who  assured  me  he 
was  greatly  respected,  insomuch  that  no  one  acted  in  opposition  to  his 
wishes,  and  when  they  should  lose  him,  their  regret  would  be  general. 
The  intermarriages  which  had  taken  place  among  them,  have  been  the 
occasion  of  a  relationship  throughout  the  colony.  There  seldom  happens 
to  be  a  quarrel,  even  of  the  most  trivial  nature,  and  then,  (using  their 
own  term,)  it  is  nothing  more  than  a  word  ofmouth  quarrel,  which  is  always 
referred  to  Adams  for  adjustment. 

Twelve  years  later,  these  interesting  Islanders  were  visited  by  Captain 
Beechy,  in  the  ship  Blossom,  from  whom  we  derive  the  following  addi- 
tional information. 

The  Blossom  was  so  different,  or  to  use  the  expression  of  our  visitors, 
"so  rich,"  compared  with  the  other  ships  they  had  seen,  that  they  were 
constantly  afraid  of  giving  or  committing  some  injury,  and  would  not  even 
move  without  first  asking  permission.  This  diffidence  gave  us  full  occu- 
pation for  some  time,  as  our  restless  visitors,  anxious  to  see  everything, 
seldom  directed  their  attention  long  to  any  particular  object,  or  remained 
in  one  positijon  or  place.  Having  no  latches  to  their  doors,  they  were 
ignorant  of  the  manner  of  opening  ours;  and  we  were  constantly  attacked 
on  all  sides  with  "Please  may  f  sit  down,  or  get  up,  or  go  out  of  the 
cabin  ?"  or,  "  Please  to  open  or  shut  the  door."  Their  applications  were, 
however,  made  with  such  good  nature  and  simplicity  that  it  was  impossible 
not  to  feel  the  greatest  pleasure  in  paying  attention  to  them.    They  very 


(^.•ft^rt's?"^'^^'*'''^**'*^**' 


Pll.««<liWi»->fc.jjf  ^  ,tl,f>    IWII.XIWM 


MUTINY  OF  THE  BOUNTY. 

HK?.i-- --"•'*"-"''  '-—""'■" 

our  guides  past  a  r«|g<^d  PO  nt     ur^^^  ^  ^  ^^.^       """"vh  ?s  bouKSTv 
.  „r  .ona  skirt  tl>c  base  of  these  hil  s,  ana  iii  distance  are  seen 

'in.,,™.ounlable  barrier  to  a"  •"=»'•,,„  „..id  by  the  friendly  reception 

yS  ei'urned.  It  ^^PP^ '^ ''i  rn^n  of  war  and  without  knowing  exactly 
Kcertainod  that  the  ship  ^f  J  ™'^'^^;  ^f  Adams  that  he  e.ther  could  not 
why,  became  so  alarmed  for  J^'f.  f  yg^ogations  which  were  put  to  him. 
o  wo"l<l  not  answer  "^"V  °^*^,L„artv  In  tears,  as  they  feared  he  had 
ThTs  mysterious  ^il^^^^/^^rlV^^u  Xarch.     At  length  his  obduracj 

3  ct  the'boats  were  -^VXsle'Smtn'stfeek,  winch  she  did 
mediate  y  hurried  to  the  beac^to  kiss  the  o       ^^^^.^^      ^^^  apology  for 
.i/ a  forvency  demonstrative  of  the  warm  appearance  on  the 

r  ?  com panioL  was  rendered  J-^-Sn^wK  as  Zy  arrived  on  the 
steep  and  circuitous  path  down  the  moun^.^  j^^^^^^  ^,„,pi,,,,y  ,„d 

beach,  successively  ''el«°'rf^"he  truth  of  their  professions. 

Seal, f™"'™'-  T'«\':?z,,ird««p i'""" "" '"""'"Te!; 

„o  tion  b,  .  el,.plel  »f  .»"»"  'ftem  tj.  t,b.eeo  plant;  their  eonnten- 
*'tS.S,'  X'^p-;«^-|Sef  r  tre'".Srl"S 


«.S?yrSf9?fi 


ji*«-!Ss?«Jpl«!*«S^'®^'*''**^ 


.tr^-^^^T^^S^  **'■■■ 


MUTINY  OP  THE  BOUNTY. 


253 


at 
re 


hip,  which  they 
and  wherever  a 
38  to  that  person 

le  ship  could  get 
emscltea  with  us 

rather  than  pass 
a  considerable 
We  followed 
.  rocks,  known  to 
(ound  bay,  where 
ch  is  bounded  by 
Thickly-branched 
•  afford  a  welconve 

distance  are  seen 
I  have  named  after 
g  a  square  basaltic 
em  to  present  an 

5  friendly  reception 
y  interesting  young 
lo  greet  her  father, 
elay  she  thought  it 
sy  had  all  been  over 
ship,  and  were  not 
IS  a  sea-faring  man, 
out  knowing  exactly 
t  he  either  could  not 
ch  were  put  to  him. 
I  they  feared  he  had 
length  his  obduracy 
ed  the  cause  of  his 
hip,  and  Hannah  ira- 
cheek,  which  she  did 
on.     Her  apology  for 
r  appearance  on  the 
IS  they  arrived  on  the 
with  a  simplicity  and 
irofessions. 

eir  dress  consisted  of 
loulders,  and  reaching 
common  height ;  and 
limb  the  hills,  had  ac- 
I    and   manners   were 
lirer  than  that  of  the 
was  less  conspicuous, 
hung  down  over  their 
1  front  it  was  tastefully 
i  was  retained  in  that 
matic   blossoms,  newly 
)  plant ;  their  counten- 
ark  and  animated,  and 
ch  was  the    agreeable 
heightened  by  the  wish 


expressed  simultaneously  by  the  whole  group,  that  we  were  come  to 
stay  several  days  witli  them.  As  the  sun  was  going  down,  wo  signified 
our  desire  to  get  to  the  village  and  to  pitch  the  observatory  before  dark, 
and  this  was  no  sooner  mado  known,  than  every  instrument  and  article 
found  a  carrier. 

By  the  time  the  tent  was  up  and  the  instruments  secured,  we  were 
summoned  to  a  meal,  than  which  a  less  sumptuous  fare  would  have  satisfied 
appetites  rendered  keen  by  long  abstinence  and  a  tiresome  journey. 
Our  party  divided  themselves  that  they  might  not  crowd  one  house  in 
particular :  Adams  did  not  entertain  ;  but  at  Christian's  I  found  a  table 
spread  with  plates,  knives,  and  forks  ;  which,  in  so  remote  a  part  of  the 
world,  was  an  unexpected  sight.  They  were,  it  is  true,  far  from  uniform  ; 
but,  by  one  article  being  appropriated  for  another,  we  all  found  something 
to  put  our  portion  upon ;  and  but  few  of  the  natives  were  obliged  to  sub- 
stitute their  fingers  for  articles  which  are  indispensable  to  the  comfort  of 
more  polished  life.  A  smoking  pig,  by  a  skillful  dissection,  was  soon 
portioned  to  every  guest,  but  no  one  ventured  to  put  its  excellent  qualities 
to  the  test  until  a  lengthened  Amen,  pronounced  by  all  the  party,  hud 
succeeded  an  emphatic  grace  delivered  by  the  village  parson.  ^^Turn  <o," 
was  then  the  signal  for  attack,  and  as  it  is  convenient  that  all  the  party 
should  finish  their  meal  about  the  same  time,  in  order  that  one  grace 
might  serve  for  all,  each  made  the  most  of  his  time.  In  Pitcairn's  Island 
it  is  not  deemed  proper  to  touch  even  a  bit  of  bread  without  a  grace  before 
and  after  it,  and  a  person  is  accused  of  inconsistency  if  he  leaves  oft'  and 
begins  again.  So  strict  is  their  observance  of  this  form,  that  we  do  not 
know  of  any  instance  in  which  it  has  been  forgotten.  On  one  occasion 
I  had  engaged  Adorns  in  conversation,  and  he  incautiously  took  the  first 
mouthful  without  having  said  his  grace  ;  but  before  he  had  swallowed  it, 
he  recollected  himself,  and  feeling  as  if  he  had  committed  a  crime, 
immediately  put  away  what  he  had  in  his  mouth,  and  commenced  his 
prayer. 

Welcome,  cheer,  hospitality,  and  good  humor,  were  the  characteristicii 
of  the  feast ;  and  never  was  their  beneficial  influence  more  practically 
exemplified  than  on  this  occasion,  by  the  demolition  of  nearly  all  that  was 
placed  before  us.  With  the  exception  of  some  wine  we  had  brought  with 
us,  water  was  the  only  beverage.  This  was  placed  in  a  large  jug  at  one 
end  of  the  board,  and,  when  necessary,  was  passed  round  the  table — a 
ceremony  at  which,  in  Pitcairn's  Island  in  particular,  it  is  desirable  to  be 
the  first  partaker,  as  the  gravy  of  the  dish  is  invariably  mingled  with  the 
contents  of  the  pitcher :  the  natives,  who  prefer  using  their  fingers  to  forks, 
being  quite  indifferent  whether  they  hold  the  vessel  by  the  handle  or  by 
the  spout. 

Notwithstanding  these  deficiencies,  we  made  a  very  comfortable  and 
hearty  supper,  heard  many  little  anecdotes  of  the  place,  and  derived  much 
amusement  from  the  singularity  of  the  inquiries  of  our  hosts.  One  regret 
only  intruded  itself  upon  the  general  conviviality,  which  we  did  not  fail 
to  mention,  namely,  that  there  was  so  wide  a  distinction  between  the  sexes. 
This  was  the  remains  of  a  custom  very  common  among  the  South  Sea 
Islands,  which  in  some  places  is  carried  to  such  an  extent,  that  it  imposes 
death  upon  the  woman  who  shall  eat  in  the  presence  of  her  husband  ; 
and  though  the  distinction  between  man  and  wife  is  not  here  carric<l 
to  that  extent,  it  is  still  sufficiently  observed  to  exclude  all  the  women 
from  table,  if  there  happens  to  be  a  deficiency  of  seats.  In  Pitcairn's 
Island,  they  have   settled   ideas  of  right  and  wrong,  to   which   they 


;,  tt„^.r»v3P»«««««^''^*W 


;jagr"-^-Am,i''.-"",'!y 


'11 


P" 


2|{4  MUTINY  OP  THE  DOUNTT. 

obstinately  adhere  ;  and,  fortunately,  they  have  imbibed  them  generally 
from  the  best  source. 

in  tlio  iiiHtance  in  question,  they  have,  however,  certainly  erred  ;  but 
of  this  they  could  not  be  persuaded,  nor  did  they,  I  believe,  thank  'is  for 
our  intcrrurence.  Their  argument  was,  that  man  was  made  first,  and 
ought,  conseqently,  on  all  occasions,  to  be  served  first — a  concluision  which 
deprived  us  of  the  company  of  the  women  at  table,  during  the  whole  of 
our  stay  at  the  island.  Far  from  considering  themselves  neglected,  they 
very  good-naturedly  chatted  with  us  behind  our  seats,  and  flapped  away 
the  flics,  and  by  a  gentle  tap,  accidentally  or  playfully  delivered,  reminded 
us  occasionally  of  the  honor  that  was  done  us.  The  conclusion  of  our 
meal  was  the  signal  for  the  women  and  children  to  prepare  their  own,  to 
whom  we  resigned  our  seats,  and  strolled  out  to  enjoy  the  freshness  of 
the  night.  It  was  late  by  the  time  the  women  had  finished,  and  we  wore 
not  sorry  when  we  were  shown  to  the  beds  prepared  for  us.  The  mat- 
tress was  composed  of  palm-trees,  covered  with  native  cloth  ;  the  sheets 
were  of  the  same  material ;  and  we  knew,  by  the  crackling  of  them,  that 
they  were  quite  new  from  the  loom  or  beater.  The  whole  arrangement 
was  extremely  comfortable,  and  higiily  inviting  to  repose,  which  the 
freshness  of  the  apartment,  rendered  cool  by  a  free  circulation  of  air 
through  its  sides,  enabled  us  to  enjoy  without  any  annoyance  from  heat 
or  insects.  One  interruption  only  disturbed  our  first  sleep ;  it  was  the 
pleasing  melody  of  the  evening  hymn,  which,  ailer  the  lights  were  put 
out,  was  chaunted  by  the  whole  family  in  the  middle  of  the  room.  In  the 
morning  also  we  were  awoke  by  their  morning  hymn  and  family  devotion. 
As  we  were  much  tired,  and  the  sun's  rays  had  not  yet  found  their  way 
through  the  broad  opening  of  the  apartment,  we  composed  ourselves  to 
rest  again;  and  on  awaking  found  that  all  the  natives  were  gone  to  their 
several  occupations — the  men  to  offer  what  assistance  they  could  to  our 
boats  in  landing,  carrying  burdens  for  the  seamen,  or  to  gather  what  fruits 
were  in  season.  Some  of  the  women  had  taken  our  linen  to  wash  ;  those 
whose  turn  it  was  to  cook  for  the  day  were  preparing  the  oven,  the  pig, 
and  the  yams  ;  and  we  could  hear,  by  the  distant  reiterated  strokes  of  the 
beater,  that  others  were  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cloth.  By  our 
bedside  had  already  been  placed  some  ripe  fruits ;  and  our  hats  were 
crowned  with  chaplets  of  the  fresh  blossom  of  the  none,  or  flower-tree, 
which  the  women  had  gathered  in  the  freshness  of  the  morning  dew.  On 
looking  round  the  apartment,  though  it  contained  several  beds,  we  found 
no  partition,  curtain,  or  screens  ;  they  had  not  yet  been  considered  neces- 
sary. So  far,  indeed,  from  concealment  being  thought  of,  when  we  were 
about  to  get  up,  the  women,  anxious  to  show  their  attention,  assembled 
to  wish  us  a  good  morning,  and  to  inquire  in  what  way  they  could  best 
contribute  to  our  comforts,  and  to  present  us  with  some  little  gifl,  which 
the  produce  of  the  island  afforded.  Many  persons  would  have  felt  awkward 
at  rising  and  dressing  before  so  many  pretty  black-eyed  damsels  assembled 
in  the  center  of  a  spacious  room ;  but  by  a  little  habit  we  overcame  this 
embarrassment;  and  found  the  benefit  of  their  services  in  fetching  water 
as  we  required  it,  and  substituting  clean  linen  for  such  as  we  pulled  oil. 

It  must  be  remembered,  that  with  these  people,  as  with  the  other 
islanders  of  the  South  Seas,  the  custom  has  generally  been  to  fo  naked, 
the  maro  with  the  men  excepted,  and  with  the  women  the  petticoat,  or 
kilt,  with  a  loose  covering  over  the  bust,  which,  indeed,  in  Pitcairn*i 
Island,  they  are  always  careful  to  conceal ;  consequently,  an  exposure  to 
that  extent  carried  with  it  no  feeling  whatev•^^f  indeUcacj ;  or,  I  tatj 


V. 


*  ^9'^5^'i^ 


firmirr. 


\'*'V!Si'A-^-iy'rsP^:'xA'AftirMiMiV«mcK- 


MUTINY  OF  THE  BOUNTY. 


255 


them  generally 

ainly  erred  ;  but 
eve,  thank  -is  for 

made  first,  and 
conclusion  which 
ing  the  wliole  of 
s  neglected,  they 
nd  flapped  away 
livered,  reminded 
:onclu3ion  of  our 
pare  their  own,  to 
^  the  freshness  of 
bed,  and  we  were 
»r  us.     Tiie  mat- 
cloth  ;  the  sheets 
liing  of  them,  that 
fhole  arrangement 
repose,  which  the 

circulation  of  air 
loyance  from  heat 

sleep  ;  it  was  the 
tie  lights  were  put 
:  the  room.  In  the 
nd  family  devotion, 
ret  found  their  way 
posed  ourselves  to 

were  gone  to  their 
e  they  could  lo  our 
o  gather  what  fruits 
inentowash;  those 
g  the  oven,  the  pig, 
srated  strokes  of  the 
e  of  cloth.    By  oui 

and  our  hats  were 
lono,  or  flower-tree, 
B  morning  dew.     On 
cral  beds,  we  found 
en  considered  nece»- 
[htof,  when  we  were 
attention,  assembled 
way  they  could  beat 
[»me  little  gift,  which 
aid  have  felt  awkwaid 
Bd  damsels  assembled 
bit  we  overcame  this 
ces  in  fetching  water 
luch  as  we  pulled  ofl. 
le,  as  with  the  other 
illy  been  to  go  naked, 
men  the  petticoat,  or 

indeed,  in  Pitcairn'i 
lently,  an  exposure  to 
indelicacy ;  or,  I  at»j 


safely  add,  that  the  Pitcairn  Islanders  would  have  been  the  last  persons 
to  incur  the  charge. 

In  this  little  retreat  there  is  not  much  variety,  and  the  description  of 
one  (lay's  occupation  serves  equally  for  its  successor.     The  dance  is  a 
recreation  very  rarely  indulged  in ;  but  as  wo  particularly  requested  it, 
they  would  not  refuse  to  gratify  us.     A  large  room  in  Quintal's  house 
was  prepared  for  the  occasion,  and  the  company  were  ranged  on  one  side 
of  the  apartment,  glowing  beneath  a  blazing  string  of  doodo3  nuts  ;  the 
musicians  were  on  the  other,  under  the  direction  of  Arthur  Quintal.     He 
was  seated  upon  the  ground,  as  head  musician,  and  had  before  him  a  large 
gourd,  and  a  piece  of  musical  wood  (poron,)  which  he  balanced  nicely 
upon  his  toes,  that  there  might  be  the  less  interruption  to  its  vibrations. 
He  struck  the  instrument  alternately  with  two  sticks,  and  was  accompanied 
by  Dolly,  who  performed  very  skillfully  with  both  hands  upon  a  gourd, 
which  bad  a  longitudinal  hole  cut  in  one  end  of  it ;  rapidly  beating  the 
orifice  with  the  palms  of  her  hands,  and  releasing  it  again  with  uncommon 
dexterity,  so  as  to  produce  a  tattoo,  but  in  perfect  time  with  the  other 
instrument.     A  third  performed  upon  the  Bounty's  old  copper  fish-kettle, 
which  formed  a  sort  of  bass.     To  this  exhilarating  music,  three  grown-up 
females  stood  up  to  dance,  but  with  a  reluctance  which  showed  it  was 
done  only  to  oblige  us,  as  they  considered  such  performances  an  inroad 
upon  their  usual  innocent  pastimes.     The  figure  consisted  of  sucli  parts 
of  the  Otaheitan  dance  as  were  thought  most  decorous,  and  was  little  more 
than  a  shuflling  of  the  feet,  sliding  past  each  other,  and  snapping  their 
fingers  ;  but  even  this  produced,  at  times,  considerable  laughter  from  the 
female  spectators,  perhaps  from  some  association  of  ridiculous  ideas, 
which  we,  as  strangers,  did  not  feel ;  and,  no  doubt,  had  our  opinion  of  the 
performance  been  consulted,  it  would  have  essentially  differed  from  theirs. 
They  did  not  long  continue  these  diversions,  from  an  idea  that  it  was  too 
great  a  levity  to  be  continued  long  ;  and  only  the  three  before-mentioned 
ladies  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  exhibit  their  skill.     One  of  the  officers, 
with  a  view  of  contributing  to  the  mirth  of  the  colonists,  had  obligingly 
brought  his  violin  on  shore,  and,  as  an  inducement  for  them  to  dance  again, 
offered  to  play  some  country  dances  and  reels,  if  they  would  proceed  ; 
but  they  could  not  be  tempted  to  do  so.     They,  however,  solicited  a 
specimen  of  the  capabilities  of  the  instrument,  which  was  granted,  and, 
though  very  well  executed,  did  not  give  the  satisfaction  which  we  antici- 
pated.    They  had  not  yet  arrived  at  a  state  of  refinement  to  appreciate 
harmony,  but  were  highly  delighted  with  the  rapid  motion  of  the  fingers, 
and  always  liked  to  be  within  sight  of  the  instrument  when  it  was  played. 
They  were  afterward  heard  to  say,  that  they  preferred  their  own  simple 
musical  contrivance  to  the  violin.     They  did  not  appear  to  have  the  least 
ear  for  music:  one  of  the  officers  took  considerable  pains  to  teach  them 
the  bundredlh  psalm,  that  they  might  not  chaunt  all  the  psalms  and  hymns 
to  the  same  air ;  but  they  did  not  evince  the  least  aptitude  or  desire  to 
learn  it. 

The  following  day  was  devoted  to  the  completion  of  our  view  of  the 
island,  of  which  the  natives  were  anxious  we  should  see  every  part. 
Having  accordingly  seen  every  part  of  the  island,  we  had  no  further  desire 
to  rainble ;  and  as  the  weather  did  not  promise  to  be  very  fair,  I  left  the 
observatory  in  the  charge  of  Mr.  Wolfe,  and  embarked,  accompanied  by 
old  Adams.  Soon  after  he  came  on  board  it  began  to  blow,  and  for 
several  days  afterward  the  wind  prevented  any  communication  with  the 
shore.    The  natives  during  this  period  were  in  great  apprehension:  they 


g^jg-l^-^r-sis^rJa'SBSSS^sa-^ff 


mmmm^ 


^^gg  MUTINY  OP  THE  BOUNTY. 

I      .        f  «K»  UUnd  evcrv  morninc  to  look  for  the  ship;  and 
went  to  the  top  of  the  .sland  every  mo       g  ,^  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^_^^^ 

once,  when  she  was  not  to  bo  8««"'  3"      j^^^     but  he,  knowing  we 

doubts  whether  A^^r'^  *°"'\^L  2  "  eX    wou W  permit,  was  rather 
should  close  the  island  as  soon  "^^he  weather  wou      ,  ,  ^^^^^ 

glad  of  the  opportunity  of  'oma.n.ng  on  ^o-jd'  JJ^his  sixty-fifth  year, 
with  his  countrymen  ;  and,  "^though  he  had  pass  ,    ^^^^^^^^ 

joined  in  the  dances  and  songs  of  the  forecastle,  ana  wa  , 

^  On  the  sixteenth,  the  weather  P«™'"«f*,*'°''Vr^vious  to  quitting  the 

and  Adams  was  restored  to  h.s  ^S  his  J^Jliness  if  I  would  read  the 

«hip,  he  said  it  would  ,'^«i^„  JJ^  *^,ft\s  ife^Sd  not  bear  the  idea  of 
marriage  ceremony  to  h.rn  and  h.s  wife,  as  he  CO  ^.^^^^  ^^^  ^^^ 

living  with  her  without  its  ^*'^l"g„°°°f-"^t  "est  on  that  point.  Though 
arrival  of  a  ship-of-war  o  ««  ^.s  consuence  at  res^  o^^  Ld-ridden  for 
Adams  was  aged,  and  the  o»d  woman  Jad  been  D  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^ 

several  years,  he  made  such  a  point  ot  «'  »»"  "^  ^  .  ^^^^^^  ^nd  the 
to  refuse  him.     They  were  accordingly  the  next  day  amy 

event  noted  in  V««'?*«%li.f  J  ,„,„  be  imagined,  are  very  scarce,  as 
Wives  upon  Pitcairn  Island,  it  may  oe  ««"»«'       '  i    England. 

George,  m  hi.  «"'y  ^,7V^J''pXprI.Uy.tth.t  .ime'uklng  «.me  oje 

grew  into  manhood,  his  handsome  *°™?  ^ '\".  "d_g*before  her,  softened 
funity  of  throwing  into  the  rt^'^TdLrnothlng  passed  before,  she 
Polly's  heart  into  a  regard  for  h.m,  J;J^»»'^^B„X°,Tof  her  youth  was 
would  willingly  have  given  him  her  hand      B"Uhe  v  ^    ^^  ^^^ 

not  to  be  got  over,  and  the  love-sick  couple  languisn  ^^^^^^^^, 

victims  to\he  folly  of  early  resolutions.  J^e  weighty  c    ^^^^  ^^^^^^^ 

for  our  consideration;  '^"/^/.^^[^"bat  it  ^^^^^^  better  to  marry 

relieved  by  the  result,  which  «*«'  th^t  it  wou^  determination  made 

^o^^ryleK^r  «ieci.on  and  we  left^ni  u^^^^^^^^^^^^  , 

Another  instance  of  a  rigid  ?«""""„  "^^-^uct  should  iorm  an  exa 
inold  Adams,  who  is  anx.ous  that  ^s  own  co^^^^^^^^^  ^^  ^^,, 

to  the  rising  generation.  1°  Vl«^°""^„  jf  there  was  nobody  else  near ; 
he  would  accompany  me  up  the  ™""°**\"'. "  ;"Yo  go,  th  young  men  were 
and  it  so  happened,that  on  the  ^^y  »  ^fd  leisur^^^^^^^  Vrforming  his 

all  out  of  the  «\y- ,i^,t"wa8ext:Syfr^^^ 

engagement,  though  the  day  was  extremely       ,^^^  ^|  ^^^     ^^ 

too  laborious,  in  any  weather,  for  *"«  'J^'*^"  /  j  ^ni ;  beside,  without 
theless  set  out,  adding,  "I  sa^d  J. J»"^^J/^°^f"XL\^  valley  he  threw 
example,  precept  will  have  but  litte  effect        A        ^^^  ^.^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^^^^ . 

off  his  hat,  handkerchief  and  J »«»'«*' .''r'^*„\o\  bush  ;  and  had  he  been 
at  the  second  his  trowsers  were  J"»J^Vo«?d  certainly  have  followed: 
alone,  or  provided  with  "J  "^^[Jl  ^i^  warwhich  was  well  known  to  h.m 

:f„rL'tsrw«  ^:'prrx;rfe,  ^^^^-m"-^  ■« 


„Vf~-;*-«J^rH!SI:» 


a=PJESff,'r'««»3W^'^**'^'^^^ 


jj^g^j^ggfll-l^ii^S?*?' 


t^^^^.^^^^"*^" 


I 


MUTINY  OP  THE  BOUNTY. 


267 


|or  the  ship;  and 
the  most  serious 
t  he,  knowing  we 
ermit,  was  rather 
again  associating 
lis  sixty-fifth  year, 
s  always  cheerful, 
e  sent  on  shore, 
ous  to  quitting  the 
I  would  read  the 
it  bear  the  idea  of 
g  wished  for  the 
that  point.  Though 
and  bed-ridden  for 
lid  have  been  cruel 
uly  united,  and  the 

are  very  scarce,  as 

xist  as  in  England. 

oily  Young,  a  girl  a 

nie  liking  some  one 

ectations  are  at  the 

her  hand  to  George 

k^ould  one  day  relent; 

please  her.     In  this 

ittentions,  and,  as  he 

ge  took  every  oppor- 

before  her,  softened 

g  passed  before,  she 

row  of  her  youth  was 

d  on  from  day  to  day. 

ity  case  was  referre«l 

ere  in  some  measure 

nuch  better  to  marry 

^  determination  made 

lowever,  be  prevailed 

ried. 

nise  was  exemplified 
ould  form  an  example 
ition,  he  one  day  said 
iras  nobody  else  near ; 
>,  the  young  men  were 
upon  performing  his 
the  journey  was  much 
)d  of  life.  He  never- 
'.  will ;  beside,  without 
le  first  valley  he  threw 
y  the  side  of  the  path ; 
ish  ;  and  had  he  been 
rtainly  have  followed : 
vas  well  known  to  him 
odden  it,  that  we  met 
op  of  the  ridge,  which 
1  Quintal  appeared  in 


defiance  of  the  blacks.  Adams  felt  so  fatigued  that  he  was  now  glad  to 
lie  down.  The  breeze  here  blew  so  hard  and  cold,  that  a  shirt  alone  wu 
of  little  use,  and  had  he  not  been  inured  to  all  the  changes  of  atmosphere, 
the  sudden  transition  upon  his  aged  frame  must  have  been  fatal. 

During  the  period  we  remained  upon  the  island  we  were  entertained 
at  the  board  of  the  natives,  sometimes  dining  with  one  person,  and  some- 
times with  another:  their  meals,  as  I  have  before  stated,  were  not  confined 
to  hours,  and  always  consisted  of  baked  pig,  yams,  and  tare,  and  more 
rarely  of  sweet  potatoes.  The  productions  of  the  island  being  very  limited, 
and  intercourse  with  the  rest  of  the  world  much  restricted,  it  may  be 
readily  supposed  their  meals  cannot  be  greatly  varied.  However  they  do 
their  best  with  what  they  have,  and  cook  it  in  different  ways,  the  pig 
excepted,  which  is  always  baked.  There  are  several  goats  upon  the 
island,  but  they  dislike  their  flesh  as  well  as  their  milk.  Yams  constitute 
their  principal  food;  these  are  boiled,  baked,  or  made  into  pillihey, (cakes,) 
by  being  mixed  with  cocoanuts ;  or  bruised  and  formed  into  a  soup. 
Bananas  are  mashed,  and  made  into  pancakes,  or,  like  the  yam,  united 
with  the  milk  of  the  cocoanut,  into  pillihey,  and  eaten  with  molasses, 
extracted  from  the  tee-root.  The  taro  root,  by  being  rubbed,  makes  a 
very  good  substitute  for  bread,  as  well  as  the  bananas,  plantain,  and  appai. 
Their  common  beverage  is  pure  water,  but  they  made  for  us  a  tea,  ex- 
tracted from  thfe  tee-plant,  flavored  with  ginger,  and  sweetened  with  the 
juice  of  the  sugar-cane.  When  alone,  this  beverage  and  fowl  soup  are 
used  only  for  such  as  are  ill.  They  seldom  kill  a  pig,  but  live  mostly 
upon  fruit  and  vegetables.  The  duty  of  saying  grace  was  performed  by 
John  Buffet,  a  recent  settler  among  them,  and  their  clergyman  ;  but  if  he 
was  not  present,  it  fell  upon  the  eldest  of  the  company.  They  have  all  a 
great  dislike  to  spirits,  in  consequence  of  M'Coy  having  killed  himself  by 
too  free  an  indulgence  in  it ;  but  wine  in  moderation  is  never  refused. 
With  this  simple  diet,  and  being  in  the  daily  habit  of  rising  early,  and  taking 
a  great  deal  of  exercise  in  the  cultivation  of  their  grounds,- it  was  not 
surprising  that  we  found  them  so  athletic  and  free  from  complaints. 
When  illness  does  occur,  their  remedies  are  as  simple  as  their  manner 
of  living,  and  are  limited  to  salt  water,  hot  ginger  tea,  or  abstinence, 
according  to  the  nature  of  the  complaint.  They  have  no  medicines,  nor 
do  they  appear  to  require  any,  as  these  remedies  have  hitherto  been 
found  sufficient. 

After  their  noontide  meal,  if  their  grounds  do  not  require  their  attention, 
and  the  weather  be  fine,  they  go  a  little  way  out  to  sea  in  their  canoes, 
and  catch  fish,  of  which  they  have  several  kinds,  large  and  sometimes  io 
abundance ;  but  it  seldom  happens  that  they  have  this  time  to  spare  ;  for 
the  cultivation  of  the  ground,  repairing  their  boats,  houses,  and  making 
fishing-lines,  with  other  employments,  generally  occupies  the  whole  of  each 
day.  At  sunset  they  assemble  at  prayers  as  before,  first  offering  their 
orison  and  thanksgiving,  and  then  chaunting  hymns.  Afler  this  follows 
their  evening  meid,  and  at  an  early  hour,  having  again  said  their  prayers, 
and  chaunted  the  evening  hymn,  they  retire  to  rest ;  but  before  they 
sleep,  each  person  again  offers  up  a  short  prayer  upon  his  bed. 

Such  is  the  distribution  of  time  among  the  grown  people ;  the  younger 
part  attend  at  school  at  regular  hours,  and  are  instructed  in  reading, 
writing,  and  arithmetic.  They  have,  very  fortunately,  found  an  able  and 
willing  master  in  John  Buffet,  who  belonged  to  a  ship  which  visited  the 
island,  and  was  so  infatuated  with  their  behavior,  being  himself  naturally 
of  a  devout  and  serious  turn  of  mind,  that  he  resolved  to  remain  among 
17 


:j3K3rT'v-^?ivSSSS?:nf:*' 


fstsmmmim 


258 


MUTIICT  OF  THE  BOUNTY. 


them ;  and  in  addition  to  the  inatruction  of  the  children,  has  taken  u|>on 
himself  the  duty  of  clergyman,  and  is  the  oracle  of  the  community.  During 
the  whole  time  1  was  with  them  I  never  heard  them  indulge  in  a  joko,  or 
other  levity,  and  the  practice  of  it  is  apt  to  give  otfcnse :  they  are  so 
accustomed  to  take  what  is  said  in  its  literal  meaning,  that  irony  was 
always  considered  a  falsehood  in  spite  of  explanation.  Thoy  could  not 
see  the  propriety  of  uttering  what  was  not  strictly  true,  for  any  purpose 
whatever. 

The  Sabbath-day  is  devoted  entirely  to  prayer,  reading,  and  serious 
meditation.  No  boat  is  allowed  to  quit  the  shore,  nor  any  work  whatever 
to  be  done,  cooking  excepted,  for  which  preparation  is  made  the  preceding 
evening.  I  attended  their  church  on  this  day,  and  found  the  service  well 
conducted ;  the  prayers  were  read  by  Adams,  and  the  lessons  by  Buifet, 
the  service  being  preceded  by  hymns.  The  greatest  devotion  was  apparent 
In  every  individual,  and  in  the  children  there  was  a  seriousness  unknown 
in  the  younger  part  of  our  communities  at  home.  In  the  course  of  the 
Litany  they  prayed  for  their  sovereign  and  royal  family  with  much  apparent 
loyalty  and  sincerity.  Some  family  prayers,  which  were  thought  appro- 
priate to  their  particular  case,  were  added  to  the  usual  service  ;  and 
Adams,  fearful  of  leaving  out  any  essential  part,  read,  in  addition,  all 
those  prayers  which  are  intended  only  as  substitutes  for  others.  A  ser- 
mon followed,  which  was  very  well  delivered  by  Buifet ;  and  lest  any  part 
of  it  should  be  forgotten,  or  escape  attention,  it  was  read  three  times. 
The  whole  concluded  with  hymns,  which  were  first  sung  by  the  grown 
people,  and  afterward  by  the  children.  The  service  thus  performed  was 
very  long  ;  but  the  neat  and  cleanly  appearance  of  the  congregation,  the 
devotion  that  animated  every  countenance,  and  the  innocence  and  sim- 
plicity of  the  little  children,  prevented  the  attendance  from  becoming 
wearisome.  In  about  half  an  hour  afterward  we  again  assembled  to  prayers, 
and  at  sunset  service  was  repeated ;  so  that,  with  their  morning  and 
evening  prayers,  they  may  be  said  to  have  church  live  times  on  a  Sunday. 

Marriages  and  christenings  are  duly  performed  by  Adams.  A  ring 
which  has  united  every  person  on  the  island  is  used  for  the  occasion,  and 
given  according  to  the  prescribed  form.  The  age  at  which  this  is  allowed 
to  take  place,  with  the  men,  is  after  they  have  reached  their  twentieth, 
and  with  the  women,  their  eighteenth  year. 

All  which  remains  to  be  said  of  these  excellent  people  is,  that  they 
appear  to  live  together  in  perfect  harmony  and  contentment;  to  be  virtuous, 
religious,  cheerful,  and  hospitable,  beyond  the  limits  of  prudence ;  to  be 
patterns  of  conjugal  and  parental  affection ;  and  to  have  very  few  vices. 
We  remained  with  them  many  days,  and  their  unreserved  manners  gave 
us  the  fullest  opportunity  of  becoming  acquainted  with  any  faults  they 
miglit  have  possessed. 

The  Pitcairn  islanders  are  tall,  robust,  and  healthy.  Their  average 
height  is  five  feet  ten  inches ;  the  tallest  person  is  six  feet  and  one  quarter 
of  an  inch  ;  and  the  shortest  of  the  adults  is  five  feet  nine  inches  and  one 
eighth.  Their  limbs  are  well  proportioned,  round  and  straight;  their 
feet  turning  a  little  inward.  The  boys  pr<HBise  to  be  equally  as  tall  as 
their  fathers ;  one  of  them  whom  we  measured  was,  at  eight  years  of  age, 
four  feet  one  inch ;  and  another,  at  nine  years,  four  feet  three  inches. 
Their  simple  food  and  early  habits  of  exercise  give  them  a  muscular 
power  and  activity  not  often  surpassed.  It  is  recorded  among  the  feats 
of  strength  which  these  people  occasionally  evince,  that  twoof  the  strongest 
oo  the  island,  George  Young  and  Edward  Quintal,  have  each  carried,  at 


'*i'^f:-^.-^:^'-!^^'-'^'Ss^imi0^t!Sr'f'^-?'-'^-.^^-i  -i.«jS!S:^-<''^:r^-'iaflJ?n£»s* 


MUTINY  OF  THE  BOUNTY. 


259 


,  has  taken  ui»on 
imunity.  During 
iilge  in  a  jolit',or 
nse :  they  are  so 
g,  that  irony  was 
Thoy  could  not 
I,  for  any  purpose 

iding,  and  serioUB 
iny  irork  whatever 
lade  the  preceding 
nd  the  service  well 

lessons  by  Buffet, 
otion  was  apparent 
rioosness  unknown 
1  the  course  of  the 
with  much  apparent 
rere  thought  appro- 
usual  service  ;  and 
>ad,  in  addition,  all 

for  others.  A  ser- 
H  •  and  lest  any  part 
IS  read  three  times.        ^ 

sung  by  the  grown 

thus  performed  was 
ihe  congregation,  the       f 

innocence  and  sim- 
ince  from  becoming     >^ 

assembled  to  prayers, 

I  their  morning  and 

retimes  on  a  Sunday. 

by  Adams.     A  ring 

for  the  occasion,  and 

.which  this  is  allowed 

chad  their  twentieth, 

people  is,  that  they 
[tment;  to  be  virtuous, 
ts  of  prudence  ;  to  l»e 

have  very  few  vices, 
eserved  manners  gave 
1  with  any  faults  they 

althy.    Their  average 
lix  feet  and  one  quarter 
et  nine  inches  and  one 
nd  and  straight;  their 
to  be  equally  as  tall  as 
B,  at  eight  years  of  age, 
fiur  feet  three  inches, 
give  them  a  muscular 
orded  among  the  feats 
that  two  of  the  strongest 

a,  have  each  carried,  ai 


one  time,  without  inconvenience,  a  kedgo  anchor,  two  siodgn  hammers, 
and  an  armorcr^s  Rnvil,  amounting  to  upward  of  six  hundred  weight;  and 
th.-it  Quintal,  at  another  time,  carried  a  boat  twenty-eight  f(!ft  in  length. 
In  tho  water  they  are  almost  as  much  at  home  as  on  land,  and  can  romain 
nnarly  a  day  in  tho  sea.  They  frc(|uontly  swam  round  tiioir  lit'lf!  inland, 
the  circuit  of  wiiich  is  at  least  seven  miles.  When  tho  sea  heat  licavily 
on  tlio  island  thoy  have  plunged  into  the  breakers,  and  swam  to  sea  Ix-yond 
thi'in.  'I'his  they  sometimes  did  pushing  a  barrel  of  water  before  tlicrn, 
when  it  could  he  got  off  in  no  other  way,  and  in  this  manner  we  procured 
several  tons  of  water  without  a  single  cask  being  stove. 

Their  features  are  regular  and  well-looking,  without  being  hand.some. 
Their  eyes  are  bright  and  generally  hazel,  though  in  one  or  two  instances 
they  arc  blue,  and  some  have  white  speckles  on  the  iris ;  the  eyebrows 
being  thin,  and  rarely  meeting.  The  nose,  somewhat  flat,  and  rather 
extended  at  the  nostrils,  partakes  of  the  Otaheitan  form,  as  do  the  lips, 
which  are  broad,  and  strongly  sulcated.  Their  ears  are  moderately  large, 
and  tiio  lobes  are  invariably  united  to  the  cheek ;  they  are  generally 
perforated  when  young,  for  the  reception  of  flowers,  a  very  common 
custom  among  the  natives  of  the  South  Sea  Islands.  The  hair,  in  the 
first  generation,  is,  with  one  exception  only,  deep  black,  sometimos  curly, 
but  generally  straight;  they  allow  it  to  go  long,  keep  it  very  clean,  and  always 
well  supplied  with  cocoanut  oil.  Whiskers  are  not  common,  and  the 
beards  are  thin.  The  teeth  are  regular  and  white  ;  but  are  oi\en,  in  the 
males,  disfigured  by  a  deficiency  in  enamel,  and  by  being  deeply  furrowed 
across.  They  have  generally  large  heads,  elevated  in  the  line  of  the 
occiput.  Their  complexion,  in  the  first  generation,  is,  in  general,  a  dark 
gipsy  hue:  there  are,  however,  exceptions  to  this;  some  are  fairer,  and 
others  much  darker. 

The  women  are  nearly  as  muscular  as  the  men,  and  taller  than  the 
generality  of  their  sex.  Polly  Young,  who  is  not  tho  tallest  u|)on  the 
island,  measured  five  feet  nine  inches  and  a  half.  Accustomed  to  per- 
form all  domestic  duties,  to  provide  wood  for  cooking,  which  is  there  a 
work  of  some  labor,  as  it  must  be  brought  from  the  hills,  and  sometimes  to 
till  the  ground,  their  strength  is  in  proportion  to  their  muscularity  ;  and 
they  are  no  less  at  home  in  the  water  than  the  men. 

The  treatment  of  their  children  differs  from  that  of  our  own  country, 
as  the  infant  is  bathed  three  times  a  day  in  cold  water,  and  is  sometimes 
not  weaned  for  three  or  four  years  ;  but  as  soon  as  that  takes  place  it  is 
fed  upon  "popoe,"  made  with  ripe  plantains  and  boiled  taro  rubbed  into 
paste.  Upon  this  simple  nourishment  children  are  reared  to  a  more 
healthy  state  than  in  other  countries,  and  are  free  from  fevers  and  other 
complaints  peculiar  to  the  greater  portion  of  the  world.  Nothing  is  more 
extraordinary  in  the  history  of  the  island  than  the  uniform  good  health  of 
the  children ;  the  teething  is  easily  got  over,  they  have  no  bowel  com- 
plaints, and  are  exempt  from  those  contagious  diseases  which  affect 
children  in  large  communities. 

The  women  have  all  learned  the  art  of  midwifery :  parturition  generally 
takes  place  during  the  night  time  ;  the  duration  of  labor  is  seldom  longer 
than  five  hours,  and  has  not  yet  in  any  case  proved  fatal.  There  is  no 
instance  of  twins,  nor  of  a  single  miscarriage,  except  from  accident. 

The  number  of  persons  on  Pitcairn  Island  in  December,  1 826,  amounted 
to  sixty-six.  The  total  number  of  children  left  by  the  white  settlers  was 
fourteen,  of  whom  two  died  a  natural  death  ;  one  was  seized  with  fits, 
to  which  he  was  subject,  while  in  the  water,  and  was  drowned ;  and  one 


.*•:•»•   -•.■*T--' 


I 


li 


[    . 


360 


MUTINY  OP  THE  BOUNTY. 


was  killod  by  accident,  leaving  ten,  at  above.  Of  the  srandchildren,  or 
locond  generation,  there  was  also  another  male  who  died  an  accidental 
dnnth.  There  have,  therefore,  been  sixty-two  births  in  the  period  of 
thirty-five  years,  from  the  2Sd  January,  1700,  to  the  SSd  December,  1826, 
and  only  two  natural  deaths. 

Uofuro  wo  close  this  interesting  account,  a  brief  notice  should  be  taken 
of  the  fate  of  that  portion  of  the  mutineers,  who  separated  themsolves 
from  the  ringleader.  Christian,  at  Otaheite. 

The  intelligence  of  the  mutiny,  and  the  suffering  of  Bligh  and  his 
companions,  naturally  excited  a  great  sensation  in  England.  Bligh  was 
immediately  promoted  to  the  rank  of  commander,  and  Captain  Elawards 
was  dispatched  to  Otaheite,  in  the  Pandora  frigate,  with  instructions  to 
search  for  the  Bounty  and  her  mutinous  crew,  and  bring  them  to  England. 
The  Pandora  reached  Matavai  Bay  on  the  twenty-third  of  March,  1791  ; 
and  even  before  she  had  come  to  anchor,  Joseph  Coleman,  formerly 
armorer  of  the  Bounty,  pushed  off  from  shore  in  a  canoe,  and  came  on 
board.  In  the  course  of  two  days  afterward,  the  whole  of  the  remainder 
of  the  Bounty^s  crew,  (in  number  sixteen,)  then  on  the  island,  surrendered 
themselves,  with  the  exception  of  two,  who  fled  to  the  mountains,  where, 
an  it  afterward  appeared,  they  were  murdered  by  the  natives. 

The  Pandora,  with  the  mutineers  on  board,  was  subsequently  wrecked 
on  the  west  of  Now  Holland — thirty-four  of  her  crew  and  four  of  the 
prisoners  perishing  in  her.  The  survivors  eventually  reached  England. 
A  court-martial  was  soon  after  held,  when  six  of  the  ten  mutineers  were 
found  guilty,  and  condemned  to  death — the  other  four  were  acquitted. 
Only  three  of  the  six,  however,  were  executed. 

In  consequence  of  a  representation  made  by  Captain  Beechy,  th« 
British  government  sent  out  Captain  Waldegrave  in  1830,  in  the  Seringa- 
patam,  with  a  supply  of  sailors'  bluejackets  and  trousers,  flannels,  stockings 
and  shoes,  women's  dresses,  spades,  mattocks,  shovels,  pickaxes,  trowels, 
rakes,  etc.  He  found  their  community  increased  to  alraut  seventy-nine, 
all  exhibiting  the  same  unsophisticated  and  amiable  characteristics  as  wc 
have  before  described.  Other  two  Englishmen  had  settled  among  them  ; 
one  of  them,  called  Nobbs,  a  low-bred,  illiterate  man,  a  self-constituted 
missionary,  who  was  endeavoring  to  supersede  Buffet  in  his  office  of 
religious  instructor.  The  patriarch  Adams,  it  was  found,  had  died  in 
March,  182!^,  agod  sixty-five.  While  on  his  deathbed,  he  had  called  th« 
heads  of  families  together,  and  urged  upon  them  to  elect  a  chief;  which, 
however,  they  had  not  yet  done  ;  but  the  greatest  harmony  still  prevailed 
among  them,  notwithstanding  Nobbs'  exertions  to  form  a  party  of  his  own. 
Captam  Waldegrave  thought  that  the  island,  which  is  about  four  miles 
square,  might  be  able  to  support  a  thousand  persons,  upon  reaching  which 
number  they  would  naturally  emigrate  to  other  islands. 

Such  is  the  account  of  this  most  singular  colony,  originating  in  crim* 
and  bloodshed.  Of  all  the  repentant  criminals  on  record,  the  most  inter- 
esting, perhaps,  is  John  Adams ;  nor  do  we  know  where  to  find  a  mora 
beautiful  example  of  the  value  of  early  instruction  than  in  the  history  of 
this  man,  who,  having  run  the  full  career  of  nearly  all  kinds  of  vice,  was 
checked  by  an  interval  of  leisurely  reflection,  and  the  aenae  of  new  dutie* 
awakened  by  the  power  of  natural  affections. 


'SPV:V^y- 


_^?vjr-n?T#}Vi;;T# 


~£.,^-,ixr-: 


0  grandchildren,  oi 
died  an  accidental 

8  in  the  period  of 
l<l  December,  1846, 

ice  Bhould  be  taken 
iparated  thenwoWen 

IB  of  Bligh  and  his 
fngland.  Bligh  was 
,tl  Captain  Edwards 
,  with  instnictions  to 
ing  them  to  England, 
lire!  of  March,  1791  ; 
li  Coleman,  formerly 

1  canoe,  and  came  on 
lole  of  the  remainder 
je  island,  surrendered 
he  mountains,  where, 

10  natives. 

subsequently  wrecked 
crew  and  four  of  the 
ally  reached  England, 
tie  ten  mutineers  wer« 
four  were  acquitted. 

Captain  Beechy,  the 
n  l830,in  the  Seringa - 
isers,  flannels,  stockings 
jvels,  pickaxes,  trowels,  . 

to  about  seventy-nine, 
,le  characteristics  as  wc 
ad  settled  among  them  ; 

man,  a  self-constituted 

Buffet  in  his  office  of 
^as  found,  had  died  m 
thbed,  he  had  called  th« 

to  elect  a  chief;  which. 
It  harmony  still  prevailed 
►  form  a  party  of  his  own. 

,hich  is  about  four  miles 
Dns,  upon  reaching  which 

islands. 

lonv,  originating  in  crime 
„°„recorl,  the  most  inter- 
now  where  to  find  a  mor« 
ion  than  in  the  history  of 
arly  all  kinds  of  vice,  was 
idthesenseofnewdutiee 


V 


HOW     THEY    LIVE 

ON   BOABD   or   AN  •       < 

AMERICAN   MAN  OF  WAR: 

uina  Till  BxrcBiEMon  or  a  sAium  in  twi 
UNITED  STATES  NAVY.* 


"  All  hands  up  anchor!     Man  the  capstan!" 

All  was  ready  ;  boats  hoisted  in.stnn'  sail  gear  rove,  messenger  passed, 
capstan-bars  in  their  places,  accommodation-ladder  below  ;  and  in  glorious 
spirits,  we  sat  down  to  dinner.  In  the  ward-room,  the  lieutenants  were 
passing  round  their  oldest  Port,  and  pledging  their  friends;  in  the  steerage, 
the  middiea  were  busy  raising  loans  to  liquidate  the  demands  of  their 
laundress,  or  else — in  the  navy  phrase — preparing  to  pay  their  creditors 
with  a  fifing  fore-topaail.  On  the  poop,  the  captain  was  looking  to 
windward  ;  and  in  his  grand,  inaccessible  cabin,  the  high  and  mighty 
commodore  sat  silent  and  stately,  as  the  statue  of  Jupiter  in  Dodona. 

It  was  on  the  gun-deck  that  our  dinners  were  spread  ;  all  along  between 
the  guns  ;  and  there,  as  we  cross-legged  sat,  you  would  have  thought  a 
hundred  farm-yards  and  meadows  were  nigh.  Such  a  cackling  of  ducks, 
chickens,  and  ganders;  such  a  lowing  of  oxen,  and  bloating  of  lambkins, 
penned  up  here  and  there  along  the  deck,  to  provide  sea  repasts  for  th« 
officers. 

"All  hands  up  anchor!" 

When  that  order  was  given,  how  we  sprang  to  the  bars,  and  heaved 
round  that  capstan — round,  round  it  spun  like  a  sphere,  keeping  time  with 
our  feet  to  the  time  of  the  fifer,  till  the  cable  was  straight  up  and  down, 
and  the  ship  with  her  nose  in  the  wator. 

"Heave  and  pull!  unship  your  bars,  and  make  ssil!" 

It  was  done :— bar-men,  nipper  men,  tierers,  veerers,  idlers  and  all, 
scrambled  up  the  ladder  to  the  braces  and  halyards  ;  while  like  monkeys, 
the  sail-loosers  ran  out  on  those  broad  boughs,  or  yards  ;  and  down  fell 
the  sails  like  white  clouds  from  the  ether  — topsails,  topgallants,  and 
royals  ;  and  away  we  ran  with  the  halyards,  till  every  sheet  was  distended. 

"  Once  more  to  the  bars !" 

*'  Heave,  my  hearties,  heave  hard!" 

With  a  jerk  and  a  yerk,  we  broke  ground ;  and  up  to  our  bows  came 
several  thousand  pounds  of  old  iron,  in  the  shape  of  our  ponderous  anchor. 

In  merchantmen  the  seamen  are  divided  into  watches — starboard  and 
larboard— taking  their  turn  at  the  ship's  duty  by  night.     This  plan  is 


•Abridged  from  "White  Jacket,  or  the  World  in  a  Man-of-war,"  by  Herman  Mel- 
ville, a  writer  of  frreat  ability  in  his  peculiar  line.  This  large  12mo.,  of  465  paeeo 
gives  the  most  faithful  sketches  of  any  work  of  the  kind  extant,  and  to  whicTwe 
take^pleasure  in  referring  the  reader  for  those  fuU  details  foreign  to  the  volume  io 

(261) 


Kssja;t-;^-<Si^- 


5SS«i«R.S^'«>e.iiW«. 


-. --•■.  ,r,^i    -y,. 


262 


HOW  THEY  LIVE  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 


followed  in  all  men-of-war.  But  in  all  men-of-war,  beside  this  division, 
there  arc  others,  rendered  indispensable  from  the  great  number  of  men, 
and  the  necessity  of  precision  and  discipline.  Not  only  are  particular 
bands  assigned  to  the  three  tops,  but  in  getting  under  weigh,  or  atiy  other 
proceeding  requiring  all  hands,  particular  men  of  these  bands  are  assigned 
to  each  yard  of  the  tops.  Thus,  when  the  order  is  given  to  loose  the 
main-royal,  a  particular  individual  flies  to  obey  it ;  and  no  one  but  him. 
Also,  in  tacking  ship,  reefing  topsails,  or  "coming  to,"  every  man  of  a 
frigate's  five-hundred-strong,  knows  his  own  special  place,  and  is  infallibly 
found  there.  He  sees  nothing  else,  attends  to  nothing  else,  and  will  stay 
there  till  grim  death  or  an  epaulet  orders  him  away.  Were  it  not  for 
these  regulations  a  man-of-war's  crew  would  be  nothing  but  a  mob. 

Now  the  fore,  main,  and  mizzen-top-men  of  each  watch — starboard  and 
larboard  —  are  at  sea  respectively  subdivided  into  quarter-watches ; 
which  regularly  relieve  each  other  in  the  tops  to  which  they  may  belong; 
while,  collectively,  they  relieve  the  whole  larboard  watch  of  topmen. 
Beside  these  topmen,  who  are  always  made  up  of  active  sailors,  there  are 
sheet-anchor-men — old  veterans  all — whose  place  is  on  the  forecastle  ; 
the  foreyard,  anchors,  and  all  the  sails  on  the  bowsprit  being  under  their 
care.  They  are  an  old  weather-beaten  set,  culled  from  the  most  experi- 
enced seamen  on  board.  These  are  the  fellows,  who  spin  interminable 
yarns  about  Decatur,  Hull,  and  Bainbridge  ;  and  carry  about  their  persona 
bits  of ''Old  Ironsides,"  as  Catholics  do  the  wood  of  the  true  cross.  These 
are  the  fellows,  that  some  officers  never  pretend  to  damn,  however  much 
they  may  anathematize  others.  These  are  the  fellows,  whose  society 
most  of  the  your  ^'ster  midshipmen  much  affect ;  from  whom  they  learn 
their  best  seamanship  ;  and  to  whom  they  look  up  as  veterans  ;  if  so  be. 
that  they  have  any  reverence  in  their  souls,  which  is  not  the  case  with 
all  midshipmen. 

Then,  tbt- re  is  the  after-guard,  stationed  on  the  quarter-deck ;  who, 
under  the  quarter-masters  and  quarter-gunners,  attend  to  the  mainsail 
and  spanker,  and  help  haul  the  main-brace,  and  other  ropes  in  the  stern 
of  the  vessel.  The  duties  assigned  to  the  after-guard's-men  being  com- 
paratively light  and  easy,  and  but  little  seamanship  being  expected  from 
them,  they  are  composed  chiefly  of  landsmen ;  the  least  robust,  least 
hardy,  and  least  sailor-like  of  the  crew  ;  and  being  stationed  on  the  quarter- 
deck, they  are  generally  selected  with  some  eye  to  their  personal  appear- 
ance. Hence,  they  are  mostly  slender  young  fellows,  of  a  genteel  figure 
and  gentlemanly  address ;  not  weighing  much  on  a  rope,  but  weighmg 
considerably  in  the  estimation  of  all  foreign  ladies  who  may  chance  to 
visit  the  ship.  Then,  there  are  the  Waistera,  always  stationed  on  the 
gun-deck.  These  haul  afl  the  fore  and  main-sheets,  beside  being  subject 
to  ignoble  duties ;  attending  to  the  drainage  and  sewerage  below  hatches. 
These  fellows  are  all  sorry  chaps,  who  never  put  foot  in  ratlin,  or  venture 
above  the  bulwarks.  Inveterate  "«on*  of  farmers,^''  with  the  hayseed  yet 
in  their  hair,  they  are  consigned  to  the  congenial  superintendence  of  the 
chicken-coops,  pig-pens,  and  potato-lockers.  Theso  are  generally  placed 
amidships,on  the  gun-deck  of  a  frigate,  between  the  fore  and  main-hatches; 
and  comprise  so  extensive  an  area,  that  it  much  resembles  the  market- 
place of  a  small  town.  They  are  the  tag-rag  and  bob-tail  of  the  crew  ; 
and  he  who  is  good  for  nothing  else  is  good  enough  for  a  Waiater. 

Three  decks  down  —  spar-deck,  gun-deck,  and  berth-deck — and  we 
come  to  a  parcel  of  "AoWcrs,"  who  burrow,  like  rabbits  in  warrens,  among 
the  water-tanks,  casks,  and  cables.    They  are  a  lazy,  lumpish,  torpid  set ; 


r 


HOW  THEl    LI\  E  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 


)F  WAR. 

side  this  division, 
It  number  of  men, 
only  are  particular 
weigh,  or  av.y  other 
bands  are  assigned 
given  to  loose  the 
id  no  one  but  him. 
3  "  every  man  of  a 
ice,  and  is  infallibly 
o  else,  and  will  stay 
^y.    Were  it  not  for 
ing  but  a  mob. 
atch— starboard  and 
o    quarter-watches ; 
ch  they  may  belong ; 
a  watch  of  topmen. 
live  sailors,  there  are 
is  on  the  forecastle  ; 
)rit  being  under  their 
rom  the  most  expen- 
rho  spin  interminable 
■ry  about  their  persons 
tie  true  cross.     These         i 
damn,  however  much        i 
ellows,  whose  society        , 
rom  whom  they  learn      / 
as  veterans  ;  if  so  be. 
h  is  not  the  case  with 

le  quarter-deck;  who, 
attend  to  the  mainsail 
ther  ropes  in  the  stern 
lard's-men  being  com- 
p  being  expected  from 
the  least  robust,  least 
tationed  on  the  quarter- 
)  their  personal  appear- 
ows,  of  a  genteel  figure 
n  a  rope,  but  weighing 
ies  who  may  chance  to 
ilways  stationed  on  the 
ts,  beside  being  subject 
ewerage  below  hatches, 
foot  in  ratlin,  or  venture 
,,"  with  the  hayseed  yet 
superintendence  of  the 
eso  are  generally  placed 
le  fore  and  main-hatches; 
,  resembles  the  market- 
id  bob-tail  of  the  crew  ; 
ugh  for  a  Waister. 
ind  berth-deck— and  we 
rabbits  in  warrens,  among 
lazy,lumpi8h,  torpid  set;. 


263 


and  when  going  ashore  after  a  long  cruise,  come  out  into  the  day,  like 
terrapins  from  their  caves,  or  bears  in  the  spring,  from  tree-trunks.  No 
one  ever  knows  the  names  of  these  fellows ;  after  a  three  years'  voyage, 
they  still  remain  strangers  to  you. 

Such  are  the  principal  divisions  into  which  a  man-of-war's  crew  is 
divided  ;  but  the  inferior  allotments  of  duties  are  endless.  We  say 
nothing  here  of  boatswain's  mates,  gunner's  mates,  carpenter's  mates, 
sail-maker's  mates,  armorer's  niates,  master-at-arms,  ship's  corporals, 
w  cockswains,  quarter-masters,  quarter-gunners,  captains  of  the  forecastle, 

f     I    '  captains  of  the  foretop,  captains  of  the  maintop,  captains  of  the  mizzcn-top, 

captains  of  the  after-guard,  captains  of  the  main-hold,  captains  of  the  fore- 
hold,  captains  of  the  head,  coopers,  painters,  tinkers,  commodore's 
steward,  captain's  steward,  ward-room  steward,  steerage  steward,  com- 
modore's cook,  captain's  cook,  officers'  cook,  cooks  of  the  range,  mess- 
cooks,  hammock-boys,  messenger  boys,  cot-boys,  loblolly-boys,  and  num- 
berless others,  whose  functions  are  fixed  and  peculiar.  It  is  from  this 
endless  subdivision  of  duties  in  a  man-of-war,  that,  upon  first  entering 
one,  a  sailor  has  need  of  a  good  memory,  and  the  more  of  an  arithmetician 
he  is,  the  better.  He  is  wholly  nonplused,  and  confounded.  And  when, 
to  crown  all,  the  first  lieutenant,  whose  business  it  is  to  welcome  all  new 
comers,  and  assign  them  their  quarters  ;  when  this  officer — none  of  the 
most  bland  or  amiable  either — gives  him  number  after  number  to  recollect 
— 246 — 139 — 478 — 351 — the  poor  fellow  feels  like  decamping. 

Some  account  has  been  given  of  the  various  divisions  into  which  our 
crew  was  divided  ;  so  it  may  be  well  to  say  something  of  the  officers  ; 
\  who  they  are,  and  what  are  their  functions.  Our  ship  was  the  flag-ship ; 
that  is,  we  sported  a  broad  pennant  or  bougie  at  the  main,  in  token  that 
y  we  carried  a  commodore — the  highest  rank  of  officers  recognized  in  the 
American  navy.  The  bougee  is  not  to  be  confounded  with  the  long 
pennant  or  coach-whip,  a  tapering,  serpentine  streamer,  worn  by  all  men- 
of-war.  Owing  to  certain  vague,  republican  scruples,  about  creating 
great  officers  of  the  navy,  America  has  thus  far  had  no  admirals  ;  though, 
as  her  ships  of  war  increase,  they  may  become  indispensable.  An  Ameri- 
can commodore,  like  an  English  commodore,  or  the  French  Chef  d' 
Escadre,  is  but  a  senior  captain,  temporarily  commanding  a  small  number 
of  ships,  detached  for  any  special  purpose.  He  has  no  permanent  rank, 
recognized  by  Government,  above  his  captaincy ;  though  once  employed 
as  a  commodore,  usage  and  courtesy  unite  in  continuing  the  title.  Our 
commodore  was  a  gallant  old  man,  who  had  seen  service  in  his  time. 
When  a  lieutenant,  he  served  in  the  late  war  with  England  ;  and  in  the 
gun-boat  actions  on  the  lakes  near  New  Orleans,  just  previous  to  the 
grand  land  engagements,  received  a  musket-ball  in  his  shoulder ;  which- 
with  the  two  balls  in  his  eyes,  he  carries  about  with  him  to  this  day.  On 
account  of  this  wound  in  his  8houlder,our  commodore  had  a  body-servant's 
pay  allowed  him,  in  addition  to  his  regular  salary.  I  cannot  say  a  great 
deal,  personally,  of  the  commodore ;  he  never  sought  my  company  at 
all ;  never  extended  any  gentlemanly  courtesies.  One  phenomenon  about 
him  was  the  strange  manner  in  which  every  one  shunned  him.  At  the 
first  sign  of  those  epaulets  of  his  on  the  weather  side  of  the  poop,  the 
officers  there  congregated  invariably  shrunk  ov«r  to  leeward,  and  left 
him  alone. 

Turn  we  now  to  the  second  officer  in  rank,  almost  supreme,  however, 

in  the  internal  affairs  of  his  ship.     Captain  C was  a  large,  portly 

man,  a  Harry  the  Eighth  afloat,  bluff  and  hearty ;  and  as  kingly  in  his 


'-'.«if*' 


264 


HOW  THEY  LIVE  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 


cabin  as  Harry  on  his  throne.  The  captain's  word  is  law  ;  he  never 
8pcai(s  hut  in  the  imperative  mood.  When  he  stands  on  his  quarter-deck 
at  sea,  he  absolutely  commands  as  far  as  eye  can  reach.  Only  the  moon 
and  stars  arc  beyond  his  jurisdiction.  He  is  lord  and  master  of  the  sun. 
It  is  not  twelve  oVlock  till  he  says  so.  For  when  the  sailing-mastei ,  whose 
duty  it  is  to  take  the  regular  observation  at  noon,  touches  his  hat,  and 
reports  twelve  o'clock  to  the  officer  of  the  deck;  that  functionary  orders 
a  midshipman  to  repair  to  the  captain's  cabin,  and  humbly  inform  him  of 
the  respectful  suggestion  of  the  sailing-master. 

"  Twelve  o'clock  reported,  sir,"  says  the  middy. 

"  Make  it  so,"  replies  the  captain. 

And  the  bell  is  struck  eight  by  the  messenger-boy,  and  twelve  o'clock 
it  is. 

As  in  the  case  of  the  commodore,  when  the  captain  visits  the  deck, 
his  subordinate  officers  generally  beat  a  retreat  to  the  other  side  ;  and,  as 
a  general  rule,  would  no  more  think  of  addressing  him,  except  concerning 
the  ship,  than  a  lackey  would  think  of  hailing  the  Czar  o/  Russia  on  his 
throne  and  inviting  him  to  tea.  Perhaps  no  mortal  man  has  more  reason 
to  feel  such  an  Intense  sense  of  bis  own  personal  consequence,  as  the 
captain  of  a  man-of-war  al  sea. 

Next  in  rank  comes  the  first  or  senior  lieutenant,  the  chief  executive 
officer.  Beside  the  firs^  lieutenant,  the  ward-room  officers  include  the 
junior  lieutenants,  in  a  frigate  six  or  seven  in  number,  the  sailing-master, 
purser,  chaplain,  surgeon,  marine  officers,  and  midshipmen's  schoolmaster, 
or  "the  professor."  They  generally  form  a  very  agreeable  club  of  good 
fellows  ;  from  their  diversity  of  character,  admirably  calculated  to  form 
an  agreeable  social  whole.  Of  course  these  gentlemen  all  associate  on 
a  footing  of  perfect  social  equality.  Next  in  order  come  the  warrant  or 
forward  officers,  consisting  of  the  boatswain,  gunner,  carpenter,  and  sail- 
maker.  Though  these  vorthies  sport  long  coats  and  wear  the  anchor- 
button  ;  yet,  in  the  estimation  of  the  ward-room  officers,  they  are  not, 
technically  speoking,  rated  gentlemen.  The  first  lieutenant,  chaplain,  or 
surgeon,  for  >  'Rtnple,  would  never  dream  of  inviting  them  to  dinner. 
In  sea  parlance,  'they  come  a  at  the  hawse  holes ;"  they  have  hard  hands ; 
and  the  carpenter  and  sail-maker  practically  understand  the  duties  which 
they  are  called  upon  to  superintend.     They  mess  by  themselves. 

In  this  part  of  the  category  now  come  the  "reefers,"  otherwise  "middies" 
or  midshipmen.  These  boys  are  sent  to  sea,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
commodores  ;  and  in  order  to  become  commodores,  many  of  them  deem 
it  indispensable  forthwith  to  commence  chewing  tobacco,  drinking  brandy 
and  water,  and  swearing  at  the  sailors.  As  they  are  only  placed  on  board 
a  sea  going  ship  to  go  to  school  and  learn  the  duty  of  a  lieutenant ;  and, 
until  qualified  to  act  as  such,  have  few  or  no  special  functions  to  attend 
to ;  they  are  little  more,  while  midshipmen,  than  supernumeraries  on 
board.  Hence,  in  a  crowded  frigate,  they  are  so  everlastingly  crossing 
the  path  of  both  men  and  officers,  that  in  the  navy  it  has  become  a  proverb, 
that  a  useless  fellow  is  "a«  much  in  the  way  €is  a  reefer?^ 

In  a  gale  of  wind,  when  all  hands  are  called  and  the  deck  swarms  with 
men,  the  little  "middies"  running  about  distracted  and  having  nothing 
particular  to  do,  make  it  up  in  vociferous  swearing  ;  exploding  all  about 
under  foot  like  torpedos.  Some  of  them  are  terrible  little  boys,  cocking 
their  caps  at  alarming  angles,  and  looking  fierce  as  young  roosters.  They 
are  generally  great  consumers  of  Macassar  oil  and  the  Balm  of  Columbia; 
they  thirst  and  rage  after  whiskers ;  and  sometimes,  applying  their  oint 


T^^ 


'  WAR. 

I  law  ;  he  never 
his  quarter-deck 
Only  the  moon 
aster  of  the  sun. 
ng-mastei,  whose 
ihes  his  hat,  and 
unctionary  orders 
jly  inform  him  of 


ind  twelve  o'clock 

in  visits  the  deck. 
,ther  side  ;  and,  as 
except  concerning 
,r  of  Russia  on  his 
ia  has  more  reason 
jDsequence,  as  the 

he  chief  executive 
►fficers  include  the 
,  the  sailing-master, 
men's  schoolmaster, 
eeable  club  of  good 

calculated  to  form  , 
men  all  associate  on  - 
:ome  the  warrant  or      ^ 

carpenter,  and  sail- 
id  wear  the  anchor- 
Beers,  they  are  not, 
utenant,  chaplain,  or 
ing  them  to  dmner. 
ley  have  hard  hands ; 
md  the  duties  which 

themselves. 

otherwise  "middies 
e  puruose  of  making 

many  of  them  deem 
icco,  drinking  brandy 

only  placed  on  board 
of  a  lieutenant ;  and, 

al  functions  to  attend 

supernumeraries  on 
everlastingly  crossing 

las  become  a  proverb, 

•ee/er." 

the  deck  swarms  wit'.i 
d  and  having  nothing 
r ;  exploding  all  about 
,le  little  boys,  cocking 
young  roosters.  J  hey 
he  Balm  of  Columbia; 

58,  applying  their  oint 


T 


I 


V 


HOW  THEY  LIVE  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OP  WAR. 


265 


ments,  lay  themselves  out  in  the  sun,  to  promote  the  fertility  of  their 
chins.  The  middies  live  by  themselves  in  the  steerage,  where,  nowadays, 
they  dine  off  a  table,  spread  with  a  cloth.  They  have  a  castor  ut  dinner ; 
tiiey  have  some  other  little  boys  (selected  from  the  ship's  company)  to 
wait  upon  them  ;  they  sometimes  drink  coffee  out  of  china.  But  for  all 
these,  their  modern  refinements,  in  some  instances  the  affairs  of  their  club 
go  sadly  to  rack  and  ruin.  The  china  is  broken ;  the  japanned  coffee- 
pot dented  like  a  pewter  mug  in  an  ale-house  ;  the  pronged  forks  resemble 
tooth-picks ;  (for  which  they  are  sometimes  used ;)  the  table-knives  arc 
hacked  into  hand-saws ;  and  the  cloth  goes  to  the  sail-maker  to  be  patclied. 

Having  now  descended  from  commodore  to  middy,  we  come  lastly  to 
a  set  of  nondescripts,  forming  also  a  "mess"  by  themselves,  apart  from 
the  seamen.  Into  this  mess,  the  usage  of  a  man-of-war  thrusts  various 
subordinates  —  including  the  master-at-arms,  purser's  steward,  ship's 
corporals,  marine  sergeants,  and  ship's  yeomen,  forming  the  first  aristo- 
cracy above  the  sailors.  The  master-at-arms  is  a  sort  of  high-constable 
and  schoolmaster,  wearing  citizen's  clothes,  and  known  by  his  official 
rattan.  He  it  is  whom  all  sailors  hate.  His  is  the  universal  duty  of  a 
universal  informer  and  hunter-up  of  delinquents.  On  the  berth-deck  he 
reigns  supreme  ;  spying  out  all  grease-spots  made  by  the  vurious  cooks 
of  the  seamen's  messes,  and  driving  the  laggards  up  the  hatches,  when 
all  hands  are  called.  But  as  it  is  a  heartless,  so  is  it  a  thankless  office. 
Of  dark  nights,  most  masters-of-arms  keep  themselves  in  readiness  to 
dodge  forty-two  pound  balls,  dropped  down  the  hatchways  near  them. 
The  ship's  corporals  are  this  worthy's  deputies  and  ushers.  The  marine 
sergeants  are  generally  tall  fellows  with  unyielding  spines  and  stiff  upper 
lips,  and  very  exclusive  in  their  tastes  and  predilections.  The  ship's 
yeoman  is  a  gentleman  who  has  a  sort  of  counting-room  in  a  tar-cellar 
down  in  the  fore-hold. 

Except  the  officers  above  enumerated,  there  are  none  who  mess  apart 
from  the  seamen.  The  "petty  officers,''^  so  called ;  that  is,  the  boatswain's, 
gunner's,  carpenter's,  and  sail-maker's  mates,  the  captains  of  the  tops, 
of  the  forecastle,  and  of  the  afler-guard,  and  of  the  fore  and  main  holds, 
and  the  quarter-masters,  all  mess  in  common  with  the  crew,  and  in  the 
American  navy  are  only  distinguished  from  the  common  seamen  by  their 
slightly  additional  pay.  Thus  it  will  be  seen,  that  the  dinner-table  is  the 
criterion  of  rank  in  our  man-of-war  world.  The  commodoro  dines  alone, 
because  he  is  the  only  man  of  his  rank  in  the  ship.  So,  too,  with  the 
captain ;  and  the  ward-room  offic(trs,  warrant  officers,  midshipmen,  the 
master-at-arms'  mess,  and  the  comnon  seamen — allof  them,  respectively, 
dine  together,  because  they  are,  respectively,  on  a  footing  of  equality. 

To  a  common  sailor,  the  living  on  board  a  man-of-war  is  like  living  in 
a  market ;  where  you  dress  on  the  door-steps  and  sleep  in  the  cellar.  No 
privacy  can  you  have ;  hardly  one  moment's  seclusion.  It  is  almost  a 
physical  impossibility,  that  you  ran  over  be  alone.  You  dine  at  a  vast 
tiUile  d'hote  ;  sleep  in  commons,  and  make  your  toilet  where  and  when 
you  can.  Your  clothes  are  stowed  in  a  large  canvas  bag,  generally  painted 
black,  which  you  can  get  out  of  the  "rack"  only  once  in  the  twenty-four  hours; 
and  then,  during  a  time  of  the  utmost  contusion  ;  among  five  hundred 
other  bags,  with  five  hundred  other  sailors  diving  into  each,  in  the  midst 
of  the  twilight  of  the  berth-deck.  In  some  measure  to  obviate  this  incon- 
venience, many  sailors  divide  their  wardrobes  between  their  hammocks  and 
their  bags  ;  stowing  a  few  frocks  and  trowsers  in  the  former  ;  so  that  they 
can  shift  at  night,  if  they  wish,  when  the  hammocks  are  piped  down.     But 


■,  I  ^1 


266 


HOW  THEY  LIVE  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 


they  gain  very  little  by  this.  You  have  no  place  whatever  but  your  bag, 
or  liaiiimock,  in  which  to  put  anything  in  a  man-of-war.  If  you  lay  any- 
thing down,  and  turn    your  back  for  a  moment,  ten  to  one  it  is  gone. 

From  the  wild  life  they  lead,  and  various  other  causes,  sailors,  as  i  class, 
entertain  the  most  liberal  notions  concerning  morality  and  the  Decalogue; 
or  rather,  they  take  their  own  views  of  such  matters,  caring  little  for  the 
theological  or  ethical  definitions  of  others  concerning  what  may  be  crimi- 
nal, or  wrong.  Their  ideas  are  much  swayed  by  circumstances.  Tliey 
will  covertly  abstract  a  thing  from  one  whom  they  dislike  ;  and  insist 
upon  it,  that,  in  such  a  case,  stealing  is  no  robbing.  Or,  where  the  theft 
involves  something  funny,  they  only  steal  for  the  sake  of  the  joke  ;  but 
this  much  is  to  be  observed  nevertlieless,  i.  e.,  that  they  never  spoil  the 
joke  by  returning  the  stolen  article.  Perhaps  it  is  a  thing  unavoidable, 
but  the  truth  is  that,  among  the  crew  of  a  man-of-war,  scores  of  despera- 
does are  too  often  found,  who  stop  not  at  the  largest  enormities.  A  spe- 
cies of  highway  robbery  is  not  unknown  to  them.  A  gang  will  be  informed 
that  such  a  fellow  has  three  or  four  gold  pieces  in  the  monkey-bag,  so 
called,  or  purse,  which  many  tars  wear  round  their  necks,  tucked  out 
of  sight.  Upon  this,  they  deliberately  lay  their  plans  ;  and,  in  due  time, 
proceed  to  carry  them  into  execution.  The  man  they  have  marked  is 
perhaps  strolling  along  the  benighted  berth-deck  to  his  mess-chest ;  when, 
of  a  sudden,  the  foot-pads  dash  out  from  their  hiding-place,  throw  him 
down,  and  while  two  or  three  gag  him,  and  hold  him  fast,  another  cuts 
the  bag  from  his  neck,  and  makes  away  with  it,  followed  by  his  comrades. 
This  was  more  than  once  done  in  our  frigate.  At  other  times,  hearing 
that  a  sailor  has  something  valuable  secreted  in  his  hammock,  they  will 
rip  it  open  from  underneath,  while  he  sleeps,  and  reduce  the  conjecture 
to  a  certainty.  To  enumerate  all  the  minor  pilferings  on  board  a  man-of- 
war  would  be  endless.  It  is  in  vain  that  the  officers,  by  threats  of  condign 
punishment,  endeavor  to  instill  more  virtuous  principles  into  their  crew ; 
so  thick  is  the  mob,  that  not  one  thief  in  a  thousand  is  detected. 

In  the  American  navy,  the  law  allows  one  gill  of  spirits  per  day  to  every 
seaman.  In  two  portions,  it  is  served  out  just  previous  to  breakfast  and 
dinner.  At  the  roll  of  the  drum,  the  sailors  assemble  round  a  large  tub, 
or  cask,  filled  with  the  liquid ;  and,  as  their  names  are  called  otf  by  a 
midshipman,  they  step  up  and  regale  themselves  from  a  little  tin  measure 
called  a  "tot."  To  many  of  them,  indeed,  the  thought  of  their  daily  tota 
forms  a  perpetual  perspective  of  ravishing  landscapes,  indefinitely  rece- 
ding in  the  distance.  It  is  their  great  "prospect  in  life."  Take  away 
their  grog,  and  life  possesses  no  further  charms  for  them.  It  is  hardly  to 
be  doubted,  that  the  controlling  inducement  which  keeps  many  men  in 
the  navy,  is  the  unbounded  confidence  they  have  in  the  ability  of  the 
United  States  government  to  supply  thenn,  regularly  and  unfailingly,  with 
their  daily  allowance  of  this  beverage.  I  have  known  several  forlorn 
individuals,  shipping  as  landsmen,  who  have  confessed  to  me,  that  having 
contracted  a  love  for  ardent  spirits,  which  they  could  not  renounce,  and 
having  by  their  foolish  courses  been  brought  into  the  most  abject  poverty, 
— insomuch  that  they  could  no  longer  gratify  their  thirst  ashore — they 
incontinently  entered  the  navy  ;  regarding  it  as  the  asylum  for  all  drunk- 
ards, who  might  there  prolong  their  lives  by  regular  hours  and  exercise, 
and  twice  every  day  quench  their  thirst  by  moderate  and  undeviating 
doses. 

The  common  seamen  in  i  large  frigate  are  divided  into  some  thirty  or 
forty  messes,  put  down  on  the  purser's  books  as  meaa  No.  1,  mesa  No.  9, 


T 


WAR. 

er  but  your  bag, 
If  you  luy  any- 
one it  is  gone. 

lailors,  as  -.  class, 

1  the  Decalogue; 

ring  'ittle  for  the 

lat  may  be  crimi- 

nstances.     They 

slike  ;  and  insist 

r,  where  the  thett 

of  the  joke  ;  but 

y  never  spoil  the 

hing  unavoidable, 

scovesof  despera- 

lormities.     A  spe- 
iff  will  be  informed 
je  monkey-bag,  so 
necks, tucked  out 
;  and,  in  due  time, 
ey  have  marked  is 
mess-chest ;  when, 
g.place,  throw  him 
n  fast,  another  cuts 
ed  by  his  comrades, 
rther  times,  hearing 
hammock,  they  will 
duce  the  conjecture 
gon  boardaman-ot- 
wthreatsofcondign 
lies  into  their  crew  ; 
8  detected, 
irits  per  day  to  every 

ous  to  breakfast  and 
le  round  a  large  tub, 
,  are  called  off  by  a 
malittle  tin  measure 

ght  of  their  daily  «o«« 
Tes,  indefinitely  rece- 
n  life."     Take  away 
them.    It  is  hardly  to 
keeps  many  men  in 
in  the  ability  of  the 
,  and  unfailingly,  with 
mown  several  forlorn 
sed  to  me,  that  havmg 
aid  not  renounce,  and 
le  most  abject  poverty, 
ir  thirst  ashore— they 
B  asylum  for  all  drunk- 
ar  hours  and  exercise, 
erate  and  undeviating 

ded  into  some  thirty  or 
ies8No.\,messNo.i, 


HOW  THEY  LIVE  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 


267 


mesa  No.  3,  etc.  The  members  of  each  mess  club  their  rations  of  provi- 
sions, and  breakfast,  dine,  and  sup  together  in  allotted  intervals  between 
the  guns  on  the  main-deck.  In  undeviating  rotation,  the  meinbor.s  of  each 
mess  (excepting  the  petty-officers)  take  their  turn  in  performing  tlie 
functions  of  cook  and  steward.  And  for  the  time  being,  all  tiic  affairs 
of  the  club  are  subject  to  their  inspection  and  control.  It  is  the  cook's 
business,  also,  to  have  an  eye  to  the  general  interests  of  his  mess  ;  to  see 
that,  when  the  aggregated  allowance  of  beef,  bread,  etc.,  are  served  out 
by  one  of  the  master's  mates,  the  mess  over  which  he  presides  receives 
its  full  share,  without  stint  or  subtraction.  Upon  the  berth-deck  he  has 
a  chest,  in  which  to  keep  his  pots,  pans,  spoons,  and  small  stores  of 
sugar,  molasses,  tea,  and  flour.  But  though  entitled  a  cook,  strictly 
speaking,  the  head  of  the  mess  is  no  cook  at  all ;  for  the  cooking  for  the 
crew  is  all  done  by  a  functionary,  officially  called  the  "  ship's  cook,'''' 
assisted  by  several  deputies. 

From  this  it  will  be  seen,  that,  so  far  as  cooking  is  concerned,  a  ^'•cook 
of  the  mesa''''  has  very  little  to  do  ;  merely  carrying  his  provisions  to  and 
from  the  grand  democratic  cookery.  Still,  in  some  things,  his  office 
involves  many  annoyances.  Twice  a  week  butter  and  cheese  are  served 
out — so  much  to  each  man — and  the  mess-cook  has  the  sole  charrj'',  of 
these  delicacies.  The  great  difficulty  consists  in  so  catering  for  the  mess, 
touching  these  luxuries,  as  to  satisfy  all.  Some  guzzlers  are  for  devouring 
the  butter  at  a  meal,  and  finishing  off  with  the  cheese  the  same  day  ; 
others  contend  for  saving  it  up  against  Banyan  Day,  when  there  is  nothing 
but  beef  and  bread  ;  and  others,  again,  are  for  taking  a  very  small  bit  of 
butter  and  cheese,  by  way  of  dessert,  to  each  and  every  meal  through  the 
week.  All  this  gives  rise  to  endless  disputes,  debates,  and  altercations. 
Sometimes,  with  his  mess-cloth — a  square  of  painted  canvas — set  out 
on  deck  between  the  guns,  garnished  with  pots,  and  pans,  and  kids,  you 
see  the  mess-cook  seated  on  a  match-tub  at  its  head,  his  trowsers  legs 
rolled  up  and  arms  bared,  presiding  over  the  convivial  party.  "Now, 
men,  you  can't  have  any  butter  to-day.  I'm  saving  it  up  for  to-morrow. 
You  don't  know  the  value  of  butter,  men.  You,  Jim,  take  your  hoof  off  the 
cloth !  Devil  take  me,  if  some  of  you  chaps  haven't  no  more  manners 
than  so  many  swines!  Quick,  men,  quick  ;  bear  a  hand,  and  '«co^'  (^^t) 
away. — I  've  got  my  to-morrow's  duff  to  make  yet,  and  some  of  you  fellows 
keep  scoffing  as  if  I  had  nothing  to  do  but  sit  still  here  on  this  here  tub 
here,  and  look  on.  There,  there,  men,  you've  all  had  enough  ;  so  sail 
away  out  of  this,  and  let  me  clear  up  the  wreck."  In  this  strain  would 
one  of  the  periodical  cooks  of  mess  No.  15,  talk  to  us.  He  was  a  tall, 
resolute  fellow,  who  had  once  been  a  brakeman  on  a  railroad,  and  he 
kept  us  all  pretty  straight ;  from  his  fiat  there  was  no  appeal. 

To  a  quiet,  contemplative  character,  averse  to  uproar,  undue  exercise 
of  his  bodily  members,  and  all  kind  of  useless  confusion,  nothing  can  be 
more  distressing  than  a  proceeding  in  all  men-of-war  (;alled  ^^general 
jtiartcra."  As  the  specific  object  for  which  a  man-of-war  is  built  and 
put  into  commission  is  to  fight  and  fire  ofi'  cannon,  it  is,  of  course,  deemed 
indispensable  that  the  crew  should  be  duly  instructed  in  the  art  and  mys- 
tery involved.  The  summons  is  given  by  the  ship's  drummer,  who  strikes 
a  peculiar  beat — short,  broken,  rolling,  shuffling — like  the  sound  made 
by  the  march  into  battle  of  iron-heeled  grenadiers.  It  is  a  regular  tune, 
with  a  fine  song  composed  to  it ;  the  words  of  the  chorus,  being  most 
artistically  arranged,  may  give  some  idea  of  the  air : 


909  HOW  THEY  LIVE  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 

"Hearts  of  oak  are  our  Bhips,  jolly  tars  are  our  men  ; 
We  are  always  ready,  steady,  boys,  steady. 
To  fight  and  to  conquer,  again  and  again." 

My  station  at  the  batteries  was  at  one  of  the  thirty-two  pound  carroi>ades, 
on  the  starboard  side  ot'  the  quarter-deck.  This  carronade  was  known 
as  "Gun  No.  S,''  on  the  first  lieutenant's  quarter-bill.  Among  our  gun^s 
crew,  however,  it  was  known  as  Black  Bet.  This  name  was  bestowed 
by  the  captain  of  the  gun — a  fine  negro — in  honor  of  his  sweetheart,  a 
colored  lady  of  Philadelphia.  Of  Black  Bet  I  was  rammer  and  sponger; 
and  ram  and  sponge  I  did,  like  a  good  fellow.  But  it  was  terrible  work 
to  help  run  in  and  out  of  the  port-hole  that  amazing  mass  of  metal, 
especially  as  the  thing  must  be  done  in  a  trice.  Then,  at  the  summons 
of  a  horrid,  rasping  rattle,  swayed  by  the  captain  in  person,  we  were 
made  to  rush  from  our  guns,  seize  pikes  and  pistols,  and  repel  an  imagin- 
ary army  of  boarders,  who,  by  a  fiction  of  the  officers,  were  supposed  to 
be  assailing  all  sides  of  the  ship  at  once.  After  cutting  and  slashing  at 
them  awhile,  we  jumped  back  to  our  guns,  and  again  went  to  jerking  our 
elbows.  Meantime,  a  loud  cry  is  heard  of  "Fire!  fire!  fire!"  in  the 
fore-top  ;  and  a  regular  engine,  worked  by  a  set  of  Bowery-boy  tars,  is 
forthwith  set  to  playing  streams  of  water  aloft.  Such  a  sea-martinet  was 
our  captain,  that  sometimes  we  were  roused  from  our  hammocks  at  night; 
when  a  scene  would  ensue  that  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  pen  and  ink  to 
describe.  Five  hundred  men  spring  to  their  feet,  dress  themselves,  take 
up  their  bedding,  and  run  to  the  nettings  and  stow  it ;  then  hie  to  their 
stations — each  man  jostling  his  neighbor — some  alow,  some  aloft ;  some 
this  way,  some  that ;  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  the  frigate  is  ready 
for  action,  and  still  as  the  grave  ;  almost  every  man  precisely  where  he 
would  be  were  an  enemy  actually  about  to  be  engaged.  The  gunner  is 
burrowing  down  in  the  magazine  under  the  ward-room,  which  is  lighted 
by  battle-lnnterns,  placed  behind  glazed  glass  bulPs-eyes  inserted  in  the 
bulkhead.  The  powder-monkeys,  or  boys,  who  fetch  and  carry  cartridges, 
are  scampering  to  and  fro  among  the  guns  ;  and  the  first  and  second 
loaders  stand  ready  to  receive  their  supplies.  These  powder-monkeys, 
as  they  are  called,  enact  a  curious  part  in  time  of  action.  The  entrance 
to  the  magazine  on  the  berth-deck,  where  they  procure  their  food  for  the 
guns,  is  guarded  by  a  woolen  screen ;  and  a  gunner's  mate,  standing 
behind  it,  thrusts  out  the  cartridges  through  a  small  arm-hole  in  this 
screen.  The  enemy's  shot  (perhaps  red  hot)  are  flying  in  all  directions; 
and  to  protect  their  cartridges,  the  powder-monkeys  hurriedly  wrap  tnem 
up  in  their  jackets  ;  and  with  all  haste  scramble  up  the  ladders  to  their 
respective  guns,  like  eating-house  waiters  hurrying  along  with  hot  cakes  for 
breakfast.  At  general  quarters  the  shot-boxes  are  uncovered  ;  showing 
the  grape-shot — aptly  so  called,  for  they  precisely  resemble  bunches 
of  the  fruit ;  though,  to  receive  a  bunch  of  iron  grapes  in  the  abdomen 
would  be  but  a  sorry  dessert ;  and  also  showing  the  canister-shot — old 
iron  of  various  sorts,  packed  in  a  tin  case,  like  a  tea-caddy. 

But  if  verily  going  into  action,  then  would  the  frigate  have  made  still 
further  preparations  ;  for  however  alike  in  some  things,  there  is  always 
a  vast  difference — if  you  sound  them — between  a  reality  and  a  sham. 
Not  to  speak  of  the  pale  sternness  of  the  men  at  their  gxum  at  such  a 
juncture,  and  the  choked  thoughts  at  their  hearts,  the  ship  itself  would 
here  and  there  present  a  far  different  appearance.  Something  like  that 
of  an  extensive  nmuHiun  preparing  for  a  grand  entertainment,  when  folding 
doors  are  withdrawn,  chambers  converted  into  drawing-rooms,  and  every 


^s;:3'^s;^<Bi:^i  '^t  i?^^<=«i  .«**cz;>5^" 


FAR. 


ind  carroi.ade8, 
Lde  wa8  known 
nong  our  gun's 
)  was  bestowed 
g  sweetheart,  a 
er  and  sponger ; 
19  terrible  work 
mass  of  metal, 
at  the  summons 
person,  we  were 
repel  an  imagm- 
rere  supposed  to 
a  and  slashing  at 
jnt  to  jerking  our 
ire!  fire'."  in  the 
,wery-boy  tars,  »» 
,  sea-martinet  was 
immocks  at  night; 
of  pen  and  ink  to 
s  themselves,  take 
.  then  hie  to  their 
'some  aloft;  some 
he  frigate  is  ready 
irecisely  where  he 
d.    The  gunner  is 
m,  which  is  jigh;«^ 
.yes  inserted  in  the 
nd  carry  cartridges, 
e  iirst  and  second 
e  powder-monkeys, 
ioiT.     The  entrance 
re  their  food  for  the 
er's  mate,  standing 
lU  arm-hole  .n  this 
ng  in  all  directions; 
lurriedly  wrap  tnem 
the  ladders  to  their 
,nB  with  hot  cakes  for 
incovered ;  showing 
,  resemble  bunches 
pes  in  the  abdomen 
\e  canister-shot— old 

-caddy.  .,, 

ieate  have  made  still 
fings,  there  is  always 
tt  reality  and  a  sham, 
ftheir  guns  at  such  a 

liie  ship  itself^«»^^, 
'  Something  like  that 

.inment,when  folding" 
'ing-rooms,  and  every 


HOW  THET  LIVE  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 


269 


inch  of  available  space  thrown  into  one  continuous  whole.  For  previous 
to  an  action,  every  bulkhead  in  a  man-of-war  is  knocked  down ;  great 
guns  are  run  out  of  the  commodore's  parlor  windows  ;  nothing  separates 
the  ward-room  officers'  quarters  from  those  of  the  men,  but  an  ensign 
used  for  a  curtain.  The  sailors'  mess-chests  are  tumbled  down  into  the 
hold;  and  the  hospital  cots — of  which  all  men-of-war  carry  a  large  supply — 
are  dragged  forth  from  the  sail-room,  and  piled  near  at  hand  to  receive 
the  wounded  ;  amputation-tables  are  ranged  in  the  cock-pit  or  in  the  tiers, 
whereon  to  carve  the  bodies  of  the  maimed.  The  yards  are  slung  in 
chains  ;  fire-screens  distributed  here  and  there  ;  hillocks  of  cannon-balls 
piled  between  the  guns ;  shot-plugs  suspended  within  easy  reach  from 
the  beams  ;  and  solid  masses  of  wads,  big  as  Dutch  cheeses,  braced  to 
the  cheeks  of  the  gun-carriages. 

No  small  difference,  also,  would  be  visible  in  the  wardrobe  of  both 
officers  and  men.  The  officers  generally  fight  as  dandies  dance,  namely, 
in  silk  stockings ;  inasmuch  as,  in  case  of  being  wounded  in  the  leg,  the 
silk-hose  can  be  more  easily  drawn  off*  by  the  surgeon  ;  cotton  sticks,  and 
and  works  into  the  wound.  But  beside  these  differences  between  a  sham- 
fight  at  general  quarters  and  a  real  cannonading,  the  aspect  of  the  ship, 
at  the  beating  of  the  retreat,  would,  in  the  latter  case,  be  very  dissimilar 
to  the  neatness  and  uniformity  in  the  former.  Then  our  stout  masts  and 
yards  might  be  lying  about  decks,  like  tree  boughs  after  a  tornado  in  a 
piece  of  woodland;  our  dangling  ropes,  cut  and  sundered  in  all  directions, 
would  be  bleeding  tar  at  every  yarn  ;  and  strewn  with  jagged  splinters 
from  our  wounded  planks,  the  gun-deck  might  resemble  a  carpenter's 
shop.  Then,  when  all  was  over,  and  all  hands  would  be  piped  to  take 
down  the  hammocks  from  the  exposed  nettings,  (where  they  play  the  part 
of  the  cotton  bales  at  New  Orleans,)  we  might  find  bits  of  broken  shot, 
iron  bolts,  and  bullets  in  our  blankets.  And,  while  smeared  with  blood 
like  butchers,  the  surgeon  and  his  mates  would  be  amputating  arms  and 
legs  on  the  berth-deck,  an  underling  of  the  carpenter's  gang  would  be 
new-legging  and  arming  the  broken  chairs  and  tables  in  the  commodore's 
cabin ;  while  the  rest  of  his  squad  would  be  splicing  and  fishing  the 
shattered  masts  and  yards.  The  scupp^-holes  having  discharged  the  last 
rivulet  of  blood,  the  decks  would  be  washed  down  ;  and  the  galley-cooks 
would  be  going  fore  and  aft,  sprinkling  them  with  hot  vinegar,  to  take  out 
the  shambles'  smell  from  the  planks  ;  which,  unless  some  such  means  are 
employed,  often  create  a  highly  ofiiensive  effluvia  for  weeks  after  a  fight. 

Then,  upon  mustering  the  men,  and  calling  the  quarter-bills  by  the 
light  of  a  battle-lantern,  many  a  wounded  seaman,  with  his  arm  in  a  sling, 
would  answer  for  some  poor  shipmate  who  could  never  more  make  answer 
for  himself: 

"Tom  Brown?" 

"  Killed,  sir." 

"Jack  Jewel?" 

"  Killed,  sir." 

"JoeHaidy?" 

"  Killed,  sir." 

h  nd  opposite  all  these  poor  fellows'  names,  down  would  go  on  the 
quaiter-bills  the  bloody  marks  of  red  ink — fitly  used  on  these  occasions. 

Tie  appearance  of  the  boatswain,  with  his  silver  whistle  to  his  mouth, 
at  thti  main  hatchway  of  the  gun-deck,  is  always  regarded  by  the  cicw 
with  the  utmost  curiosity,  for  this  betokens  that  some  general  order  is 
about  v'o  be  promulgated  through  the  ship.     What  now?  is  the  question 


I' 

•1'  ( 


270 


HOW  THEY  LIVE  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OP  WAR. 


M 


that  riin.s  on  from  rnan  to  man.  A  short  preliminary  whistle  la  then  given 
by  "Old  Yarn/'  as  they  call  him,  which  whistle  serves  to  collect  round 
him,  from  their  various  stations,  his  four  mates.  Then  Yarn,  or  Pipes, 
as  leader  of  the  orchestra,  begins  a  peculiar  call,  in  which  his  assistants 
join.  Tills  over,  the  order,  whatever  it  may  be,  is  loudly  sung  out  and 
prolonged,  till  the  remotest  corner  echoes  again.  The  boatswain  and  his 
mates  are  the  town  criers  of  a  man-of-war. 

A  calm  had  commenced  in  the  adernoon ;  and  the  following  morning 
the  ship's  company  were  electrified  by  a  general  order,  thus  set  forth  and 
declared:  "Z>'j/e  hear  there,  fore  and  aft!  all  hands  skylark!  This 
mandate,  nowadays  never  used  except  upon  very  rare  occasions,  produced 
the  same  effect  upon  the  men  that  exhilarating  gas  would  have  done,  or 
an  extra  allowance  of  "grog."  For  a  time,  the  wonted  discipline  of  the 
ship  was  broken  through,  and  perfect  license  allowed.  It  was  a  Babel 
here,  a  Bedlam  there,  and  a  Pandemonium  everywhere.  The  faint- 
hearted and  timorous  crawled  to  their  hiding-places,  and  the  lusty  and 
bold  shouted  forth  their  glee.  Gangs  of  men,  in  all  sorts  of  outlandish 
habiliments,  wild  as  those  worn  at  some  crazy  carnival,  rushed  to  and  fro, 
seizing  upon  whomsoever  they  pleased — warrant-officers  and  dangerous 
pugilists  excepted — pulling  and  hauling  the  luckless  tars  about,  till  fairly 
baited  into  a  genial  warmth.  Some  were  made  fast  to,  and  hoisted  aloft 
witii  a  will ;  others,  mounted  upon  oars,  were  ridden  fore  and  ail  on  a 
rail,  to  the  boisterous  mirth  of  the  spectators,  any  one  of  whom  might  be 
the  next  victim.  Swings  were  rigged  from  the  tops,  or  the  masts;  and 
the  most  reluctant  wights  being  purposely  selected,  spite  of  all  struggles, 
were  swung  from  east  to  west,  in  vast  arcs  of  circles,  till  almost  breathless. 
Hornpipes,  fandangoes,  Donny brook-jigs,  reels,  and  quadrilles,  were 
danced  under  the  very  nose  of  the  most  mighty  captain,  and  upon  the 
very  quarter-deck  and  poop.  Sparring  and  wrestling,  too,  were  all  the 
vogue ;  Kentucky  bites  were  given,  and  the  Indian  hug  exchanged.  The 
din  frightened  the  sea-fowl,  that  flew  by  with  accelerated  wing. 

It  is  worth  mentioning  that  several  casualties  occurred,  of  which,  hovr^ 
ever,  I  will  relate  but  one.  While  the  "skylarking''  was  at  its  height, 
one  of  the  foretop-men — an  ugly-tempered  devil  of  a  Portuguese,  looking 
on — swore  that  he  would  be  the  death  of  any  man  who  laid  violent  hands 
upon  his  inviolable  person.  This  threat  being  overheard,  a  band  of 
desperadoes  coming  up  from  behind,  tripped  him  up  in  an  instant,  and 
in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  the  Portuguese  was  straddling  an  oar,  borne 
aloft  by  an  uproarious  multitude,  who  rushed  him  along  the  deck  at  a 
railroad  gallop.  The  living  mass  of  arras  all  round  and  beneath  him  waa 
so  dense,  that  every  time  he  inclined  to  one  side  he  was  instantly  pushed 
upright,  but  only  to  fall  over  again,  to  receive  another  push  from  the 
contrary  direction.  Presently,  disengaging  his  hands  from  those  who 
held  them,  the  enraged  seaman  drew  from  his  bosom  an  iron  belaying- 
pin,  and  recklessly  laid  about  him  to  right  and  left.  Most  of  his  perse- 
cutors fled  ;  but  some  eight  or  ten  still  stood  their  ground,  and,  while 
bearing  him  aloft,  endeavored  to  wrest  the  weapon  from  his  hands.  In 
this  attempt,  one  man  was  struck  on  the  head,  and  dropped  insensible. 
He  was  taken  up  for  dead,  and  carried  below  to  the  surgeon,  while  the 
Portuguese  was  put  under  guard.  But  the  wound  did  not  prove  very 
serious  ;  and  in  a  few  days  the  man  was  walking  about  the  deck,  with 
his  head  well  bandaged.  This  occurrence  put  an  end  to  the  "skylarking,*' 
further  head-breaking  being  strictly  prohibited.  In  due  time  the  Portu- 
guese paid  the  penalty  of  his  rashness  at  the  gangway. 


/iiAa!?Hfe 


)F  WAR. 

listle  is  then  given 
la  to  collect  round 
n  Yarn,  or  Pipes, 
hich  his  assistants 
udly  sung  out  and 
!  boatRwain  and  his 

following  morning 
,  thus  set  forth  and 
da  skylark!  This 
iccasions,  produced 
ould  have  done,  or 
id  discipline  of  the 
id.  It  was  a  Babel 
where.  The  faint- 
,  and  the  lusty  and 

sorts  of  outlandish 
il,  rushed  to  and  fro, 
cers  and  dangerous 
tars  about,  till  fairly 
to,  and  hoisted  aloft 
n  fore  and  aft  on  a 
e  of  whom  might  be 
!,  or  the  masts ;  and 
ipite  of  all  struggles, 
till  almost  breathless, 
nd   quadrilles,  were 
iptain,  and  upon  the 
ng,  too,  were  all  the 
ug  exchanged.     The 
rated  wing, 
irred,  of  which,  how-' 
7"  was  at  its  height, 
'  Portuguese,  looking 
iho  laid  violent  hands 
>verheard,  a  band  of 
up  in  an  instant,  and 
addling  an  oar,  borne 

along  the  deck  at  a 

and  beneath  him  wa» 
i  was  instantly  pushed 
nother  push  from  the 
ands  from  those  who 
som  an  iron  belaying- 
t.  Most  of  his  perse- 
jir  ground,  and,  while 
n  from  his  hands.  In 
id  dropped  insensible, 
he  surgeon,  while  the 
nd  did  not  prove  very 

about  the  deck,  with 
nd  to  the  "skylarking,' 
In  due  time  the  Portu- 
[way. 


HOW  THEY  LIVE  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OP  WAR. 


271 


A  hint  has  already  been  conveyed  concerning  the  subtorrancnn  depths 
of  our  ship^s  hold.  But  there  is  no  time  here  to  speak  of  the  ajnrit-room, 
a  cellar  down  in  the  after-hold,  where  the  sailors'  "grog"  is  kept ;  nor  of 
the  cable-tierg,  where  the  great  hawsers  and  chains  are  piled,  as  you  see 
them  at  a  large  ship-chandler's  on  shore  ;  nor  of  the  grocer's  vaults, 
whore  tierces  of  sugar,  molasses,  vinegar,  rice,  and  flour  arc  snugly  stowed; 
nor  of  the  sail-room,  full  as  a  sail-maker's  loft  ashore — piled  up  with 
great  topsails  and  topgallant-sails,  all  ready-folded  in  their  places,  like  so 
many  white  vests  in  a  gentleman's  wardrobe  ;  nor  of  the  copper  and 
copper-fastened  7na^azin«,  closely  packed  with  kegs  of  powder,  great-gun 
and  small-arm  cartridges;  nor  of  the  immoaao  shot-lockers,  or  subterranean 
arsenals,  full  as  a  bushel  of  apples  with  twenty-four  pound  balls  ;  nor  of 
the  bread-room,  a  large  apartment,  tinned  all  round  within  to  keep  out  the 
mice,  where  the  hard  biscuit  destined  for  the  consumption  of  five  hundred 
men  on  a  long  voyage  is  stowed  away  by  the  cubic  yard  ;  nor  of  the  vast 
iron  tanks  for  fresh  water  in  the  hold,  like  the  reservoir  lakes  at  Fairmount, 
in  Philadelphia  ;  nor  of  the  paint-room,  where  the  kegs  of  white  lead,  and 
casks  of  linseed  oil,  and  all  sorts  of  pots  and  brushes,  are  kept ;  nor  of 
the  armorer''s  smithy,  where  the  ship's  forges  and  anvils  may  ho  heard 
ringing  at  times ;  I  say  I  iiave  no  time  to  speak  of  these  things,  and  many 
more  places  of  note. 

But  there  is  one  very  extensive  warehouse  among  the  rest  that  needs 
special  mention — the  ship's  Yeomen's  store-room.  In  our  vessel  it  was 
down  in  the  ship's  basement,  beneath  the  berth-deck,  and  you  went  to  it 
by  way  of  t\ie  fore-passage,  a  very  dim,  devious  corridor,  indeed.  Enter- 
ing— say  at  noonday — you  find  yourself  in  a  gloomy  apartment,  lit  by  a 
solitary  lamp.  On  one  side  are  shelves,  filled  with  balls  of  marline, 
ratlin-stuff,  seizing-stuff,  spun-yarn,  and  numerous  twines  of  assorted 
sizes.  In  another  direction  you  see  large  cases  containing  heaps  of 
articles,  reminding  one  of  a  shoe-maker's  furnishing-store — wooden 
serving-mallets,  fids,  toggles,  and  heavers ;  iron  prickers  and  marling- 
spikes  ;  in  a  third  quarter  you  see  a  sort  of  hardware  shop — shelves 
piled  with  all  manner  of  hooks,  bolts,  nails,  screws  and  thimbles;  and,  in 
still  another  direction,  you  see  a  block-maker's  store,  heaped  up  with 
lignum-vitffi  sheeves  and  wheels.  Through  low  arches  in  the  bulkhead 
beyond,  you  peep  in  upon  distant  vaults  and  catacombs,  obscurely  lighted 
in  the  far  end,  and  showing  immense  coils  of  new  ropes,  and  other  bulky 
articles,  stowed  in  tiers,  all  savoring  of  tar. 

But  by  far  the  most  curious  department  of  these  mysterious  storc-roomt 
is  the  armory,  where  the  pikes,  cutlasses,  pistols,  and  belts,  forming  the 
arms  of  the  boarders  in  time  of  action,  are  hung  against  the  walls,  and 
suspended  in  thick  rows  from  the  beams  overhead.  Here,  too,  are  to  be 
seen  scores  of  Colt's  patent  revolvers,  which,  though  furnished  with  but 
one  tube,  multiply  the  fatal  bullets,  as  the  naval  cat-o'-nine-tails,  with  a 
cannibal  cruelty,  in  one  blow  nine  times  multiplies  a  culprit's  lashes ;  so 
that,  when  a  sailor  is  ordered  one  dozen  lashes,  the  sentence  should  read 
one  hundred  and  eight.  All  these  arms  are  kept  in  the  brightest  order, 
wearing  a  fine  polish,  and  may  truly  be  said  to  rejlect  credit  on  the  yeoman 
and  his  mates.  Among  the  lower  grade  of  officers  in  a  man-of-war,  that 
of  yeoman  is  not  the  least  important.  His  responsibilities  are  denoted 
by  his  pay.  While  the  petty  officers,  quarter-gunners,  captains  of  the  tops, 
and  others,  receive  but  fifteen  and  eighteen  dollars  a  month — but  little 
more  than  a  mere  able  seaman  —  the  Yeoman  in  an  American  line-of- 
battle  ship  receives  forty  dollars,  and  in  a  frigate  thirty-five  dollars  pei 


272 


HOW  THEY  LIVE  IM  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OP  WAR. 


month.  He  is  accountable  for  all  the  articles  under  his  charge,  and  on 
no  account  must  deliver  a  yard  of  twine  or  a  tenpenny  nail  to  the  boata> 
wain  or  carpenter,  unlew  shown  a  written  requisition  and  order  from  the 
senior  lieutenant.  Indeed,  there  were  several  parts  of  tho  ahi^  under 
hatches  shrouded  in  mystery,  and  eompletelv  inaccessible  to  tho  sailor. 
Wondrous  old  doors,  barred  and  bolted,  in  ^ingy  bulkhead'!,  must  have 
opened  into  regions  full  of  interest  to  a  successful  explorer.  Thus, 
though  for  a  period  of  more  than  a  year  I  was  an  inmate  uf  this  floating 
box  of  live-oak,  yet  there  were  numberless  tilings  ih  it  that,  to  the  last, 
remained  wrapped  in  obscurity,  or  concerning  which  I  could  only  lose 
myself  in  vague  speculations. 

If  you  begin  the  day  with  a  laugh,  you  may,  nevertheless,  end  it  with 
a  sob  and  a  sigh.  John,  Peter,  Mark,  and  Antone — four  sailors  of  the 
starboard-watch,  were  charged  with  violating  a  well-known  law  of  the  ship — 
having  been  engaged  in  one  of  those  tangled,  general  fights  sometimes 
occurring  among  sailors.  They  had  nothing  to  anticipate  but  a  flogging, 
at  the  captain's  pleasure.  Toward  evening  of  the  next  day,  they  were 
startled  by  the  dread  summons  of  the  boatswain  and  his  mates  at  the 
principal  hatchway — a  summons  that  ever  sends  a  shudder  through  every 
manly  heart  in  a  frigate : 

"All  handt  witness  punishment,  ahoyP^ 

The  hoarseness  of  the  cry,  its  unrelenting  prolongation,  its  being  caught 
up  at  difleient  points,  and  sent  through  the  lowermost  depths  of  the  ship; 
all  this  produces  a  most  dismal  efiect  upon  every  heart  not  calloused  by 
long  habituation  to  it.  However  much  you  may  desire  to  absent  yourself 
from  the  scene  that  ensues,  yet  behold  it  you  must ;  or,  at  least,  stand 
near  it  you  must ;  for  the  regulations  enjoin  the  attendance  of  tho  entire 
ship's  company,  from  the  corpulent  captain  himself  to  the  smallest  boy 
who  strikes  the  bell. 

At  the  summons  the  crew  crowded  round  the  mainmast ;  multitudes 
eager  to  obtain  a  good  place  on  the  booms,  to  overlook  tho  scene  ;  many 
laughing  and  chatting,  others  canvassing  the  case  of  the  culprits ;  some 
maintaining  sad,  anxious  countenances,  or  carrying  a  suppressed  indig 
nation  in  their  eyes  ;  a  few  purposely  keeping  behind  to  avoid  looking  on ; 
in  short,  among  five  hundred  men,  there  was  every  possible  shade  of 
character.  All  the  officers — midshipmen  included — stood  together  in  a 
group  on  the  starboard  side  of  the  mainmast ;  the  fiist  lieutenant  in 
advance,  and  the  surgeon,  whose  special  duty  it  is  to  be  present  at  su^h 
times,  standing  close  by  his  side.  Presently  the  captain  came  forward 
from  his  cabin,  and  stood  in  the  center  of  this  solemn  group,  with  a  small 
paper  in  his  hand.  That  paper  was  the  daily  report  of  oifenses,  regularly 
laid  upon  his  table  every  morning  or  evening,  like  the  day's  journal  placed 
by  a  bachelor's  napkin  at  breakfast.  ''Master-at-arms,  bring  up  the 
prisoners,"  he  said.  A  few  moments  elapsed,  during  which  the  captain, 
now  clothed  in  his  most  dreadful  attributes,  fixed  his  eyes  severely  upon 
the  crew,  when  suddenly  a  lane  formed  through  the  crowd  of  seamen, 
and  the  prisoners  advanced — ^the  master-at-arms,  rattan  in  hand,  on  one 
side,  and  an  armed  marine  on  the  other — and  took  up  their  stations  at  the 
mast.  "You  John,  you  Peter,  you  Mark,  you  Antone,"  said  the  captain, 
"were  yesterday  found  fighting  on  the  gun-deck.  Have  you  anything 
to  say?" 

Mark  and  Antone,  two  steady,  middle-aged  men,  whom  I  had  often 
admired  for  their  sobriety,  replied  that  they  did  not  strike  the  first  blow ; 
that  they  bad  submitted  to  much  before  they  had  yielded  to  thoir  passions: 


.iHt*^^ 


.mmsmims^^^^^smmmmmm.. 


F  WAR. 

lis  charge,  and  on 
nail  to  the  boaU- 
nd  order  from  the 
jf  tho  ahij)  under 
iible  to  tho  sailor, 
[headi,  must  have 
explorer.    Thus, 
ate  of  this  floating 
it  that,  to  the  last, 
I  could  only  lo«e 

iheless,  end  it  with 
.four  sailors  of  the 
wn  law  of  the  ship — 
il  fights  sometimes 
pate  but  a  flogging, 
lext  day,  they  wore 
id  his  mates  at  the 
adder  through  every 


ion,  its  being  caught 
It  depths  of  the  ship; 
lart  not  calloused  by 
re  to  absent  yourself 
t ;  or,  at  least,  stand 
pndance  of  the  entire 
r  to  the  smallest  boy 

lainmast ;  multitudes 
)ok  tho  scene  ;  many 
,f  the  culprits  ;  some 
z  a  suppressed  indig 
id  to  avoid  looking  on ; 
sry  possible  shade  of 
1— stood  together  in  a 
he  fiist  lieutenant  in 
to  be  present  at  sb^h 
captain  came  forward 
un  group,  with  a  small 
t  of  oifenses,  regularly 
le  day's  journal  placed 
at-arms,  bring  up  the 
ring  which  the  captam, 
his  eyes  severely  upon 
the  crowd  of  seamen, 
rattan  in  hand,  on  one 
up  their  stations  at  the 
tone,"  said  the  captam, 
Have  you  anythmg 

nen,  whom  I  had  often 
lot  strike  the  first  blow ; 
fielded  to  their  passions: 


HOW  TIIET  LIVE  IN  AN  AMRRIOAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 


278 


but  as  thoy  acknowlndged  that  they  had  at  last  defended  themselves, 
their  excuse  wns  overruled.  John — a  brutal  bully,  who,  it  seems,  was 
tho  real  author  of  the  disturbance — was  about  entering  into  a  long  exton- 
nation,  when  he  was  cut  short  by  being  made  to  confess,  irrespective 
of  circumHtancos,  that  he  had  been  in  the  fray.  Peter,  a  handsome  lad 
about  nineteen  years  old,  belonging  to  the  mizzen-top,  looked  pale  and 
tremulous.  He  was  a  great  favorite  in  his  part  of  the  ship,  and  especially 
in  his  own  moss,  principally  composed  of  lads  of  his  own  age.  That 
morning  two  of  his  young  messmates  had  gone  to  his  hag,  taken  out  his 
bust  clothes,  and,  obtaining  the  permission  of  the  marine  sentry  at  the 
"bri^,^'  had  handed  them  to  him,  to  bo  put  on  against  being  summoned 
to  the  mast.  This  was  done  to  propitiate  the  captain,  as  most  captains 
love  to  see  a  tidy  sailor.  But  it  would  not  do.  To  all  his  supplications 
the  cu|)tain  turned  a  deaf  ear.  Peter  declared  that  he  had  been  struck 
twice  before  he  had  returned  a  blow.  "No  matter,"  said  the  captain, 
"you  struck  at  last,  instead  of  reporting  the  case  to  an  officer.  1  allow 
no  man  to  fight  on  board  here  but  myself.  I  do  the  fighting.  Now, 
men,"  he  added,  "  you  all  admit  the  charge  ;  you  know  the  penalty. 
Strip!  Quarter-masters,  are  the  gratings  rigged?"  Tho  gratings  are 
square  frames  of  barred  wood-work,  sometimes  placed  over  tho  hatch- 
ways. One  of  these  squares  was  now  laid  on  the  deck,  close  to  the 
ship's  bulwarks,  and  while  the  remaining  preparations  were  being  made, 
tho  master-at-arms  assisted  the  prisoners  in  removing  their  jackets  and 
shirts.     This  done,  their  shirts  were  loosely  thrown  over  their  shoulders. 

At  a  sign  from  the  captain,  John,  with  a  shameless  leer,  advanced,  and 
stood  passively  upon  the  grating,  while  the  bareheaded  old  quarter-master, 
with  gray  hair  streaming  in  the  wind,  bound  his  feet  to  tho  cross-bars, 
and,  stretching  out  his  arms  over  his  head,  secured  them  to  the  hammock- 
nettings  above.  He  then  retreated  a  little  space,  standing  silent.  Mean- 
while, the  boatswain  stood  solemnly  on  the  other  side,  with  a  green  bag 
in  his  hand,  from  which  taking  four  instruments  of  punishment,  he  gave 
one  to  each  of  his  mates  ;  for  a  fresh  "cat,"  applied  by  a  fresh  hand,  is 
the  ceremonious  privilege  accorded  to  every  man-of-war  culprit.  At 
another  sign  from  the  captain,  the  master-at-arms,  stepping  up,  removed 
the  shirt  from  the  prisoner.  At  this  juncture  a  wave  broke  against  the 
ship's  side,  and  dashed  the  spray  over  his  exposed  back.  But  though 
tho  air  was  piercing  cold,  and  the  water  drenched  him,  John  stood  still, 
without  a  shudder. 

Tho  captain's  finger  was  now  lifted,  and  the  first  boatswain's-mate 
advanced,  combing  out  the  nine  tails  of  his  cat  with  his  hand,  and  then, 
sweeping  them  round  his  neck,  brought  them  with  the  whole  force  of  his 
body  upon  the  mark.  Again,  and  again,  and  again  ;  and  at  every  blow, 
higher  and  higher  rose  the  long,  purple  bars  on  the  prisoner's  back.  But 
he  only  bowed  over  his  head,  and  stood  still.  Meantime,  some  of  the 
crew  whispered  among  themselves  in  applause  of  their  shipmate's  nerve  ; 
but  the  greater  part  were  breathlessly  silent  as  the  keen  scourge  hissed 
through  the  wintery  air,  and  fell  with  a  cutting,  wiry  sound  upon  the  mark. 
One  dozen  lashes  being  applied,  the  man  was  taken  down,  and  went  among 
the  crew  with  a  smile,  saying,  "  ■  me!  it's  nothing  when  you're 
used  to  it!  Who  wants  to  fight?"  The  next  was  Antone,  the  Portuguese. 
At  every  blow  he  surged  from  side  to  side,  pouring  out  a  torrent  of 
involuntary  blasphemies.  Never  before  had  he  been  heard  to  curse. 
When  cut  down,  he  went  among  the  men,  swearing  to  have  the  life  of 
the  captain.  Of  course,  this  was  unheard  by  the  officers.  Mark,  the 
18 


^i^^0M 


.Am^-Jii 


274 


HOW  TUEY  LIVK  IN  AN  AMKHlCAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 


"^ 


n  I 


third  prinnnor,  only  cringfld  and  conghotl  undcir  nis  piiniilimcnt.  Ua  liiid 
■onio  piiltnonary  cumplaint.  ilu  wrb  oH  duty  lor  xovcral  days  nfti-r  iho 
dogfi'ing  ;  but  this  was  partly  to  lie  imputod  to  hitf  nxtr«  ino  mental  niiHory. 
It  wnH  iiJH  limt  HcourKinif,  and  lio  folt  tho  inxult  more  than  ilin  injury. 
He  bocame  ailent  and  Hullen  tor  thu  roat  of  th<!  cruiflc.  Tiio  luurtli  and 
last  was  Peter,  li:')  niizzen-top  lad.  He  hnd  oAnn  boasted  that  he  hud 
never  been  degraded  at  the  gangway.  I'hc  way  before  hin  chcM'k  hnd 
worn  its  UHual  red,  hut  now  no  ghost  vim  whiter.  As  hu  waH  hein/i 
seciirod  lo  tho  gratings,  and  tho  shuddering:'  and  cioopings  of  his  dn/.- 
zlingly  white  back  wore  revealed,  ho  turned  round  his  hnad  imploringly ; 
but  his  weeping  entreaties  and  v;  ws  of  contrition  wore  of  no  avail.  "I 
would  not  forgive  (io<i  Almighty !"  cried  the  captain.  The  fourth  boat- 
6wai:)^SMnBte  advanced,  and  at  tho  first  blow,  tho  boy,  shouting  "My  (t'vd! 
Ohf  Kijf  (iodr^  writhed  and  i>apnd  so  us  to  displace  the  gratings,  and 
scatter  the  nine  tails  of  the  scourge  all  over  his  person.  At  the  next  blow 
he  howled,  leaped,  and  raged  in  unendurable  torture.  "What  are  you 
stopping  for,  boatswain'sinator^  cried  the  captain.  "Lay  onP^  and  the 
whole  dozen  was  applied.  "I  don^t  carr-  what  happens  to  me  now!" 
wept  Peter,  going  among  tiie  crow,  with  Liood-sbnt  i  yes,  as  ho  put  on 
his  shirt.  "I  have  been  flogged  onco,  an'!  they  may  do  it  again,  if  they 
will.  Let  them  look  out  for  me  now.  "Pijie  down!"  cried  the  captain, 
and  tho  crew  nlowly  '''tpersed. 

Oi  kII  the  non-coniiiiitunts  of  a  man-of-war,  the  purser,  perhaps,  stands 
foreivoHt  in  importance  Though  ho  is  but  a  member  of  the  gun-room 
moss,  yet  usage  seems  to  -ssign  him  a  conventional  station  somewhat 
above  that  of  his  equals  in  navy  rank — the  chaplain,  surgeon,  and  profes- 
sor. Morcovrr,  he  is  frequently  to  be  seen  in  close  conversation  with 
the  rommodore,  who,  in  our  ship,  was  more  than  once  known  to  be  slijijitly 
jocular  with  our  purser.  Upon  several  occasions,  also,  ho  was  called 
into  the  commodore^s  cabin,  and  remained  closeted  there  for  several 
minutes  together.  Nor  did  I  remember  that  there  ever  happened  a 
cabinet  meeting  of  the  ward-room  barons,  the  lieutenants,  in  the  com- 
modore's cabin,  but  tho  purser  made  ono  of  the  party. 

Now,  under  this  high  functionary  of  state,  the  official  known  as  the 
purser's  steward  was  head  clerk  of  the  frigate's  fiscal  affairs.  Upon  the 
berth-deck  he  had  a  regular  counting-room,  full  of  ledgers,  journals,  and 
day-books.  His  desk  was  as  much  littered  with  papers  as  any  Pearl 
Street  merchant's,  and  much  time  was  devoted  to  his  accounts.  For 
hours  together  you  would  see  him,  through  the  window  of  his  subterranean 
ofliice,  writing  by  the  light  of  his  perpetual  lamp.  In  the  vicinity  of  the 
office  of  the  purser's  steward  are  the  principal  store-rooms  of  the  purser, 
where  large  quantities  of  goods  of  every  description  are  to  be  found. 
On  board  of  those  ships  where  goods  are  permitted  to  be  served  out  to 
the  crew  for  the  purpose  of  selling  them  ashore,  to  raise  money,  more 
business  is  transacted  at  the  office  of  a  purser's  steward  in  one  Liberty- 
day  morning  than  all  the  dry  goods  shops  in  a  considerable  village  would 
transact  in  a  week.  Once  a  month,  with  undeviating  regularity,  this 
official  has  his  hands  more  than  usually  full.  For  once  a  month,  certain 
printed  bills,  called  mess-bills,  are  circulated  among  the  crew,  and  what- 
ever you  may  want  from  the  purser — be  it  tobacco,  soap,  duck,  dungeree, 
needles,  thread,  knives,  belts,  calico,  ribbon,  pipes,  paper,  pens,  hats,  ink, 
shoes,  socks,  or  whatever  it  may  be— down  it  goes  on  the  mess-bill,  which, 
being  the  next  day  returned  to  the  office  of  the  steward,  the  "slops,"  as 
they  are  called,  are  uerved  oat  to  the  men  and  charged  to  their  accounts. 


lN  of  war. 

|iuniBlun(>nt.  Iloliad 
Movoriil  jlays  ntu^r  iho 
(trcino  nu'iital  nilHury. 
[noTo  than  llic  injury. 
jiHC.  Till)  Ibiirth  ;uid 
I  boaatcd  that  lie  lind 
before  hiH  chock  had 
ir.  As  he  waH  hoinji 
iiioopings  of  his  da/.- 
his  head  implorinjjly ; 
were  of  no  avail.  "I 
,in.  Tlic  four'iii  l)oat- 
ly, shouting  ^^MyGod! 
lace  the  f^ratin^s,  and 
ion.  At  the  next  blow 
turo.  "What  are  yow 
"F.ay  on!"  and  the 
lappena  to  me  now!" 
int  t  yes,  as  he  pnt  on 
lay  do  it  again,  if  lliey 
n!"  cried  the  captain, 

Hirser,  perhaps,  stands 
mber  of  the  gun-room 
jnal  station  somewhat 
D,  surgeon,  and  profes- 
;lo8e  conversation  with 
ice  known  to  be  slijjhtly 
19,  also,  ho  was  called 
leted  there  for  severid 
here  ever  happened  a 
ieutenants,  in  tlie  coin- 
irty. 

5   official  known  as  the 
iscal  affairs.     Upon  the 
f  ledgers,  journals,  and 
;h  papers  as  any  Pearl 
to  his  accounts.     For 
idow  of  his  8ubt'3rraneun 
In  the  vicinity  of  the 
jre-rooms  of  the  purser, 
iption  are  to  be  found, 
tted  to  be  served  out  to 
B,to  raise  money,  more 
iteward  in  one  Liherty- 
nsiderable  village  would 
eviating  regularity,  this 
or  once  a  month,  certain 
long  the  crew,  and  what- 
0,  soap,  duck,  dungeree, 
8,  paper,  pens,  hats,  ink, 
3  on  the  mess-bill,  which, 
steward,  the  "slops,"  as 
barged  to  their  accounts. 


"N^jp — 


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HOW  THEY  LIVE  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OF  WAR.  275 

Lucky  is  it  for  man-of-war's-mcn  that  tlie  outrapcous  impositions  to  which, 
bill  a  very  f<;w  years  ago,  llioy  were  suhjcctcd  from  tiif  abuses  in  tliia 
department  of  the  service,  and  the  unscriipuloiis  cui)idity  of  many  of  the 
pursers — liicliy  ia  it  for  them  that  now  these  things  arc  in  a  great  (hMrrce 
done  away.  The  pursers,  instead  of  being  at  liberty  to  make  ahnosi  what 
they  please  from  the  sale  of  their  wares,  are  now  paid  by  regular  stipends 
laid  down  by  law.  Under  the  exploded  system,  the  profits  of  some  of 
these  otficors  were  almost  incredible.  In  one  cruise  uptiie  Mediterranean, 
the  purser  of  an  American  line-of-battle  ahip  was,  on  good  authority,  said 
to  have  cleared  the  sum  of  850,000.  Upon  that  he  quitted  the  service, 
and  retired  into  the  country.  Shortly  after,  his  three  daughters— not 
very  lovely— married  extremely  well.  No  wonder  tliat  on  board  of  the 
old  frigate  Java,  upon  lier  return  from  a  cruise  extending  over  a  period 
of  more  than  four  years,  one  thousand  dollars  paidoff  eighty  of  her  crew, 
though  the  aggregate  wages  of  the  eighty  for  the  voyage  must  have 
amounted  to  about  sixty  thousand  dollars.  Even  under  the  present  system, 
the  purser  of  a  line-of-battle  ship,  for  instance,  is  far  better  paid  than  any 
other  officer,  short  of  captain  or  commodore.  While  the  lieutenant  com- 
monly receives  but  eighteen  hundred  dollars,  the  surgeon  of  the  fleet 
but  fifteen  hundred,  the  chaplain  twelve  hundred,  the  purser  of  a  line-of- 
battle  receives  thirty-five  hundred  dollars.  In  considering  his  salary, 
however,  his  responsibilities  are  not  to  be  overlooked  ;  they  are  by  no 
moans  insignificant. 

To  make  plain  the  thing  about  to  be  related,  it  needs  to  repeat  what 
lias  somewhere  been  previously  mentioned,  that  in  tacking  ship  every 
seaman  in  a  man-of-war  has  a  particular  station  assigned  him.  What 
that  station  is,  should  be  made  known  to  him  by  the  first  lieutenant ;  and 
wiien  the  word  is  passed  to  tack  or  wear,  it  is  every  seaman's  duty  to  be 
found  at  his  post.  But  among  the  various  numbers  and  stations  driven  to 
mo  by  the  senior  lieutenant,  when  I  first  came  on  board  the  frigate,  he 
had  altogether  omitted  informingmeof  my  particular  place  at  those  times, 
and,  up  to  the  precise  period  now  written  of,  I  had  hardly  known  that  I 
should  have  had  any  special  place  then  at  all.  For  the  rest  of  the  men, 
they  seemed  to  mo  to  catch  hold  of  the  first  rope  that  offered,  as  in  a 
merchantman  upon  similar  occasions.  Indeed,  I  subsequently  discovered, 
that  such  was  the  state  of  discipline— in  this  one  particular,  at  least— 
that  very  few  of  the  seamen  could  tell  where  their  proper  stations  were, 
at  tacking  or  wearing. 

"All  hands  tack  ship,  ahoy!"  such  was  the  announcement  made  by  the 
boatswain's  mates  at  the  hatchways.  It  was  just  eight  bells— noon,  and 
springing  from  my  white  jacket,  which  I  had  spread  between  the  guns  for 
a  bed  on  the  main-deck,  I  ran  up  the  ladders,  and,  as  usual,  seized  hold 
of  the  mam-brace,  which  fifty  hands  were  streaming  along  forward. 
VVhen  main-topaail  haul!  was  given  through  the  trumpet,  I  pulled  at  this 
brace  with  such  heartiness  and  good-will,  that  I  almost  flattered  myself 
that  my  instrumentality  in  getting  the  frigate  round  on  the  other  tack, 
deserved  a  public  vote  of  thanks,  and  a  silv(!r  tankard  from  Congress. 
But  something  happened  to  be  in  the  way  aloft  when  the  vards  swung  round; 

a  little  confusion  ensued  ;  anc?.  with  anger  on  his  brow,  Captain  C '■ 

came  forward  to  see  what  occasioned  it.  No  one  to  let  go  the  weather- 
lift  of  the  mainyard  The  rope  was  cast  off,  however,  by  a  hand,  and 
the  yards,  unobstructed,  came  round.  Whenthe  last  rope  was  coiledaway, 
the  captain  desired  to  know  of  the  first  lieutenant  who  it  might  be  that 
was  stationed  at  the  weather  (then  the  starboard)  main-lift.     With  a  vexed. 


,,,         HOW  THEY  »VF.  .1.  AK  AMKRICAS  MAS  OF  WAB. 

rJdid  not  know  of  these  P'-"^„«„«^'"S^t',iVihc  hatchways,  and  along  all 
Ctswain's  mate  bawlmg  my  "«°;j'^7;',7e'   heard  it  so  sent  through 

'»f  "'«•  ,  ,hP  mast"  he  replied.    "Going  to  flog  ye,  1 

»  Captain  wants  ye  at  the  mast,     no      v 

trUCSS." 

''What  for?"  .wnlkinffvour  face,  hain't  ye?" 

»  Mv  eves!  you've  been  chalKing  your 

« What^m  I  wanted  for?"  I  repeated.  ^^^^       ^j,      ,her 

But  at  that  instant  my  "'^"^^,^^f;/fe"  way,  hinting  that  I  would  soon 
boatswain's  mate,  and  ^'"V'i  nd  of  me  Lwallowed  down  my  heart  m 
find  out  what  the  captam  desired  ot  me.  balanced  myself  on  my 

mc  as  1  touched  the  spardeck,  for  a  single  •ns^^"  ■      ^^  ,,c  alleged 

;r  ce'er,  and  then   who  ly;.moran^^^;h^--^^^^  , 

,  against  mc,  advanced  to  the  '^=^J  ^^..^.^er  rigging  the  gratmgs  the 
through  the  gangway,  I  ^^^^^^^'^  ^^^^  '  ,  ;  the  master-at-arms  ready  to 
boatswain  with  ^'>^g^-";'^8Al^^^dc  a  desperate    sv^Uowo^y 

help  off  some  one's  sliirt.     Again  i  .       ^^f„re  Caplain  C- 

Se  soul  in  mo,  ami    """^^'^j  J    "nUumor.     Among  the  group 
His  flushed  face  obviously  ^>'«^^.^'\ '  "* '"  "^t   who.  as  I  came  aft,  eyed 

"Why  were  you  not  at  your  s|%»'"'  . ,  , 

"What  station  do  you  '"^^"f/.'^^J.o.var's-men  to  stand  obsequious  y 
It  is  generally  the  custom  with  "an  oi  wai  captain.     But 

toucl^  nftheir  Lt  at  every  sontence    ley  add  ess  to^  ^^^^  ^^  ^o 

Tthis  was  not  obligatory  upon  ^e  byjf «  C,  j  ^ad  never  had  the  dan- 
To  upon  the  present  occasion  and  pevousg,  ^ 

gerous  honor  of  a  personal  intennew  .  V^  ,„d  ,„st,n. . 

Lticed  my  omission  fJ^^J^^^^  ,,t  ,,is  heart  against  me. 

bUU  ^d  .e.d  .ny  "riTT.T.r^.t*  me  I  over  heard  of  m,  hemg 

"Captain  C ■>     saiu  i, 

assigned  to  that  post." ^^^^     ^^  the  first  lieutenant,  w.th 

"How  is  this,  Mr.  B; '    ne  s*    , 

a  fault-finding  expression.  striving  to  hide  his  vexation, 

^£.:Z:^^^^^^^  captain  C  _,"  said  1. 

::Ku=ar^^^^^ 

I  had  now  beea  on  t>»";„t,i3lS,  and  in  a  few  weeks,  at  most 
r3bi  iri^^AirrraL  mak^g  a  hermit  of  tnyself  m 


f  OF  WAR. 

name  was  found  put 
the  gun-deck  below, 
.en^  after,  I  iieard  the 
hways,  and  along  all 
rd  it  so  sent  through 
vr  what  this  generally 
throat,  and  I  hurriedly 
way,  what  was  wanted 

"  Going  to  flog  ye,  1 

in't  ye?" 

red  forth  by  the  other 
iting  that  I  would  soon 
)wed  down  my  heart  in 
balanced  myself  on  my 
,as  going  to  be  alleged 
,0  frigate.  As  I  passed 
gging  the  gratings  ;  the 
master-at-arms  ready  to 
ispcrate   swallow  of  my 

before  Caplain  C 

mor.  Among  the  group 
vho.  as  I  came  aft,  eyed 
,n  to  be  extremely  vexed 
Meeting  upon  the  manner 

ed  the  captain. 

ncn  to  stand  obsequiously 
ess  to  the  captain.  But 
cles  of  War,  I  did  not  do 
[had  never  had  the  dan- 

ttainC Hequ.c'^ly 

sndered  him,  and  msUmt 
rt  against  me. 

ill  not  help  you,  sir." 
now  produced  the  station 
of  the  starboard  main-lill. 

le  I  ever  heard  of  my  being 

the  first  lieutenant,  with 
riving  to  hide  his  vexation, 

t,CaptainC— ,"saidl. 
d.    "I  ahall  flog  you." 
rd  of  a  year,  and  remained 
and  in  a  few  weeks,  at  mo8t, 

iking  a  hermit  of  myself  in 


to 


HOW  THEY  LIVE  LV  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OF  WAR.  277 

some  things,  in  order  to  avoid  the  possibility  of  tlio  scourge,  iierc  it  was 
hanging  ovor  nic  for  a  thing  utterly  unforeseen,  for  a  crime  of  which  I 
was  as  utterly  innocent.  But  all  that  was  as  naught.  I  saw  that  my  case 
was  iiopeless ;  my  solemn  disclaimer  was  thrown  in  my  teeth,  and  the 
boatswain's  mate  stood  curling  his  fingers  tiirough  the  cat.  There  arc 
times  when  wild  thoughts  enter  a  man's  heart,  when  ho  seems  almost 
irresponsible  for  his  act  and  his  deed.  The  captain  stood  on  tht;  weather- 
side  of  the  deck.  Sideways,  on  an  unobstructed  line  with  him,  was  the 
opening  of  the  lee-gangway,  where  the  side-ladders  are  suspended  in  port. 
Nothing  but  a  slight  bit  of  siiinatc-stuft"  served  to  rail  in  tiiis  opening, 
which  was  cut  right  down  to  the  level  of  the  captain's  feet,  showing  the 
far  sea  beyond.  I  stood  a  little  to  windward  of  him,  and,  though  he  was 
a  largo,  powerful  man,  it  was  certain  that  a  sudden  rush  against  him, 
along  the  slanting  deck,  would  infallibly  phch  him  headforemost  into  the 
ocean,  though  he  who  so  rusliod  must  needs  go  over  with  him.  My 
blood  seemed  clotting  in  my  veins  ;  I  felt  icy  cold  at  the  tips  of  my  fingers, 
and  a  dimness  was  before  my  eyes.  But  through  that  dimness  the  boat- 
swain's mate,  scourge  in  hand,  loomed  like  a  giant,  and  Captain  C , 

and  the  blue  sea  seen  througli  the  opening  at  the  gangway,  showed  with 
an  awful  vividness.  I  cannot  analyze  my  heart,  though  it  then  stood 
still  within  mo.     But  the  thing  that  swayed  me  to  my  purpose  was  not 

altogether  the  thought  that  Captain  C was  about  to  degrade  me,  and 

that  I  had  taken  an  oath  with  my  soul  that  he  should  not.  No,  I  felt 
my  man's  manhood  so  bottomless  within  me,  that  no  word,  no  blow,  no 

scourge  of  Captain  C could  cut  me  deep  enough  for  that.     I  but 

swung  to  an  instinct  in  me — the  instinct  ditiused  through  all  animated 
nature,  the  same  that   prompts  even  a  worm  to  turn  under  the   heel. 

Locking  souls  with  him,  I  meant  to  drag  Captain  C from  this  earthly 

tribunal  of  his  to  that  of  Jehovah,  and  let  Him  decide  between  us.  No 
other  way  could  I  escape  the  scourge. 

"To  the  gratings, sir!"  said  Captain  C ;  "do  you  hear?" 

My  eye  was  measuring  the  distance  between  him  and  the  sea. 

"Captain  C ,"  said  a  voice  advancing  from  the  crowd.     I  turned 

to  see  who  this  might  be,  that  audaciously  interposed  at  a  juncture  like 
this.  It  was  our  remarkably  handsome  and  gentlemanly  corporal  of 
marines,  Colbrook.  "I  know  that  man,"  said  Colbiook,  touching  his 
cap,  and  speaking  in  a  mild,  firm,  but  extremely  deferential  manner; 
"and  I  know  that  he  would  not  be  found  aiisent  from  liis  station,  if  he 
knew  where  it  was." 

This  speech  was  almost  unprecedented.  Seldom  or  never  before  had 
a  marine  dared  to  speak  to  the  captain  of  a  frigate  in  behalf  of  a  seaman 
at  the  mast.  But  there  was  something  so  unostentatiously  commanding 
in  the  calm  manner  of  the  man,  that  the  captain,  though  astounded,  did 
not  in  any  way  reprimand  him.  The  very  unusualness  of  his  interference 
seemed  Colbrook's  protection.  Taking  heart,  perhaps,  from  Colbrook's 
example.  Jack  Chase  interposed,  and  in  a  manly  but  carefully  respectful 
manner,  in  substance  repeated  the  corporal's  remark,  adding  that  he  had 
never  found  me  wanting  in  the  top.  The  captain  looked  from  Chase  to 
Colbrook,  and  from  Colbrook  to  Chase — one  the  foremost  man  among 
the  seamen,  the  other  the  foremost  man  among  tlie  soldiers — then  all 
round  upon  the  packed  and  silent  crew,  and,  as  if  a  slave  to  Fate,  though 
supreme  captain  of  a  frigate,  he  turned  to  the  first  lieutenant,  made  some 
indifferent  remark,  and  saying  to  me  you  may  go,  sauntered  aft  into  his 
cabin ;  while  I,  who  in  the  desperation  of  my  soul,  had  but  just  escaped 


278  UOW  THEY  UVE  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 

being  a  murderer  and  a  suicide,  almost  burst  into  tears  of  thanksgiving 

'''l!"-'  L'Tot^'down  in  our  memories  a  few  little  things  pertaini..';  to  our 
man-or-war  world.     There  is  no  part  of  a  frig.lo  whor.;  you  will  s.h,  more 
aoi    "and  coming  of  strangers,  and  overhear  more  greetings  and  goss.pings 
":rS;ita3,  than  in^he'  immediate  vicinity  of  the  «c.tt le-  u,t  .^us 
forward  of  the  main-hatchway,  on  the  gun-deck      I  he  «^. '"'«»'»"    «^ 
-.oodly,   round,  painted   cask,  standmg  on    end,  and  with   its    upper 
head  removed    showing  a  narrow,  circular  she  fwUhm,  where   res    a 
umbJr  of  tin  cups  for  the  accommodation  of  drmkers.     Central,  w.lh.n 
he  scuttle-butt  i\self,  stands  an  iron  pump,  which,  connecting  with    ho 
nmenso  water-tanks' in  the  hold,  furnishes  ar.  »"/-'■»«  ^"PJ^Edn 
much-admired  Palo  Ale,  first  brewed  in  the  brooks  of  the  Garden  ot  Lden, 
Td  staii^^ed  with  the  brand  of  our  old  lather  Adam   w^m  never  knew 
what  wine  was.     We  arc  indebted  to  the  old  vintner  Noah  for  that,     i  he 
Tcuttl  J-butt  is  the  only  fountain  in  the  ship ;  and  here  alone  can  you  dnnk 
un"ess  at  vour  meals      Night  and  day  an  armed  sentry  paces  beloro  it, 
bayonet  in  hLS;  to  see  that  no  water  is  taken  away,  except  according 

'"  M'^ve  hundred  men  come  to  drink  at  this  scuttle-butt ;  as  it  is  often 
■surrounded  by  officer's  servants  drawing  water  for  their  masters  to  wash 
r;Se  coots  'of  the  range,  who  hither  come  to  fill  their  "^^-J^^f  =  - 
bv  the  cooks  of  the  ship's  messes  to  procure  water  for  their  dtijfs  ,  the 
scuttle-buit  may  be  denominated  the  town-pump  of  tl'CjJ'P- 

\s  in  all  extensive  establishments,  so  m  a  mau-of-war,  there  arc  a 
va;i^ty  of  similar  snuggeries  for  the  benefit  «f  ;>-;;P%-;  -■"■"«  ':;,^  J 
tars  Chief  among  these  is  the  otlice  oi  mast-man  There  is  .-  stout 
ia  on  dock,  at  the  base  of  each  mast,  where  a  number  of  braces  lilts 
and  bunthnos  are  belayed  to  the  pins.  It  is  the  sole  duty  of  the  mastn.an 
,0  see  Ua  these  ropes  are  always  kept  clear,  to  preserve  his  premises  n 
a  state  of  the  greatest  attainable  neatness,  and  every  Sunday  mon.ing  to 
3i io^e  his  loiL  in  neat  Flemish  coiU.     Tj.e  mainmast-^^^^^^  ship 

was  a  very  aged  seaman,  who  well  deserved  his  comfortable  berth.  He 
ad  seen  more  than  half  a  century  of  the  most  active  service,  and  through 
il,  1  ad  pnwed  himself  a  good  and  faithful  man.  He  f-^^'^^ed  one  o^ 
tl^e  very  rare  examples  of  a  sailor  in  a  green  old  age;  for,  ivith  most 
sailors,  old  Ige  comes  in  youth,  and  hardship  and  vice  carry  them  on  an 

'"TC;e"wL';n  "rnegro,  who  went  by  the  name  of  Tawney,  a  sheet- 
anchor-man,  whom  we  often  invited  into  our  top  ot  tranquil  nights,  to 
hear  him  discourse.     He  was  a  staid  and  sober  seaman,  very  in  e  ligent, 
with  a  fi"ie  Ta  k  bearing,  one  of  the  best  men  in  the  ship,  and  held  in 
S    eslinmt  on  by  every  one.     It  seems  that,  during  the  last  war  between 
Englana"TAm'erica,'he  had.  with  several  «\»>-f. '^-\"n,^i;^^,i 
™  fl.P  hiah  seas  o'lt  of  a  New  England  merchantman.      1  he  ship  tliat 
EestJd  him  wa:'an  English  frigate,  the  Macedonian,  afterward  taken 
bv  tiio  United  States,  the  sliip  in  which  we  were  sailing, 
'^t  wai  the  holy  Sabbath,  according  to  Tawney,  and  a«  the  Bnton  bore 
down  oi.  the  American-her  men  at  their  quarters-1  aw  ey  and  his 
countrvn.en,  who  happened  to  be  stationed  at  the  quarter-deck  batory, 
nSTly  accosted  the  captain-an  old  man  by  the  name  of  t^ardan- 
'^^*  r,;  ised  them,  in  his  rapid  promenade,  h  s  spyglass  under  hi    a^.^ 
A<Tain  thov  assured  him  that  they  were  not  Englishmen,  and  that  it  waa 
a  fiulst  bUtlr  thing  to  lift  their.hands  against  the  flag  of  that  country  which 


OF  WAR. 

ara  of  thanksgiving 

{8  pertaining  to  our 
ri'  yon  will  sin;  more 
tings  an«l  gossipings 
ho  scuttle-butt,  jnst 
'ho  scuttle-butt  is  a 
nd  with   its    upper 
ithin,  whore   rest  a 
■rs.     Central,  within 
connecting  with  the 
ailing  supply  of  tiie 
the  (.lardcnof  Eden, 
ni,  who  never  knew 
Noah  for  that.     The 
alone  can  you  drink, 
ntry  paces  before  it, 
ly,  except  according 

R-butt ;  as  it  is  often 
leir  masters  to  wash  ; 
lieir  colVee-pots  ;  and 
for  their  duffs  ;  the 
■  the  ship. 

i-of-war,  there  arc  a 
epit  or  rheumatic  old 
».  There  is  n  stout 
tnber  of  braces,  lifts, 
i  duty  of  the  mastnian 
;serve  his  premises  in 
ry  Sunday  morning  to 
jmast-man  of  our  ship 
nifortable  bertii.  He 
;  service,  and,  ti>rough 
lie  furnished  one  of 
1  age ;  for,  with  moat 
ace  carry  them  on  an 

3  of  Tawney,  a  sheet- 
of  tranquil  nights,  to 
aman,  very  intelligent, 
1  the  ship,  and  held  in 
g  the  last  war  between 
■rs,  been  "impressed" 
utman.  The  ship  that 
onian,  afterward  taken 
ailing. 

md,  as  the  Briton  bore 
tors — Tawney  and  hia 
quarter-deck  battery, 
the  name  of  Cardan — 
pyglass  under  his  arm. 
ishmen,  and  that  it  waa 
g  of  that  country  which 


HOW  THEY  LIVE  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 


279 


harbored  the  molliers  that  bore  them.  They  conjured  him  to  release 
t'lKMU  from  their  guns,  and  allow  them  to  remain  neutral  during  the  con- 
flict. IJut  when  a  ship  of  any  nation  is  running  into  action,  it  is  no  time 
for  argument,  small  time  for  justice,  and  not  much  time  for  humanity. 
Snatciiing  a  pistol  from  the  belt  of  a  hoarder  standing  by,  the  captain 
lovt^led  it  at  the  heads  of  the  three  sailors,  and  commanded  them  instantly 
to  their  quarters,  under  penalty  of  being  shot  on  the  spot.  So,  side  by 
side  with  his  country's  foes,  Tawney  and  his  companions  toiled  at  the 
guns,  and  fought  out  the  tight  to  the  last ;  with  the  exception  of  one  of 
them,  who  was  killed  at  his  post  by  one  of  his  own  country's  balls. 

At  length,  having  lost  her  fore  and  main-topmasts,  and  her  mizzcn-mast 
having  been  shot  away  to  the  deck,  and  her  foreyard  lying  in  two  pieces 
on  her  shattered  forecastle,  and  in  a  hundred  places  having  been  hulled 
with  round  siiot,  the  English  frigate  was  reduced  to  the  last  extremity. 
Captain  Cardan  ordered  hia  signal  quarter-master  to  strike  the  flag. 
Tawney  was  one  of  those  who,  at  last,  helped  pull  him  on  board  the 
United  States.  As  he  touched  the  deck.  Cardan  saluted  Decatur,  the 
hostile  comninnder,  and  offered  his  sword;  hut  it  was  courteously  declined. 
Perhaps  the  victor  remembered  the  dinner  parties  that  he  and  the  English- 
man had  enjoyed  together  in  Norfolk,  just  previous  to  the  breaking  out 
of  hostilities — and  while  both  were  in  command  of  the  very  frigates  now 
crippled  on  the  sea.  The  Macedonian,  it  seems,  had  gone  into  Norfolk 
with  dispatciies.  Then  they  had  laughed  and  joked  over  their  wine,  and 
a,  wager  of  a  l)eaver  hat  was  said  to  have  been  made  between  them  upon 
the  event  of  the  hostile  meeting  of  their  ships. 

Gazing  upon  the  heavy  batteries  before  him.  Cardan  said  to  Decatur, 
"This  is  a  sevtmty-four,  not  a  frigate  ;  no  wonder  the  day  is  yours!"  This 
remark  was  founded  upon  the  United  States'  superiority  in  guns.  The 
United  States'  main-deck  batteries  then  consisted,  as  now,  of  twenty-four 
pounders  ;  tlie  Macedonian's  of  only  eighteens.  In  all,  the  American 
vessel  numbered  fifty-four  guns  and  four  hundred  and  fifty  men ;  the 
British,  forty-nine  guns  and  three  hundred  men;  a  very  great  disparity, 
which,  united  to  the  other  circumstances  of  this  action,  deprives  the 
victory  of  all  claims  to  glory  beyond  those  that  might  be  set  up  by  a  river- 
horse  getting  the  better  of  a  seal. 

According  to  Tawney,  when  the  captain  of  the  Macedonian — seeing 
that  the  United  States  had  his  vessel  completely  in  her  power — gave  the 
word  to  strike  the  flag,  one  of  his  officers,  a  man  hated  by  the  seamen  for 
his  tyranny,  howled  out  the  most  terrific  remonstrances,  swearing  that, 
for  his  part,  he  would  not  give  up,  but  was  for  sinking  the  Macedonian 
along  side  the  enemy.  Had  he  been  captain,  doubtless  he  would  have 
done  80  ;  thereby  gaining  the  name  of  a  hero  in  this  world ; — but  what 
would  they  have  called  him  in  the  next?  But  as  the  whole  matter  of  war 
is  a  thing  that  smites  common  sense  and  Christianity  in  the  face  ;  so 
everything  connected  with  it  is  utterly  foolish,  unchristian,  barbarous, 
brutal,  and  savoring  of  the  Feejee  Islands,  cannibalism,  saltpeter,  and 
the  devil.  It  is  generally  the  case  in  a  man-of-war  when  she  strikes  her 
flag  that  all  discipline  is  at  an  end,  and  the  men  for  a  time  are  ungovern- 
able. This  was  so  on  board  of  the  English  frigate.  The  spirit-room  was 
broken  open,  and  buckets  of  grog  were  passed  along  the  decks,  where 
many  of  the  wounded  were  lying  between  the  guns.  These  mariners 
seized  the  buckets,  and,  spite  of  all  remonstrances,  gulped  down  the 
burning  spirits,  ill,  as  Tawney  aaid,  the  blood  suddenly  spirted  out  of 
their  wounda,  and  they  fell  dead  to  the  deck. 


280 


HOW  THEY  LIVE  IN  AN  AMERICAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 


The  negro  had  mnny  more  stories  to  tell  of  this  fiji^ht ;  niul  frequently 
ho  wonid  escort  me  along  our  main-deck  hatteries— still  mounting  the 
same  guns  used  in  the  hattlc— pointing  out  their  inflaceahle  indcntiitions 
and  scars.     Coated  over  witli  the  accumulated  paint  ot  more  than  thirty 
years,  they  were   almost   invisihle  to  a  casual  eye;  but  '1  awncy  know 
them  all  by  heart ;  for  he  had  returned  home  in  the  United  States,  and 
had  beiicld  these  scars  shortly  after  the  engagement.     One  ai\ernoon,  1 
was  walking  with  him  along  the  gun-deck,  when  he  paused  abreast  ot  the 
mainmast.     "This  part  of  the  ship,"  said  he,  "we  called  the  slaughter- 
house on  board  the  Macedonian.     Here  the  men  fell,  five  and  six  at  a 
lime.     An  enemy  always  directs  its  shot  here,  in  order  to  hurl  over  the 
mast,  if  possible.     The  beams  and  carlines  overhead  in  the  Macedonian 
slaughter-house  yNGTn  spattered  with  blood  and  brains.     About  the  hatch- 
ways it  looked  like  a  butcher's  stall ;  bits  of  human  flesh  sticking  m  tho 
ring-bolts.     A  pig  that  ran  about  the  decks  escaped  unharmed,  but  hia 
hide  was  so  clotted  with  blood,  from  rooting  among  the  pools  of  gore,  that 
when  the  ship  struck  the  sailors  hove  the  animal  overboard,  swearing  that 
it  would  be  rank  cannibalism  to  eat  him."     Another  quadruped,  a  goat, 
lost  its  fore  legs  in  this  fight.     The  sailors  who  were  killed— accordmg 
to  the  usual  custom— were  ordered  to  be  thrown  overboard  as  soon  as 
they  fell ;  no  doubt,  as  the  negro  said,  that  the  sight  of  so  many  corpses 
lying  around  might  not  appall  the  survivors  at  the  guns.     Among  other 
instances,  he  related  the  following.     A  shot  entering  one  of  the  port-holes, 
dashed  dead  two  thirds  of  a  gun's  crew.     The  captain  of  tlie  next  gun, 
dropping  his  lock-string,  which  he  had  just  pulled,  turned  over  the  lieap 
of  bodies  to  see  who  they  were  ;  when,  perceiving  an  old   messrnate, 
who  had  sailed  with  him  in  many  cruises,  he  burst  into  tears,  and,  taking 
the  corpse  up  in  his  arms,  and  going  with  it  to  the  side,  held  it  over  the 
water  a  moment,  and  eying  it,  cried,  "Oh  God!  Tom!"-"D-—  your 
prayers  over  that  thing !  overboard  with  it,  and  down  to  your  gun !     roared 
a  wounded  lieutenant.     The  order  was  obeyed,  and  the  heart-stricken 
sailor  returned  to  his  post. 

Among  the  numerous  artists  and  professors  of  polite  trades  in  the  navy, 
none  are  held  in  higher  estimation  or  drive  a  more  profitable  business 
than  the  barbers.     And  it  may  well  be  imagined  that  the  five  hundred 
heads  of  hair  and  five  hundred  beards  of  a  frigate  should  furnish  no  small 
employment  for  those  to  whose  faithful  care  they  may  be  intrusted.     1  ho 
regular  days  upon  which  the  barbers  shall  exercise  their  vocation  are  set 
down  on  the  ship's  calender,  and  known  as  shaving  days.     On  board  of 
our  ship  these  days  are  Wednesdays  and  Saturdays ;  when,  immediately 
after  breakfast,  the  barbers'  shops  were  opened  to  customers.     They  were 
in  diflterent  parts  of  the  gun-deck,  between  the  long  twenty-four  pounders. 
Their  furniture,  however,  was  not  very  elaborate,  hardly  equal  to  the 
sumptuous  appointments  oi   metropolitan   barbers.     Indeed,  it   merely 
consisted  of  a  match-tub,  elevated  upon  a  shot-box,  as  a  barber  s  chair 
for  the  patient.     These  barbers  of  ours  had  their  labors  considerably 
abridged  by  a  fashion  prevailing  among  many  of  the  crew,  of  wearing  very 
large  whiskers ;  so  that,  in  most  cases,  the  only  parts  needing  a  shave 
were  the  upper  lip  and  suburbs  of  the  chin.     This  had  been  more  or 
less  the  custom  during  the  whole  three  year's  cruise  ;  but  for  some  time 
previous  to  our  weathering  Cape  Horn,  very  many  of  the  seamen  had 
redoubled  their  assiduity  in  cultivating  their  beards,  preparatory  to  their 
return  to  America.     Above  all,  the  captain  of  the  forecastle,  old  Ushant— 
a  fine  specimen  of  a  sea  sexagenarian— wore  a  wide,  spreadmg  beard. 


.N  OF  WAR. 

fi>»ht ;  niul  frequently 
s — still  mounting  the 
fl'acoable  indentations 
at  of  niore  ilian  thirty 
I ;  but  Tawncy  know 
lie  United  States,  and 
int.     One  ai\eriioon,  I 
paused  abreast  of  the 
called  the  slaughter- 
I  fell,  five  and  six  at  a 
order  to  hurl  over  the 
ad  in  the  Macedonian 
ins.     About  the  hatch- 
n  flesh  sticking  in  tho 
)ed  unharmed,  but  his 
the  pools  of  gore,  that 
i-erboard,  swearing  that 
lier  quadruped,  a  goat, 
rere  killed — according 
1  overboard  as  soon  as 
[lit  of  so  many  corpses 
)  guns.     Among  other 
g  one  of  the  port-holes, 
iptain  of  the  next  gun, 
I,  turned  over  the  iieap 
ing  an  old   messmate, 
t  into  tears,  and,  taking 
e  side,  held  it  over  the 

Tom!"— "D your 

n  to  your  gun !"  roared 
and  the  heart-stricken 

)olite  trades  in  the  navy, 
ore  profitable  business 
that  the  five  hundred 
should  furnish  no  small 
may  be  intrusted.  Tho 
le  their  vocation  are  set 
ng  days.  On  board  of 
ys ;  when,  immediately 
customers.  They  were 
g  twenty-four  pounders. 
;e,  hardly  equal  to  the 
rs.  Indeed,  it  merely 
ox,  as  a  barber's  chair 
leir  labors  considerably 
le  crew,  of  wearing  very 
/  parts  needing  a  shave 
rhis  had  been  more  or 
uise  ;  but  for  some  time 
any  of  the  seamen  had 
rds,  preparatory  to  their 
forecastle,  old  Usliant — 
wide,  spreading  beard, 


r 


HOW  THEY  LIVE  IN  AN  AMEUICAN  MAN  OP  WAR. 


281 


grizzled  and 
and  ivnottcd 


ffray,  that  flowed  over  his  breast,  and  ot\en  became  tunjdcd 
witii  tar.     Tiiis  Ushant,  in  all  weatliors,  was  ever  alert  at 


hi.s  (iiily  ;  intrci>i(liy  mounting  tho  foreyard  in  a  gale,  liis   long  board 
stroariiiiiy  like  Neptune's. 

Tiuouj,'iiout  tiie  cruise,  many  of  the  oflicers  had  expressed  their  ab- 
horrence of  tlio  impunity  witii  which  the  most  extensivf^  plantutions  of 
liair  wo.'j  cultivated  under  their  very  noses  ;  and  they  frowned  u))(in  every 
beard  witii  even  greater  dislike.  They  said  it  was  uns(!amaiilikc;  not  .v/jiy>- 
thape  ;  in  siiort,  it  was  disgraceful  to  the  navy.  One  evening  the  sliip's 
coin|)any  were  astounded  by  an  extraordinary  announcement  made  at  tho 
maiii-halcinvay  of  tiie  gun-deck,  by  the  boatswain's  mate  there  stationed. 
"D'ye  liear  th(  re,  fore  and  aft?  Ail  you  that  iiave  long  hair,  cut  it  siiort; 
and  all  you  that  have  large  whiskers,  trim  th(;m  down,  according  to  tho 
navy  rcguhitions."  The  excitement  was  intense  throughout  tiiat  whole 
evening.  One  and  all,  they  resolved  not  to  succumb,  and  every  man 
swore  to  stand  by  his  beard  and  his  neighbor.  Twenty-four  hours  after — 
at  the  next  evening  quarters — the  captain's  eye  was  observed  to  wander 
along  the  men  at  their  guns — not  a  beard  was  shaven!  When  the  drum 
beat  the  retreat,  the  boatswain — now  attended  by  all  four  of  his  mates, 
to  give  additional  solemnity  to  the  announcement — repeated  the  previous 
day's  order,  and  concluded  by  saying,  that  twenty-four  hours  would  be 
given  for  all  to  acquiesce.     But  the  second  day  passed,  and  at  quarters, 

untouched,  every  beard  bristled  on  its  chin.     Forthwith  Captain  C 

summoned  the  midshipmen,  who,  receiving  his  orders,  hurried  to  the 
various  divisions  of  the  guns,  and  communicated  thern  to  the  lieutenants 
respectively  stationed  over  divisions.  The  officer  commanding  mine 
turned  upon  us,  and  said,  "Men,  if  to-morrow  night  I  find  any  of  you  with 
long  hair,  or  whiskers  of  a  standard  violating  the  navy  regulations,  the 
names  of  such  offenders  shall  be  put  down  on  the  report."  Though 
many  heads  of  hair  were  shorn,  and  many  fine  beards  reaped  that  day, 
yet  several  still  held  out,  and  vowed  to  defend  their  sacred  hair  to  the  la.st 
gasp  of  their  breath.  Wnen  the  proper  time  arrived,  their  names  were 
taken  down  by  the  officers  of  divisions,  and  they  were  afterward  summoned 
in  a  body  to  the  mpst,  where  the  captain  stood  ready  to  receive  them. 
Tho  whole  ship's  co-npany  crowded  to  the  spot,  and,  n'^id  the  breathless 
multitude, the  venerable  rebels  advanced  and  cnhattcf'  ')  he  rebel  beards, 
headed  by  old  Ushant's,  streaming  like  a  commodore  ■  «/^ec,  now  stood 
in  silence  at  the  mast. 

"You  knew  the  order!"  said  the  captain,  eying  them  severely;  "what 
does  that  hair  on  your  chins?" 

"Sir,"  said  the  captain  of  the  forecastle,  "did  old  Ushant  ever  refuse 
doing  his  duty?  did  he  ever  yet  miss  his  muster?  But,  sir,  old  Ushant's 
beard  is  his  own!" 

"What's  that,  sir?  master-at-arms,  put  that  man  into  the  brig." 
"Sir,"  said  the  old  man,  respectfully,  "the  three  years  for  which  I 
shipped  are  expired  ;  and  though  I  am  perhaps  bound  to  work  the  ship 
home,  yet,  as  matters  are,  I  think  my  beard  might  be  allowed  me.     It  is 

but  a  few  days.  Captain  C ." 

"Put  him  into  the  brig !"  cried  the  captain  ;  "and  now,  you  old  rascals !" 
he  added,  turning  round  upon  the  rest,  "I  give  you  fifteen  minutes  to 
have  those  beards  taken  oflf;  if  they  then  remain  on  your  chins,  I'll  flog 
you — every  mother's  sonof  you — though  you  were  all  myown  godfathers!" 
The  band  of  beards  went  forward,  summoned  their  barbers,  and  their 
glorious  pennants  were  no  more.     In  obedience  to  orders,  they  then 


I 


2S2  now  TIIEY  LIVP:  IN  AN  AMKIilCAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 

pnriKi.d  thcrnsclvoH  at  the  niJiHt,  and,  addrcssinjr  thr  ciplain,  said,  "Sir, 
our  Muzzlrlit.ihiii^ii  art'  cast  oH!" 

On  111.'  morrow,  allcr  brcuikfast,  Ut<hant  was  taken  out  of  iroiiM,  niul, 
with  tlu'  masl<T-al-arnm  on  one  Hide  and  an  arincil  s.'niry  on  tiic  ollior. 
was  rsrorUHi  alon«  tho  unn-dock  and  up  tho  ladder  to  the  tnamimiHt. 
Th.-r<-  the  captain  stood,  firm  as  before.  They  must  Iimvc  (fuarded  the 
old  man  thus  to  prevent  his  escape  to  the  shore,  somelhinR  less  than  a 
thousand  miles  distant  at  the  time. 

"Will  sir,  will  you  have  that  beard  taken  off?  you  have  sbpt  over  it 
a  whole  'ni«ht  now  ;  what  do  you  say?  I  don't  want  to  flog  an  old  man 
like  you,  IJshant!" 

"My  beard  is  my  own,  sir!"  said  the  old  man,  lowly. 

"Will  vou  take  it  off"?" 

"It  is  mine,  sir!"  said  the  old  man,  tremulously. 

"Rif;  the  ^-ratinjjs!"  roared  the  captain.  "Master-at-arms,  strip  him! 
(luarler-master,  seize  hirn  up!  boatswain's-rnates,  do  your  duty!" 

VViiile  these  executioners  wore  employed,  the  captain's  excitement  had 
a  lilth^  time  to  abate  ;  and  when,  at  last,  old  Usiiant  was  tied  up  by  the 
arms  and  le"s,  and  his  veaerable  back  was  exposed— that  back  which 
had  bowed  at  the  puns  of  the  frigate  Constitution  when  she  cajMiired  the 
(iuerriere — the  captain  seemed  to  relent. 

"You  are  a  very  old  man,"  he  said,  "and  I  am  sorry  to  flog  you  ;  but 
my  orders  must  be  obeyed.     I  will  give  you  one  more  chance;  will  you 

have  that  beard  taken  oil"?"  ■   ^  u    ■     u- 

"  Captain  C ,"  said  the  old  man,  turning  round  painfully  in  his 

bonds,  "  you  may  flog  me  if  you  will ;  but,  sir,  in  this  one  thing  1  can  not 

obey  you."  .    ,  .     .  ,j       /. 

"Lay  on!  I'll  see  his  backbone!"  roared  the  captain  in  a  sudden  fury. 

One,  two,  three,  four,  five,  six,  seven,  eight,  nine,  ten,  eleven,  twelve 
lashes  were  laid  on  the  back  of  that  heroic  old  man.  He  only  bowed 
over  his  head,  and  stood  as  the  dying  gladiator  lies. 

"Cut  him  down,"  said  the  captain.  ,      .  •      it  u 

When  the  master-at-arms  advanced  with  the  prisoner's  shirt,  L'shant 
waived  him  off  with  the  dignified  air  of  a  Brahim,  saying,  "Do  you  think, 
master-at-arms,  that  I  am  hurt?  I  will  put  on  my  own  garment.  I  am 
never  the  worse  for  it,  man ;  and  'lis  no  dishonor  when  lie  who  would 
dishonor  you,  only  dishonors  himself."  ,,    ,., 

"What  says  he?"  cried  the  captain;  "what  says  that  tarry  old  philoso- 
pher with  the  smoking  back?  Tell  it  to  me,  sir,  if  you  dare !  Sentry,  lake 
that  man  back  to  the  brig.  Stop!  John  Ushant,  you  have  been  captain 
of  the  forecastle  ;  I  break  you.  And  now  you  go  into  the  brig,  there  to 
remain  till  you  consent  to  have  that  beard  taken  off." 

"My  beard  is  my  own,"  said  the  old  man,  quietly.     "Sentry,  I  am 

ready."  ,  ,        r.     i  • 

And  back  he  went  into  durance  between  the  guns  ;  but  after  lying  some 
four  or  five  days  in  irons,  an  order  came  to  remove  them ;  but  he  was 
still  kept  confined.  Books  were  allowed  him,  and  he  spent  much  time  m 
readintr.  But  he  also  spent  many  hours  in  braiding  his  beard,  and  enter- 
weavinl?  with  it  stripes  of  red  bunting,  as  if  he  desired  to  dress  out  and 
adorn  the  thing  which  had  triumphed  over  all  opposition. 

He  remained  a  prisoner  till  we  arrived  in  America  ;  but  the  very 
moment  he  heard  the  chain  rattle  out  of  the  hawsehole,  and  the  ship 
swing  to  her  anchor,  he  started  to  his  feet,  dashed  the  sentry  aside,  and 
gaining  the  deck,  exclaimed,  "At  home,  with  my  beard!" 


^N  OF  WAR. 

he  caplaiii.  saiil,  "Sir, 

kill  out  of  iroiiH,  mid, 
I  Hi'iilry  on  tlic  oilier. 
Idcr  to  thi!  tiiiiliiiiiiiHl. 
(list  li'ivc  f,Miiir(i((i  the 
something  Uhs  tliiiii  a 

you  liavc  slept  over  it 
lilt  to  flog  an  old  man 

owly. 


3ter-at-armH,  strip  him! 
do  your  duty!" 
iptiiin's  exciteriieiit  had 
ant  was  tied  up  by  tlie 
is(.(i — that  hnck  which 
wlion  she  cajitiired  tlie 

sorry  to  flog  you  ;  hut 
more  chance  ;  will  you 

round  painfully  in  his 
this  one  thing  1  can  not 

iptain  in  a  sudden  fury. 

line,  ten,  eleven,  twelve 

man.     He  only  bowed 

;s. 

prisoner's  shirt,  Ushant 
,  saying,  "Do  you  think, 
ny  own  garment.  I  am 
lor  when  he  who  would 

ys  that  tarry  old  philoso- 
' you  dare!  Sentry. lake 
you  have  been  cajitain 
JO  into  the  brig,  there  to 
off." 
quietly.    "Sentry,  I  am 

ns  ;  but  after  lying  some 
Tiove  them ;  but  he  was 
d  he  spent  much  time  in 
ing  his  beard,  and  enter- 
desircd  to  dress  out  and 
riposition. 

America  ;  but  the  very 
hawsehole,  and  the  ship 
led  the  sentry  aside,  and 
ly  beard!" 


HOW  TIIKY  LIVK  IN  AN  AMKUICAN  MAN  OF  WAR. 


I 


11 


!^;j 


Though,  as  F  afterward  learned,  Ushaiit  wa.s  enrriesljy ''Utre'ited  (o  put 
the  cas(!  into  some  lawyer's  hands,  hi;  firmly  (Icclined',  saying  *•  I  liavf- 
won  the  liallle,  my  friends,  and  I  do  not  earc  for  the  pri/c-moiKV." 
Years  ago  then"  was  a  piinisliment  inllirled  in  the  llnglisli,  and  I  lieli.'ve 
in  (lie  Amerienn  navy,  calhul  /vTZ-Af/i////!^— a  jili rase  still  einpioyrd  by 
man-of-war'sMien  when  they  would  express  some  signal  vengeanre  upnti 
a  personal  foe.  The  practice  still  remains  in  the  French  national  marine, 
Ihongli  it  is  by  no  means  resorted  to  so  fre(|iiently  as  in  times  past.  It 
consists  of  attaching  tackles  to  the  two  extremities  of  the  tnainyaril.  and 
passing  the  rope  iimler  the  ship's  bottom.  To  one  end  of  this  roi)e  liie 
c.ulpril  is  aecur(;d  ;  his  own  shipmates  are  then  made  to  run  him  up  and 
down,  first  on  this  side,  then  on  that — now  scraping  the  whip's  hull  under 
water — anon,  hoisted,  stunned  and  breathless,  into  the  air. 

But  though  this  barbarity  is  now  abolished  from  tjie  Knglish  and 
American  navies,  tiiere  still  remains  anotlier  practice  which,  if  anything, 
is  even  worse  than  knl-haulitiff.  This  remnant  of  the  Middle  Ages  is 
known  in  the  navy  nn ^'foffffirif,'  throufrh  the  fcrtV  It  is  never  infFicted 
except  by  authority  of  a  court-martial  upon  some  trespasser  deemed  guilty 
of  a  flagrant  oU'ense.  Never,  that  I  know  of,  has  it  been  inflicted  by  an 
American  man-of-war  on  tin?  home  station.  The  reason,  probably,  is, 
that  the  orticers  well  know  that  such  a  spectacle  would  raise  a  mob  in 
any  American  seaport. 

All  hands  being  called  "to  witness  punishment"  in  the  ship  to  which 
the  culprit  belongs,  the  sentence  of  the  court-martial  condemning  him  is 
read,  when,  with  the  usual  solemnities,  a  portion  of  the  punislunent  is 
inflicted.  In  order  that  it  shall  not  lose  in  severity  by  tiie  slightest  ex- 
haustion in  the  arm  of  the  executioner,  a  fresh  boatswain's  mate  is  called 
out  at  every  dozen.  As  the  leading  idea  is  to  strike  terror  into  the 
beiioldors,  the  greatest  number  of  lashes  is  inflicted  on  board  the  ciiljiril's 
own  ship,  in  order  to  render  him  the  more  shocking  si»(!ctacle  to  the 
crews  of  the  other  vessels.  The  Hist  infliction  being  concluded,  the 
culprit's  shirt  is  thrown  over  him;  he  is  put  into  a  boat — the  Rogue's 
March  being  played  meanwhile — and  rowed  to  the  next  ship  of  tiie 
s(|uadron.  All  hands  of  that  ship  are  then  called  to  man  the  rigging,  and 
another  portion  of  the  punishment  is  inflicted  by  the  boatswain's  mates 
of  that  .ship.  The  bloody  shirt  is  again  thrown  over  the  seaman  ;  and 
thus  he  is  carried  through  the  fleet  or  squadron  till  the  whole  sentence 

is  inflicted.     In  other  cases,  the  launch — the  largest  of  the  boats is 

rigged  with  a  platform,  (like  a  headsman's  scaffold,)  upon  which  halberds, 
something  like  those  used  in  the  English  army,  are  erected.  They  con- 
sist of  two  stout  poles,  planted  upright.  Upon  the  platform  stand  a 
lieutenant,  a  surgeon,  a  master-at-arms,  and  the  executioners  with  their 
"cats."  They  are  rowed  through  the  fleet,  stopping  at  each  ship,  till  the 
whole  sentence  is  inflicted,  as  before. 

In  some  cases,  the  attending  surgeon  has  professionally  interfered 
before  the  last  lash  has  been  given,  alleging  that  immediate  death  must 
ensue  if  the  remainder  should  be  administered  without  a  respite.  But 
instead  of  humanely  remitting  the  remaining  lashes,  in  a  case  like  this, 
the  man  is  generally  consigned  to  his  cot  for  ten  or  twelve  days;  and 
when  ho  surgeon  oflicially  reports  him  capable  of  undergoing  the  rest 
of  the  sentence,  it  is  forthwith  inflicted.  Shylock  must  have  his  pound 
of  flesh.  To  say,  that  afler  being  flogged  through  the  fleet,  the  prisoner's 
back  is  sometimes  puffed  up  like  a  pillow  ;  or  to  say  that  in  other  cases 
it  looks  as  if  burned  black  before  a  roasting  fire ;  or  to  say  that  you  may 


284  HOW  THKY  LIVE  IN  AN  AMKRIOAN  MAN  OP  WAR. 

tra.k  hi.n  ll.ro.Kh  tlw,  «c,nu.lrou  by  the,  1.1.....1  on  .1..,  |'"1>:.«;';,; [j^ ^^^^'J 
«t  .,  would  only  iK)  sayin«  svlwit  many  Hoiun.^n  Inv.-  s.m'm.     S.^  •tuI  ttO(  R« 

"'""  "         ,1   ,■   „       i»„rii.ir  ilic  LTcatrr  i)nit  o    I  lat  inlrrvnl  In-  Ik'h  in 

"%;.;„"?";;;«''";;:"'  nm  broke  out  nnar  tbo  po.a.r  .-«-n«^i"  - 
A.n  a,  nllu..:^  sbip,  ono  of  a  s,na.l,on  "t-"-'-' V' th^'lUlJlp  wi^ 
T    ,  ulnu,st  alarm  provaiUMl.     A  c-ry  went  ioro  ""<!  «''    '  ''^   ^  «^  I'  ^^^ 


— —  ^r--    -  *— -■ 


MAN  OF  WAR. 

in  tln!  l)ulwnrk«  of  every 
vr  MiMM.  Si^vrral  wnck», 
)r  i^^^^ll^i<'n'"lly  rfcovcn'tl 
1)1"  Unit  iiiltTViil  III-  I'k'm  iit 
;  uiul  iiiiU'rtrt  liu  lias  lli« 
s  till!  man  li<i  whh  bcfon;, 
n  Imnt'H,  Minks  into  dinth 
•»)  lu!  has  txpiroil  the  day 

powtlfT  niaKazinn  in  on 
•lior  in  tlio  Bay  of  Naples. 

ami  afl  that  the  ship  was 
overboard  in  attVi{,'lit.  At 
picked  up.  Ho  was  tried 
ec,  and  condemned  to  be 
(Iron  made  sail  for  Algiers, 
junishment  was  inflicted — 
s  of  an  absolute  king,  not 
n  of  American  naval  law. 


NARRATIVE 


or  AN 


OLD    ENGLISH    SAILOR, 

Tir   unto,  ULATKn  nr  niMXELr,  in  a  rttle  or  amusinu  aiuruoiTT,  and  wiowinu 

VIVIDLY   TUK   MANY    VIUI8B1TUDU1   WHICH    FORM 


LIFE  EXPKRIENCE8  ON  THE  OCEAN. 


I  AM  writing  this  to  show  the  wondorfiil  mnrcios  tho  Lord  has  sl 


shown 


mo  in  fifty  years'  lifetime  at  sea,  and  I  hope  that  whoever  may  have  a 
chance  to  look  at  it,  it  will  teach  lliem  not  to  despair,  or  give  tlicmseivcs 
up  for  lost;  for  by  perseverance,  and  a  firm  trust  in  the  Almightv,  wo 
can  do  anything  that  tho  giver  of  all  good  will  allow  us  to  do;  fortliern 
is  a"Swoet  little  Cherub  that  sits  up  alort,  keeps  n  watch  for  the  life 
of  poor  Jack."  By  accounts  that  I  had  from  my  friends,  when  I  came 
to  the  years  of  recollection,  I  was  informed  liiat  I  was  born  at  sea,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  1777,  on  tlio  20tli  of  August;  my  father  being  master 
of  a  brig  belonging  to  Hull,  in  Yorkshire,  and  when  I  was  born,  ho  was 
bound  on  a  voyage  from  London  to  Hamburgh ;  but  my  mother  being 
very  poorly,  she  and  I  were  Icll  at  a  place  called  Cuxhaven,  at  tho 
entrance  of  the  River  Elbe.  But  my  father  being  obliged  to  proceed 
upon  his  return  voyage,  my  mother  and  me  were  left  at  Hamburgh,  at 
the  consul's.  And  the  winter  setting  in  sooner  and  severer  than  my 
father  expected — for  he  expected  to  make  another  voyage  before  tlie 
winter  aet  in — me  and  my  mother  were  left  at  Hamburgh  all  the  winter; 
but  I  being  very  poorly,  and  not  expected  to  live,  my  mother  was  pcr- 
iuaded  to  have  me  christened;  and  I  was  christened  at  St.  Catherine's 
Church  at  Hamburgh,  when  I  was  four  montlis  old. 

My  father  was  expected  to  be  at  Hamburgh  in  the  be  ginning  of  the 
next  year;  but  in  the  first  voyage  that  he  was  going  to  make,  in  tho  year 
1778,  he  was  cast  away,  and  all  hands  drowned,  at  the  entrance  of  tho 
river,  near  about  the  same  spot  where  I  was  born.  My  mother  belonging 
to  Kirkwall,  in  the  Orkneys,  she  and  me  went  down  there,  and  there  I 
spent  my  childhood,  till  my  mother  died,  when  I  was  about  eight  years 
old.  My  mother  having  a  sister  who  lived  at  Boston,  in  Lincolnshire, 
who  was  down  in  Kirkwall  when  my  mother  died,  she,  after  all  things 
were  settled,  took  me  with  her  to  Boston,  where  I  had  a  grandmother 
living,  and.  b.  twien  my  aunt  and  my  grandmother,  I  soon  became  a 
spoiled  child :  lor  as  young  as  I  was,  I  soon  found  out  that  they  were 
very  fond  of  me ;  for  my  aunt  had  no  children  herself,  and  my  grand- 
mother never  had  any  more  children  but  my  father;  so  if  I  committed 
a  fault  at  my  aunt's,  where  I  lived,  I  only  had  to  run  to  my  giandinollier'!*, 
and  she  was  sure  to  take  my  part;  and  tho  same  if  I  committed  mysioif 
Rt  my  grandmother's,  my  aunt  was  sure  to  take  my  part.  It  was  my 
misfortune  to  lose  my  parents  so  soon.  I  sha'n't  say  nothing  of  the 
many  tricks  and  pranks  I  played  my  poor  old  grandmother  and  my  auni ; 

f285) 


f 


I 


s* 


J; 
li 


28r  NARIIATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 

I  .ot   ..•.jua.nted  '' '^'J  ^y'\"Z\J''m-  to  Bonton,  and  tl.cy  wanted 

board  ol  a  '»['«  ^a     "  '!'  J^^  ^^  ..^.^y  j,ood   man  as  far  as  soamaii- 

rioclilS !.,  1  »oo,,  forgot  it,  .0.1  1  thought  w,.h,..  myscll  1  .hould 

:X7,;;enr„r'n,U'°Lck    again  i"  B"'.""  f  "8  -'" j; °  J 

a„oa„,  to  carry  a  cargo  of  pilcharJs  from  l"'"""'  ;     "il  „f  „ 
that  .0  were  '^'^l^'^ :;::'^ ^^^'^^X^^^^^o^^^^ 

ton  wi?en^wo  go^t  therl,,  I  found  that  my  grandmother  was  dead,  and 
mv  .unt  as  «oin<r  to  live  at  Hull.  What  property  my  grandmother  had 
r^^.  lift  fn  no-  Imt  bcinL'  vouna  and  foolish,  I  soon  got  clear  of  it 

al  "ml  nfr  brirbeil^  bo^Si  Lon^clon  again,  where  we  arrived  at  the 
all ,  ana  our  un|,  ^^  Cardill,  in  Wales,  to 

'refr;L"i  of  irofjto     k^^^^^^^^^  We'.ailed  from  London  in  the 

No  V    I  forgot  to  mention  how  many  hands  we  carried  in  the  br.g 
when  we  sS  from  London;  we  had  eight  on  board  altogether-namely, 

Err.r.r:;s;r  r:.e?Lvr£Ve«^."ir^^^^ 

miles  off  the  land;  and  it  blowing  a  heavy  gale  of  wind,  and,  at  the 


3H  SAILOR. 

ijr  of  llic  year  1790,  when 
aine  of  William  Jackson, 
Borfton,  and  tiicy  wanted 
andmolher  to  let  nio  go  a 
r    suinnKH-tiinc,   ami  fine 
'rotiirn';d  to  Boston,  1  was 
Tclow;  and  '  was  put  on 
'    The  master  of  the  brig, 
)d  man  as  far  as  soaman- 
i  of  very  bad  morals  ;  and 
ything  by  it,  for  what  good 
St;  for  1  had  always  been 
J  at  my  mea^ ;  but,  seeing 
;ht  within  myself  1  should 

as  from  Boston  to  Loudon 
»ve  got  there  safe,  as  many 
arly  the  whole  three  weeks 
month  of  November,  and  I 
Boston  along  with  my  old 
came  to  London ;  for,  when 
to  Naples,  up  the  Meditcr- 
Falmouth.     When  I  heard 
rgot  all  the  troubles  of  my 
rocceded  on  our  voyage  to 
died  from  Falmouth  as  soon 
I's  End  of  old  England  the 
to  Clod,  wo  arrived  safe  at 
't  wish  to  trouble  the  reader 
traded  to,  but  we  stood  up 
»  another,  till  the  year  1794, 
(  arrived  safe  in  August  the 
,  our  brig  was  obliged  to  go 
fc-as  done,  we  went  down  to 
grandmother  was  dead,  and 
roperty  my  grandmother  had 
bolish,'  I  soon  got  clear  of  it 
ain,  where  we  arrived  at  the 
,  go  to  Carditi;  in  Wales,  to 
u  sailed  from  London  in  the 
north-cast  gale  to  drive  ua 
Land's  End  of  England,  the 
)  the  Bristol  Channel ;  so  we 
Mount's  Bay  till  the  weather 
1  from  the  north  north-cast, 
inds  we  carried  in  the  brig 
on  board  altogether — namely, 
mast,  and  two  boys;  and  \m! 
ird  when  we  got  under  weigii 
,  on  board  when  our  misfoi- 
of  March,  about  two  o'clock 
md,  we  struck  upon  a  rock 
lunt's  Bay,  about  three  or  four 
vy  gale  of  wind,  and,  at  the 


NARRATIVE  OF  A\  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


287 


sumo  time,  a  heavy  sea  running,  our  poor  old  brig  soon  went  to  pieces; 
but  tlianks  be  to  God  Almighty,  who  allowed  us  time  enough  to  get  our 
long-boat  out  before  the  mast  wont  out  of  her,  and  si,\  of  us,  out  of  the 
seven,  got  safe  into  iier  before  the  brig  went  to  pieces;  the  other  man 
must  have  been  knocked  overboard  wiien  the  mast  fell,  for  we  could  see 
nothing  of  him,  for  it  was  very  dark,  and  we  that  were  in  tlie  boat  saved 
nothing,  only  what  we  had  on,  and  I  had  the  misfortune  of  losing  my 
shoes  olf  my  feet  in  getting  into  the  boat.  After  we  got  clear  of  the 
wr<!ck,  we  tried  our  best  to  get  the  boat  in  shore,  but  it  blowing  so  liard, 
wo  could  not  hold  our  own;  and,  when  daylight  came,  we  found  our- 
selves aoout  six  or  seven  miles  from  the  land,  and  still  drifting  out  as 
fast  as  we  could.  The  weather  being  clear,  we  could  see  the  islands 
of  Scilly  to  leeward  of  us,  and  our  master  being  a  man  that  had  been 
brought  up  in  the  coasting  trade,  was  well  acquainted,  for  he  had  been 
several  times  in  the  Scilly  Islands;  so  we  determined  to  bear  up  for  a 
place  called  Grimsby,  and  our  master  intended  to  go  through  a  place 
called  the  Crow  Sound;  but  our  misfortune  was  not  complete  yet,  for  it 
being  nearly  high  water  by  the  time  we  got  near  the  islana,  and  the 
rocks  being  nearly  all  covered,  our  master  mistook  the  channel,  and  we 
were  hove  in  among  the  breakers,  though  we  tried  our  best  to  get  clear 
of  them ,  and  the  second  sea  that  struck  us  capsized  our  boat,  and  I 
found  iiiysi^lf  hove  against  a  middling  steep  rock,  where,  by  God's  help, 
I  contrived  to  hold  on;  and,  having  no  shoes  on,  I  got  up  to  the  top  of 
the  rock,  where  I  could  see  my  sliipmates  trying  to  get;  but  only  one 
succeeded  in  getting  up,  and  that  was  our  old  mate,  a  man  nearly  sixty 
years  of  age,  and  he  kicked  off  his  shoes  before  he  succeeded  in  getting 
where  1  was:  and  here  now  I  had  a  great  cause  to  be  thankful  to  the 
Almighty  Giver  of  all  mercies  for  his  providential  care  over  mo  in 
making  me  lose  my  shoes  before  I  left  tlie  brig;  for  what  I  thought  the 
greatest  misfortune  to  rr.e  ten  minutes  before,  proved  the  only  means  for 
me  to  preserve  my  life;  for  if  I  had  been  struggling  in  tlie  water  along 
with  my  shipmates,  1  should  have  had  no  thought  of  kicking  my  shoes 
off  to  preserve  my  life ;  for  I  know  myself  that  three  men  out  of  the 
four  that  we  saw  struggling  for  their  lives  had  heavy  sea-boots  on,  and 
they,  being  full  of  water,  caused  thorn  soon  to  go  down ;  for  the  mate 
told  me  himself  afterward,  that  the  rocks  being  so  slippery,  that  he  would 
never  have  got  up  if  he  had  not  hove  his  shoes  away;  so  here  we  got  on 
the  top  of  the  rock,  seeing  our  poor  shipmates  drowning  one  after  the 
other,  and  we  were  no*,  able  to  help  them.  But,  as  I  said  before,  that  it 
was  near  high  water  when  our  second  misfortune  happened ;  and  we 
soon  found  that,  as  the  tide  ebbed,  the  water  got  a  good  deal  smoother, 
and  me  and  the  mate  considered  it  best  for  us  to  contrive  to  get  nearer 
to  the  island,  from  which  we  were  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile.  So 
we  waited  till  about  half  past  two  o'clock,  for  the  mate  had  his  watch  in 
his  pocket;  and  then  we  contrived  to  get  in  shore,  and  a  tiresome  job 
we  had  of  it,  for  we  had  several  places  to  swim  across;  and  the  mate, 
being  an  old  man,  was  very  much  fatigued,  being  wet  and  cold  such  a 
long  time — for  a  north-east  wind  blows  pretty  cold  in  the  monlii  of 
March.  But  we  contrived  to  get  to  the  main  island  about  six  o'clock 
that  evenmg,  and  we  both  kneeled  down  to  thank  the  Almighty  for  his 
mercy  to  us. 

And  now,  that  through  the  mercy  of  the  Almighty  we  got  safe  landed 
what  to  do  next  was  to  be  considered;  for  you  may  depend  that  we  both 
were  hungry,  and  night  coming  on,  and  in  a  strange  place,  where  there 


288  NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 

A.  ♦„  HirPct  vou— for  1  had  been  upon  the  highest  rock  that  I 
are  no  roads  to  direct  you     lor  i  anvthine  of  a  house,  or  any 

could  sec  near  us,  to  see  if  I  7"'**  .'"^^/XS  •  so  we  resolved  to 
signs  of  any  hab  tafon  J"tJ  -uM  -t^^^  ^^  ^^^  , 

try  to  get  under  the  »««  f^f^f^^/^'^'i^ft  the  beach,  I  went  to  see  if  I 
part  of  the  island  ^^^^LiV^'^^r  pinching  me  since  I  came  on 
could  find  any  shell-fish,  for  1  »«";";»;  J"^.  ^^^\  ^ok  them  up  to  my 

shore,  and,  thanks  be  to  ^°j' \£""\'„7afterward  we  went  to  look  for 
partner  in  ^'f  ess   and  we^te  them    and  a^l^er^^^  ^^^^^^^_  ^^^^^  ^^^_. 

some  place  ^^^^^^^^ /„'.  J^ke  a  cave  under  the  lee  of  a  rock;  and 
little  time,  we  found  a  ?/'»«%'  fj  ^'^r^u^ater,  which  we  wanted  very 
close  by  I  found  a  small  P»/^f 'f  "^^^^^r  ^-turning  thanks  to  the 
much,  for  we  were  very  t^'raty;  anj,  alter  ^tu        fe  .^^  ^^^^ 

Almighty,  we  laid  ourselves  d«wn  to  sleep,  and  I  slept       y  ^^^^^ 

„.ornmg  when  ^J  P/^^^^^l  trTstiff  wh^^YfirTtVot  u/;'  but  I  soon 
not  stand  upon  his  legs,     i  len  vuiy  partner  was  not 

got  pretty  -H  again.     And  now  wesold    -Msj,y  P„,  ^„y,„,    ,, 

able  to  move,  I  was  to  go  by  'ny^*"; J:"  something  to  eat;  for  the 

help  me  to  bring  my  partner  =y;^7'''"J/;/,'ii,°„T,f  and  sixpence  in  his 
old  mate,  as  luck  would  have  it,  '''"^.J'^f^^t'  ^"^^^  "a ^d  I  parted  from 
pocket,  beside  his  watch:  the  ™«"^y^«  f XouTd  ne'v<>r  see  him  again 
Sim  with  a  heavy  heart  for  Ij^^^^J^J'tent  and  "Sen  I  found  for^the 
alive,  for  he  was  very  bad;  so  "^^^y/J^^^y/Jf^^e  I  had  traveled,  I 
first  time  what  it  was  to  be  alone  '«^  J^ff  ^„P^;"";„  bay,  where  I  «aw 
suppose,  about  two  "»'»««' ^^""""^  '"depend Twas  glad  enougl.  at 
some  ships  lyingat  an  anchor;  ^"^^ /""  y,,,^^P^,"  ^sure  of  seeing  some 
seeing  them;  and  shortly  afterward  I  ^ad  the  pleasure  o  „       ^.^^ 

houses,  but  I  was  still  a  good  f  •^^"^^f^f  °™  ^^t^on  of  selg  two  men. 
I  got  pretty  near  them,  when  I  ^^J  ^^^^^ 'Sr  oH^^hig  them  again;  but 
I  sung  out  to  them  as  loud  as  I  ^«"*^\^°7'Ynd\^ien^I  came  to  them,  1 
they  heard  me,  and  they  came  toward  ne     ana  wnen  ^^^ 

told  them  my  case,  and  they  very  kindly  ;««*^  ™«/"J^^  „f  oJ,  old 

gave  me  something  to  eat  and  to  dnnk;  and  ^o^  them  ot      y  P  .^      ^ 

partner  that  I  had  left  m  the  ^^^^^'^^J^f  ^^^f  "^V  but  they  refused  it; 

SflFered  them  some  money  for  ^.I'^V^^l^.fJ^i™'^'  me  to  elt,  they  took 

and  as  soon  as  I  had  finished  ^f^^^  '"^^tlfo  I  found  after'ward,  was 

me  to  a  man  by  the  name  of  '^;- ^''^;'^' '^  m      he  was;  and  he  sent 

the  head  man  in  the  P'^^f '  ^'^/J^aHrtrr  from  the  cave,  which, 
three  men  along  with  me  to  f^^ch  my  old  partner  trom  ,  ^^  ^^^ 

after  a  great  deal  of  trouble  -found  ^dj^tLthPng  to  eat  and  to 
that  he  was  alive :  ,^nd,atter  giving  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^ 

drink,  we  carried  the  old  man  to  Urimsoyior^  kindly;  but 

place    I   had   been   ^o,  ^here   the   people    used    u^^         y^       ^y ,  ^.^^ 

my  poor  old  partner  got  worse  ?n«i  w°;\"  ^^^'gl  Gary's  for  him,  which 
bert  was  kind  enough  to  send  f«\*/j^^"\'J,  gjith  day  after  we  were 
is  the  head  town  in  the  island   Jo  Jj^^^he  sixth       y^  ^^^  ^^^^ 

wrecked.  As  5^';,;»f,«^^'d\ot„,7myordhipmate,  I  shipped  myself 
staying  and  lending  ^  ^^nd  *«^^»;y  "irj^^i^^^i^  ^  Bridgewater,  which 
on  board  of  a  brig  f«"ed  the     Hope      be^on^^  « ^^  ^^  ^.^^^^^^ 

was  bound  to  London.     But  boforo  Uetj  UW  ur.       y,  .     ^^  ^^^^ 

where  the  owner  of  the  brig  "^''^^ ']^^' l^^^J^^^h^ ^^^  been  al  during 
he  might  get  paid  f^*'^J^"'^%jf,rnTa„d  weather  would  permit,  I 
our  stay  there;  and  as  soon  as  the  w'"°  *  ,  ^f  her  was  a  very  good 
sailed  for  London  in  my  new  brig      The  mj^^te' ot  n  ^^^  j^^^^^^ 

man,  and  we  arrived  m  London  the  17th  day  oi  Aprii         i 


SH  SAILOR. 

)on  the  highest  rock  that  I 
ything  of  a  house,  or  any 
nything;  so  we  resolved  to 
were  still  on  the  windward 

beach,  I  went  to  see  if  I 
iching  me  since  I  came  on 

and  I  took  them  up  to  my 
erward  we  went  to  look  for 
1  the  weather;  and,  after  a 
ler  the  lee  of  a  rock ;  and 
Iter,  which  we  wanted  very 
ir  returning  thanks  to  the 
,nd  I  slept  very  well  till  the 

was  very  poorly,  and  could 
m  1  first  got  up;  but  I  soon 

that,  as  my  partner  was  not 

if  I  could  find  anybody  to 
3t  something  to  eat;  for  the 
ihillings  and  sixpence  in  his 
ve  to  me,  and  I  parted  from 
hould  never  see  him  again 

;  and  then  I  found  for  the 
je  place.  I  had  traveled,  I 
'  an  open  bay,  where  I  saw 
depend  I  was  glad  enougli  at 
lie   pleasure  of  seeing  some 

them;  but  I  traveled  on  till 
sfaction  of  seeing  two  men. 
laroflosing  them  again;  but 

and  when  I  came  to  them,  1 
ok  me  home  with  them,  and 
d  I  told  them  of  my  poor  old 
It  state  I  had  left  him  in.  1 
ave  me,  but  they  refused  it; 
id  given  me  to  eat,  they  took 
who,  I  found  afterward,  was 
odmanhe  was;  and  he  sent 
lartner  from  the  cave,  which, 
id  glad  enough  I  was  to  find 
I  man  something  to  eat  and  to 

for  that  was  the  name  of  the 
e  used  us  very  kindly;  but 
every  day.  Though  Mr.  Oil- 
•  to  St.  Mary's  for  him,  which 

the  sixth  day  after  we  were 
ell  in  a  few  days;  and  aftjr 
i  shipmate,  I  shipped  myself 
lon<'ing  to  Bridgewater,  which 
)ld  Grimsby,  1  told  Mr.  Gilbert 
lad  been  cast  away  in,  so  thit 
penses  he  had  been  at  during 
1  and  weather  would  permit,  I 
master  of  her  was  a  very  good 
day  of  April.     My  new  master 


'Tf- 


MARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


289 


liked  me  very  well,  and  he  wrote  to  Mr.  Ingelow.  in  Boston,  about  me. 
to  let  him  know  where  I  waa;  and  Mr.  Ingelow,  having  no  ship  that 
wanted  an  apprentice,  sent  mc  my  indentures  and  my  wages,  after 
serving  him  five  years  out  of  the  seven  years  that  I  was  Imuiid  for;  so 
my  new  master  got  me  bound  apprentice  to  him  for  three  years.  I  sailed 
in  the  "Hope,"  of  Bridgewater,  till  the  year  1798 — chiefly  in  the  coastinp 
trade — and  I  was  very  well  contented,  for  our  master  was  a  very  good 
man,  and  the  owners  had  promised  me  a  mate's  situation  as  soon  as  1 
got  out  of  my  time.  And  in  April,  in  1798,  we  were  bound  from  London 
to  Bridgewater,  and  getting  down  the  Channel  as  far  as  the  Lizard,  and 
we  being  bound  ofi*  the  Bristol  Channel,  the  wind  being  at  that  time 
about  north-east,  and  blowing  a  strong  gale,  and  our  ship  being  rather 
light,  we  got  blown  off  the  land;  and  the  gale  continuing  for  eight  or 
ten  days,  we  got  drifted  a  long  ways  off;  and  our  master  not  being  a 
navigator,  though  he  was  a  very  good  coaster,  so  that  when  the  gule  was 
over,  and  we  got  fine  weather,  we  did  not  know  where  we  were,  but  we 
knew  well  enough  that  we  had  been  drifted  to  tiie  westward.  We  had 
to  run  back  to  the  eastward,  and  the  second  day  after  wo  had  fine  weather. 
We  fell  in  with  a  Mount's  Bay  boat,  who,  like  ourselves,  had  been 
blown  off  the  land,  who  was  very  short  of  provisions  and  water,  ot  which, 
thanks  bo  to  God,  we  had  plenty;  and  we  gave  them  some,  and  they 
gave  us  some  brandy  and  tcbacco^for  they  were  smugglers — for  the 
provisions  which  we  gave  them;  and  they  directed  us  wiiat  course  to 
steer  in  for  tiie  land,  and  we  parted  company.  And  the  next  day  morn- 
ing we  fell  in  with  the  "  Brilliant "  frigate,  who  made  us  heave  to,  and 
she  sent  a  boat  on  board  of  us  to  go  a  pressing ;  and  our  master  being 
half  drunk,  and  the  rest  of  the  crew  being  no  better,  we  got  a  quarrel- 
ing, when  the  lieutenant  of  the  frigate  came  on  board,  and,  through  our 
master  being  drunk,  I  got  pressed ;  for  I  being  out  of  my  time  two  days 
before  this  happened,  and  the  master  told  the  lieutenant  so  when  we 
were  mustered;  so  I  was  sent  on  board  of  the  frigate;  and  a  fine  large 
ship  I  thought  she  was  when  I  first  got  on  board  of  her,  and  I  was  put 
in  the  maintop;  but  I  soon  found  my  mistake  out,  for  the  very  first  night, 
at  reefing  topsail,  I  saw  seven  men  flogged  for  not  being  smart  enough; 
and  me  never  seeing  a  man  flogged  before,  I  wished  myself  back  again 
in  my  little  brig.  So  here  I  could  see  the  fruits  of  drunkenness;  for  if 
all  hands  had  been  sober  aboard  of  the  "  Hope  "  when  we  fell  in  with 
the  frigate,  I  should  have  been  stowed  away;  but  it  was  my  lot,  and 
I  was  obliged  to  content  myself  where  I  was,  for  our  usage  on  board  of 
the  "Brilliant"  was  very  cruel;  for  we  had  nine  men  doing  duty  aa 
boatswain's  mates  on  board  of  her,  and  there  was  starting  and  flogging 
all  day  long,  and  the  usage  was  very  little  fit  to  reconcile  me  to  a  man- 
of-war;  but  being  young,  and  finding  it  was  no  use  to  fret,  I  made  the 
best  1  could  of  it.  And  our  ship  being  only  just  come  out  of  Plymouth, 
and  being  bound  on  a  six  months'  cruise  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  we  went 
away  to  the  westward  on  a  cruise ,  and  on  the  20th  of  October  we  fell 
in  with  part  of  a  West  India  co'ivcy,  homeward  bound,  who  had  been 
separated  in  a  gale  of  wind  on  the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  and  had 
lost  their  commander;  and  thci«  being  no  man-of-war  along  with  theni) 
our  captain  found  himself  in  t.uty  bound  to  see  them  safe  into  port;  and 
away  we  went  along  with  ti.em  for  Old  England,  and  in  five  days  we 
arrived  safe  in  Plymouth  Sound,  having  a  strong  westerly  wind  all  the 
way.  And  one  of  the  masters  of  one  of  the  ships  told  our  captain,  that 
about  a  week  before  they  fell  in  with  our  ship  they  had  been  chased  by 
19 


n. 


290  NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 

«  Frrnch  nrivateer,  and  thattho  privatoer  had  taken  two  ships  belonging 

S.;tirnr  rcir^uainting  the  ^rSetU' t^  to'  ^t 
.outhU  U  ho  ga       -  P~;-V:£  of '^^^^^^  and 

t'TaS  f^m  P  ylii' in  the  S'dlo  of  Nivember,  and  having  notl,i..g 

hn^tronV  westerly  winds  against  us,  we  wore  nearly  three  weeks  before 
but  strong  wcsier«y  wma     fe  ^^  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^^^^  ^j- 

TaS  two  pri  s-Cone^th^vLy  pfivateer  that  had  taken  thoUvo 
shShTtwe  were  going  to  cut  out.  She  was  a  fine  l^"ga«'.|e,  belong- 
ing to  St  Maloes,  and  The  other  a  ship  belonging  to  Bristol,  that  had 
be'ei  taken  by  the  privateer,  homeward  bound,  only  two  days  before  we 

*'tnJ'n";w?Sl";ing  arrived  off  the  island,  we  arranged  everything  to  go 
in  tl  thr'boats  t^  cut  the  two  ships  out,  and  on  the  4th  day  of  Decern- 
her  we  left  the  ships,  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon       rherc  were 
se^en  boasof  us  dtogether-four  from  our  ship,  and  three  trom  the 
"  TaJbot^'     The  boat  ^that  I  was  in  was  a  five-oared  boat,  halt  g.g  and 
half  cutter.     She  was  a  very  fine  boat,  and  the  commanding  officer  was 
inher   whkh  was  the  first  lieutenant  of  our  frigate,  who  Pu"od .  •'^'^ J- 
ward  ^nTforward  to  the  rest  of  tho  boats,  to  encourage  tiie  ;n;^^>y'^d  to 
Tve  his  orders.     We  got  into  Santa  Cruz  harbor  about  ten  o'clock  in  the 
eleniig,  Ind  we  were  lucky  enough  to  board  one  of  the  ships,  and  get 
nossessi^n  of  her  without'getting  any  one  hurt;  but  not  ««;v;";;he 
Sther  shtp,  for  the  noise  we  made  in  boarding  the  hrst  ship  put  t  n^n  on 
Seir  euard,  and  she,  being  a  ship  which  mounted  ten  g.ins,  opened  her 
fie  on  our  boats,  which  wire  three  bo:.ts  which  had  to  hoard  her;  and 
I  bebnging  to  the  commanding  officer's  boat,  who  was  on  hoard  o    the 
first  ship  that  had  been  taken,  and  who  was  under  ^^'S^  by  this  t  me, 
and  was  going  out  of  the  harbor  with  a  light  breeze  of  wind  oft  the  land, 
»nd  our  officer  seeing  how  the  other  boats  were  likely  to  be  hand  cd, 

1  e    and  it  Le  ng  very  dark  bv  Uiis  time,  and  our  boat  being  very  soon 
Jillo'f  water,  we  ^could  not  giVe  any  assistance  to  our  shipmates,  nor 
could  we  Jull  back  to  the  prize;  so  we  were  obhged  every  man   o  do 
the  best  thev  could  for  themselves,  and  1  was  once  inore  left  in  a  baa 
Suatfon,  but,  thanks  be  to  God,  I  could  swim  very  well,  and  I  seeing  a 
vesse    lying  pretty  close  to  me,  I  swum  to  her,  which  P'-«^/fJ«  ^,«  "" 
American  s^ch^oone'r.     I  hung  on  by  her  cable  some  time  and  he  people 
being  all  on  deck,  I  could  hear  them  speak  English;  and  at  last  "ne  m 
thorn  looking  over  the  bows  of  the  schooner,  I  spoke  to  him,  a"d  asked 
him  tolt  me  come  on  board,  and  he  gave  me  a  rope's  end,  and  I  soon 
ao?on  board      When  I  first  got  on  board  of  her,  I  was  taken  aft  to  the 
Se  and  Hold  him  how  I  came  there,  and  he  told  the  captain,  who  told 

foVwe  could  not  see  anything  of  her  in  the  mormng.    When  morn.ng 


3AIL0R. 

n  two  ships  belonging 
privalccr  iiad  takon 
r«neritlc,  onu  of  ttie 
mival  tliat  vas  in  Ply- 
ineriffe  and  try  to  cut 
ir,  aloiig  with  us  ;  and 
er,  and  having  nothing 
rly  three  weeks  before 
I  the  good  fortune  of 
lat  had  taken  tlio  two 
ine  brigantine,  belong- 
[ig  to  Bristol,  that  had 
dy  two  days  before  we 

anged  everything  to  go 
the  4th  day  of  Dccem- 
fternoon.     There  were 
ip,  and  three  from  the 
ired  boat,  half  gig  and 
jommanding  officer  was 
jate,  who  pulled  back- 
ourage  tiie  men,  and  to 
about  ten  o'clock  in  the 
e  of  the  ships,  and  get 
rt;  but  not  so  wilii  the 
le  first  ship  put  tlicm  on 
;d  ten  guns,  opened  her 

had  to  board  her;  and 
vho  was  on  board  of  the 
ider  weigh  by  this  time, 
Bze  of  wind  oft'  the  land, 
re  likely  to  be  handled, 
)  the  assistance  of  their 
le  quarter  of  the  ship,  a 
e  man,  and  wounded  two 
our  boat  being  very  soon 
;e  to  our  shipmates,  nor 
obliged  every  man  to  do 

once  more  left  in  a  bad 
very  well,  and  I  seeing  a 
r,  which  proved  to  be  an 
ome  time,  and  the  people 
[iglish;  and  at  last  one  of 
[  spoke  to  him,  and  asked 
!  a  rope's  end,  and  I  soon 
er,  I  was  taken  aft  to  the 
told  the  captain,  who  told 
jre,  in  the  morning,  to  the 
ve  me  some  dry  clothing, 
:t,  they  behaved  very  well 
,  the  boats,  and  the  boats 
r  the  forts,  getting  alarmed 
its  got  their  ship  safe  out, 
morning.    When  morning 


T 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


291 


was  come,  and  I  could  see  what  sor*  of  people  I  had  got  amongst,  I  saw 
a  young  man  on  board  of  the  schooner  that  I  thouglit  I  had  seen  aome- 
whcrr;  and,  when  I  came  to  inquire,  I  found  that  he  was  an  old  ship- 
mate  of  mine,  and  fellow-apprentice  in  the  "  Joseph  and  Ann,"  and  he 
was  second  mate  of  the  schooner,  and  his  name  was  James  Martin. 
And,  when  we  began  to  know  one  another,  he  told  the  cajitain  of  the 
schooner  that  I  was  a  man  that  served  my  time  to  the  sea  service;  and, 
the  schooner  being  short  of  hands,  the  captain  of  the  schooner  .sent  for 
me,  and  told  me  that,  as  I  was  a  young  man  that  served  my  time  out  of 
Boston — and  he  had  no  business  to  know  what  Boston  it  was,  whether  it 
was  Boston  in  England  or  America — and  if  I  had  a  mind  to  sign  the 
Articles,  he  would  put  me  on  the  schooner's  books,  and  give  mo  thirty 
dollars  a  month;  and  ho  would  take  good  care  no  one  should  know  how 
I  got  there. 

Now  you  may  depend  I  was  not  long  considering  about  what  to  do ; 
for,  if  I  had  refused  to  join  the  schooner,  I  should  have  had  to  go  to  a 
Spanish  prison ;  so  I  agreed  with  the  captain  of  the  schooner — she  was 
called  the  "  Speedy,"  of  Baltimore.     Now  this  schooner  had  brought 
out  a  new  governor,  from  Cadiz,  for  the  islands,  and  she  was  going  to 
carry  the  old  one  home  again,  to  any  part  of  Spain  or  France  she  might 
be  able  to  pitch  into ;  and  we  laid  at  Tenerifte  for  nearly  two  months 
before  the  governor  was  ready  to  go,  and  by  this  time  I  got  quite  com- 
fortable on  board  of  her.     And  we  sailed  in  the  latter  end  of  February, 
1799,  from  Teneriftb;  and,  after  being  chased  by  many  of  the  English 
cruisers,  for  the  "Speedy"  sailed  remarkably  fast,  we  got  into  a  place 
called  Cordivan,  in  France,  the  entrance  of  the  Bordeaux  River,  by  the 
latter  part  of  March ;  and  we  got  up  to  Bordeaux  by  the  i)oginning  of 
April.     And,  after  the  governor  was  landed,  and  hia  things  out  of"the 
schooner,  and  there  being  no  freights  for  the  schooner,  the  captain  sold 
lier  to  the  French  Government,  she  being  a  very  fast  sailing  vessel. 
And  the  crew,  me  in  the  number,  wore  paid  our  wages,  and  sent  about 
our  business;  and  me  and  my  old  shipmate,  James  Martin,  went  and 
shipped  on  board  of  a  large  ship,  under  Hamburgh  colors,  that  was  taking 
in  a  cargo  of  wine  for  Hamburgh;  and  you  may  depend  thai  me  and  my 
friend  were  glad  to  go  somewhere,  for  it  was  dangerous  to  be  ashore ; 
for  if  the  police  knew  that  you  was  a  sailor,  and  not  belonging  to  any 
ship,  they  took  you  and  sent  you  on  board  of  one  of  their  frigates ;  but, 
thanks  be  to  God,  we  kept  ourselves  clear  of  them;  and,  by  the  latter 
part  of  April,  our  ship  being  loaded,  we  sailed  from  the  town  of  Bor- 
deaux, and  we  got  clear  of  the  river  by  the  beginning  of  May.     And, 
after  being  at  sea  some  days,  our  captain  called  all  the  men  aft,  and  told 
them  that  he  was  not  bound  to  Hamburgh,  but  that  he  expected  to  go  to 
Loudon,  but  that  his  orders  were  to  go  to  the  Island  of  Guernsey,  and 
wait  for  orders ;  and,  after  a  long  and  tiresome  passage,  we  arrived  at 
Guernsey  in  the  middle  part  of  June.     And  me  and  my  old  shipmate, 
knowing  well  enough  that  if  the  ship  went  to  London,  we  should  be 
pressed,  and  having  such  a  great  dread  of  an  English  man-of-war,  on 
account  of  the  usage  I  had  received,  we  went  to  our  master,  who  was  a 
very  good  man,  and  asked  him  for  our  discharge  from  the  ship ;  and, 
after  telling  him  our  reason  for  doing  so,  he  gave  it  to  us,  and  paid  ub 
our  wages ;  and  ashore  we  went  at  Guernsey.     And,  after  staying  ashore 
three  or  four  days,  me  and  my  shipmate  joined  a  privateer,  called  the 
"  Blue-Eyed  Maid  of  Guernsey."     Our  vessel  was  lugger-rigged,  and 
mounted  sixteen  gunsj  and  we  carried  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,. 


I 


^  HARRATITB  OF  AS  OLD  EH0LI8H  SAILOR. 

ru'.7c;"?eLrr^e'  "".»"'"«.-.  U-  -e  and  .,  p.«n.. 

and  fifty  pounds,  wages  »"°^P"'=^™„  j/t'ending  to  go  to  Boston,  where 
friend  went  from  «"°^°«^y  ^^.J^?;,'^"^  old  fri^  But  this  is  the  way 

we  had  served  our  time,  '»«''.  ^^,'*';?"he  Almighty  disappoints:  for  the 
of  the  world,  for  man  ■^Pn^'oidon-wherTwe  got  in  June,  1801-1 
second  day  ^^er  I  arnved  m  Lond«n     wh  ^        J         ^^  .^^  ,^^ 

was  taken  very  bad  of  a  fever  and^  o,d%hipmate,  who,  during  iny 

months;  but  I  soon  got  better  And  rny^^^^  ^^  \^i^,^  to  London  again 
illness,  had  gone  to  Boston,  »°J ^^^P^^'J^did  not;  for,  poor  fellow,  he 
as  soon  as  his  business  was  «««2t  that  I  had,  as  soon  as  he  arrived  in 
was  taken  with  the  same  ^^^^ll'^^'J^.^Z  So  now,  being  left  to 
Boston,  and  died  in  a  w«e»^/""  -^^^^  ^ea  I  intended  to  settle  myself 
myself  again  and  being  t.red  f  g«^,^"^g,^°  £  '^Jovel,  who  was  owner  of 
J  shore.  With  this  '"*«f ;/ ,^3^  V,ed  t^  discharge  and  take  in  the.r 
several  wharves,  where    he  ^--aders  useu  10  «         ^^  likewise  to 

cargoes,  and  spoke  to  h.m,  ««f /^i^^.^^i  ZTZke  of  my  money;  and 
ask  him  what  the  best  uso  wou  d  ^e  that  1  couUl  y^^^^^  .^ 

he  was  very  kind  to  me  and  ^''^^J.''''^  '  ovment  kt  any  wharf  that  he 
bank,  and  that  I  should  have  constant  employmen       ^^^^y  ^^^^^^^^ 

had,  that  I  was  a  mmd  to  choose  And  ""^'^^  ;  "„  jilness  a  young 
I  go't  to  come  to  another;  and  that  '«'  ^  £  I  h'^d^ot  very  fond  of 
wSman  that  used  to  attend  on  me,  I  found  tnaw  f,  :^^^  .^^.^ 

her,  and  I  could  see,  by  the  "^t  ''nt.on  she  paid  me,  tna  ^  ^^^^^^  ^ 

ferenttohnr;  and  as  I  was  going  to  stop  on  s^^^^^^^  ^^^  ^,  ^,, 

and  having  money  I  ««»  "Pif^iJ^be  "^^^^^^^       and  my  wife  we  done 
and  wood,  and  coals;  and,  ^^^anks  be  10         ,  .wharves, loading  ana 

very  well,  for  I  used  to  go  every  f  y  J^^J^^j'^ided  the  shop.     And  so 
discharging  coasting  J--^^;,^^^^^^^  of  July,  'iSOS,  when 

things  went  on  quite  co™^^?  with  out  an  end  to  all  my  happiness  for  a 
a  strange  accident  «cc""«^.^^"^^  P"\?Jlg  m„ther-in-law  was  a  woman 
long  time.  The  case  was  thi^:  myj''^;,™^^  ^jfe  and  get  things 
greltly  given  to  ^""^^^^^^^^SVemoiey^n  drink;' and  having  run  up  a 
EVP-r^e^my'Xspo^^^^^^^  he\  about  it;  but  she,  be.ng  half 
drunk,  abused  my  wife,  and  struck  her.  ^  ^^,^  ^^  „f 

''Sy  landlord,  Mr.  ^\^l^^:ZVtfZrTrJ^>or^ng;  and  I  ran 
,t,  for  my  house  was  close  to  the  whart  wn  ^^^  ^^^  ^^ 

up  directly,  and  ordered  *»«5  «"*fi**;Sd  between  us;  and  at  last 
there  any  more;  and  a  g^^.^^'^^.^.JItrT^  her  out  of  doors;  but 
■he  told  me  she  would  make  ">«  «»"/ '"'  j^n  to  be  sorry  for  what  had 
I  did  not  mind  her.    But  I  scKm  had  o^^asmn  t  y^^^  ^^^^^  ^^^ 

happened;  for  the  war  between  France   and        g^^^^^.^^^^     ^^^  ^ 

again,  and  the  press  was  ^^J^*'*.  informed  against  me  that  I  was  a 
Se  lieutenant  of  the  presB-gang,  ^d  m  orm        g^  ^^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^ 

seafaring  man,  and  "?"«t«Tlhenl  w«i  going  ««  "hut  my  shop  up,  the 
o'clock  that  same  ©Temng,  just  when  1  was  g«iuB 


:  SAILOR. 

I,  thanks  be  to  God,  we 
prizes  and  recaptures- 
id  me  and  my  partnei 

id  about  three  hundred 
ether;  and  me  ami  my 
r  to  go  to  Boston,  where 
ds.  But  this  is  the  way 
hty  disappoints:  for  the 
ve  got  in  June,  1801 — 1 
I  to  keep  my  bed  for  two 
lipmate,  who,  during  my 
>  return  to  London  agam 
not;  for,  poor  fellow,  he 

as  soon  as  he  arrived  in 
.     So  now,  being  left  to 
intended  to  settle  myself 
iovel,  who  was  owner  of 
charge  and  take  in  their 
atcnlion,  and  likewise  to 
I  make  of  my  money;  and 
best  put  my  money  in  the 
iicnt  at  any  wiiarf  that  he 
having  tiiis  point  settled, 
uring  my  illness  a  young 
,at  I  had  got  very  fond  of 

mc,  that  I  was  not  mdif- 
loro,  I  thought  1  wanted  a 
her  consent,  and  we  got 
iley  Street,  in  the  Borough, 

e  to  Pickle  Herring  Stairs; 
;ll  cabbages,  and  potatoes, 
me  and  my  wife  we  done 
at  the  wharves,  loading  ana 
ninded  the  shop.     And  so 
r  part  of  July,  1802,  when 
d  to  all  my  happiness  for  a 
nother-in-law  was  a  woman 
,  to  my  wife  and  get  things 
Irink;  and  having  run  up  a 
out  it;  but  she,  being  halt 

came  down  and  told  me  of 
re  I  was  working;  and  I  ran 
le.  and  told  her  not  to  come 
ised  between  us;  and  at  last 
irningheroutof  doors;  but 

lion  to  be  sorry  for  what  had 
md  England  had  broke  out 
wife's  mother-in-law  went  to 
med  against  me  that  I  was  a 
ea;  and  about  half  past  ten 
going  to  shut  my  shop  up,  the 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


293 


pross-gang  came  and  took  me,  too.  I  had  a  scuffle  for  it  before  I  was 
takuu,  j^r  1  knocked  the  first  two  down  that  came  into  my  house;  but  I  was 
soon  overpowered,  and  was  taken  by  force,  and  taken  down  to  the  boat 
which  they  had  biouglit  to  Pickle  Herring  Stairs;  and  from  there  I  was 
taken  on  board  the  "  Enterprise,"  whicii  lay  at  Tower  Hill  Stairs,  where 
I  was  put,  both  legs  in  irons,  and  my  hands  tied  behind  me ;  and  there 
I  laid  till  the  morning,  when  ine  and  some  more  pressed  men  wore  put 
on  board  of  a  tender,  and  sent  down  to  the  big  Nore  on  board  of  the 
*'Oid  Nauiur,"  which  lay  flag-ship  there;  and  ne.\t  morning  I  was  sent 
on  board  of  the  "  Childers,"  ten-gun  brig,  to  be  sent  round  to  Spithcad, 
where  we  arrived  on  the  6th  of  August,  1802.  And  now  having  come 
a  liitle  to  myself,  you  may  depend  my  feelings  and  my  mind  was  none 
of  the  best. 

The  chief  thing  that  grieved  me  was  thinking  about  my  wife ;  for  I 
knew  siie  was  about  seven  months  gone  in  the  family  way;  but  the  only 
way  1  had  left  to  do  her  any  good  was  to  write  to  her;  and  having,  by 
good  luck,  three  guineas  in  my  pocket,  which  I  put  there  in  the  evening 
before  1  was  pressed,  to  pay  for  some  potatoes,  in  the  morning,  which  1 
had  bought,  1  went  and  bought  some  paper,  and  pens,  and  ink,  and  I 
wrote  a  letter  to  my  landlord,  Mr.  Bland,  and  told  him  where  I  was;  and 
I  told  him  to  go  to  Mr.  Scovel,  the  gentleman  that  had  my  money,  for 
him  to  got  two  substitutes  for  me,  which  would  come  to  about  sixty 
pounds  per  man,  and  to  let  me  know  how  my  wife  was,  and  to  be  sure 
not  to  lot  my  wife's  mother-in-law  come  there.  I  directed  this  letter  to 
Mr.  Bland,  for  fear,  if  I  directed  it  to  my  own  house,  it  might  have  been 
stopped.  I  remained  on  board  of  the  "  Childers"  three  days  after  we 
arrived  at  Spithead ;  and  then  I  was  sent  on  board  of  the  "  Royal 
William,"  which  lay  flag-ship  at  Spithead.  And  now  all  my  hopes  being 
at  an  end  of  getting  an  answer  to  my  letter,  as  my  letter  would  be 
directed  to  the  "  Childers,"  I  turned  to  and  wrote  again,  and  told  them 
where  I  was;  but  I  might  have  saved  myself  the  trouble,  for  I  was  only 
three  days  on  board  of  the  "Royal  William"  before  I  was  drafted  to 
the  "  Albion,"  of  seventy-four  guns,  and  she  was  bound  to  the  East 
Indies  for  to  take  out  a  convoy  of  merchant  ships.  We  sailed  from 
Spithead  in  the  beginning  of  September,  1802;  and  I  left  England  with 
a  heavy  heart,  not  having  heard  from  my  friends.  I  often  thought  that 
none  of  ray  letters  had  gone;  and  being  very  careless  of  myself  1  gave 
way  to  all  sorts  of  badness,  gambling,  drunkenness,  cursing  and  swear- 
ing, which  brought  me  continually  into  trouble. 

We  were  obliged  to  bear  up  in  a  heavy  gale  from  the  westward,  for 
Plymouth,  after  being  clear  of  the  Land's  End;  and  after  having  all  our 
defects  made  good,  we  sailed  from  Plymouth  the  29th  day  of  September, 
1802,  with  a  tine  breeze  from  the  north-east,  and  we  had  a  very  fine 
passage  till  the  5th  of  November,  when  we  fell  in  with  two  French  mer- 
chant ships,  who  did  not  know  that  the  war  had  broke  out  again  between 
England  and  France,  and  so  they  became  easy  prizes  to  us ;  and  I  had 
the  good  luck  to  be  sent  on  board  of  one  of  them,  called  the  "  La 
Favorite."  She  was  from  the  Isle  of  France,  and  was  bound  to  Bor- 
deaux, in  France;  and  after  the  exchange  of  the  crew,  and  our  captain 
sending  water  and  provisions  on  board,  we  parted  company  from  the 
fleet  for  Old  England;  and  you  may  depend  I  was  glad  enough.  But 
the  ship  that  I  was  in  was  a  very  dull  sailing  vessel,  and  she  was  very 
leaky,  so  wt  made  very  slow  progress  across  the  Trade  Winds ;  but  by 
the  beginning  of  December  we  fell  in  with  a  westerly  wind,  which  was 


NiBRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ESOUSH  SAILOR. 


and  parted  company  ^''^^"t  m'  of  her,  which  was  a  very  rascally 
wind  and  wc  never  saw  ^11""°'^  °'J'''  ,eaky,  they  ought  to  have 
,rick  of  them;  for  they  kn«*'"8  ^^!'!'fnd  Jd  fine  weather,  we  kopt  on 
"topped  by  us.     But  we  havmg  a  fair  w'""  wja  nn  December;  and 

trio  Jo  till  wo  got  into  Boandmgs  on   h    IJth  day^^^  ^^^^  ^.^^^^  ^.^^^ 

the  next  day.  m  the  ™«"";8'V\,i,'h  proved  to  be  a  French  pr.vateer. 
we  saw  a  lugger  close  to  us,  «^hich  P^  ^^  „ight  have  had  a  h«ht 
Now  if  our  partner  had  been  '^'«"8^^^'' ""'";;„„  four  guns,  and  being 
Zl:  hut  being  by  ourselves  and  on^y  -ouf-»/,^^  «?veral  day.,  and 
.hort  of  P^°v.s.ons,  for  we  had  been  s^x     P^     ^.^^^^  ^^  ^^  ^^^^  ^  ^^,    i 

being  continually  at  the  Pvimp«'  ««  ^  and  twenty  men;  ho  we  were 
mounting  sixteen  guns,  and  on«  ''"»";^  ,  fo„nd  that  our  other  prize 
boarded,'and  taken  by  J^"  P^^^f  ^/^ ,,«  same  lugger.  For  getting 
had  been  taken  two  ^ayB  helore  by f,  ^^J^^  ^^,  another  ship 

information  from  some  of  the  *rencmn  ^^^^^  ^^^^^^  ^^^  j 

coming,  she  l/'d  ^o  for  us  m  ^^^  t^^l^'^^^j  ^^^  i  had  a  sure  prospect 
sent  on  board  of  the  French  '"gse^-  J^  ^j,^  ^^^y  commencement  of 
before  me  to  be^made  a  priso^r  of  w  '  at  ^  ^e  ^  J^i.^  f     the 

it;  but,  thanks  be  to  God      d'd  "ot  ^y^  ^^y   J^^  ^^^  j  ^^^  „^,  ^e 

Frenchmen  on  board  of  the  'WJ  "  j^^^  j  f^ll  in  with  a  young  man  on 
many  days  on  board  of  the  ^gg^^..^,  "  g^if  ^ho  had  been  a  shipmate 

the  same.  ,         .      .    .  „  f^j  gt  Maloes,  and  we  got  into  the 

We  steered,  with  the  P"^«   "/"^gOS     Now  the  captain  and  the  mate 

harbor  on  the  fifth  f  J  «J  ^^^.^'an  E^nglish  prison,  U  they  had  been 

keep  us  out  of  prison.  -^    g^  Maloes,  it  was  late 

Now  when  the  privateer  and  the  pr>zes  got  ^^  ^^^^  ^ 

in  the  afternoon  and  the  crew  binjog^  ^  ^^  d 

and  got  them  all  safe  m,  and  tneir  ir  ^^^^  ^^  ^^g 

bringing  them  something  to  ^-^^  and  to  Jr  «>;  jnat    y^.^^^^^^_  ^^^ 
S  th'cre  was  scarce  a  sober  r^an  on  b«  rd^ol  ^^J  ^.^^^ 

captain  not  being  able  to  s^nj  us  on  sno  ^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^„  ^^ 

us  to  look  out  for  onrsf  es,  for  he  wouW        ^.^s         ^.^^^^^  toward  us 
in  the  morning.    We  thanked  him  Kmaj  ^^^^^^  ^^e  most  of  it 

and  me  and  the  G!^«^r?y  ""^^  .^'twed  astern  of  the  privateer,  and 
Now  one  of  the  prizes    boats  was  towea  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^.^^  ^^ 

with  her  we  attempted  to  ^'^^  ""^.^^^''^Pf'^ur  fellow-prisoners  we  could 
after  it  was  dark,  was  to  see  how  many  o t  ^^^^  ^^^.^^  ourselves 

get  to  go  along  with  us;  ^"^/^^^^J'Cl  the  boat  up  along  side,  and 
h^n^r":?yt£|  ZT^^  necessary  for  our  voyage,  such  a. 
provisions  and  water. 


AILOU. 

made  the  best  use  wc 
Bcks'  provisions  when 
,  and  still  were  a  long 

1  deal  better  than  us ; 
,fter.     We  had  a  fair 
i  was  a  very  rascally 
ky,  they  ought  to  have 
le  weather,  we  kopt  on 
day  of  December;  and 
r,  and  very  little  wind, 
»e  a  French  privateer, 
might  have  had  a  fiKht 
IT  four  guns,  and  being 
tr  for  several  dayn,  and 
ttle  fit  to  fight  a  vo^sel 
irenty  uien;  so  we  were 
nd  that  our  other  prize 

lugger.      For,  getting 
there  was  another  ship 

were  taken,  and  I  was 
yv  1  had  a  sure  prospect 
very  commencement  of 
long  with  them ;  for  the 
well,  and  1  had  not  been 
in  with  a  young  man  on 
rho  had  been  a  shipmate 
"  who  could  speak  the 
ing,  and  he  told  me  that 
d  help  it,  and  I  told  him 

does,  and  we  got  into  the 
the  captain  and  the  mate 
.rison,  and  they  had  been 
im  spoke  very  good  Lng- 
go  to  prison;  and  he  told 
anything  in  his  power  to 

nto  St.  Maloes,  it  was  late 
I  at  taking  so  many  prizes, 
coming  to  see  them,  and 
s,  that  by  the  time  it  was 
of  the  privateer ;  and  the 
the  evening,  he  kindly  told 
)bliged  to  send  us  on  shore 
his  good  wishes  toward  us, 
)uld  make  the  most  of  it 
rtern  of  the  privateer,  and 
and  the  first  thing  we  done 
,r  fellow-prisoners  we  couW 
,ne  more  beside  ourselves, 
he  boat  up  along  side,  and 
ary  for  our  voyage,  such  as 


T 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


295 


; 
i 


We  had  the  good  luck  to  find  two  breakers  of  water,  each  breaker 
holding  about  seven  gallons;  and,  as  I  told  you  before,  the  Frenciimen'a 
friends  fetched  plenty  of  bren'l  and  other  things  on  board ;  we  found  a 
pretty  good  stock  of  it,  enough,  with  care,  to  last  us  two  or  thrno  days, 
by  which  time  we  expected,  with  (iod's  help,  to  be  in  England.  And 
aft(!r  getting  one  of  the  privateer's  compasses  into  the  boat,  we  wore 
all  ready;  but  it  would  not  do  for  us  to  start  before  the  rounds  had  been, 
which  was  a  guard-boat  that  pulled  round  the  harbor  once  a  night;  so  we 
dropped  our  boat  astern  again,  and  laid  down  quietly  till  tiie  giiard-iioat 
was  past,  wliich  came  round  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning.  And  our 
Guernsey  man  was  lucky  enough  to  hear  the  watchword  for  the  morning; 
for  in  going  out  of  the  harbor,  we  had  to  pass  close  to  a  fort  on  our  star< 
board  hand,  and  the  sentry  was  sure  to  hail  you  to  ask  tiie  countersign. 
So  after  the  guard-boat  was  gone,  and  everything  was  quiet,  we  started, 
and  we  passed  the  fort  about  three  o'clock  in  the  morning;  and,  thanks 
be  to  God,  wc  got  clear  of  the  mouth  of  the  harbor  long  before 
daylight. 

Now  the  wind,  when  we  left  the  harbor,  was  about  east-south-cast,  and 
we  being  bound  to  the  northward,  we  had  a  fair  wind,  and  a  fine  breeze; 
and  we  all  expected  to  havf  made  some  part  of  England  by  the  next 
day;  but  our  hopes  were  very  soon  all  frustrated,  for  toward  the  middle 
part  of  our  first  day  at  sea,  the  wind  came  round  to  the  north-east,  and 
from  there  to  north-north-east;  and  it  came  to  blo'.v  very  hard,  and  we 
were  obliged  to  close-reef  our  sails,  and  lay  as  close  to  the  wind  as  we 
could:  and  we  made  our  course  nearly  north-west,  which  was  four  points 
off  our  course  that  we  intended  to  steer  for.  It  blew  very  hard  all  night, 
and  it  was  very  cold,  and  you  may  depend  we  were  all  very  glad  when  it 
pleased  the  Almighty  to  send  us  daylight  once  more;  but  we  could  not 
see  anything  of  any  ship  or  land,  and  we  all  sat  down  to  eat  our  scanty 
breakfast;  but  before  we  sat  down,  we  all  went  to  prayers  to  return 
thanks  to  God  for  preserving  us  during  the  night,  and  hoping  that  the 
Almighty  would  protect  us  during  the  day. 

After  we  had  done  our  breakfast,  the  wind  lulling  a  bit,  we  shook  one 
reef  out  of  our  foresail.  But  not  to  tire  my  reader  with  everything  that 
we  done;  we  stayed  in  this  condition  for  four  days,  the  weather  being 
very  thick  and  hazy,  and  very  little  wind.  We  saw  a  large  ship  close  by 
us,  and  being  all  hands  very  weak,  we  got  our  oars  out,  and  pulled  after 
the  ship,  which  at  last  we  accomplished;  and  she  proved  to  be  a  ship 
belonging  to  Bremen,  with  emigrants  from  Hanover;  for  the  French  had 
drove  them  out  of  their  country,  and  they  were  bound  to  Baltimore,  in 
America.  When  we  first  got  alongside  of  the  ship,  the  people  on  board 
of  her  came  to  the  gangway,  and  seemed  quite  surprised  to  see  so  many 
poor  wretched  looking  men  in  so  small  a  boat;  for  uur  boat  was  only 
twenty -five  feet  long;  and  they  asked  us,  in  German,  where  we  came 
from,  and  what  we  wanted.  Now  I  being  the  only  one  that  could  under- 
stand a  little  of  the  German  language,  which  I  learned  at  the  time 
that  I  belonged  to  the  Hamburgh  ship  that  I  mentioned,  I  told  them  that 
we  were  Englishmen  that  had  run  away  from  a  French  prison. 

As  soon  as  they  heard  it,  they  told  us  to  come  up;  and  you  may 
depend  we  were  glad  to  hear  that ;  and  we  tried  our  best  to  get  up,  but 
we  could  not,  for  we  were  so  weak,  and  so  cold,  that  we  could  not  stand 
upon  our  legs.  So  the  captain  seeing  this,  he  was  kind  enough  to  send 
some  of  the  crew  into  the  boat  to  help  us,  and  they  were  obliged  to  haul 
us  up  the  ship's  side  with  ropes;  and,  thanks  be  to  God,  we  all  got  safely 


11 


NARRATIVE  OP  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 

well  as  7«^  l/,^!,'.  "^'^^  3/«ome  very  squally  weather,  we  nplit  a 
servers ;  lor  w« J*'  '"f  ';j"be"„7a  middliig  good  sail-maker,  I  was 

d  oe  no"  mt:  than'Vs  duty;  but,  as  we  --.ver^  short  c^cloth.ng,  he 

would  give  us  a  suit  of  cl^^^^^^^^^^^ 

i°^A^    Tr  Z  L^nd  offer    and  he  gafe  us  our  clothes;  and,  in  fact,  every 

brothers;  and  we  a  I  were  vpry  coniio  ,.  .   .   •        j^    j    j  ogj  licr 

men  overboard  when  th«  *cf  ^^JiKe     b^ardof  the  brig  to  assist  our 

.p.,e  .p.r  fQr  w  ''«• '"'' ?  '"f  f 'V  plewed  God  lo  .end  him  .aft 
X'oi'  'wr;UbtkrCc".pau?hL«il,forhi.  ti„dne..  »«.d 
UB,  and  we  parted  company.  ,,  Spring-flower," 

Now  the  brig  that  we  S^'^^^^'^^^^^ZmPori  Royal,  Jamaica, 
belonging  to  Liverpool;  and  she  J^ J^^^^yal  under^onvoy  of  a 
bound  to  Liverpool.  She  8»'»fa  '™™J"^  very  dull  sailer,  she  lost  the 
ftigatej.but  be  ng  very  deeply  lade^^  ^,^^   .^,  ,,^  ^^, 

convoy  m  a  g'^l^  «f  J'^J'i^'eberg,  and  lost  her  foremast  and  bowsprit, 
fortune  to  run  foul  of  »°  '^^'^^8'  ^^  „„  board  of  the  brig,  we  found 
and  five  of  her  men.     When  we  came  on  b  ^^^ 

the  master,  two  men,  and  ^  boy,  and  "^»'»  P»">;;|  ^^^  „„,  ;,,,,,3  „p, 
aUogether;  aBd  we  turned  to^^^^^^^  God's  help  we 

StiTtteTe  oL^dXT-Sat  we  w'^rJ  able  to  set  a  maintop-gallant 


SAILOR. 

1  boon  ntarly  five  days 
lad  Hciircoly  provisions 
losod,  in  tin)  month  of 
BDOW  bealiiig  about  us; 
nd  if  tlioy  had  given  U8 
pen  our  legs.     But  the 

and  tl>e  doctor  had  us 
I  a  little  sago  and  Home 
icit  I  did  not  awako  till 
id  people's  care,  I  was 
but  wo  hud  the  misfor- 

the  day  after  wo  were 

some  of  them  were  a 
;eii  days'  time,  I  was  as 
)me  service  to  my  pre- 
lUy  weather,  we  split  a 
good  sail-maker,  I  was 
a  very  much.     Now  the 
n,  and  she  being  a  very 
the  boat  to  him;  for  1 
is  the  reason  the  captain 
boat  was  of  any  use  to 
ly  opinion,  we  owed  him 
r  his  kindness  toward  us 
it  that  price,  for  he  had 
ery  short  of  clothing,  he 
shirts  a  piece  out  of  the 
:e,  and  thanked  him  very 
jthes;  and,  in  fact,  every 
f  we  had  been  their  own 
board  of  her,  till  the  16th 
ish  brig,  who  had  lost  her 
ieberg;  and  she  lost  five 
1  had  only  four  men  left. 
:d  of  the  brig  to  assist  our 
f  the  brig;  and  you  may 
iry  heart,  for  they  all  had 
kind  enough  to  give  ua  a 
lid  the  master  of  the  brig 
id  God  to  send  him  safe 
f  for  his  kindness  toward 

illed  the  "  Spring-flower," 
)m  Port  Royal,  Jamaica, 
Royal  under  convoy  of  a 
sry  dull  sailer,  she  lost  the 
Lerward  she  had  the  mis- 
er foremast  and  bowsprit, 
»ard  of  the  brig,  we  found 
coming  on  board,  made  ten 
11,  and  got  our  shears  up, 
hich,  with  God's  help,  we 
ble  to  set  a  maintop-gallant 


T 


( 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  EN0LI8H  SAILOR.  297 

sail  for  a  foro-tojisnil,  and  a  lower  studding-sail  for  a  furosaii,  and  a  fore- 
topmast  stuysiiil  tor  u  jib. 

Now  the  (iiijtaiii  of  the  brig  being  well  ploas(3d  with  our  work,  and 
soeiii;,'  \v(!  wiiit!  veiy  uliort  of  clothing,  and  especially  when  lie  heard 
how  \vc  '^ol  uii  lK)!ird  of  the  lireiuun  ship,  was  kind  enough  to  ^rivc  us 
the  nun's  clotiins  that  had  been  drowned,  for  our  use;  and  tiie  mute  of 
the  brif,'  ixiiig  drowned,  he  made  mo  mate  in  his  Htead,  tor  I  whs  i\w 
only  niiin  out  of  the  wiiolc  that  could  read  and  write.  Now  the  bri^r  had 
l)(!t'ii  out  u  long  time  at  scu,  and  though  she  was  bound  to  I'^ngliind.  we 
could  itot  attempt  a  |>assage  to  England  in  that  time  of  the  year,  and  the 
state  the  vessel  was  in.  The  island  of  Bermuda  was  the  nearest  land 
to  us,  so  wi.  Htfercd  for  Bermuda,  where  wo  arrived  safe  on  the  3d  day 
of  March,  IBU.O. 

And  now  being  upon  my  own  hands  again,  and  having  a  little  money, 
and  a  fcvvclotiios,mc  and  my  old  shipmate,  the  Ciuernsoy  man,  shipped  on 
board  of  u  brig  called  the  "  Sprightly,"  about  one  hundrtnl  and  twenty 
tons  burden,  and  she  was  bound  to  Barhadoes,  one  of  tiii!  West  India 
Islands,  and  we  suil)>d  from  Bermuda  on  the  2d  day  of  April,  18U3,  and 
we  arriv(!d  at  the  island  of  Barhadoes,  after  a  pleasant  passage,  the 
latter  end  of  April;  and  I  traded,  on  board  of  the  "Sprightly,"  from  one 
island  to  another,  till  August,  18U4.  And  I  had  made  a  good  bit  of 
money  by  this  time,  when,  on  the  24th  day  of  August,  1804,  we  were 
coming  up  to  windward,  and  I  had  the  middle  watch:  it  was  Just  after 
two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  for  I  had  just  been  relieved  from  the  helm; 
the  weather  being  very  thick  and  hazy,  we  were  run  down  by  a  largo 
ship,  called  the  "  Big  Ann,"  of  London.  She  came  down  upon  us  so 
quick  and  unawares,  that  I  had  only  just  time  to  get  hold  of  her  bohstays, 
and  I  sung  out  to  the  rest  of  them  that  were  on  dock;  but  only  one, 
beside  myself,  had  the  good  fortune  to  save  himself,  and  that  was  the 
mate  of  the  brig.  The  rest  of  the  crew,  six  in  number,  found  a  watery 
grave.  The  captain  of  the  "  Big  Ann  "  tried  the  best  that  he  could  do, 
for  he  hove  to  directly,  and  lowered  two  boats  down,  and  pulled  about 
in  our  direction. 

We  could  not  see  anything  of  the  brig,  or  of  the  unfortunate  crew; 
so,  when  everything  was  quiet  again  on  board,  and  made  sail  again,  the 
captain  called  the  mate  and  me,  and  asked  us  the  particulars  about  our 
brig,  and  we  told  him  all  we  knew  about  it.  He  sent  us  down  below, 
and  told  us  to  lay  down  till  the  morning,  and  he  would  see  what  he 
could  do  for  us;  but,  for  my  part,  I  could  not  sleep,  and  I  believe  my 
partner  in  misfortune  was  the  same,  for  I  heard  him  getting  up,  every 
now  and  then,  and  singing  out  for  one  of  his  old  shipmates,  or  singing 
out  "  Hard  a  starboard!  there  she  comes!"  I  went  to  him  and  tried  to 
quiet  him,  but  it  was  of  no  use,  for  by  the  morning  he  was  raving  mad; 
and  the  captain  and  some  of  the  passengers  did  all  they  could  for  him, 
by  bleeding  him,  and  giving  him  what  medicines  they  thought  would  do 
him  good;  but  all  was  of  no  use,  for  he  died  the  next  day  about  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  And  now  I  being  the  only  one  that  was  saved 
from  the  "  Sprightly's"  crew,  however  all  well  and  hearty  only  twenty- 
four  hours  ago,  I  knelt  down  and  thanked  the  Almighty  Giver  of  all 
good  for  his  wonderful  mercy  toward  me;  and  I  felt  greatly  relieved 
afterward. 

Now  the  ship  that  I  was  in  was  from  London,  bound  to  Port  Royal, 
Jamaica,  and  she  had  a  good  many  passengers  on  beard,  and  the 
captain  was  kind  enough  to  mako  a  coUectiou  for  me,  and  he  collected 


.,9ft  NAURATIVK  OF  AN  OLD  KNOMSH  SAILOR. 

.1  y  «    Auk  .Ht,"l804,  and  I  wan  obliged  to  R"  «"  «''""',   l!  "^^  I     ,  v" 
"""      ,       ^      \  , ...  ,,,11  -n  tlini  I  know  about  the  los«  ol  tlio  '•W)irit,'l>iiy 

s'ri;;'  "tiu':"  i' "  ,i  L  Iti  .-."^.i  .h.  ».„.« .!.». «» ,.,,.■ ....... 

PrPnch  ft  L'atca  were  cruising  in  their  track,  from  the  coast  ot  A  ii.  a   o 

the  West  Indies    80  our  captain  altered  bin  mind,  and,  .n  n.on.  o    ^m,    g 

.l.P  VvUt    ml  es   we  steered  for  Rio  de  Janeir..,  on  the  <-oasl  ol  the 

Brazils   where  we  'arrived  on  the  16th  day  of  April    1005;  an,  as  hoo„ 

"'sr'S'l  wafoTce  more  on  board  of  an  English  man-of-war;  and  I 

warm  work  whde  ,t  >^«  j^J' ^^\'j,^^^^^"^^^^^  ^^^s  se"t  on  board  of  one  of 
gained  the  -^^  .  ^"d  f  er  the  actmn  ^^^^^  ,^^^,^^^f^^„  ^,  ,  „;,,«„- 
the  prizes,  a  Spanish  seventy. our    an  j^^.^^^^^  before  we  got  on 


FI  8AIL0R. 

n,  ill  tho  namo  of  thfi 
tiiriu'd  tli<!in  my  f<inc«rr 
d  1110  llmt,  if  I  liked,  I 
lint  thn  Hhip  lay  in  I'ort 
I  Port  lloyal  on  tlu«  20th 
in  Hlioro  the  next  day  to 
f!  loss  of  tho  '-HiiriKhtly" 
lAf^vM  that  waH  due  to  nio 

about  one  hnmlrcd  and 
a  rood  stock  of  clothes, 
r.ard  the  "  Biir  Aim"  till 
hoard  of  a  ship  l)eioii;,'ing 
«.  was  bound  to  the  coast 

ship,  inonntinK  ei;»hteen 
Icttcr-of-inarquo  comini»- 

f  September,  and  wo  had 
d  we  arrived  on  the  coast 
latter  part  of  November; 
'.  got  our  carfjo,  which  we 
806;  but  just   before  we 
hat  arrived  there,  that  two 
•om  the  coast  of  Africa  to 
ind,  and.  in  room  of  >.'oing 
iineiro,  on  tiie  coast  of  the 
•  April,  1005;  and  as  soon 
ihip  cleaned,  w(;  took  in  a 
om  Rio  de  Janeiro  the  last 
1;  and  we  had  a  very  <;ood 
I  becalmed  for  twelve  days, 
hat  WPS  just  after  we  had 
)  brec/e  across  the  north- 
.  we  fell  in  with  a  lleet  of 
ttcr-of-marque   commission 
d  presset'  forty  men  out  of 
t  on  board  of  the  "Spashot," 

English  man-of-war;  and  I 
iged  to  Hamburgh,  in  C«er- 
t  would  not  do;  they  would 
et  clear,  I  contented  myself, 
Wc  kept  cruising  at  sea, 
the  month  of  October,  when 
ore  ships;  and  then  wc  were 
-first  of  October,  when  we 
action;  and  we  had  pretty 
to  God,  we  beat  them,  and 
was  sent  on  board  of  one  of 
had  lost  her  fore  and  mizzen- 
aftcrnoon  before  we  got  on 
and  exchanged,  it  was  nearly 
fore,  and  mizzenmast ;  but  by 
I  mizzen  standing;  but  they 
cT  on  a  gale  of  wind,  we  soon 


NARRATIVF,  (Jf  AK  om  KN0LI8H  SAILOR. 


290 


lost  our  jurynifist  again,  .did  we  were  u,  ^"in;^  as  fast  as  we  could  toward 
llie  Spaiiisli  sli,    '•      It  is  Irfnl  enough  to  (n-  on  a  Icc'-shori'  in  a  gahi  of 

wind   at  any  lim<',  tvU  especially    when  thiit   I shore   is   an   eiitiny's 

coast;  but  we  found  thiif,  if  the  gale  cMff'^'niied,  we  siiould  have  to  go 
on  slior<<  before  morning;  mi  our  commanding  oliiccr  thought  best  to  run 
her  on  shore  v/hile  it  was  daylij/ht. 

To  etl'oct  this,  we  had  lo  get  the  ship  before  tho  wind,  which  we  could 
not  elfect  without  cutting  away  the  mainmiiHt,  which  we  were  obliged  io 
do,  and  iIkmi  sitting  a  spritsail  upon  the  bowspiil.  ^'^<'  got  the  ship  beCoro 
tlu;  wind;  and  as  soon  as  we  got  the  ship  bet'ore  the  wind,  we  opened 
the  hatches  lo  let  our  prisoners  come  up,  so  that  the  poor  fellows  could 
look  out  to  save  their  own  lives;  but  tho  ship  run  upon  a  sandy  bench, 
hut,  thanks  be  to  (iod,  being  nearly  a  new  ship,  and  very  strong  built, 
she  k(;pt  togethi^r,  and  she  soon  workijd  herself  broadside  on;  and  us  on 
board,  heaving  all  thi;  starboard  guns  overboard,  and  rolling  all  the  shot 
we  could  get  at,  or  any  heavy  thing,  over  to  the  larboard  side,  we  mado 
shifl  to  give  her  good  list  in  shore.  And  the  ship  having  worked  hiirsrlf 
broadside  on.  and  well  into  the  sand,  we  contrived  to  get  ashore  under  her 
lee,  which  we  did  by  cutting  her  port  gangway  :ind  hammock  neltiiigs 
away,  and  launching  her  boom-boats,  which  wc  etl'ected  after  a  good 
deal  of  trouble,  and  by  which  I  got  my  right  li!g  ami  my  arm  hurt  a 
good  deal,  which  laid  me  up  for  some  time  afterward.  Now,  aftir  wo 
got  the  boats  bailed  out,  we  sent  thi;  prisoners  ashore  first,  and  thi.'ii  fol- 
lowed ourselves  afterward;  and  by  four  o'clock  the  next  morning — that 
is  to  say,  the  23(1  of  October^we  all  got  safe  on  shore. 

Now  tli<»  Spanish  prisoners  that  had  come  on  shore  llrst,  some  t)f  them 
had  been  and  seen  their  friends,  and,  as  daylight  came  on,  they  came 
down  to  assist  us,  which  Uwy  did,  fur  they  brought  us  some  brf^ad,  and 
some  tigs,  and  some  wine,  to  refresh  us,  which  wc  wanted  very  much, 
for  we  had  scarcely  tasted  anything  the  last  twenty-four  hours ;  and  the 
Spaniards  behaved  very  kind  to  us.  As  for  myself,  after  I  had  oaten 
some  bread  and  fruit,  and  drank  some  wine,  1  tried  to  get  up,  but  I  could 
not;  and  one  of  the  Spaniards,  seeing  tho  state  that  I  was  in,  was  kind 
enough  to  get  two  or  three  more  of  his  companions,  and  lifted  mo  up  in 
one  of  the  bullock-carts,  in  which  they  had  brought  down  the  provisions 
for  us,  and  covered  mo  up  with  one  of  their  great  ponchos;  and  he 
tapped  me  ou  the  shoulder,  and  said,  "Bono  Knglish!''  And,  being 
upon  the  cart,  I  was  out  of  tho  wind  and  rain — for  it  blew  a  heavy  gale 
of  wind;  and  I  felt  myself  quite  comfortable,  only  my  leg  pained  me  a 
good  deal ;  but,  thanks  bo  to  God,  I  soon  fell  into  a  sound  sleep ;  and, 
OS  I  heard  ailerward,  the  French  soldiers  came  down  and  marched  the 
rest  of  my  shipmates  up  to  Cadiz,  and  they  put  them  into  a  Spanish 
prison.  As  for  my  part,  I  was  taken  up  to  Cadiz,  in  the  bullock-cart, 
and  my  kind  friend  took  me  to  hia  own  house,  and  had  me  put  to  bed, 
whore  I  found  myself  when  1  woke. 

Now  in  tlie  house  where  I  was,  it  happened  to  be  a  boarding  house, 
and  a  good  many  American  sailors  boarded  there,  and  when  1  came  te 
myself,  my  friend,  the  Spaniard,  brought  one  of  the  American  sailors  to 
me,  for  to  ask  me  if  I  wanted  anything.  1  told  the  man  very  kindly  tiiat 
I  wanted  some  one  to  look  at  my  leg;  for  I  felt  my  leg  very  painful. 
Now  this  young  man  was  mate  of  an  American  ship  tliat  was  getting 
repaired  at  Cadiz,  and  he  spoke  very  good  Spanish,  so  he  told  the  Spaniard 
what  I  wanted,  and  my  friend  went  away  and  fetched  a  doctor,  who  could 
speak  very  good  English,  who  dressed  my  leg,  and  assured  me  there 


300 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


were  DO  boncB  broken,  only  he  told  mc  that  I  must  keep  mysolf  very 
quiet,  and  to  bu  sure  not  to  drink  any  spiritd. 

I  forgot  to  toll  you  that  the  first  niylit  that  I  got  on  board  oi"  tiie  prize, 
while  1  was  down  below,  to  look  lor  8oine  rope,  for  to  lush  iho  jury  fore- 
mast to  the  stump  of  the  old  foremast,  1  picked  up  a  belt;  but,  being  iu 
a  hurry,  I  never  look  'd  into  it,  but  put  it  around  me,  under  my  fiock, 
and,  being  busy  at  work  all  the  time  that  I  was  on  board  of  her,  1  never 
thought  no  more  about  it  till,  now  I  was  laying  in  bed,  1  felt  it  uncom- 
fortable round  me,  and  I  asked  my  new  friend,  the  American  male,  if  he 
would  bo  kind  enough  to  take  it  off  me.  But  what  was  my  surprise 
when,  on  overhauling  of  it,  I  found  that  there  were  forty  doubloons,  ten 
dollars,  and  some  smaller  u^oney  in  it!  My  surprise  was  so  great  that 
my  young  friend  perceived  it,  and  I  told  hina  the  whole  truth  of  it,  how 
I  came  by  it.  My  friend  advised  me  to  keep  it  quiet,  and  say  nothing 
about  it ;  I  told  him  J  would.  And  now  it  came  into  my  tliougiits  that 
the  money  might  be  serviceable  to  me,  to  keep  me  from  going  to  prison; 
and  I  spoke  to  my  young  friend  about  it,  and  he  went  down  and  spoke 
to  the  old  Spaniard  about  it,  who  came  up  to  me  directly,  and  he  told 
the  American  mate  to  tell  me  to  make  myself  quite  easy  about  that ;  for 
he  had  been  to  the  prison  to  hear  if  he  could  find  out  that  I  had  been 
r  !ssia^,  and,  when  I  had  been  missed,  that  they  supposed  that  I  had 
been  drowned;  so  he  said,  "It  will  be  your  own  fault  if  you  goto 
prison." 

You  may  depend  I  was  very  glad  to  hear  what  he  said,  and  I  offered 
the  old  man  a  doubloon  for  the  kindness  he  had  shown  me,  which  he  at 
first  refused;  but,  aller  a  good  deal  of  persuading,  he  took  it  for  to  pay 
tiie  doctor.  And  now  this  affair  being  settled,  I  rested  myself  quite 
contented  till  it  pleased  the  Almighty  to  restore  to  me  the  use  of  my  leg 
and  arm,  which  got  quite  well  in  about  a  month's  time;  and  me  and  the 
American  mate  got  quite  friendly  together;  and,  their  ship  being  nearly 
ready  for  sea,  he  persuaded  me  to  join  the  ship  that  he  belonged  to,  for 
they  were  several  hands  short,  and  they  would  be  oDliged  to  ship 
Spaniards,  without  they  cou'd  get  any  of  my  former  shipmates  to  run 
awuy  out  of  prison  and  join  their  ship;  so  I  agreed  to  go  along  with 
him,  and  I  joined  the  "Matilda,"  of  Boston,  on  the  1st  day  of  Decem- 
ber, 1805.  On  leaving  my  old  friend,  the  Spaniard,  who  had  been  so 
kind  to  me.  I  made  him  a  present  of  iive  Spanish  doubloons,  which  he 
accepted;  and  1  parted  from  him  with  a  sorrowful  heart. 

Wlien  I  came  on  board  of  the  "  Matilda,"  I  was  quite  surprised  to 
find  four  of  my  old  shipmates  there  before  me.  They  had  made  their 
escape  out  of  prison  through  the  assistance  of  some  good  Spaniards,  and 
had  got  on  board  there  before  me.  But  you  may  depend  that  their  sur- 
prise was  great  to  see  me,  for  I  was  believed,  by  every  one,  to  be 
drowned;  but  we  soon  reconciled  ourselves;  and  by  the  4th  day  of 
December  we  were  out  at  sea,  clear  of  them  all;  and  our  ship,  the 
"Matilda,"  was  bound  to  Boston,  in  America,  where  we  arrived  the  26th 
day  of  January,  1806.  I  liked  my  ship  so  well,  that  I  agreed  to  go  along 
with  them  another  voyage;  and  we  sailed  from  Boston  in  the  beginning  I 
of  March;  and  we  went  back  to  Cadiz  again,  and  1  had  the  pleasure  of( 
seeing  my  old  friend,  the  Spaniard,  again,  who  was  well  and  hearty. 

And  now  I  must  tell  my  readers  that  I  staid  in  the  "  Matilda,"  of  I 
Boston,  till,  in  a  voyage  from  Boston  to  London,  in  the  beginning  of  thej 
year  1807,  I  was  pressed  out  of  her,  while  lying  at  the  Big  Nore;  and 
was  taken  on  board  of  the  "Namur,"  guard-ship  at  Shoerness,  and  froiiil 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


301 


ISH  SAILOR. 

It  I  must  keep  myself  very 

1  got  on  board  ol"  tlic  prize, 
pe,  for  to  bsh  iho  jui  y  fore- 
ied  up  a  belt;  but,  being  lu 
round  me,  under  my  fiock, 
vas  on  board  of  lier,  I  never 
yiflg  ia  bed,  1  felt  it  uncom- 
id,  the  American  mate,  if  he 
But  what  was  my  surprise 
•re  were  forty  doubloons,  ten 
ly  surprise  was  so  great  that 
n  the  whole  truth  of  it,  how 
sep  it  quiet,  and  say  iiothuig 
came  into  my  thoughts  that 
eep  rae  from  going  to  prison; 
id  he  went  down  and  spoke 
,  to  me  directly,  and  he  told 
elf  quite  easy  about  that ;  for 
uld  find  out  that  I  had  been 
lat  they  supposed  that  I  had 
your  own  fault  if  you  go  to 

,r  what  he  said,  and  I  offered 
G  had  shown  me,  which  he  at 
rsuading,  he  took  it  for  to  pay 
lettled,  1  rested  myself  quite 
>3tore  to  me  the  use  of  my  leg 
nonth's  time ;  and  me  and  the 
■;  and,  their  sliip  being  nearly 
e  ship  that  he  belonged  to,  lor 
sy   would  be  ooliged  to  ship 
■■  my  former  shipmates  to  run 
80  I  agreed  to  go  along  with 
ton,  on  the  1st  day  of  Decem- 
le  Spaniard,  who  had  been  so 
Spanish  doubloons,  which  he 
jorrowful  heart. 

Ida  "  I  was  quite  surprised  to 
,re  me.    They  had  made  their 
ce  of  some  good  Spaniards,  and 
you  may  depend  that  their  sur- 
believed,  by  every  oiie,  to  be 
jelves;  and  by  the  4th  day  of 
,f  them  all;   and  our  ship,  the 
»rica,  where  we  arrived  the  25tn 
o  well,  that  I  agreed  to  go  along 
d  from  Boston  in  the  beginning 
igain,  and  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
in,  who  was  well  and  hearty. 
,t  1  staid  in  the  "Matilda,"  of 
London,  in  the  beginning  of  the 
die  lying  at  the  Big  Nore;  and  1 
aard-ship  at  Shoerness,  and  from 


there  I  was  drafted  on  board  of  the  "  Spitfire,''  sloop-of-war.  Although 
I  was  on  the  books  as  a  foreigner,  1  could  not  got  clear;  so  I  wrote  up 
to  my  old  landlord,  Mr.  Bland,  to  hear  if  I  could  learn  anything  of  my 
wife;  and  I  asked  him  if  he  would  be  kind  enough  to  come  down  to  me 
and  see  me,  and  bring  my  wife  along  with  him.  I  sent  this  letter  away 
on  Friday,  and  on  Sunday  morning  Mr.  Bland  came  on  board  of  the 
"  Spitfire  "  to  see  me.  When  we  got  down  below,  I  asked  him  how  my 
wife  was;  and  then  I  heard  that  my  wife  was  dead;  that  she  died  the 
day  after  I  was  pressed ;  that  through  the  fright  she  got,  she  was  taken 
in  labor,  and  she  died  in  childbed,  but  that  the  child  lived,  and  was 
grown  a  firie  boy,  and  that  he  would  be  five  years  old  if  he  lived  till 
July;  and  he  told  me  that  he  had  never  received  only  one  letter  from 
me,  and  that  was  the  one  I  had  sent  from  the  "  Albion,"  before  I  sailed 
in  her;  and  Mr.  Bland  tcld  me  that  he  and  his  wife  had  taken  care  of 
everything;  that  after  my  wife  was  buried,  and  they  got  a  nurse  for  the 
child,  they  sold  everything  that  I  had  in  the  house  ;  and  knowing  that  I 
had  money  in  Mr.  ScovePs  hands,  he  went  to  him  and  told  him  all  about 
it;  and  Mr.  Scovel  had  allowed  him  seven  shillings  a  week  for  to  take 
care  of  the  child  and  pay  the  nurse;  and  he  showed  me  the  account  of 
the  expenses  he  had  been  at,  and  I  found  that  it  amounted  to  nearly 
ninety-five  pounds;  so  Mr.  Scovel  was  still  a  debtor  to  me. 

After  we  had  settled  all  our  accounts,  I  gave  Mr.  Bland  thirty  doub- 
loons, and  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  Spanish  dollars,  and  told  him 
to  take  them  to  Mr.  Scovel,  to  put  to  the  rest  of  my  stock;  and  I  told 
him  to  be  careful  of  my  boy,  and  whatever  he  wanted,  to  get  money 
from  Mr.  Scovel,  and  get  it  for  him ;  and  I  gave  him  two  doubloons — 
one  for  himself,  and  the  other  for  his  wife;  and  I  returned  him  my  kind 
thanks  for  the  trouble  he  had  been  at  on  my  account.  And  after  Mr. 
Bland  was  gone,  I  sat  down  and  had  a  good  cry  for  the  loss  of  my  wife ; 
and  I  returned  my  sincere  thanks  to  God  for  his  great  mercy  to  me  for 
raising  up  friends  to  look  after  my  child.  And  now  this  business  being 
settled,  I  went  on  deck  to  my  work,  and  the  next  day  we  sailed  for  to 
join  a  convoy  in  Yarmouth  Roads,  and  from  there  we  went  to  Gottenburg, 
where  we  arrived  in  May. 

Nothing  particular  happened  to  me  while  in  the  "  Spitfire,"  sloop-of- 
war,  not  till  the  1st  of  August,  1810,  when  an  accident  happened  to  me. 
We  were  cruising  oflfthe  coast  of  Norway,  and  the  weather  being  rather 
thick  and  hazy,  for  it  had  been  blowing  strong  all  night,  and  in  the  morn- 
ing, sending  our  topgallant  yards  up,  a  strange  sail  was  reported  froni 
the  mast-head  on  the  lee-beam;  and  the  hands  being  turned  up  to  make 
sail,  and  I  being  at  the  mast-head,  binding  the  topgallant  yard;  but  not 
getting  our  jewel-blocks  on  the  yard  before  we  were  ordered  to  loose  the 
sail,  and  was  obliged  to  put  them  on  after  the  sail  was  set;  and  I  being 
out  on  the  starboard  foretop-gallant  yardarm,  and  the  slack  of  the  lifts 
not  being  taken  down,  the  topgallant  halyards  carried  away,  and  the 
■lack  of  the  lifts  caught  me  under  my  rump,  and  hove  me  right  over  the 
yaru;  but,  as  luck  would  have  it,  I  caught  right  across  the  topgallant 
bowline,  and  it  being  slack,  I  lowered  myself  down,  till  I  got  hold  of  the 
leech  of  the  topsail,  just  before  the  ship  was  luffed  to  the  wind.  I  men- 
tion this  to  show  the  wonderful  mercy  and  care  of  God  Almighty  over  us 
poor  mortals;  for  if  I  had  fell  down  on  deck,  I  must  have  been  killed 
upon  the  spot;  but  I  got  safe  down  on  deck  without  any  hurt,  and  I  got 
the  name  of  the  "Flying  Dutchman"  among  my  shipmates.  During 
our  cruise  off  the  coast  of  Norway,  we  took  several  prizes,  and  our 


302  N4BKATIVE  OF  AK  OLD  EHOLISU  SAllOB. 

war   broke   out;  and  tho       l^r*^^'"^"''     ;      ,.     ..      .^  Sintfiro,"  sloop- 
Rotors  was  off  the  Non^^^ 

"elir^?  ItXwet^on^orr  nU  Cape  to  protect  our  trade,  and 

to  sec  if  we  could  see  anything  of  h..n.  ^^^  ^^  ^^^^^  j, 

We  arrived  off  the  Capo  in  ^^c  ^f "  '^'^yi^  toth  of  June,  when, 

very  cold  there;  and  we  kept  c"..Bing  there   d  the  UHh  o     ^^^  ,^^  ^^^ 

aboit  four  o'clock  in  the  .^ft^"-""""' ^^^^Sna  wi  h  her :  she  was  about 
American  frigate   and  a  large  schooner  ah>"g  w.m  n  ^^^  .^  ^^^^^ 

five  or  six  miles  dead  to  leeward  of  us,  and  we  m  ^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^„.,„der 
Now  our  ship  would  ""'^''^^^^^^J^h^  for  she  was  too  heavy  a  ship 

would  not  allow  us  to  go;>«"Y£  Ull  the    4th  of  June,  when  both  she 
for  us  to  engage;  so  ^^e  chased  her  till  the  l  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^ 

and  us  got  stuck  among  the    ce,  Jje  nau  .^  ^j^^^ 

three  ^rees  of  north    at.tudeNow^       tt    brill  daylight      We 
part  of  the  world,  there  ts  scarce  y  any      S    '  ^^^  j^^  ^roke 

stuck  fast  among  the  ice  till   h«  Hth  day  o  ,  ^^  ^^^^  ^^^ 

up;  but  the  "  President"  getting  ^J^*'  ^y^'^^';  ^  elear,  we  could  see 
best  of  his  way  to  the  «''"\'?^:,^1  "^"^Jth^  corveUe  had  been  sent  aRer 
nothing  of  him,  .lor  any  °  '^jJ'P',/?,  '  ^e  had  been  drifted  off  the  ice 
the  schooner,  and  the  -  Alexande  J'''^«^^  "  ,,^  »  Alexander"  till  the 
by  strong  currents,  and  we  did  not  f'^" '"^JIV"  ^  j,  ^^  Cape  again, 
alt  of  June,  and  tj""  ^y^.'^^e'had  tfkcn  a  great  many^of  our  Arch- 
Now  the  "President'^  ^""^p^.San  vessels,  before  we  came  on  the 

angel  traders,  and  a  g"^^,"'^"^  f  "^^^^j  S^'  ^'^''^^  '^  ""  '"^'  ^"^^ 
coast,  and  taken  them  into  a  P'f «  ^^/''^"^  ;,^,bor.  And  when  she  got 
with  very  good  anchorage   and  a  v  ry  good  ^.arb     ^^^  ^^  ^^^^  ^^.^^^^  ^^^ 

them  in  there,  they  took  J\«  ^f/jj^^'^^  „?  ^^^  Greenland  ships,  belong- 
then  set  fire  to  them;  ''"f^'^ylTn^^^h  prisoners  on  board  of  her,  and 
ing  to  Hull,  and  had  put  all  the  l^nf  ^^"^  P"  ,i  ^^,^^  about  twenty 

the  Russians  they  had-t  ashore  at  Cl^^^^  ^^^.^^^^^,  ^^^,^,, 

miles  up  the  river;  so  the  Russians  were        V  ^^j^^  „,y  story. 

the  Americans.      I  '"f^'""  jj''  J^^S  North  Cape  till  the  latter  part 

and  purser  went  ashore  to  go  a  ?n«otmg.  ^.j^  j.^^^^ 

the  r'est  of  the  officers  »"  ;j/^J„^f„;fel\atnTave  me  orders  to  land 
where  our  people  were  at  work;  and  our  cap        g        ^^^^^  ^^  ^^^^ 

the  provisions,  and  then  come  back  tor  tnem  ovisions  I  had 

dinner:  and  accordingly  wej«°t' ^"J  ^,^,11^"^  telling  him  the  orders 
to  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  «o^^'"g /"^t  me  away  to  obey  them ;  and 
that  I  had  received  from  the  '^^^'^'^l^^;  ll^J^^^^l  could  not,  for  the 
we  tried  to  go  back  the  ^'^^^.^yj'f.jr round  the  island  where  our 
tide  run  so  strong  that  we  couW  ii°t  f^^h  n,  ^^^  ^^^  ^^^ 

captain  was,  so  we  tried  to  go  round  the  omer       y,  ^^^^ 

was  in  vain,  for  the  more  ;;«.  P""f^;S.„r  in  th?  resolved  to  f 

island ;  and  having  no  grabbhng  «r  2;°;^?.^  ^ere  lying  there,  to  hold 
ftlSlTJ  d^r/rhrtdfand  the  pe%!e  on  board  of 


m  SAILOR. 

1812,  when  tho  American 
ican  frij,'ate,  Commodore 
ip,  the  "  Spitfire,"  sloop- 
j,  and  tho  "  Bonne  Citoy- 
5  to  protect  our  trade,  and 

;  of  May,  and  wo  found  it 
11  the  10th  of  June,  when, 
ir  clearing  up,  we  saw  the 

with  her:  she  was  about 
re  made  all  sail  in  chase, 
ihips,  but  our  commander 
r  she  was  too  heavy  a  ship 
th  of  June,  when  both  she 
ased  her  as  far  as  eighty- 
d  time  of  the  year,  in  this 
-ht,  but  all  daylight.     We 
June,  when  the  ice  broke 
jefore  we  did,  he  made  the 
we  got  clear,  we  could  see 
orvette  had  been  sent  after 
lad  been  drifted  oft"  the  ice 
h  the  "  Alexander  "  till  the 
the  North  Cape  again, 
a  great  many  of  our  Arch- 
lels,  before  we  came  on  the 
?olla,  which  is  a  large  bay, 
harbor.     And  when  she  got 
vanted  out  of  the  ships,  and 
ur  Greenland  ships,  belong- 
isoners  on  board  of  her,  and 

a  small  town  about  twenty 
iry  much  embittered  against 
it  interferes  with  my  story. 
North  Cape  till  the  latter  part 
,  we  put  into  CoUa,  for  to 
k  and  people  being  sent  on 
re  every  day. 

Colla,  being  the  1st  day  of 
boat;  and  our  captain, doctor 
We  landed  the  captain  and 
ut  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from 
iptain  gave  me  orders  to  land 
em  to  take  them  on  board  to 
Uvercd  what  provisions  I  had 
y;  and  telling  him  the  orders 
it  me  away  to  obey  them ;  and 
ne,  but  we  could  not,  for  the 

round  the  island  where  our 
other  way;  but  all  our  trying 
further  we  got  away  from  the 
in  the  boat,  we  resolved  to  g9 
hich  were  lying  there,  to  hold 

and  tho  people  on  board  of 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


303 


them  seemed  to  be  glad  to  receive  us.  Now  these  vessels  were  fisliiug- 
vdssels,  seemingly  waiting  for  tlie  tide  to  slack  before  they  could  go  to 
sea;  and  the  one  wu  got  on  board  of  liailod  another  that  lay  pretty  close 
to  us,  but  we  could  not  understand  a  single  word  they  said,  and  we  liad 
no  suspicion  that  they  were  talking  about  us. 

So  we  laid  ourselves  dowu  (|uite  unconcerned,  for  the  weather  was 
warm,  and  wo  being  rather  tired  after  our  long  pull ;  and  wo  might  have 
laid  down  about  two  hours,  for  1  could  not  sleep  sound,  for  I  knew  that 
our  captain  would  be  very  angry  for  not  fetching  him  to  go  on  board  to 
his  dinner.  But  what  was  my  surprise,  on  getting  up,  to  sec  two  large 
boats,  with  al)out  twenty  men  in  each,  close  to  us.  And,  coming  along 
side,  they  took  us  out  of  our  boat,  and  tied  us  back  to  back,  and  beat  us 
unmercifully,  and  called  us  American  spies,  for  they  took  us  and  our 
ships  to  be  Americans ;  and  they  had  such  a  spite  against  the  Americana 
for  burning  their  ships,  that  they  would  not  hearken  to  anything  that  we 
had  to  say  if  they  could  have  understood  us. 

So  after  they  were  tired  of  beating  and  ill-using  us,  which  they  did  in 
a  cruel  manner — for  they  were  a  cowardly  set  of  men,  for  a  coward  ia 
always  cruel  when  he  gets  the  upper  hand  of  you; — so,  after  they  were 
tired  beating  of  us,  they  took  our  boat  in  tow,  and  took  us  up  to  Colla, 
the  name  of  a  small  town  in  Russian  Lapland ;  and  when  we  got  there, 
we  were  put  into  prison,  and  they  gave  us  some  black  bread  to  eat,  and 
some  water  to  drink,  and  the  next  day  they  put  irons  on  us,  and  joined 
two  and  two  together ;  we  had  a  shackle  round  one  of  our  legs,  and 
another  on  our  hands,  and  so  we  were  chained  together;  and  then  they 
sent  a  sergeant  and  eight  soldiers  as  a  guard  along  with  us  to  marcii  us 
to  Archangel,  which  was  about  one  thousand  two  hundred  miles  distant. 
And  so  we  started  on  our  travel  in  a  very  helpless  condition.  Our  first 
fortnight  travel  was  tho  worst,  for  we  traveled  through  nothing  but  woods; 
and  when  our  stock  of  black  bread  got  low,  they  used  to  feed  us  upon 
the  bark  of  trees ;  for  every  fir-tree  has  three  different  barks  or  rinds 
upon  it,  and  the  middle  rind,  when  roasted  by  tiie  fire,  makes  a  good 
substitute  for  bread.  But  this  was  not  the  worst  misfortune  we  had  to 
deal  with,  for,  having  irons  on  our  legs  and  arms,  we  could  not  pull  oui 
clothes  off*. 

And  so  we  traveled  on  till  we  got  clear  of  the  woods,  and  we  got  in 
among  what  they  called  their  towns;  and  here  we  got  a  good  deal  better 
used,  and  our  traveling  was  a  good  deal  better,  for  we  used  to  get  horsea 
from  place  to  place;  and  they  tied  the  two  horses^  heads  together,  and 
when  we  were  mounted  on  them,  chained  together  as  we  were,  our  poor 
horaes  had  to  keep  regular  step  together,  or  else  we  were  likely  to  be 
hauled  oft*  our  horsea,  which  was  very  painful  to  our  legs.  And  some- 
times we  traveled  in  boats  for  whole  daya  together;  and  the  nearer  we 
got  to  Archangel  our  food  became  a  good  deal  better,  for  they  used  some- 
times to  give  ua  some  milk,  along  with  our  bread,  in  the  room  of  water ; 
and  in  this  way  we  kept  on  traveling  till  the  beginning  of  September, 
when  we  arrived  in  Archangel,  where  we  were  put  into  prison. 

We  had  been  in  Archangel  prison  two  or  three  days,  when  we  found 
out  by  the  few  words  of  Russian  that  we  had  picked  up,  that  we  were 
going  to  be  sent  to  Siberia  along  with  some  more  prisoners.  And  now  we 
Uiought  our  fate  very  hard  to  be  transported  without  having  a  trial ;  but  it 
happened  otherwise.  For  one  morning,  when  I  waa  out  in  the  prison-yard, 
I  heard  two  gentlemen  talking  together  in  German,  and  me  understanding 
a  little  of  the  German  tongue,  I  made  bold  to  speak  to  one  of  them  as  well 


304  NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 

as  I  could.  I  told  him  what  we  were,  and  what  ship  we  belonged  to.  Now 
this  gentleman  that  I  spoke  to  happened  to  be  one  of  the  English  consul^ 
clerks  and  he  soon  spoke  to  me  in  good  English,and  told  me  tha  ho  would 
^peak  to'he  consul  a'bout  us;  and  he  was  kind  enough  to;:ut  h.s  hand  ,n 
h  8  pocket  and  give  me  a  silver  ruble,  and  away  he  went  And  I  went 
to  acquaint  my  shipmates  of  the  news  that  I  had  to  t-.U  them;  and  you 
may  depend  they  were  very  glad  to  hear  the  news,  especially  when  I 
Zwed'^them  theSilver  ruble  that  the  gentleman  had  been  kmd  enough 
to  give  me.  And  I  went  and  bought  something  to  eat  with  part  of  the 
money;  for  you  may  depend  we  were  kept  pretty  short  of  prov's.ons; 
Td  after  J  had  eaten  our  bellies  full,  we  «'" '«t«^"«f  »';,^,f,«^'f  ««^ 
for  his  kindness  toward  us,  and  waited  with  patience  »>»  f  «»^  ha  f  past 
ton  o'clock,  when  the  turnkey  came  in  and  called  us,  and  told  us  that 

"^VhJn  weTame  into  the  room  where  the  gentleman  was  that  I  had 
spoken  to  the  day  before,  he  told  me  that  the  consul  would  be  there 
dSy ;  and,  when  the  consul  came,  he  spoke  to  us,  and  asked  us  wha^ 
ships  belonging  to  England  were  stationed  oflF  the  North  Cape,  and  how 
v^^'cameto^leave  our  ship.     We  told  him;  and  he  spoke  to  the  governor 
and  the  next  morning  we  got  our  discharge  from  the  prison.    Now,  in  the 
«tato  that  we  were  in,  we  were  not  fit  to  go  into  a  dean  house  or  among 
clean  people;  so  the  consul  put  us  into  an  outhouse  that  he  had,  and 
gave  us  some'  clean  straw  to  lie  on,  and  two  duck  frocks  and  trowser, 
ipiece,  for  our  old  clothes  were  fairly  worn  out.     And  he  "8ed  to  send 
7.  our  provision  every  day  from  his  own  house;  and  in  a  week's  time 
we  were  clear  of  all  vermin,  and  as  clean  as  anybody  need  to  be      And 
the  English  merchants  and  their  ladies  who  'f^^l^'dj.t  Archangel,  when 
they  came  to  know  how  we  had  been  served  by  the  Russians,  made  a 
subscription  for  us,  and  bought  us  many  thngs  that  we  stood  ,n  need  of. 
We  stopped  with  our  good  consul  til  ^^e  latter  end  of  September 
when  the  «  Oberon,"  an  English  gun-brig,  arrived  at  Archangel,  to  take 
a  convoy  home  to  England  f  and  the  captain  of  her.  Captain  Young,  a 
Jery  good  mTn,  heard  about  us,  and  seeing  the  stato  that  we  were  m- 
for^th^^places   hat  the  vermin  had  eaten  into  us  were  not  quite  healed 
uJ-he  told  us  that  he  would  take  us  to  England.     And  on  the  first  day 
Kctober  we  were  sent  on  board  of  the  « Oberon,"  -d  ^he  <.jU.n 
and  officers  behaved  very  kindly  to  us;  and  we  sailed  from  Archangel 
2  the  4th  day  of  October,  and  on  the  17th  of^Ocioh^^v^hennp^ 
off  the  North  Cape,  we  fell  in  with  our  ship,  the  «  Spitfire,     and  the 

"  W?w"errsl?Lntoard  of  our  ship ;  and,  to  our  Sre'^'^^rpns'Z'Znl 

nut  in  irons.     So  Captain  Young  stated  to  our  captain  the  s  ate  he  found 

Ssii  at  Archangel,  and  the  punishment  that  we  had  received  trom  the 

Russians.     But  our  captain  swore  that  we  '^'^fiZ.X^djSZ 

the  ship,  and  we  were  kept  in  irons  til  we  a7'«J  ?i.^«  %«f  ^^'J hJ 

orders  came  on  board  to  let  us  out  of  irons;  for  Admiral  Young  had  h« 

Sag  at  Leith  Roads,  and  his  son,  the  captain  of  the  ."  Obe'on^'  J*f 

acquaintod  his  father  with  the  stato  he  had  found  us  in  a  Archan^^^^^^ 

And  so  now  we  thought  it  was  all  over  with  his  affair;  but  t  was  not  "J; 

for  our  ship  received  orders  to  go  round  to  P'>''tsmo"th  to  be  refitted, 

and  in  going  round  from  Leith,  as  soon  as  we  left  th«J)ow"s-for  we 

v.ere  then  under  another  admiral-our  captam  turned  the  hands  up,  and 

save  me  and  a  man,  named  Andrew  Paddon,  three  dozen  lashes  apiece, 

for  he  swore  that  we  two  had  been  ringleaders,  and  that  we  intended 


SH  SAILOR. 

ihip  we  belonged  to.  Now 
ne  of  the  English  consul's 
,and  told  me  that  he  would 
enough  to  rut  his  hand  in 
'ay  he  went.  And  I  went 
lad  to  toll  them;  and  you 
I  news,  especially  when  I 
in  had  been  kind  enough 
ng  to  eat  with  part  of  the 
pretty  short  of  provisions; 
ill  returned  thanks  to  God 
atience  till  about  half  past 
sailed  us,  and  told  us  that 

gentleman  was  that  I  had 
le  consul  would  be  there 
e  to  us,  and  asked  us  what 

the  North  Cape,  and  how 
d  he  spoke  to  the  governor, 
im  the  prison.  Now,  in  the 
to  a  clean  house,  or  among 
juthouse  that  he  had,  and 

duck  frocks  and  trowsers 
DUt.  And  he  used  to  send 
use ;  and  in  a  week's  time 
anybody  need  to  be.  And 
resided  at  Archangel,  when 
d  by  the  Russians,  made  a 
Ts  that  we  stood  in  need  of. 
'  latter  end  of  September, 
rived  at  Archangel,  to  take 
1  of  her.  Captain  Young,  a 
he  state  that  we  were  in — 
a  us  were  not  quite  healed 
land.  And  on  the  first  day 
«Oberon,"  and  the  captain 
we  sailed  from  Archangel 
h  of  October,  when  nearly 
ip,  the  "Spitfire,"  and  the 

I  our  great  surprise,  we  were 
ir  captain  the  state  he  found 
it  we  had  received  from  the 
intended  to  run  away  from 
rrived  at  Leith  Roads,  when 
for  Admiral  Young  had  his 
tain  of  the  "Oberon,"  had 
1  found  us  in  at  Archangel, 
this  aflfair;  but  it  was  not  80, 
to  Portsmouth  to  be  refitted; 
we  left  the  Downs — for  we 
lin  turned  the  hands  up,  and 
I,  three  dozen  lashes  apiece; 
aders,  and  that  we  intended 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


806 


to  run  away  from  the  ship.     The  other  two  men  he  forgave:  and  thus 
this  aflfair  ended. 

Now  when  we  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  we  refitted  our  ship,  and  we 
were  sent  to  cruise  oflP  Cherbourg  along  with  some  men-of-war.  On 
the  10th  day  of  February,  1813,  it  being  a  fine  morning,  wo  chased  a 
French  lugger  close  into  the  land,  and  the  wind  dying  away,  and  what 
there  was  coming  from  the  northward,  the  lugger  got  clear  of  us;  and 
we  being  close  in  shore,  and  standing  away  to  the  westward,  I  happened 
to  be  at  the  mast-head  to  look  out.  It  was  about  half  past  ten  o'clock  in 
the  forenoon,  and  I  was  sitting  on  the  maintop-ga'iant  yard,  when  a 
little  battery,  which  we  had  not  seen  before,  opened  fire  upon  us,  and 
the  second  or  third  shot  they  fired  carried  away  our  maintop-gallant 
mast;  and  me  sitting  on  the  maintop-gallant  yard,  I  had  a  very  clumsy 
fall;  but  our  mainsail  being  hauled  up,  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  fall 
into  the  belly  of  the  mainsail,  where  after  some  time  lying  there  sense- 
less— for  I  must  have  struck  against  the  mainyard  in  my  fall,  for  I  was 
bleeding  a  good  deal — when  there  were  some  hands  sent  to  help  me  out 
of  the  mainsail;  and  when  I  got  on  deck,  I  was  obliged  to  be  sent  to 
the  doctor,  when  I  soon  got  well.  And  by  the  time  that  our  ship  came 
out  to  Spithead  again,  and  was  ready  for  sea,  we  were  sent  on  board  of  her 
again,  and  we  hoisted  the  convoy  signal  for  the  coast  of  Africa;  and,  on 
the  20th  of  April,  1813,  we  sailed  from  Spithead  with  about  three 
hundred  sail  of  ships,  all  under  ditferent  convoys. 

We  staid  on  the  coast  till  the  beginning  of  May,  1814,  when  we  fell 
in  with  an  English  brig  from  London,  who  brought  us  the  news  of  the 
peace,  and  of  Bonaparte  giving  himself  up;  and  the  brig  brought  us 
some  newspapers,  and  some  letters  for  the  captain  and  officers,  for  she 
had  been  to  Sierra  Leone.  You  may  depend  we  were  all  very  glad  to 
hear  of  the  news  of  peace ;  and  the  next  morning  we  went  to  sea,  and 
shaped  our  course  for  Portsmouth,  where  we  arrived  on  the  20th  of  July. 
Now  when  we  got  home,  an  order  was  issued  from  the  admiralty,  that 
all  men  that  had  served  eleven  years,  and  all  foreigners,  were  to  be  dis- 
charged. Now  I  being  entered  as  a  foreigner  on  the  ship's  books,  I 
claimed  my  discharge;  and  I  got  my  discharge  from  the  service  on  the 
2d  of  August,  1814;  and  I  went  to  Portsmouth  Dockyard  to  get  my  pay, 
and  as  soon  as  I  got  it,  I  went  to  the  coach-ofiice  and  booked  myself 
for  London. 

By  six  o'clock  that  evening  I  was  on  my  journey,  and  I  arrived  safe 
by  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  after  being  away  from  London  a  little 
better  than  twelve  years.  I  was  well  and  hearty  after  all  my  trials  and 
crosses;  and,  as  soon  aa  I  got  some  breakfast,. I  went  to  Vine  Yard  to 
see  Mr.  Bland ;  but,  when  I  got  there,  Mr.  Bland  was  not  at  home,  but 
Mrs.  Bland  was.  I  soon  told  her  who  I  was,  and  asked  her  where  my 
boy  was.  She  told  me  that  the  boy  was  very  well,  and  that  he  was  at 
school;  but  she  soon  sent  for  him.  And  I  told  her  not  to  tell  him  who  I 
was,  for  I  wanted  to  surprise  him  myself.  At  last,  when  he  came  into 
the  room  where  I  was,  I  could  see  a  good  deal  of  his  mother's  face  in 
him,  and  it  was  not  long  before  I  had  him  in  my  arms,  for  I  could  not 
keep  mydeif  from  him;  and  the  poor  boy,  when  he  was  told  that  I  was 
his  father,  fell  a  crying ;  but  he  still  crept  close  to  me,  and  we  soon  all 
got  reconciled  together.  And,  when  Mr.  Bland  came  in,  we  passed  the 
day  away  in  talking  over  past  affairs;  and  the  next  day  me  and  Mr. 
Bland  settled  our  accounts  together,  and  I  went  to  Mr.  Scovel.  I  found 
that  I  still  had  better  than  a  hundred  pounds  in  his  hands;  and,  after  all 
20 


gOe  NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 

heon  .  ™..s.e,',  m..c  .long  w,.h  m,  ,n  .he  _^  SpRh  e,     »'l  h^^;;' 

n!;ri.':  ^-- --  rhi°NS^s:erwet;^v:r'.  «>«» ..« 

;«h  of  Julj-Tnd",  a»  «.o„  »  our  cargo  w.s  discharged,  «c  commcocod 
''on^i;c°5■L  ori^pLtrfrWng  S»nd.,  ™„,ni.g,.hc  b,ee»  h.,ing 

r;7.t  Sn-i'iih  L,™rp  ".^-.i:  s-f  f:p£| 

and  in  a  .ery  fe»  minute,  oar  main  rigging  was  in  a  blaze.     And  now 
Ml  chance  oLa.ing  .ho  .hip  was  ^'^^ ''rh^ir'r^'co'l^'no.  go. 

ts«rau'i':f LrcKr.o°r..rrn.:^r  o^  i»^ 

ihree  boats-that  is,  the  long-boat,  pinnace,  and  jolly-boat;  and  we  lay 
by  the  ship  till  she  was  burnt  to  the  water  s  edge 

But  Lf  ion  wi  t^und  apprentice  to  Mr.  Mellish  for  Boven  years,  and 


SAILOR. 

kindness  that  ho  had 

t  <lo.     He  told  ino  that 

present,  till  I  saw  how 

a  great  stagnation  in 

of  his  'vharvea,  and  he 

I  agreed  with  him. 

mate  of  mine,  that  had 

Spitfire,"  and   he  was 

and  he  was  hound  to 

I  told  him  my  circum- 

.     So  I  wont.     We  had 

we  arrived  at  Riga  the 

harged,  wo  commenced 

ningjthe  breeze  having 
me  to  call  the  mate ;  for 
d  it,  too.     I  advised  the 
3t  the  boats  out  before 
e. turned  the  hands  up, 
them,  and  then  we  took 
ut  a  good  deal  of  smoke 
le  bales  of  flax  on  deck, 
r,  and  we  mustered  all 
place  where  the  smoke 
the  after  hatchway  was 
wn  there  ;  but  no  sooner 
struck  up  the  after  part, 
as  in  a  blaze.     And  now 
ire  spread  rapidly.     The 
it  were  aft  could  not  get 
)t  get  aft;  so  we  found  it 
lo  all  hands  got  into  the 
ir  clothes,  and  some  pro- 
-boat.     Now  there  were 
divided  ourselves  in  the 
id  jolly-boat;  and  we  lay 
^e. 

luld  see  an  island  in  the 
:h  we  pulled,  taking  the 
seeing  the  fire  at  sea,  the 
assistance,  which  we  met 
I  they  very  kindly  offered 
anked  them  kindly,  and 
about  eight  o'clock  in  the 
)  days  we  were  sent  in  a 
ill  the  20th  of  September, 
"  and  arrived  in  London 
y  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bland 
;  proL'Vcsss  in  his  learning, 

nany  country  bankers,  and 
is  obliged  to  stop  payment, 
le  monev  he  had  of  mine, 
sllish  for  seven  years,  and 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


301 


Mr.  Mollish  told  me,  when  I  told  him  of  my  misfortune,  to  make  myself 
quite  easy  about  him;  that  he  had  taken  a  great  liking  to  tlio  boy,'and, 
if  h(!  l)ohaved  himself,  he  would  be  as  good  as  a  father  to  him;  and,  as 
Mr.  Mollish  had  a  great  many  South-Seamen,  and  I  wanted  to  make  a 
long  voyage,  I  had  best  join  one  of  his  ships;  and  there  biiiig  a  ship 
of  Ills,  called  the  "  Policy,"  now  fitted  out,  if  I  liked,  he  would  spoak 
to  tiie  captain  of  her  for  me;  and  I,  being  tired  of  these  short  voyages, 
agiei'd  with  the  captain.  When  the  captain  was  gone,  he  callfd  me  to 
him,  and  said  to  me,  "Upon  account  of  your  late  misfortune,  lo.-ing 
nearly  all,  I  make  you  a  present  of  this  for  to  fit  you  out  for  the  voyage;" 
and  lie  gave  me  two  five-pound  notes.     1  thanked  him  very  kindly." 

On  the  20th  of  June,  1816,  we  sailed  from  Oravesend,  and  we  had 
a  very  good  passage,  and  we  got  round  Cape  Horn  by  the  beginning  of 
October,  and  we  soon  had  the  pleasure  of  getting  into  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

On  the  20th  of  May,  1817,  we  saw  the  spout  of  a  fish,  about  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  there  being  very  little  wind,  we  lowered 
our  boat,  got  up  to  her,  and  made  fast  to  her.  She  run  us  about  five 
or  six  miles,  when  she  hove  to,  and  we  soon  killed  her;  but  by  the  time 
that  she  was  dead,  and  we  got  her  in  tow,  it  was  past  sunset,  and  we 
could  scarcely  see  our  ship;  but  we  pulled  toward  her  as  fast  as  we 
could,  and  the  ship,  the  last  time  we  saw  her,  was  coming  toward  us; 
and  when  it  got  dark,  we  hoisted  our  lantern  at  our  mast-head,  so  that 
the  ship  might  see  us.  We  kept  pulling  away  till  about  twelve  o'clock 
at  night,  when  our  candle  went  out,  and  being  all  very  tired,  the  mate 
ordered  us  to  lay  our  oars  in,  and  rest  ourselves  a  bit,  and  told  all  hands 
to  look  out  sharp,  to  see  if  they  could  see  anything  of  the  ship;  but  we 
could  not  see  anything  of  her. 

Si»,  after  having  a  small  drop  of  rum  and  water,  and  a  bit  of  biscuit, 
we  got  our  oars  out  again,  and  pulled  in  the  direction  where  we  had 
seen  tiic  ship  last;  for  we  could  still  see  a  large  rock,  called  Rodondo, 
and  we  steered  for  it,  and  we  kept  pulling  till  daylight;  and  then,  to 
our  great  misfortune,  we  could  not  see  anything  of  the  ship,  and  we 
were  a  long  way  drifted  from  Rodondo.  And  we,  finding  that  our  pull- 
ing was  of  little  use,  laid  our  oars  in,  and  we  had  a  consultation  what 
was  best  for  us  to  do;  and  after  different  opinions,  we  agreed  that,  as 
there  was  a  little  breeze  of  wind,  we  should  set  our  sail,  and  stand  to 
the  northward,  in  hopes  to  fall  in  with  some  ship.  For  when  we  started 
from  our  own  ship,  there  were  six  of  us  in  the  boat,  and  all  the  pro- 
visions we  had  was  a  breaker  of  water,  which  held  about  six  gallons, 
and  about  a  dozen  biscuits,  and  about  a  pint  of  rum,  and  as  we  had  not 
been  very  careful  of  it,  the  first  night  we  had  very  little  of  it  left.  So 
wo  were  not  in  a  very  fit  state  to  pull,  and  we  thought  by  sailing  we 
might  have  a  chance  of  falling  in  with  some  ship.  And  now  we  had  a 
hard  chance  before  us,  in  an  open  boat,  in  the  great  Pacific  Ocean,  and 
nearly  under  the  equator,  with  the  sun  hot  enough  to  roast  us,  and 
scarcely  any  water  to  drink,  and  very  little  to  eat;  but  it  was  of  no  use 
to  fret  about  it,  and  we  were  obliged  to  make  ourselves  content,  and 
pray  to  God  to  release  us  out  of  our  calamity. 

We  staid  in  this  way  in  the  boat  for  three  days,  when  we  had  the 
last  cup  of  water;  and  you  may  depend  that  we  were  all  hungry 
enough,  and  some  of  our  men  hauled  up  to  the  whale,  and  cut  some 
of  his  tail  off,  and  broiled  it  in  the  sun,  and  ate  it.  And  I  and  the  mate 
tried  to  persuade  them  from  doing  it,  but  they  took  no  notice  of  it;  and 
the  consequence  was,  that  it  made  them  sick,  and  caused  them  to  heave- 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


wm 


!!lhat  littlclTsIcc  they  had  on  their  Btomachs.     Ajd^H^e^ncxt  ^ay 

Irning,  being  the  f^^J  w'^  sa J  atw  prayers  over  him.  >ve  com- 
doad  in  the  boat;  and  after  wo  s"'"  » '^  ,  r  ^.  fo^  we  were  all  very 
Sed  his  body  to  the/eeP  w't'.^;7°yltS  ti/  ,,,„ek,  another  of 
weak  by  this  time.     And  that  ^ame  ^ay,  au  j      himself  a  good 

L  boat  mates  was  taken  ravmgm^^^^^^^^ 
deal,  he  jumped  overboard,  and  the  9ha«  ^^^^^^^      ^^  j^,  i 

Now  there  were  only  four  ^^  "J  '^"'!,  but  I  was  terribly  dry;  and 
with  thirst.     I  can't  say  I  was  very  hungry,  but  1     ^^^^^^  ^^  ^^^ 

the  next  morning,  be.ng  th«  fiftj/^y'^^^^^^  do  to  heave  h.m 

mates  dead.     It  was  as  much  as  the  J^hree  o^  u  ^^ 

overboard,  for  we  were  so  weak  *«  "'"'.'V "°  ^  ^f  the  boat.     And  after 

after  a  good  deal  of  ^^Pf  ^f 'J  Ve  jew  °«"   h"   """'  '"^  '^'  ^°'''  '** 
that,  we  turned  to  and  licked  the  oe^  on  u.  ^^^  ^^^^ 

qutch  our  thirst;  and  -  -^  P;^^\'ae  S^we  h^^^^ 

Sme  during  the  night  our  ^the'^P^J^S^ytht'  came,  the  next  mornmg, 

we  could  not  help  him.     And  when  «ayu[,ii  »         ^^^^^^  ^^re  so 

^Vht^^m:T»'fot^^^^^^ 

belonging  to  London,  and  that  iny  P^^^^f/^^Vf  her,  and  the  doctor 
had  dted^bout  four  ^ours  after  he^ got    "boa^d"^^^^^^  i  found 

told  me  that  there  was  no  f«« /^  ™«  '^d  „pon  my  legs.     Now  the  fou 
mvself  very  weak,  and  I  could  not  ^tana  upo        j     e  ^^^^^  ^^.^^ 

S  that  dfed  in  the  ^^J^ere  the  four  -^^^^  called  the 

we  were  towing  off     The  ship  J^""  .  ,V  ^  borne  in  her.  . 

u  Noptune,"  bound  home,  and  I  J-^^  "^^J  of  September,  after  being 
We  arrived  safe  at  G  ^vesend  the  24th  day  ^^1^  ^^.^  ^^^^  ,„,^  „,e 
awav  two  years  and  four  months.  Aucr  >^  8  ^  ^  ^y  surprise 
docks,  1  wlnt  to  Mr.  Mellish's  to  see  my  son  but  >v^  ^^  ^,,  'jead,  and 
To  find  that  my  son  had  gone  to  sea   a°d  tha    m  ^.^^  ^^^  j.,;,  j 

that  his  widow  had  gone  into  the  •^^""t'ry  to  i  ^    „,igfortune,  had 

Mr.  Mellish  told  me  that  my  f°"' f^^^^o  fea  in  one  of  his  ships, 
Teen  continually  teasing  h'-"  %l«t  h  m  go  to  s^  ^  ^^^ 

for  he  said  he  wanted  to  J^^/"  .^'' „  ^nd  he  sailed  in  a  ship  called 
to  sail,  he  at  last  consented  to  let  him  f'^""  ".     ^  ^bout  five  months. 

be  "Seringapatam,"  --^y^y^ZATen^^Tsoo^  '^^'  "^^  *'f  '' 
And  Mr.  Mellish  told  me  that  he  had  been  y  S       ^^^^  ^^^     j 

was  very  sorry  to  lose  him  from  his  sail  lou-  •     t„.three  pounds,  for 

Told,  Irlceived  my  wages,  which  .-^^""^^VgVirpaVme  for  the  whole 

r captain  and  Mr.  MeUish  were  kind  enough  to  pj^^^^^^         ^^^ 

time  that  I  h:.d  been  away  fr««»  t^".,';'Ph„es,  and  they  got  a  good  many 
have  no  monthly  wages,  but  go  b^  the  shares        ^^^J^  no  acquaintance 

S^I^nTn^/frSld'- .':  i^^  sbip  that  was  bound  to  the  South 

^«s;;£^htia^;;rwing^^^^^ 


wm 


■■1--^^*^^!^- 


^^^   i^V ,tU.„-^LVT^ 


SA.ILOR. 

hs.     And  the  next  day 
■  our  boat  mates  lying 
ers  over  him,  we  com- 
•f  for  we  wore  all  very 
bur  o'clock,  another  of 
ill-using  himself  a  good 
finished  him. 
e  suffered  a  good  deal 
I  was  terribly  dry;  and 
nd  another  of  our  boat 
I  could  do  to  heave  him 
itand  upon  our  feet;  but 
of  the  boat.     And  after 
,e  oars  and  the  boat,  to 
e  fiflh  day.     And  some 
we  heard  him  groan,  but 
came,  the  next  mornmg, 
and  my  partner  were  so 
.Ives;  but  I  made  shift  to 
en  she  came  close  to  us, 
as  along  side  of  the  ship; 

tell.  „         ,    , 

IS  on  board  of  a  whaler, 
,er,the  mate  of  our  ship, 
rd  of  her,  and  the  doctor 
,er  only  kept  off.    I  found 
n  my  legs.     Now  the  four 
that  ate  of  the  whale  that 
n  board  of  was  called  the 
to  go  home  in  her. 
of  September,  after  being 
got  the  ship  safe  into  the 
•  but  what  was  my  surprise 
t  Mr.  Bland  was  dead,  and 
live  along  with  her  friends, 
ring  of  my  misfortune,  had 
to  sea  in  one  of  his  ships, 
r;  and,  having  a  ship  ready 
d  he  sailed  iu  a  ship  called 
England  about  five  months, 
a  ;ery  good  lad,  and  that  he 
And  now,  after  our  oil  was 

i  to  ninety-three  PO«n"i«' ^ 
ugh  to  pay  me  for  the  whole 

[n  a  South-Seaman  the  men 

>s,  and  they  got  a  good  many 

now,  having  no  acquaintance 

,  that  was  bound  to  the  South 

I  the  "Spring  Grove,"  and  1 
ed  from  Gravesend  on  the  3d 
,d  passage  to  James'  Island, 
ut  It  ihi  land,  where  there 
By  goin     nside  of  the  reef. 


t 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


309 


you  Clin  fetch  your  anchorage  without  making  a  tack.  Now  on  the 
eveniiiir  of  the  2d  of  February,  it  being  a  fine  night,  our  captain 
iiitoiiilcd  to  go  inside  of  the  reef.  I  reasoned  against  it  as  much  as  I 
could,  but  it  was  of  no  use,  for  the  mate  said  ho  had  been  throu','h  the 
passage  a  dozen  times,  and  he  could  take  the  ship  through  it ;  for  he 
said  if  we  went  outside  of  the  reef,  it  would  take  us  a  whole  day  to 
work  up  to  our  anchorage ;  and  accordingly  we  went.  I  liad  the  first 
watch  on  deck,  which  is  from  eight  o'clock  till  twelve  at  night;  but  the 
captain  being  on  deck  all  my  watch,  everything  went  according  to  his 
direction. 

At  twelve  o'clock  the  mate  came  up  and  took  charge  from  me,  and  i 
went  below  to  my  cabin,  and  I  soon  went  to  sleep;  but  I  had  not  laid 
long,  when  I  was  awoke  by  the  ship  striking  upon  the  rocks.  I  jumped 
up,  and  put  on  my  trowsers  and  my  old  jacket,  and  on  deck  I  went;  but 
when  I  got  tiiere,  the  sea  was  making  a  clean  breach  right  over  the  ship. 
And  as  soon  as  I  got  clear  of  the  companion  hatch,  a  cross  sea  took  me 
and  hove  me  against  the  larboard  bulwarks,  and  carried  me,  bulwarks 
and  all,  away  overboard;  and  I  tried  to  swim  a  bit,  but  I  still  kept  hold 
of  the  piece  of  bulwark,  till  another  tremendous  sea  took  me  and  hove 
me  on  shore.  But  the  blow  that  I  received  knocked  me  senseless,  and 
there  I  lay  till  about  seven  or  eight  o'clock  next  morning,  when  I  came 
to  myself,  and  I  found  our  dog  Nero  standing  along  side  of  me,  licking 
my  wounds;  for  my  head  was  cut,  and  my  left  side,  where  I  had  been 
hove  against  the  rocks. 

When  I  got  up,  which  I  could  scarcely  do,  I  looked  round  to  see  if  I 
could  see  anything  of  the  ship,  or  any  of  my  shipmates;  but  I  could  see 
nothing,  only  the  dog,  and  he  kept  running  to  a  short  distance  from  me, 
and  kept  barking  at  something,  and  then  came  back  to  me  again — as 
much  as  to  say,  "  come  here  and  look."  And  at  last  I  went  to  see  what 
it  was,  though  I  iiad  a  good  deal  of  trouble  to  get  there :  and  when  I 
got  there,  I  found  one  of  my  shipmates  lying  among  the  rocks,  and  you 
may  depend  I  was  glad  to  see  it;  but  when  I  tried  to  get  him  up,  I  found 
he  was  quite  dead,  for  his  head  was  cut  all  to  pieces.  The  man  that  1 
found  was  our  carpenter,  and  his  name  was  James  Roberts. 

Now  when  I  found  that  he  was  quite  dead,  I  sat  down  beside  him, 
and  I  cried  like  a  child,  for  I  was  in  great  hopes  that  I  should  have  had 
a  partner  in  my  misfortune ;  for  I  could  sec  nothing  but  starvation  before 
me,  and  I  had  a  great  mind  to  lie  down  along  side  of  my  shipmate  and 
die;  but  the  dog  would  not  let  me,  for  he  kept  pulling  me  by  the  trowsers 
for  to  get  up;  and  the  sun  was  very  powerful  and  hot;  so  up  1  got  to 
look  for  a  place  to  shelter  myself,  and  at  last  I  found  one  under  some 
trees,  where  I  sat  down  to  rest  myself;  but  I  had  not  sat  there  long, 
before  I  heard  my  dog  barking  again  very  loud,  and  I  got  up  in  hopes 
of  seeing  some  one  alive  beside  myself,  but  1  could  not  see  anybody; 
and  when  I  came  to  my  dog,  I  saw  that  he  had  found  a  land  tortoise, 
which  I  knew  was  very  good  eating,  but  I  had  no  fire  to  cook  it  by;  but 
I  knew  that  the  land  tortoises  have  three  bladders  in  them — one  full  of 
blood,  and  two  full  of  water;  and,  as  I  was  very  dry,  I  killed  the 
tortoise,  for  I  had  my  knife  about  me,  the  only  thing  then,  excepting  the 
clothes  I  had  on,  that  I  had  saved  from  the  wreck;  and  I  took  one  of  the 
bladders  of  water  out  of  the  tortoise,  and  I  drank  it,  and  I  found  it  very 
good,  and  I  gave  the  one  full  of  blood  to  my  dog ;  and  I  ate  some  of  the 
lean  of  the  tortoise,  and  cut  it  in  thin  slices,  and  beat  it,  and  spread  it 
out  in  the  sun  to  dry  for  myself  to  eat,  and  the  rest  I  gave  to  my  dog; 


.i;j.^%m': 


mm 
1  ^'IW' 


8,0  NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENOLISH  SAItOR. 

,„d  the  other  bladder  of  w-r  I  burie^  in  the  «and,  ;•- to  .ho^  treej 

where  I  had  fixed  my  present  *»»'''*»i''\"^  ,  "(."^er,  and  I  kn-lt  down  to 

S  tS  ^^t::^^'^^^^^^^^^^  --  ^« '- '« 

:ZU^l!!tZ^  ryX^  a^nPe  of  .e.  and  soon  feU  .ieep, 

Tnd  I  slept^ery  --"^'^  ^'JlXa^'h  to^r'tcould  find  anything  washed 
After  I  awoke.I  wenttothe  beacniosee  1  ^^^  ^^^^. 

on  shore  from  the  ship,  though  I  found  '7  ^''^^  """  'J    ^nd  ixxt  thing 
;ri  could  find  nothing  that  had  been  —  .    «      ,^°rfiint ;  for  .ny  chie? 
I  looked  for  was  to  see  if  I  could  find  any       g       ^^  ^^  ^^  ^^^^^  ,,,y  ,„„^j 
object  was  to  try  to  get  a  fire,  for  t  en  I  sl.ou  ^    .^^,^,^^  ^^j 

fo!  I  had  found,  in  my  poor  «»2ff  Jj-j'^X^^^^  a„d  his  knife  on  all  the 
a  few  nails,  and  some  chalk;  and  I  '"^f  "^J  "[^^  ^^  but  I  could  not  find 
stones  that  looked  like  fl'"*-^^""^,;.  ^  j^^ViTad  to  1^  was  to  try  to  get 
any  that  would  do,  so  the  only  ^^'''fj^f'^l^^^.  ^,^,  ^ow  I  had  nothing 
two  pieces  of  touch-wood,  ">V  .  /hat  wUh  God"-^  ''^Ip^  ^  «l>ould  be 
but  t'wo  pocket-knives,  but  »  bought  ha^w.thOoa^^^^^  p,^^^  ^^^^^^^  ^,^^ 
able  to  manage  it.     And  I  went  back  to  my  g        ,  ^^^^  ^,^^  ^.^^^ 

„.ght  before,  to  Sf^ HO">?^'""f;*^J,^^  wiich  has  a  small  leaf,  and  a 
way  that  I  went,  I  fo""V. Thinrto  ouench  your  thirst;  for  the  stem 
^S:^  S;:.  o?^lSra?S  it  i  a  very  good  suhstUute 

^^;;tLgU.spn.,l..r„edmyhea^^^ 

me  in  the  way  to  hnd  it.  ^'^''^"-^j  .L  gorrel  and  it  nnde  it  more 
tortoise's  bladder  was  very  good,  ^^'.^J^^/^^^'^yTst,  w<'  wont  to  look 
doasant;  and,  after  I  and  ™y  d°g  "'^J/,";  God,  found,  after  a  ,ood 
for  sotne  touch-wood,  which  ^'i^^^J  .7,,  ".^  ^^nth's  tro.ble  and  hard 
.leal  of  trouble.  And  it  cost  me  nearly  ^^^^^^^^  ^^„  ;,,,.  of  woo-i 
work  before  I  got  a  fire  w  1 . ch  1  ^'^  J^ ^  f,  i  have  mentioned,  uuly 
together;  and  during  this  time  lived  W  .^  „,.  ,  ,agus  which 
.h-at  I  tried  several  ™»;;^/5;^„  '„?"!  ^e,  which  was  a  great  help  to 

Zt  1  g^t  on  better  and  better  every  day.  ^^  ^.^^^_,  , 

Now!  must  tell  you  '^^  .^^^.{^X  ^^rZ^es,  ^nd\h^  day  that 
two  holes  in  the  earth  ''"^  1  got  thirty  sm^  ^^  February,  I  counted 

was  cast  away  upon  the  island  being  »»«  •*"     /  ^ole  every  day,  till  the 
from  that  time,  and  put  a  stone    "J«^';«  J^/Life,  I  cut  a  great  notch 
thirty  stones  were  f^  gone ;  and  then,  w  tu     y  ^     ^  ^^^^^  ^^^ 
on  a  tree  that  stood  close  by ,  so,  by  in  ^         ^  ^^^^  j  ^^^^  ^ 

days  I  had  been  on  the  '«^°f  •  .^  ^f  J^fo'^able  as' my  circumstances 
Jk  my  meat,  and  ™»ke  myself  ^«  j^°™^°  ^^aps,  wish  to  know  what  I 
would  allow  me  to  be.  ""^  y°"  "'f  "'^/d  the  top  shell  of  the  tortoise 
did  for  a  pot  or  a  i'y^^S-P^lr.^^l' LZlV^l  And  1  took  great  care 
tor  a  pot,  and  the  under  shell  for  a  try  ng  p  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^^^^ 

Ihat  t'ny'fire  should  -^/i^^^^trmer  trials,  that  the  wood  would 
Ct  :iiglVw£lwfwL\Tt  o/it  left,  but  it  would  never  come  to  a 


SAILOR. 

land,  closo  to  tho  trees 
alter  I  hail  oiilun,  and 
r,  and  I  kn-'lt  down  to 
derful  meicy  to  me,  to 

le  me  feel  a  good  deal 

1  then  made  my  bed, 

ne,  and  soon  fell  asleep, 

lid  find  anything  washed 
md  my  head  very  sore; 
shore.     And  iK'xt  thing 
ike  a  flint;  for  my  cliief 
e  able  to  cook  my  meat; 
I  knife  and  a  gimlet,  and 
and  l)is  knife  on  all  the 
fire ;  but  I  could  not  find 
to    U  was  to  try  to  get 
r-  but  now  I  had  nothing 
aod'-^  halp,  1  should  be 
,0,  where  1  had  sU'\>i  the 
coming  back  the  same 
has  a  small  leaf,  and  a 
four  thirst;  for  tlie  stem 
is  a  very  good  substitute 

hanks  to  God  for  sending 
^r  that  I  g"'  ""^  "^   ''^^ 
?rel  and  it  m  ui«  it  more 
reakf;ist,  w<-  went  to  look 
od,  I  found,  after  a  ^^ood 
month's  troible  and  liard 
ig  the  two  pieces  of  wood 
as  I  have  mentioned,  only 
1  sort  of  asparagus,  which 
,hich  was  a  great  help  to 
)f  trees  to  make  sometlung 
ying  a  good  many,  I  found 
Jery  well;  so,  thanks  be  to 

ccountof  my  time:— I  dug 
stones,  and  the  day  that  I 
lay  of  February,  I  counted 
pty  hole  every  day,  till  the 
ly  knife,  I  cut  a  great  notch 
4ns,  I  could  tell  how  many 
after  I  got  a  fire,  I  used  to 
table  as  my  circumstances 
rhaps,  wish  to  know  what  1 
the  top  shell  of  the  tortoise 
an.     And  1  took  great  care 
as  plenty  of  cork  or  match- 
trials,  that  the  wood  would 
but  it  would  never  come  to  a 


r 


NARRATIVH  OF  AN  OLD  EN(5LIH11  SAILOR. 


311 


blaze;  and,  to  prevent  my  fire  from  going  out,  I  always  had  two  or  lliroe 
pieces  alight. 

Being  busy  the  chief  part  of  the  time  that  I  had  been  on  the  isl:tii(l  in 
making  a  firn,  1  had  scarcely  gone  any  distance  from  the  bourh,  and 
from  my  grove.  I  resolved  now  to  go  into  the  interior  of  the  .sliind, 
and,  with  this  intent,  1  lighted  a  couple  of  large  pieces  of  maU'ii-wood, 
that  I  knew  would  last  two  or  three  days,  and  away  1  and  my  d«>>r  stiirted 
for  the  middle  part  of '.he  island;  and  we  traveled  on  a  good  whil<s  when 
my  dog  foil  a  barking  at  something;  and,  to  my  great  surprise,  what 
should  it  be  but  two  wild  goats,  that  had  been  laying  down,  when  tho 
dog  came  close  to  them.  Now  my  seeing  these  goatn,  put  a  desire  into 
my  head,  that  1  should  like  to  get  some  of  them;  for  1  thought  tiiat  I 
might  gel  some  goat's  milk,  which  would  be  a  great  addition  to  mo. 

I  began  to  get  tired  of  walking,  and  I  went  and  got  a  small  tortoise, 
and  killed  him;  and  I  found  plenty  of  sorrel  hero,  so  I  gave  my  dog 
something  to  eat  and  to  drink.  I  had  some  myself;  for  1  had  taken  care 
to  bring  a  piece  of  match-wood  along  with  me,  and  there  Ixiing  plenty 
of  dry  brushwood,  1  soon  made  a  fire,  and  roasted  my  meat;  and  after 
1  had  my  dinner,  and  returned  thanks  to  God,  I  and  my  dog  went  on  our 
travels  again;  and  we  traveled  a  good  distance,  and  wo  saw  plenty  more 
goats.  And  by  tracing  the  goats,  1  found  a  small  spring  of  water,  and 
you  may  depend  that!  shall  never  forgot  how  sweet  the  first  drop  of 
water  tasted,  that  I  had;  and  after  having  a  good  drink,  1  returned 
thanks  to  the  Almighty  for  his  wonderful  mercy  to  me.  And  now,  as 
it  was  beginning  to  be  late,  I  resolved  to  stop  where  I  was  for  the  night; 
so,  on  that  account,  1  began  to  look  out  for  a  place  to  shelter  from  the 
dew;  and  when  I  had  found  one,  I  gathered  some  loaves  and  some  moss, 
and  made  myself  a  bed. 

As  it  was  early  yet,  I  looked  round  to  see  what  sort  of  place  I  had 
got  to;  but  I  soon  found  that  I  had  nearly  got  to  the  north-east  part  of 
the  island,  for  I  had  not  walked  far  from  my  now  habitation,  when  I 
could  see  the  sea:  and  finding  the  place  so  convenient  to  the  sea,  and 
more  cool  than  the  lee-side  of  the  island,  I  resolved  to  shift  my  habita- 
tion round  to  this  part  of  the  island ;  and,  with  this  intention,  I  went  to 
my  new  lodging;  and  after  I  had  some  supper,  and  given  some  to  ray 
dog,  and  returned  my  sincere  thanks  to  God  for  the  many  blessings  he 
had  showered  down  upon  me,  I  laid  myself  down  to  sleep;  but  I  could 
not  sleep  for  a  long  time,  for  my  thoughts  were  occupied  how  I  should 
be  able  to  make  myself  master  of  some  of  the  goats  that  1  had  seen. 
At  length  I  came  to  the  resolution  to  make  myself  a  bow  and  some 
arrows;  and  I  thought  that  if  I  was  able  to  wound  a  goat,  my  dog  would 
be  able  to  catch  him.  And,  with  this  thought,  I  went  to  sleep,  and  I 
Hlept  very  soundly  till  the  next  morning,  when,  after  returning  my  thanks 
to  God  for  preserving  me  during  the  night,  I  made  a  fire,  and  cooked 
myself  some  breakfast;  and  after  I  and  my  dog  had  done,  we  traveled 
on  to  my  old  habitation,  and  soon  packed  up  ray  all. 

When  I  counted  ray  stones,  I  found  that  1  had  been  one  hundred  and 
fifteen  days  on  the  island.  And  away  I  and  my  dog  went,  back  to  my 
new  lodgings ;  and  we  got  hack  before  sunset,  for  we  had  taken  a  nearer 
road  than  we  did  the  first  day.  And  after  I  had  put  all  my  store  in  my 
new  house,  I  went  to  bed,  for  I  was  tired;  and  the  first  thing  I  did,  next 
morning,  was  to  regulate  my  time-keeper,  in  digging  two  more  holes, 
and  put  my  stones  in  them,  and  cutting  my  notches  in  a  tree  that  stood 
close  by.     And  now  I  began  to  work  at  my  bow  and  arrows;  for  that 


i;^Z^-,  :^t^\-j'-'^y^-^ 


819 


NARRATIVE  OP  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


purposn  I  killed  a  largu  tortoiHO,  to  get  his  f{ut  to  mnko  a  HtriiiK  fui  my 
bow;  and  al\er  ({cttiiig  a  piccu  of  wood,  lit  lor  a  bow,  I  iiiiidu  it;  and  I 
found  my  gimlet  that  1  found  in  my  poor  shipinato^H  trowHcrs^  [uickot 
vury  handy.  And  ai\or  my  bow  was  douo,  1  wunt  to  work  to  mako  tiio 
arrow,  and  1  tininhed  my  weapon  iu  three  dayH,  which  I  dun^t  liiiuk 
very  lunn,  considerinf;  I  had  nothing  but  my  knife  to  do  it  witii,  uud  I 
had  everything  to  look  for  before  I  could  utie  it. 

I  was  Hoon  repaid  for  my  trouble ;  for  the  fourth  day  ihat  I  waH  out 
witii  my  bow  and  arrow,  and  my  dog,  i  wounded  an  old  aiie-goat,  and 
my  dog  Boon  caught  it;  and  as  he  and  I  were  bringing  tUr  goat  homo,  I 
found  tiiat  two  young  ones  followed  the  old  one;  and  aH  the  old  goat 
WOH  only  wounded  in  the  leg,  I  tied  her  up  outHido  my  grove ;  and  1  had 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  them  come  to  the  old  one,  and  sucking  her. 
Atler  they  wero  tired  of  sucking,  they  laid  down  hcsido  the  old  dam. 

My  next  trouble  was  to  make  a  place  to  keep  my  goats  in;  and  1 
turned  to,  and  fenced  a  piece  of  ground  all  round,  wliich  cost  me  a  good 
deal  of  trouble ;  but  I  completed  a  piece  in  four  days,  and  I  put  my 
goats  into  it:  and  now,  keeping  the  young  ones  by  themselves,  I  had 
some  milk  to  drink,  which  was  a  great  help  to  mo :  and  I  returned  the 
Almighty  God  thanks  for  his  wonderful  inercy  to  me.  And  now  that  I 
saw  1  had  made  a  good  job  of  the  fence,  that  [  had  made  for  my  goat:*, 
I  intended  to  make  a  sort  of  fence  round  my  dwelling-place,  and  to  try 
to  co<'er  it  more  from  the  sun,  for  rain  is  scarcely  evisr  known  in  these 
islands,  for  I  had  been  here  now  one  iiundred  and  eighty-four  days,  and 
I  had  no  rain  all  that  time;  so  to  work  I  went,  and  linished  my  job  in 
about  thirty  days,  and  I  found  myself  a  good  deal  more  comfortable  than 
I  was  before. 

I  had  not  long  finished  my  job,  when  one  night,  which  I  believed  to 
bo  nearly  the  latter  end  of  September,  it  came  on  to  blow  and  rain  as  if 
heaven  and  earth  were  coming  together,  and  very  heavy  lightning  and 
thunder  along  with  it.  It  was  a  night  such  as  1  had  not  experienced 
since  I  had  been  ca  the  island,  and  I  thanked  the  Lord  Almighty  lor 
putting  it  into  my  head  to  put  my  house  to  rights,  in  order  to  shelter  mo 
from  the  weather.  But  about  midnight,  as  near  as  I  could  guess,  the 
roof,  and  everything  that  I  had  put  on  my  house,  was  blown  olf,  and  I 
was  exposed  to  the  open  air.  The  only  thing  that  I  was  fretting  about 
was,  that  the  rain  would  put  my  fire  out,  which  I  had  been  at  so  much 
trouble  in  getting;  but  about  four  or  five  o'clock  next  morning,  the  rain 
ceased,  and  the  wind  died  away,  and  by  sunrise  it  was  quite  a  line 
morning.  And,  thanks  be  to  God,  my  fire  was  not  gone  out;  but  on 
looking  round  me,  to  see  the  destruction  which  the  wind  and  lightning 
had  caused,  and  still  I  was  saved  among  the  living  to  praise  the  Lord, 
which  I  did,  I  hope,  with  a  true  heart,  I  had  the  misfortune  to  find  that 
one  of  my  young  goats  had  been  killed  by  lightning,  for  he  was  black 
and  blue  all  over;  my  house  was  much  damaged,  and  my  bed  soaking 
with  rain. 

Repairing  my  house  and  bed  cost  me  a  good  deal  of  trouble  and  time, 
for  I  had  never  been  properly  well  since  the  night  the  hurricane  swept 
over  the  island,  and  I  found  myself  getting  worse  every  day.  My  legs 
began  to  swell  very  much,  so  that  I  was  scarcely  able  to  go  to  the  spring 
to  fetch  my  water,  or  able  to  catch  a  tortoise ;  but  my  dog,  my  only  com- 
panion, used  to  fetch  them  to  me.  But  at  last  I  got  that  bad,  that  I  was 
not  able  to  get  up  out  of  my  bed-place,  and  I  nearly  gave  myself  up 
for  lost. 


'"%. 


H  SAILOR. 

to  mako  a  fltriii)?  for  my 
a  bow,  I  iiiiido  it ;  mxl  I 
(inatti'H  trowaiTs'  pocki^t 
ont  to  work  to  inaki)  tlio 
lyH,  which  I  don't  liiiuk 
nifo  to  do  it  with,  uml  I 

fourth  day  that  I  was  out 
icd  an  ohl  alic-soat,  and 
jringing  lli"  jjoat  homo,  I 
ano ;  and  a«  tho  old  Roat 
side  my  urovo ;  iind  I  had 
d  one,  and  sucking  her. 
ivn  hesido  tho  old  dam. 
keop  mv  goats  in;  and  I 
ind,  wliich  cost  mo  a  good 

four  (lays,  and  I  put  my 
inos  hv  themselves,  I  had 
to  me  :  and  I  returned  the 
y  to  nie.     And  now  that  I 

I  had  made  for  my  Koatc, 
r  dwelling-place,  and  to  try 
rcely  ever  known  in  these 
1  and  eigluy-four  days,  and 
nt,  and  finished  my  joh  in 
deal  more  comfortable  than 

I  night,  which  I  believed  to 
le  on  to  blow  and  rain  as  if 
d  very  heavy  lightning  and 
,  as  1  had  not  experienced 
ked  the  Lord  Almighty  for 
ights,  in  order  to  shelter  mo 
near  as  I  could  guess,  the 
house,  was  blown  ofl,  and  I 
ing  that  I  was  fretting  about 
hich  I  had  been  at  so  much 
lock  next  morning,  the  ram 
sunrise  it  was  quite  a  fine 
I  was  not  gone  out;  but  on 
tiich  the  wind  and  lightning 
e  living  to  praise  tho  Lord, 
d  the  misfortune  to  find  that 
y  lightning,  for  he  was  black 
inaged,  and  my  bed  soaking 

rood  deal  of  trouble  and  time, 
le  night  the  hurricane  swept 
a  worse  every  day.  My  legs 
ircely  able  to  go  to  the  spring 
,e;  but  my  dog,  my  only  corn- 
last  I  got  that  bad,  that  I  was 
and  I  nearly  gave  myself  up 


[ 


NAHRATIVK  OK  AN  OLD  EN(JLI8H  JSAILOU. 


nut 


I  liad  iiiiii  in  ihJH  state  two  or  thriMt  days,  whrn  onr  diiy,  as  1  was 
n«!urly  faiiiisliiiiL'  willi  thiixt,  1  heard  my  dog  harking  u  good  (Icui  ninr*' 
luiii  ho  u.s(  il  lo  do.  1  triod  to  got  up,  but  i  oould  not.  I  (iillfd  my 
tio*  ■Ntio!  NtMo!"  a.-t  loud  u.s  I  (umhl,  but  still  lio  ki'pt  on  harking, 
lull  .  lould  hoar  that  ho  was  getting  mniror  to  my  habitation.  Hut  what 
wu.i  my  surpriso  whoii  1  hourd  a  human  voice  singing  out  to  .some  ouc, 
•■(.'omi!  along,  .lack,  I  must  go  and  see  whoro  this  dog  is  going  to!"  1 
nuinot  express  my  foiliiij^s  at  tiio  lirst  sound  of  a  human  voico.  Joy 
and  four  ovorcamo  mo,  so  that  1  waw  nearly  fainting  away  when  my  dog 
<amo  in,  and  two  mon  close  to  him.  Thoy  wore  (juito  jfiirjirisr-d  at 
tiiiding  mo  tiuMo,  uiul  thoy  askod  mo  sovoral  ijuostioii,'*,  which  I  was 
sicarcoly  uhh^  to  aiiswo-r;  liiit  aftor  u  littlo  while,  1  askod  ono  of  tiiom  to 
1,'ivo  mo  a  drink  of  wator,  which  1  had  in  my  hat,  and  aftor  1  got  a  littlo 
rovived,  1  askod  tliom  how  thoy  cbuk;  lix-ro. 

They  told  mo  liioy  hoh)iig(!d  to  an  American  sclKwnor,  culled  tho 
"Flying  Fish,"  of  lliiltiiiioro,  ind  that  they  caino  on  shore  thoro  to  got 
soiiu!  wood,  and  to  try  if  tlicy  could  tind  any  water,  and  that,  on  landing, 
thoy  hud  soon  the  dog;  and  being  surprised  at  seeing  a  dog  upon  tho 
island,  which  thoy  know  wua  uuinhabitod,  the  second  male  and  oiu;  man 
had  followt.d  tho  dog  till  thoy  found  me;  and  I  told  thorn,  as  vvoll  as  I 
was  able,  how  I  camo  on  the  island,  and  liow  long  I  had  boon  there. 
Tho  second  mute,  who  was  talking  to  mo,  told  me  that  lie  would  go  on 
Iward  of  tiio  schooner  directly,  and  acipiaint  the  captain  of  the  schooner 
of  my  condition;  but  I  begged  of  him  to  allow  his  shipmate  to  stop  along 
with  me  while  he  was  gone,  to  which  iie  agreed,  and  away  ho  wont; 
but  my  feelings  during  the  tiino  he  was  gone  I  can't  express,  for  hope 
and  fear  were  mixed  together. 

i  askod  the  man  that  was  left  along  with  me  to  make  my  fire  up,  and 
fry  some  tortoise,  for  the  dog  had  dragged  a  large  one  close  to  my  hut, 
and  my  new  companion  soon  killed  liim,  and  cooked  the  best  part  of  it, 
untl  before  it  was  quite  done,  the  captain  of  the  schooner  camo  up  to 
my  hut,  and  ho  brought  four  men  along  with  him,  to  carry  mo  down  to 
tho  boat,  and  he  brought  some  rum,  and  some  wator,  and  .some  biscuit 
along  with  thoiii,  for  mo  to  have  sometliiug  to  eat  and  to  drink  before 
they  took  me  away;  and  the  captain  and  the  men  iiad  some  of  my 
tortoise  that  their  shipmate  had  cooked,  and  they  liked  it  very  well. 
But  the  first  morsel  of  bread  that  I  tasted  I  could  scarcely  get  down,  for 
it  was  now  two  hundred  and  seventy  days  since  I  had  tasted  a  bit  of 
bread;  and  still  the  Lord  had*  been  kind  enough  to  preserve  me,  and 
send  me  help  when  1  was  in  the  greatest  distress,  and  could  not  help 
myself;  and  liow  wonderful  that  the  dog  should  be  the  means  of  my 
deliverance !  It  was  a  long  time  before  I  came  to  again,  when  I  got  on 
board  the  schooner;  and  the  people  on  board  told  me  aflerward  that 
they  could  not  keep  the  dog  from  me  during  the  time  that  I  was  lying 
senseless;  and  as  soon  as  he  saw  that  I  moved  and  spoke  again,  he  ran 
fore  and  aft  the  decks  like  as  if  he  was  mad. 

When  I  came  on  board  of  the  "  .Flying  Fish,"  it  was  the  29th  day 
of  October,  1820,  and  1  was  cast  away  on  the  3d  day  of  February,  which 
made  exactly  two  hundred  and  seventy  days  that  I  had  been  on  James' 
Island.  Now  the  schooner  lay  there  eight  or  ten  days  after  I  had  been 
on  board,  to  get  wood  and  tortoises  on  board;  and  then  we  sailed  from 
tho  island,  and  the  schooner  being  bound  to  Baltimore,  in  America,  wo 
Weill  to  windward.  In  the  beginning  of  January,  1821,  but  a  few  days 
after  we  got  round  Cape  Horn,  and  being  off  the  Falkland  Islands,  a 


3U 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


mm 


\''\ 


!l. 

i;|i!iti| 


sad  misfortune  befell  me:  I  lost  my  dog,  who  died  through  oating  some 
porpoise  liver.  Some  of  tiio  crew  of  the  schooner  had  caught  a  jioi  poise, 
and  Uio  dog,  being  used  so  long  to  live  upon  raw  meat,  ate  too  greedily 
of  the  liver,  and  he  died  on  the  16th  day  of  January,  and  you  may 
depend  thai  I  was  very  sorry  for  it;  but  he  was  gone,  and  all  the  fretting 
ahoui  him  would  do  no  good;  so  we  kept  on  our  course,  and  arrived  in 
Baltimore  on  the  2d  of  March,  1821.  Now  the  captain  and  the  crew 
had  given  mo  a  good  many  clothes  on  the  passage,  for  what  I  liad  on  the 
island  were  all  worn  out,  and  my  legs  were  a  good  deal  better;  and  the 
captain  of  the  schooner  took  me  up  to  the  owners,  and  told  them  what 
state  he  iiad  found  me  in;  and  the  owners  were  kind  enough  to  send 
nif!  to  a  hoarding-house,  where  I  was  to  stay  till  I  got  well,  and  they 
made  me  a  present  of  twenty  dollars,  for  which,  and  all  the  other  kind- 
nesses wliich  I  had  received  from  them,  I  thanked  them  kindly. 

I  staid  in  Baltimore  till  the  20th  day  of  April,  when  I  found  myself 
quite  well,  and  shipped  on  hoard  of  a  brig,  called  the  "Buck,"  of 
Boston,  and  she  was  Iwund  to  New  Orleans,  where  we  arrived  on  the 
16th  day  of  May.  I  forgot  to  mention  that  before  I  left  Baltimore  I  sent 
a  letter  to  Mr.  Mellish,  in  an  English  ship  bound  to  Liverpool,  to  acquaint 
him  witii  the  loss  of  the  "'Spring  Grove,"  and  I  acquainted  him  that  the 
ship  had  one  thousand  three  hundred  barrels  of  oil  in  her  when  she  was 
lost,  and  every  other  particular  about  her;  and  I  told  him  that  I  intended 
to  come  to  London  myself  as  soon  as  I  had  an  opportunity. 

Now  when  we  arrived  at  New  Orleans,  our  brig  was  found  unfit  for 
sea,  for  she  was  very  leaky,  and  we,  the  crew,  were  discharged  from 
her;  and  I  being  in  a  strange  place,  and  having  very  little  money,  I  was 
obliged  to  look  out  for  another  ship  as  soon  as  I  could;  :md  1  shipped 
myself  in  a  steamboat,  called  the  "Olive  Branch,"  to  go  from  New 
Orleans  up  the  Mississippi  to  the  Falls  of  Ohio;  and  I  got  twenty-five 
dollars  per  month.  I  went  up  in  the  "Olive  Branch"  as  far  as  a  jjlace 
called  Shipping  Point,  close  to  the  Falls  of  the  Ohio;  but  it  now  being 
the  latter  part  of  June,  and  the  river  being  very  low,  our  steamer  was 
laid  up,  and  I  was  paid  off.  I  got  back  to  New  Orleans  on  the  lUth  of 
December,  but  I  had  the  misfortune  to  hurt  my  leg  on  the  passage  down; 
and  when  we  got  to  New  Orleans,  and  our  cargo  discharged,  I  ibund  my 
leg  so  bad  that  I  was  obliged  to  take  my  discharge  from  the  "  Lafayette," 
and  go  on  shore  under  the  doctor^s  hands;  and  I  was  obliged  to  go  to  a 
boarding-house;  but,  thanks  be  to  God,  I  had  saved  a  little  money. 

Now  the  house  that  I  was  recommended  to  was  kept  by  a  widow 
woman,  and  she  seemed  to  be  a  "ery  industrious  woman,  but  she  was 
obliged  to  keep  a  bar-keeper,  or  a  man  to  look  after  the  business.  Now 
after  I  had  been  in  the  house  for  about  two  months,  she  asked  me,  one 
day,  if  I  could  read  and  write;  I  told  her  yes.  She  asked  me  if  I  would 
be  kind  enough  to  have  a  look  at  her  books,  for  she  was  pretty  well  sure 
that  the  man  that  she  had  for  a  bar-keeper  had  cheated  her.  I  told  her 
that  I  would  do  it  with  pleasure;  for  my  leg  was  getting  nearly  well; 
and,  on  overhauling  her  book,  I  found  a  great  many  frauds.  And  when 
the  man  was  asked  about  it,  he  said  that  he  would  settle  everything  in 
the  morning;  but  that  night  he  ran  away,  and  took  nearly  fifty  dollars, 
that  he  had  received  from  different  people,  along  with  him;  and  we 
never  saw  no  more  of  him. 

Now  my  leg,  as  I  told  you  before,  was  nearly  well;  and  she  asked  me  if 
I  would  be  kind  enough  to  look  after  her  bar;  and,  after  a  little  conside- 1 
ration,  I  consented.     And  1  showed  her  what  money  I  had  of  my  own 


SH  SAILOR. 

died  throuHh  oatiiiR  some 
ner  had  causht  a  porpoiao, 
raw  meat,  ale  too  fjrcoddy 
of  January,  and  you  may 
s  gone,  and  all  the  fretting 
our  course,  and  arrived  m 
the  captain  and  the  crew 
sage,  for  what  I  had  on  the 

nood  deal  better ;  and  the 
wners,  and  told  them  wliat 
vere  kind  enough  to  send 
ly  till  I  got  well,  and   they 
ich,  and  all  the  other  kind- 
inked  them  kindly. 
Vpril,  when  I  found  myself 
a,  called  tlie  "  Buck,"  of 
r  where  we  arrived  on  the 
e!fore  I  left  Baltimore  1  sent 
ind  to  Liverpool,  to  acquaint 
id  I  acquainted  him  that  the 
s  of  oil  in  her  when  she  was 
nd  I  told  hini  that  1  intended 
an  opportunity, 
our  brig  was  found  unht  tor 
crew,  were  discharged  from 
ivina  very  little  money,  1  was 
,n  as  I  could;  ;.ud  I  shipped 
:  Branch,"  to  go  from   New 
■Ohio;  and  I  got  twenty-five 
,e  Branch"  as  far  as  a  place 
f  the  Ohio ;  but  it  now  being 
„„  very  low,  our  steamer  was 

New  Orleans  on  tlie  lUth  ot 

my  leg  on  the  passage  down; 

cargo  discharged,  I  found  my 
Bcharge  from  the  "  Lafayette, 

•  and  I  was  obliged  to  go  to  a 
had  saved  a  little  money. 

ded  to  was  kept  by  a  widow 
idu&trious  woman,  but  she  was 
look  after  the  business.     Now 
vo  months,  she  asked  me,  one 
yes.     She  asked  me  It  I  would 
ks,  for  she  was  pretty  well  sure 
:r  had  cheated  her.     I  told  her 
yleg  was  getting  nearly  well; 
great  many  frauds.     And  when 
t  he  would  settle  everything  m 
V,  and  look  nearly  fifty  dollars, 
fople,  along  with  him;  and  we 

learly  well;  and  she  asked  me  if 

•  bar;  and,  after  a  little  conside- 
r  what  money  I  had  of  my  own 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


315 


before  I  had  anything  to  do  with  her  money;  and  she  agreed  to  give  me 
twenty  dollars  a  month,  and  my  board;  and  I  went  and  took  charge  of 
everything.  But,  to  make  a  long  story  short,  before  I  had  been  hnr  bar- 
keeper two  months,  I  became  iier  liusband;  for  1  married  her  the  5th  of 
April,  1822;  and,  thanks  be  to  (lod,  a  very  good  wife  she  proved  to  bo. 
And  I  began  to  look  upon  myself  as  settled;  and  I  wrote  a  letter  to  my 
son  and  to  Mr.  Mellish,  telling  Mr.  Mellish  that,  if  he  thouglit  my  son 
deserved  it,  or  stood  in  need  of  it,  to  let  him  have  the  sixty  pounds  that 
I  put  in  his  hands  when  I  was  paid  otf  from  the  "  Policy." 

I  was  beginning  to  do  very  well;  but  we  appoint,  and  the  Almighty 
disappoints;  for,  the  sickly  season  setting  in  very  severe,  my  wife,  my 
dearest  Martha,  caugiit  the  fever,  and  died  in  three  days  after  she  was 
taken  bad;  and  I  buried  her  on  the  25th  of  July,  1822.  I  hiid  not  been 
long  at  home  before  I  was  taken  bad,  and  the;  doctor  adviscid  me  to  go 
to  the  hospital,  which  I  accoidifgly  did;  but,  before  1  went  to  the  hos- 
pital, [  had  my  house  siiiit  up,  and  1  left  what  goods  there  were,  in  cliarge 
of  my  late  wife's  sister;  and  I  took  about  two  hundred  dollars,  in  notes, 
along  with  me  in  the  hospital.  I  staid  in  the  hospital  about  six  weeks, 
when  it  pleased  God  to  let  me  recover,  and  get  to  uiy  senses  again;  for 
I  had  been  oi-t  of  my  mind  nearly  all  the  time  that  I  had  been  there. 
And  when  I  came  to  inquire  after  my  late  wife's  sister,  I  was  obliged  to 
hear  that  she  died  about  four  days  after  I  had  gone  into  the  hospital. 
But  I  soon  got  better,  and  I  came  out  of  the  hospital  on  the  1st  day 
of  October;  and  I  felt  myself  very  weak  when  1  came  out  into  the 
fresh  air. 

When  f  got  home  to  where  I  had  lived,  I  found  an  empty  house ;  for, 
after  my  sister-in-law  died,  everything  was  taken  out  of  the  house,  and 
was  ordered  to  be  burnt.  So  here  1  was  again,  nearly  as  bad  as  I  was 
when  I  first  came  to  New  Orleans;  and  I  began  to  take  a  dislike  to  the 
place,  and  I  intended  to  leave  it  as  soon  as  I  could;  and  the  very  next 
day  I  shipped  myself  on  board  the  "Friendship;"  and  we  sailed  from 
New  Orleans,  the  10th  day  of  October,  for  Campeachy,  to  take  in  a 
cargo  of  logwood,  to  take  to  London;  and,  thanks  be  to  God,  I  got  quite 
well  again.  And  we  soon  got  our  cargo;  and  we  sailed  from  Campeachy 
the  2d  of  November,  and  we  had  a  very  good  passage  home,  as  far  as 
the  English  Channel,  when  the  wind  got  round  to  the  eastward,  which 
delayed  us  three  or  four  weeks.  Our  provisions  got  very  short,  and 
especially  our  water;  and,  our  ship  being  very  leaky,  we  were  obliged 
to  put  into  Falmouth  harbor,  where  we  discharged  all  her  cargo;  and 
the  owners  came  down  to  Falmouth,  and,  finding  that  the  ship  wanted  a 
great  deal  of  repair,  they  paid  the  crew  their  wages,  and  I  was  dis- 
charged on  the  5th  day  of  January,  1823. 

Now  it  being  the  dead  of  the  winter,  and  knowing  that  tbere  would 
be  very  few  ships,  in  London,  to  be  got  at  that  time  of  the  year,  I  shipped 
myself  on  board  of  a  brig,  belonging  to  Bangor,  in  Wales,  called  the 
"Jane  Ellen;"  and  she  was  bound  up  the  Straits,  to  Smyrna,  with  a 
cargo  of  pilchards.  And  we  sailed  from  Falmouth  the  12th  of  January; 
and,  thanks  be  to  God,  we  had  a  very  good  passage  out  to  Smyrna,  and 
we  arrived  there  the  3d  day  of  March ;  and  we  kept  trading  from  one  place 
to  another  till  the  latter  part  of  1824;  and  nothing  particular  happened 
during  that  time.  And,  thanks  be  to  God,  I  was  in  good  health,  when, 
on  the  10th  of  October,  1824,  when  we  were  lying  at  Cephalouia,  our 
captain  got  a  freight  for  London,  to  take  a  cargo  of  currants  there;  and, 
when  we  got  our  cargo  in,  we  sailed  from  Cephalonia  on  the  24th  of 


ffl ':("■'■ 


316 


HAHEATIVEOFANOLDENOUSHSAILOB. 


and,  thanks  be  to  God,  we  aniveu 

December.  ,„      ,  .omething  fresh  o"  ^^ard  for  U  r  s 

about  ;vcBt   ;y  Bouth^ut       ,^.,,,,,  ^^^  .^  ^        °u';,^°nnd  I  wanted 

'mmmmmm. 

C-  and  there  were  only  thre«  ««"  J^J  V„en  a  hundred  g"'"^'^!,- .      ,, 
If.  »!nt  I  could  not  help  them,  it  1  naa  g  ,,  jg^^g  Ellen. 

i„ereas,ng,  and  there  w  ^^^^^^^  ^^      j  me  a       ^,^^ 

But  I  could  "«;X,m  daylight  next  morning.    Bu    '  was  .^^ 

tlunk,Ididnotknow,  ,^  .gents  ^S'''"' ".^^  ^fe  was  lost ;  and  they 

pcnshed.        went  «)        >  ^^^  ^^^^^  ^j,      ^^  ected  she  wa  ^^^^^  ^^^ 

SS  t  af-I  o?gh?  to  think  myse  f  very   -ky j'^^^^^  to  send  ar;y  of 


the  "Jane 


:  SAILOR. 

wn  as  far  as  the  rock  of 
bound  for  several  days, 
held  on,  though  a  great 
re  driven  on  shore ;  but 
i  we  got  under  weigh, 
e  Dow  us  on  the  24th  ot 

resh  on  board  for  Christ- 

me  of  the  Deal  boats,  to 
ry  poorly,  and  he  was  not 

brig  for  about  eighteen 
from  England  with  us,  at 
1  when  I  loft  the  brig,  the 
,  year,  and  the  wind  \ya8 
3n  shore,  when  the  wind 
line  on  to  blow  tremendous 
the  beach.     And  I  wanted 
sedtogoofftilUowwate, 
,oon,  and  when  I  landed,  It 
Qd  the  weather  came  on  m 
ats  tried  to  get  off,  but  both 

nen,  belonging  to  the  boats, 
;  a  heavy  gale  of  wind   and 

;  for  our  captain,  as  1  told 
o  ever  since  we  left  Gibral- 
o  boys  on  board  bes.de  hiin- 

en  a  hundred  g"i°«^%- .  „  „ 
,oard  of  the  "Jane  Ellen. 

d  go  off  with  me,  I  went  to 
tafsituated,  fori  knew   ha 
told  me  that  I  must  content 
,  would  take  care  to  send  me 
t  came  on,  the  gale  was  still 

e  getUng  o^  board  that  night 
,nle  offered  me  a  bed,  and  1 
t     But  it  was  still  blowing 
Jwe  could  see  no  vessel  m 
,t  was  a  man-of-war,  and  the 
een     What  to  do,  or  what  to 
'he  brig  was  lost,  and  a^^  hands 
„,and  asked  them  what  they 
npcted  she  was  lost;  and  they 
Svtlmtlwasonshoreout 
vas  to  blame  to  send  any  o 
she  was  lying  in  an  open  road. 
;and^hatiasallthesatistact.on 

moneyinmypocket;forIhad 

hid  no  occasion  to  draw  any 
ned  her%  had  my  pay  fVom  the 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


317 


to  travel  up  to  London,  and  go  and  see  if  my  son  was  alive  or  not.  Now 
all  the  money  I  had  in  my  pocket  when  I  "started  from  Deal,  which  is 
seventy-two  miles  from  London,  was  three  shillings  and  sixpence ;  and  it 
was  bitter  cold  weather,  for  I  started  from  Deal  on  the  2d  day  of  January, 
1826;  and,  thanks  be  to  God  and  good  friends,  I  arrived  in  London  on 
the  6th  of  the  month ;  and  tired  enough  I  was ;  and  all  the  money  that 
I  had  left  was  twopence.  I  had  middling  good  clothes  on  my  back,  and 
I  went  to  Mr.  Mellish  to  inquire  after  my  son;  and  when  1  told  Mr. 
Mellish  of  my  new  misfortune,  he  told  me  that  I  was  a  wonderful  man ; 
but  when  I  asked  him  concerning  my  son,  he  told  me  that  he  was 
married  to.  his  housekeeper,  and  that  they  were  doing  very  well ;  and 
that  he  had  paid  the  sixty  pounds  to  my  son,  according  to  my  wish.  I 
thanked  him  very  kindly;  and  he  told  me  that  my  son,  in  coming  home 
in  the  "  Seringapatam,"  had  the  misfortune  to  fall  out  of  the  maintop, 
and  broke  his  left  arm,  and  it  not  being  properly  set,  he  had  partly  lost 
the  use  of  it;  and  when  he  came  home,  having  a  very  good  character, 
Mr.  Mellish  made  him  wharfinger  at  his  wharf,  and  after  a  little  time  ho 
got  married. 

I  told  Mellish  how  I  was  situated  in  regard  to  money,  and  he  was  kind 
enough  to  give  me  five  pounds ;  and  he  told  me,  that  if  my  circumstances 
would  ever  allow  me  to  pay  him,  I  might,  but  he  should  never  ask  me 
for  it.  I  thanked  him  very  kindly  for  it,  and  I  asked  him  if  he  would  be 
kind  enough  to  send  for  my  son,  which  he  did;  and  when  my  son  came 
in,  he  was  quite  surprised  at  seeing  me,  and  he  and  I  went  home  to  his 
house.  And  when  I  came  to  tell  him  how  I  was  situated,  he  called  his 
wife  in,  and  told  her  that  I  should  have  to  stay  along  with  them  a  few 
days,  and  that  I  was  his  father;  but  I  could  see  by  the  first  appearance 
of  her  actions  that  I  was  an  unwelcome  guest,  for  she  said  she  did  not 
know  how  to  make  room  for  me. 

I  told  my  son;  "Francis,"  said  I,  "seemingly  your  wife,  whom  I 
thought  to  embrace  as  a  daughter,  is  not  agreeable  for  me  to  stay  here. 
Give  me  a  few  sailings,  so  that  1  can  go  and  get  a  lodging  somewhere 
for  the  night;"  for  I  did  not  let  him  know  that  Mr.  Mellish  had  given 
me  five  pounds.  He  told  me  he  would  try  what  he  could  do,  and  away 
he  went;  and  I  heard  him  and  his  wife  having  very  high  words  outside 
of  the  room,  and  between  other  words  that  passed,  I  heard  her  calling 
me  a  beggar.  My  temper,  at  that  present  time,  could  not  stand  that, 
and  I  got  up  and  went  out,  and  wished  them  a  good  night,  and  I  left  the 
house,  and  I  have  never  seen  her  since;  and  away  I  went  down  to 
Tooley  street,  in  the  Borough,  and  there  I  got  a  lodging. 

In  a  few  days  I  got  pretty  well  round  again,  and  I  went  to  Lloyd's 
office  to  report  the  loss  of  my  brig,  and  likewise  to  see  if  I  could  recover 
any  of  my  wages;  for  I  was  sent  on  shore  on  duty,  and  certainly  I  ought 
to  be  entitled  to  my  wages  to  the  time  we  sailed  from  the  last  port;  and 
they  told  me  that  as  I  gave  in  my  claim  for  wages  due  to  me  for  the 
"Jane  Ellen,"  that  as  tsoon  as  they  had  returns  from  Sierra  Leone,  they 
would  pay  me  what  was  due  to  me. 

I  staid  in  London  till  the  middle  of  March,  when  I  shipped  on  board 
of  a  brig  called  the  "Intrepid"  packet,  and  she  was  bound  from  London 
to  Gibraltar,  and  from  there  to  Buenos  Ayres.  And  we  sailed  from 
London  the  2d  day  of  April,  1825,  and,  thanks  be  to  God,  we  had  a  very 
good  passage  to  Gibraltar,  where  we  arrived  the  Ist  day  of  May,  anil 
sailed  from  there  the  6th  of  June  for  Buenos  Ayres,  where  we  arrived 
cm  the  30th  day  of  July. 


V 


X 


318 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


Now  at  this  present  time  the  Buenos  Ayreans  wore  at  war  with  the 
Braziliiuis,  and  the  River  Plate  was  blocited  up;  so  wo  were  obliged  to 
go  and  lay  in  a  place  called  Helsinado,  about  seven  miles  from  Buenos 
Ayres,  and  there  we  laid  till  March,  1C26,  when  our  captain  got  a  freight 
for  (iibraltar,  to  carry  some  of  the  old  Spaniards  home  to  their  own 
country;  and  we  sailed  from  Helsinado  on  the  6th  of  April,  1826.  But 
coming  from  Helsinado,  down  the  River  Plate,  we  were  caught  in  a  very 
heavy  Pampiro,  and  were  very  near  losing  the  brig;  for  our  mate  that 
came  from  England  with  us,  had  left  us  at  Buenos  Ayres;  and  the  young 
man  that  we  got  in  the  room  of  him  was  not  experienced  with  the  country 
he  was  sailing  in ;  and  at  twelve  o'clock,  when  I  came  on  d»ck,  he  told 
me  to  clear  away  the  flying  jib,  and  I  told  him,  "  You  had  better  shorten 
sail  as  fast  as  you  can,  or  else  you  will  lose  every  stitch  of  canvas  that 
you  have  got  set,  for  I  see  it  arising;"  and  I  showed  it  to  him;  but  he 
said,  "  Never  mind,  do  as  you  are  told."  And  I  told  him  that  for  the 
safety  of  myself  and  the  brig,  I  could  not  do  it;  but  if  he  would  not 
shorten  sail,  I  should  be  obliged  to  call  Captain  Gordon,  wliich  I  accord- 
ingly did.  And  when  ho  came  on  deck,  we  began  to  shorten  sail;  but 
it  was  too  late  then,  for  the  Pampiro  struck  the  brig,  and  she  was  hove 
on  her  beam-ends,  and  every  stitch  of  canvas  that  we  had  set  blew  into 
•  ribbons. 

I  advised  our  captain  to  let  go  both  anchors,  so  as  to  fetch  the  ship's 
head  to  wind,  that  she  might  righten;  and  accordingly  I  went  forward, 
and  got  some  of  the  men  to  lend  me  a  hand ;  and  I  let  go  the  best  bower 
anchor,  which  brought  her  head  to  wind;  and  the  brig  rightcned,  for 
she  had  then  been  nearly  a  quarter  of  an  hour  on  her  beam-ends;  but 
still  she  would  not  bring  up;  and,  with  a  good  deal  of  trouble,  I  got  the 
small  bower  anchor  clear,  and  let  it  go.  And  she  took  the  chain  to  the 
beam-end,  but  still  she  would  not  bring  up,  but  still  kept  drifting;  and 
we  were  afraid  we  should  drive  on  a  sand  called  the  English  bank.  So, 
after  a  good  deal  of  trouble,  we  got  our  stream  anchor  clear,  and  let  it 
go;  and  after  she  got  tl'3  best  part  of  the  stream  cable,  she  brought  up 
in  five  fathoms  water.  But  all  this  time  neither  the  captain  nor  I  could 
see  pnything  of  the  mate,  and  we  were  afraid  that  he  had  gone  over- 
board, and  had  been  drowned;  but  after  we  got  everything  middling 
snug,  we  found  our  mate  stowed  away  down  in  the  fore-hold,  among  the 
water-casks;  and  he  said  that  he  was  knocked  down  the  fore-hatchway 
when  the  squall  first  struck  the  ship.  We  did  not  believe  his  story;  but 
the  captain  had  been  obliged  to  make  him  mate,  for  he  was  one  of  the 
owners'  nephews. 

Now  after  we  got  everything  pretty  snug,  we  set  the  watch  again,  and 
next  morning  it  turned  out  to  be  very  fine,  and  we  went  to  work  to  bend 
a  fresh  set  of  sails,  for  our  old  ones  were  all  blown  to  pieces;  and  after 
getting  our  anchors  up,  and  stowing  them,  which  took  us  two  days,  we 
went  down  to  Monte  Video,  where  we  arrived  on  the  12th  day  of  April. 
And  after  putting  everything  to  rights,  we  sailed  for  Rio  de  Janeiro, 
where  we  arrived  on  the  1st  of  May.  Now  as  I  told  you  that  we  had 
lost  all  our  canvas  in  the  Pampiro,  and  bent  all  new  ones,  except  what 
we  called  our  fore  and  aft  spencer,  and  the  brig  having  only  one  on 
board,  I  was  obliged  to  make  a  new  one,  for  the  captain  knew  that  I  was 
able  to  do  it ;  and  accordingly  the  captain  bought  the  canvas,  and  I  cut 
the  sail  out;  and  on  the  18th  of  May  I  and  the  mate  were  working  about 
the  sail,  and  I  saw  him  putting  a  piece  of  canvas  the  wrong  way;  and  I 
said, "  Mr.  Middleton,  you  are  putting  that  piece  in  the  wrong  way.*' 


OR. 

;  at  war  with  the 
I  were  obliged  to 
iios  from  Buenos 
ptain  got  a  freight 
me  to  their  own 
\pril,  1826.  But 
!  caught  in  a  very 
or  our  mate  that 
s;  and  the  young 
I  with  the  country 
on  d«ck,  he  told 
lad  better  shorten 
eh  of  canvas  that 
it  to  him  ;  but  he 
1  him  that  fur  the 
if  he  would  not 
1,  which  I  accord- 
shorten  sail;  but 
md  she  was  hove 
had  set  blew  into 

a  fetch  the  ship's 
Iv  I  went  forward, 
go  the  best  bower 
irig  rightcned,  for 
r  beam-ends;  but 
trouble,  I  got  the 
>k  the  chain  to  the 
kept  drifting;  and 
English  bank.  So, 
or  clear,  and  let  it 
le,  she  brought  up 
aptain  nor  I  could 
e  had  gone  over- 
erything  middling 
re-hold,  among  the 
the  fore-hatchway 
ieve  his  story;  but 
he  was  one  of  the 

e  watch  again,  and 
mt  to  work  to  bend 
)  pieces;  and  after 
)k  us  two  days,  we 
12th  day  of  April, 
r  Rio  de  Janeiro, 
1  you  that  we  had 

ones,  except  what 
liaving  only  one  on 
tin  knew  that  I  was 
e  canvas,  and  I  cut 
vere  working  about 

wrong  way;  and  I 
I  the  wrong  way.*' 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


319 


He  told  mc  to  mind  my  own  business;  and  words  arose  between  him 
and  me,  and  at  last  he  jumped  up  and  struck  me.  1  was  obliged  to 
stand  in  my  defense,  and  1  gave  him  a  good  boating,  so  that  he  was 
obliged  to  go  below.  Now  I  knew  well  enough  that  when  the  captain 
came  <m  board,  he  would  take  the  mate's  part,  and  I  should  have  to  "o 
on  siiore  to  go  to  prison,  which  I  dir'.  not  like  at  all. 

Knowing  the  "  Ranger"  frigate  wanted  hands,  I  hailed  the  '•  Ranger's" 
boat,  and  she  came  along  side,  and  I  told  tlie  officer  of  the  boat  what 
had  happened,  and  that  I  intended  to  enter  for  his  Majesty's  service, 
upon  which  he  told  me  to  get  into  the  boat;  and  so  I  got  once  more  on 
board  of  a  man-of-war.  My  old  captain  tried  all  that  he  could  do  to  get 
mc  back  again;  but  I  found  that  a  man-of-war  was  quite  different  fiora 
what  it  was  when  I  was  in  them  in  war  time;  for  there  was  no  starting, 
or  fears  of  any  flogging;  and  if  a  man  was  only  attentive  and  clean,  and 
did  what  he  was  told,  he  never  needed  to  he  afraid  of  getting  liimsolf 
into  trouble.  So,  after  I  got  settled  on  board  of  the  "  Ranger,'"'  tiu  cap- 
tain was  kind  enough  to  give  me  the  rate  of  gunner's  mate;  and  I  did 
very  well.  And  we  sailed  from  Rio  de  Janeiro  the  latter  part  of  May, 
bound  to  Callao,  on  the  coast  of  Peru.  We  had  a  long  and  tedious  pas- 
sage round  the  Cape,  but  arrived  safe  at  Valparaiso  on  the  19lh  of  June, 
after  a  passage  of  seventy-seven  days.  We  staid  on  the  coast  of  Peru 
till  the  beginning  of  1828;  and  on  the  6th  of  February  a  sad  accident 
happened  to  me — for  1  was  both  sliot  and  drowned  on  that  day! 

To  explain  this,  1  must  go  to  some  particulars  that  occurred  when  we 
were  lying  at  a  place  called  Coquimbo,  the  last  place  we  were  going  to 
touch  at  before  we  went  round  the  Horn.  And  the  governor  of  the  place 
and  his  suite  being  on  board  to  take  their  farewell  of  our  captain  and 
officers,  and  our  ship  being  iiove  short,  and  all  ready  for  starting,  and 
our  captain  intended  to  salute  the  governor  when  he  left  the  ship,  and 
in  getting  the  ship  under  weigh,  I  was  sent  to  look  out  for  the  buoy. 
And  I  being  in  the  larboard  fore-chains,  when  the  anchor  was  up  to  the 
bows,  and  after  the  anchor  was  settled  and  fixed,  I  went  forward  upon 
the  anchor,  to  try  to  get  the  buoy-rope  clear  of  the  anchor-stock;  and 
while  in  the  act  of  going  forward,  they  fired  the  forecastle  gun,  which 
was  a  long  nine-pounder;  and  the  whole  charge  reached  me,  and  hove 
me  away  from  the  ship,  and  knocked  the  senses  out  of  me,  so  that  I  laid 
upon  the  water  like  one  dead ;  but  I  soon  began  to  go  down.  But  there 
was  an  English  brig  lying  there,  called  the  "  Mediffival,"  of  London, 
and  her  boat  had  been  on  board  of  our  ship,  to  put  some  letters  on  board, 
for  us  to  take  home ;  and  she  shoving  off"  from  the  ship  when  the  accident 
happened,  they  saw  my  hat,  and  they  picked  it  up,  and  then  they  saw 
the  wake  I  made  in  going  down,  and  they  hooked  me  with  a  boat-hook, 
for  I  was  going  down  as  fast  as  I  could ;  and  they  hauled  me  into  the 
boat,  and  brought  me  on  board  of  my  ship.  But  I  was  senseless  to  the 
whole  of  it;  so  I  did  not  come  to  myself  again,  not  till  next  day,  about 
dinner  time.  And  I  was  told  that  our  doctor  said  that  I  was  dead,  and 
that  they  were  going  to  heave  me  overboard;  but  a  young  gentleman,  a 
doctor's  mate,  a  passenger,  said  that  I  was  not  dead;  and  he,  with  Ciod'a 
help,  saved  my  life.  If  anybody  should  doubt  my  tale  about  being  shot 
and  drowned,  I  could  bring  plenty  of  witnesses  that  saw  it,  both  olliceis 
and  men. 

The  next  day,  when  I  came  to  my  senses,  I  felt  very  weak;  but  I  soon 
got  better,  and  I  was  able  to  go  to  my  duty  in  about  a  fortnight's  time. 
And  we  had  a  very  good  passage  round  Cape  Horn;  and  we  arrived  in 


^ 


J 


«iRR*TIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ES0U8H  SAILOR. 

ordered  to  go  ^^J^^^-J'^^dow  woman,  who  was  X/on  account  that  she 

where  we  arrived  on  ^^^  \*;;bar;  and  our  captain,  ^od  b^^ss  h^^  ^^. 
,„  go  to  Oporto  to  lay  off  the^^b^^^:,,,,er.  ,  ^nd  on  the  3t  of^^^^i^^  ^^ 
kind  enough  ^o  make  me  q         ^^  deck,  that  >s  from  tw  ^^^^^^ 

he  was  in,  i  *^o"    ,"     „ij  j^  for  him;  and  he  asucu  ^.j^ 

laid  in  my  power  I  would  dolor  ^^^  uj  know  I  can  t  iiv^^       ^^^ 

We  arrived  in  i'lymouiu    J       ,.     Portsmouth,  to  taKeui  j^ 

refitted  om  .hip,  ««2nV»T»  «»-"■"  ^'"o  V«,  I^e  djrt.om 


J 


3B. 

e  completed  our 

head  on  the  10th 

r"  frigate,  and  1 
or  a  petty  cfficer, 
We  went  to  jom 
5  command  of  Sir 
nning  of  August; 
[1  there  we  went  a 
try,  1833,  we  were 

tham,  fitting  out,  1 
my  own  age,  and  a 
,n  account  tliat  she 
i  do  no  better  with 
r,  and,  thanks  be  to 

red  to  go  to  Lisbon, 
re  we  were  ordered 
Sod  bless  him,  was 
the  13th  of  Septem- 
m  twelve  o'clock  at 
,is  name  was  Henry 
ly  men  came  to  me, 
r,  was  very  bad,  and 
3ion  from  the  officer 
found  Ellis  very  bad, 
morning. 

,eing  in  the  state  tha 
um  that  anything  that 

sd  me  to  speak  to  the 
ow  I  can't  live  much 

said  to  me,  "Swear 
„v  wife  and  children. 
Kttime,Ihadlittle 
perform  it,  for  my  wife 

only  promised  him  to 
hortly  after  I  had  left 
id  was  to  acquaint  the 

very  kindly  granted  it; 

he  waB  buried  m  the 

came  out  from  England 
ship,  to  attend  upon  the 
S  to  see  her  friends^ 
Uil;  and  after  we  had 
,  to  take  the  state  barge 
e;  and  from  Portsmouth 
aueen  came  down  from 
t  to  Helvoetsluys,  on  the 
wewentbacktoSheer- 

at  Lisbon.  And  on  ho 
,  and  went  down  to  th.> 
4  o'clock  in  tlie  morning, 
i  wind  about  north-nortl.- 


NARRATIVE  OF  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 


321 


east.  And  a  little  after  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  being  just  below 
Dover,  wn  had  the  misfortune  to  run  the  "  Cliainclcoii,"  revonuc-cutter, 
down ;  and  out  of  seventeen  men  and  officers  on  board  of  her.  we  could 
only  save  two  men  and  two  boys.  Though  our  ship  was  hove  to  instantly, 
and  our  quarter  boats  down,  we  could  not  save  more;  so  there  were 
thirteen  poor  souls  drowned. 

We  .staid  by  the  spot  some  time  afterward,  but  we  could  see  no  more 
of  anything  belonging  to  her.  And  we  proceeded  down  to  Plymouth, 
and  there  we  had  a  court-martial  upon  our  captain  and  officers,  and  our 
captain  was  honorably  acquitted;  but  our  third  lieutenant  was  dismissed 
the  service,  and  all  hands  on  board  were  very  sorry  for  it,  for  he  was  a 
very  good  man.  And  after  the  court-martial  was  over,  we  sailed  for 
Santander,  on  the  coast  of  Spain,  where  we  arrived  on  the  1st  of  Octo- 
ber; but  it  being  a  very  bad  roadstead  for  ships  to  lay  in,  in  winter  tiine, 
we  went  down  to  a  place  called  Passages,  and  there  we  got  our  ship  in, 
and  moored  her.  But  we  found  that  our  ship  struck  at  low  water,  and 
we  were  obliged  to  go  from  there  to  Santander  again ;  and  we  went  into 
Santander  harbor,  and  there  we  lay  snug  enough. 

One  of  my  shipmates  that  came  out  of  the  "  Castor  "  along  with  me, 
got  married^  and  he  lived  at  Gosport ;  and  he  asked  me  to  come  over 
with  him,  one  night,  before  I  left  the  ship,  to  spend  the  evening  with 
him  and  his  wife,  and  I  agreed ;  and  enjoying  ourselves  till  it  was  too 
late  for  me  to  go  on  board,  I  was  obliged  to  get  a  bed  somewhere  for 
the  night;  and  my  shipmatti's  wife  took  me  to  a  widow  woman  who  let 
beds.  What  was  my  surprise  when  I  found  this  woman  to  be  the  widow 
of  my  old  shipmate  Ellis,  our  butcher  in  the  "Castor"  frigate!  All 
my  promises  that  I  made  to  him  came  fresh  in  my  mind ;  and  after  pay- 
ing her  for  my  bed,  I  gave  her  half  the  money  that  I  had  in  my  pocket, 
which  was  no  great  deal;  and  when  I  left  the  "North  Star,"  I  took  my 
chest  and  things  to  her  house,  and  she  washed  my  clothes  for  me,  while 
we  were  fitting  out;  for  my  wife  lived  round  at  Chatham;  and  after  the 
"  Princess  Charlotte  "  was  ready  for  sea,  we  sailed  from  Spithcad  on  the 
3d  day  of  July;  and  we  were  bound  up  the  Mediterranean,  to  relieve 
the  "  Caledonia ;"  and  we  relieved  her  on  the  2d  day  of  August. 

We  kept  cruising  about  at  sea,  for  we  could  not  go  into  Malta,  for  it 
was  very  sickly.  We  arrived  at  Malta  the  latter  part  of  October;  and  I 
had  not  been  there  long,  when  I  received  a  letter  from  Chatham, 
acquainting  me  of  my  wife's  death.  She  died  the  same  day  that  I 
sailed  from  Spithead,  after  being  bad  only  twenty-four  hours.  We  lay 
in  Malta  all  the  winter;  and  the  latter  part  of  January,  1838, 1  was  taken 
very  bad;  and  I  was  obliged  to  be  invalided  on  the  14th  day  of  February, 
from  Malta  hospital  As  soon  as  I  was  able  to  be  moved,  I  was  sent 
home  in  the  "Portland"  frigate;  and  she  took  me  and  some  more  invalids 
as  far  as  the  Rock  of  Gibraltar,  where  we  were  sent  on  board  of  the 
"  Bellerophon,"  and  she  took  us  to  Portsmouth;  and  we  arrived  at  Spit- 
head  on  the  8th  day  of  April.  And  from  her  I  was  sent  on  board  of 
the  fla^-ship,  and  from  there  I  was  discharged.  And  after  I  got  my  pay 
from  the  "  Princess  Charlotte,"  I  went  up  to  London,  to  pass  the  Board 
of  Admirahy,  for  my  pension;  but  all  that  they  gave  me  was  seventeen 
pounds,  four  shillings,  per  annum.  And  from  there  I  went  to  Chatham, 
to  see  my  late  wife's  family;  but  I  found  that  they  had  made  away  with 
everything  that  belonged  to  me.  And  when  1  found  how  things  were,  I 
came  back  again  to  Gosport,  with  a  full  intent  to  fulfill  my  oath,  that  I 
swore  to  Henry  Ellis,  when  he  was  dying.  And  accordingly  I  told  Ellis's  • 
21 


^• 


322  NARRATIVE  OK  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SAILOR. 

.ido.aU  that  had  happened  betwee^^^^^^^ 

told  her  that  I  would  do  ''"yj*^  "8 '^tJu Cy  ait  wife  had  been  dead  a 
and  that,  if  she  was  a  mind  to  jait  t'»  ^  '  ^  u^ie  consideration,  she 
rl=%U^l'  :ried"^S;  t;  .eth  day  of  July,  1838,  .n 

'Tn  t^S-a  of  August,  1844,  «  -  Stpf^tJSri^nit^^ 
granted  me  a  pension  of  twenty-oue  Pouj^s  JfJ  ^  circumstances  will 
^ith  what  little  I  «»°  «""' \l'i%'17rX  th«^^^^  to  the  Lord  for  the 
allow  me  to  be:  and  I  hope  ^^.'^/.^""/eceived  at  his  hands  through 
many  blessings  and  merc.es  ^ha*  l/"^"  'J^*^''^,^  ^ing  along  without 
life/  Oftimes,  when  I  see  a  poor  man  or  wornao  g  g  k^j^^^^j.^^ 
^y  shoes  on  them,  or  scarcely  "»y  f  "^^es  Jj  cove  »  ,^^^^  ^^ 
I  am  to  feel  that  I  have  got  a  bed  ^«^;«°°\:'J^Jei  deserved  to  be  thus 
a  house  to  shelter  me  f!°"»  f^«N„  but  it  is  God's  mercy  that  provides 
favored  any  more  than  them?  JNo.duii  ^^  ^j^^^  ^^^ 

forme;  and  I  hope  that  he  W  w.ll  gra^^  V    3^^  ^^     .^^ 

contentment  with  the  lot  thejim.ghty  has^^e^/^e  thankful  for;  and 
And  I  find  every  day  new  blessmgs  and  mer  ^^^  ^^  ^^^ 

especially  for  health,  which  "°;V*  *;;„?  ^id,  and  knocked  about  at 
ei^oy ;  for  here  I  am,  a  man  ««'«"*J-  f '^i^e^per^^^  some  hard  trials; 

aei  better  than  fifty  y«"«^ '";  *JJ'^L  ™I  w^lKbove  twenty  miles,  which 
r.  ^^il^f^:::^^^^  i-^  know  th.  the  Urd  fits  the 
back  to  the  burden. 


^1 


lILOR. 

ato  husband;  and  1 
r  and  her  children; 
■e  had  been  dead  a 
e  consideration,  she 
lay  of  July,  1838,  in 

,  Ind  the  Admiralty 
innum  for  life;  and, 
8  circumstances  will 
I  to  the  Lord  for  the 
it  his  hands  through 

going  along  without 
•  them,  how  thankful 
hes  to  cover  me,  and 

deserved  to  be  thus 
»  mercy  that  provides 
le  prayer,  and  that  is, 

pleased  to  give  me. 
,  be  thankful  for;  and 
est  blessings  we  can 
,  and  knocked  about  at 
aced  some  hard  trials; 
e  twenty  miles,  which 

that  the  Lord  fits  the 


DESTRUCTION 


OP  THB 


OCEAN  STEAMER  ARCTIC, 


BT  OOUISION  WITH  THB  VB8TA,  A  niENOH   PKOPILLEB,  ON   THE   BANKS  OF  NlWrOUNDLAOT) 
ON  WBDNI8DAT,  THB  STth   OF  8BFTE1UIB,    1854,   BY   WHICH    DISASTER  ' 


MORE  THAN  THREE  HUNDRED  PERSONS  PERISHED. 


The  Ocean  Steamer  Arctic  formed  one  of  the  Collins'  line  of  American 
8teanicr«,  plying  between  New  York  and  Liverpool,  so  called  in  contra- 
distinction ti,  those  of  the  Cunard  or  British  line,  the  latter  having  been 
built  in  England,  and  owned  and  controlled  by  an  English  company. 
The  Arctic  was  built  in  New  York,  in  1860,  at  an  expense  of  nearly 
one  million  of  dollars,  and  was  one  of  the  largest  and  noblest  steamships 
in  the  world.  Of  beautiful  proportions  and  great  speed,  she  was  the  pride 
of  her  countrymen,  as  a  specimen  of  their  attainments  in  marine 
architecture. 

On  her  homeward  bound  passage,  at  noon,  on  the  27th  of  September, 
1864,  she  came  in  collision  with  the  French  propeller  Vesta,  on  the 
banks  of  Newfoundland;  and  a  few  hours  thereafter  the  last  vestige  of 
her  noble  form,  together  with  more  than  three  hundred  of  her  passengers 
and  crew,  disappeared  beneath  tho  waters.  The  fate  of  the  smaller 
vessel  was  more  fortunate.  Provided  by  her  more  cautious  builders 
with  bulkheads,  or  water-ti^ht  partitions,  between  her  different  sections, 
she  succeeded  in  gaining  port  in  safety. 

When  tidings  of  this  awful  event  reached  our  country,  a  profound 
sensation  was  created.  The  people  of  the  city  of  New  York,  the  most 
mercurial  and  impulsive  of  any  in  America,  the  earliest  to  be  aroused 
by,  and  the  earliest  to  forget,  any  startling  event,  were  most  intensely 
excited.  The  Arctic  was  a  New  York  vessel;  the  pride  of  the  great 
commercial  metropolis;  and  numbers  of  her  prominent  citizens  were 
known  to  have  been  on  board  of  her.  To  give  an  idea  of  the  effect 
thare,  we  make  brief  extracts  from  a  city  paper  of  the  day. 

"  The  sorrow  and  excitement  in  New  York,  on  the  reception  erf  the 
sad  tidings,  were  beyond  expression.  Thousands  of  our  citizens  are 
bereaved  of  relatives,  and  tens  of  thousands  have  lost  friends  and 
acquaintances.  Early  in  the  morning  the  newspaper  offices,  and  the 
office  of  the  steamship  company,  were  thronged  with  anxious  inquirers 
for  further  news,  and  all  day  long  the  crowds  were  kept  up  by  fresh 
arrivals.  The  flags  on  the  City  Hall,  on  the  hotels,  and  the  shipping  in 
the  harbor,  were  at  half-mast  through  the  day.  Business  was  neglected, 
and  the  whole  town  bore  on  its  outward  features  evidences  of  the  sorrow 
within.  There  were  hundreds  of  persons  crowding  Adams  &  Co.'8 
Office,  waiting  their  several  turns  to  see  Mr.  Burns,  one  of  the  saved; 
and  each  concerned  to  ascertain  whether  there  was  not  some  possible 

(323) 


..nv  OF  THE  OOFAN  STEAMER  AUCTIO. 
09A  DESTRUCTION  OF  THB  u  _^  ^^^^   ^^^^.^.^  ,^^,, 

telling  the.r  grief  to  the  pa        .^  ^^     ^^  P""\"''nn>nr\rtora  of  tl.e  li"".  a 

In  the  office  «f  ^;  J^'^^^eted.     A  large  crowd  la.  ^       ,„,.nt, 

similar  scene  was  bemgcna  ^^  ^^^^^^^  ''^  ^'''J'cSe  showed  that  ho 
the  report  of  Mr  »f  J^J  ;,ark9  of  e'^'^^^f  ^^Jf  *^  A'doop  f.^olinfr  of 
^hose  careworn    ook  ,  an  ^^  ^^^^  -^.f  j;£t,  and  eager  quoslious 

was  one  of  the  9«^^      ^^  ^,^e  minds  "^^  P';'  "^ion-     So'"*'  d.-scnbod 
anxiety  «««'"''J '° ,?  Mr.  Brennan  in  rapid  «"«^«««'5^,„,  by  affinities  and 
were  proP"""'^'^  Va.ance  of  ab.enl  ones,  bound  to  then  ^        ^^^^^^^^^, 
the  personal  appearance  oi  consanguinity,  ana  o  j. 

dee?  friendship,  «ome  by  ^  ^^    .,,,d  if  he  h-^^.^^^^j'^n  which  hc'was 
nearer  and  dearer  [''^'/J^^gel  previous  to  he  ^ast  oj^.  «  \ns\-,i»cvM 

»'-  r  h1  't  d1'  te'^nxiiusly  >vaited  for    and^;"^^  ,  ,ead 

t;:;ter^Uci;^tto^uc^;jp;^:c:^ 

nrbritfit  W^^^^^ 

of  the  telegraphic  d-spa^chfrorn^^  mingled  hope  and  fear  th  y^^^^^^^^ 
of  the  room,  anf'^rfJX  words  of  the  dispatch    ead  JY  ^^^^^,,^^ 
in  breathless  silence  to  in  ^^^  ^^^^^       "waulc  the  names  of 

connected  with  thj^/'^fi-^patient  exclamations  bec^i'^e         ^^^^^^^^^ 
finished,  many  were  the  y    J  ^^^.^^^^  ""'  "^^,d    when,    at   lust, 

the  saved,  in  the  boats  whicn  catastrophe ,   an.  ^     ^^^^^^ 

of    Mr.   Baalham's   account  oX  ^^^    ^„^^  JL  t  U^*  ^"^^'^^ 

the  concluding  portion  onhe^^.^P^  ^^^^     K'tnou---^  -f  '^  T'"' 
of  those  who  were  saw         expectation  of  the  annou  j  j       „ioom. 

V  r '\rmS  fhem  "jS,  or  drive  them  m  o  ^  Je^^t  ,f  ^e    l 
which  was  to  make   n       ^^-"^^^^enced.    ^hc  ann       ^^^^,  ^d  with 

The  reading  ot  t.^^e  ii»         exclamations  of  "^eep  PX'    ^       ^,,em.     As 
names  was  received  wtj.  ex    ^  ^^^  the  mercy  extended      ^^^^^ 

words  of  thankfulness  to  l^e  ^^ed,  deeper  sighs  wer     ^  ^^  ^^^^  „ 

the  end  of  the   list  J^^    ^Pfj^^  „^n,e8  had  been  all  read'  ^^^^^ 

when  it  was  announc^^  tha    th^^  ^^^^    ^        ^e  deep  ^^  g^^^ 

of  such  exciting  interest,  ^^^  ^^^  ^^^^^^j 

^^^  the  announ.n^^tJ-:;rsSrm  Q;^^ 

intelligence,  and  fearing  th^^  ««t  justified  by  the  facts^  ^^^  ^^^^^^  ^ 
ment  was  pre^^'^^ure,  an  ^^^^  ^^^  "*ulS  and  make  himself 

and  another  ^'^.P'^'^'i^'Xse  to  stand  by  the  v^re^^^^^^  amounting  to 
the  noble  captanwh^cho^^^  ^^  ^''^^'/Ifl'l  wa  announced  tha 
his  last  thought  m  bis  ^^^  ""^I^iL  telegraph,  the  most 

enthusiasm   «e«""^ij°   nTwas  being  forwarded  by  telegp,^^^.^^  .^ 

Saturday,  October  14,  1864. 


^WWtilJt^- 


J 


RCTIO. 

the  Arctic,  had 
chihlrfu,  and 
rcHcrve  which 


ko 


ara  of  tlic  lino,  a 

coUcc  ted  I.)  lif'ar 
,nery  dcpmtin.nt, 
c,  showed  that  ho 
L  deep  fcclin-,'  of 
,d  eager  qucslioua 
Some  dcHcrili<.'<l 
■m  hy  affinities  and 
[I  others  ho\nid  hy 
them  enter  any  of 
c   on  which  he  was 

in  some  instances 
,t  in  others  to  lead 
^  on  earth, 
al  of  an  installment 
„  all  to  another  part 
d  fear,  they  listened 
read  bv  a  gentleman 
the  installments  was 
,ca«9e  the  names  of 
,rwarded  first,. nstead 

and    when,    at   last, 
he  list  of  the  names 
i  hearts  heat  heavily 
ouncement  of  a  name 
to  a  despairing  gloom, 
iouncement  of  several 
joy,  accompanied  with 
xtended  to  them.     As 
ghs  were   drawii.  and 
%Uread,  'Oft/.od.' 
the  deep  anguish   hat 
t  only  confirmed  their 
more  dispatches  would 
r  had  been  the  scene 
jsed  for  the  balance  of 

ptain  Luce,  and  several 

I  in  Quebec,  the  entire 
/din  confirmation  of  the 

wLd  be  that  the  state- 
e  facts.    But  as  another 

explicitly  the  safety  of 
reck  and  make  himself 
ing  of  joy  ar^ount.ng  to 
,  it  was  announced   that 
d  by  telegraph,  the  most 

words.    The  following  is 
^q.  and  dated  at  Quebec, 


DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  OCEAN  STEAMER  ARCTIC. 


325 


"It  becomes  my  painful  duty  to  inform  you  of  the  total  loss  of  the 
Arctic,  umior  my  command,  with  many  lives;  and  I  fear  among  them 
must  bo  incliiilcd  your  own  wife,  daughter  and  son,  of  whom  I  took  a 
last  leave  the  moment  the  ship  teas  going  down,  without  evor  expecting 
to  SCO  the  light  of  another  day,  to  give  you  an  account  of  the  heart- 
rending scene. 

The  Arctic  sailed  from  Liverpool  on  Wednesday,  September  20th,  at 
eleven  a.  m.,  with  two  hundred  and  thirty-throe  passengers,  and  a  crew 
of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty.  Notliing  of  special  note  occurred 
during  tiie  passage  until  Wednesday,  September  27th,  when,  at  noon,  we 
were  on  the  Banks,  in  latitude  46°  45'  north,  and  longitude  52"  west, 
steering  west  by  compass. 

The  weather  had  been  foggy  during  the  day;  generally  a  distance  of 
half  to  three  quarters  of  a  mile  could  be  seen,  but  at  intervals  of  a  few 
minutes  a  very  dense  fog,  followed  by  being  sufficiently  clear  to  see  one 
or  two  miles.  At  noon  I  left  the  deck  for  the  purpose  of  working  out 
the  position  of  the  ship.  In  about  fifteen  minutes  I  heard  the  cry  of 
"  Hard  starboard  "  from  the  officer  of  the  deck.  I  rushed  on  deck,  and 
had  just  got  out,  when  I  felt  a  crash  forward,  and  at  the  same  moment 
saw  a  steamer  under  the  starboard-bow;  at  the  next  moment  she  struck 
against  our  guards,  and  passed  astern  of  us.  The  bows  of  the  strange 
vessel  seemed  to  be  literally  cut  or  crushed  off  for  full  ten  feet,  and 
seeing  that  she  must,  probably,  sink  in  a  few  minutes,  and  taking  a  hasty 
glance  at  our  own  ship,  and  believing  that  we  were  comparatively  unin- 
jured, my  first  impulse  was  to  endeavor  to  save  the  lives  of  those  on 
board  the  sinking  vessel.  The  boats  were  cleared,  and  the  first  officer 
and  six  men  left  with  one  boat,  when  it  was  found  our  own  ship  was 
leaking  fearfully. 

The  engineers  were  set  to  work,  being  instructed  to  put  on  the  steam 
pumps,  and  the  four  deck  pumps  were  worked  by  the  passengers  and 
crew,  and  the  ship  headed  for  the  land,  which  I  judged  to  be  about  fifty 
miles  distant.  I  was  compelled  to  leave  my  boat  with  the  first  officer 
and  crew  to  take  care  of  themselves. 

Several  ineffectual  attempts  were  made  to  stop  the  leak  by  getting 
sails  over  the  bows;  but  finding  the  leak  gaining  on  us  very  fast,  notwith- 
standing all  our  very  painful  efforts  to  keep  her  free,  I  resolved  to  get 
the  boats  ready,  and  as  many  ladies  and  children  placed  in  them  as 
possible;  but  no  sooner  had  the  attempt  been  made  than  the  firemen  and 
others  rushed  into  them  in  spite  of  opposition. 

Seeing  this  state  of  things,  I  ordered  the  boats  astern  to  be  kept  in 
readiness  until  order  could  be  restored,  when,  to  my  dismay,  I  saw  them 
cut  the  ropes  in  the  bow,  and  soon  disappear  astern  in  the  fog.  Another 
boat  was  broken  down  by  persons  rushing  at  the  davits,  and  many  were 
precipitated  into  the  sea  and  drowned.  This  occurred  while  I  had  been 
engaged  in  getting  the  starboard  guard-boat  ready,  and  placed  the  second 
officer  in  charge,  when  the  same  fearful  scene  as  mth  the  first  boat  was 
being  enacted — men  leaping  from  the  top  of  the  rail,  twenty  feet,  crush- 
ing and  maiming  those  who  were  in  the  boat.  I  then  gave  orders  to  the 
second  officer  to  let  go,  and  row  after  the  ship,  keeping  under  or  near 
the  stern,  to  be  ready  to  take  on  board  women  and  children,  as  soon  as 
the  fires  were  out,  and  the  engines  stopped.  My  attention  was  then 
drawn  to  the  other  quarter-boat,  which  I  found  broken  down,  but  hanging 
by  one  tackle.  A  rush  was  made  for  her  aiso,  and  some  fifteen  got  in, 
and  cut  the  tackle,  and  were  soon  out  of  sight.    I  found  that  not  a 


82fl  DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  OCEAN  STKAMKR  ARCTIC, 

.caman  wan  loft  on  lK.nr.1,  nor  a  carpontcr,  and  w«  wrro  without  nnyt.K^ 
["a  Hi"t  '.H  in  l.uil<linR  a  raft,  a8  our  only  hope,  Tho  only  oflu.r  hft 
vva"  Mr.  oian,thothird  mate,  who  aided  me,  wUh  th«  «««'«-'-•  of 
na ny  of  the  ,,.«  enger.,  who  deserve  Rrcat  pra.se  for  the.r  co..ln-  .h  -"'» 
Sy  indoiMKallin  thoir  power  up  to  the  very  latest  nu.meni 
the  sliip  Hunk. 


and 
x'for*' 


with  a  part  of  his   assistance,  had   taiten  our 


.  JCm*  ek.r.r.nd  bZ;  rh.  .hip  w.„.  .lo.„,  nuUd  .w.,  wi>„ 

""^U'e  tuuSZl  in  B.«in«  .ho  fc  •"-  ™i"-y«'l  -i-  ^.t 
lant-vardfl  overboard,  and  such  other  small  spars  and  material  as  we 
rm  Id  .oUcrt  w  en  I  was  fully  convinced  that  the  ship  must  ro  down  m 
a  vc  y  shir  timr«n.l  m.t  a  Iment  was  to  be  lost  in  getting  the  spars 
fashed  toRether  to  form  a  raft,  to  do  which  it  b.  .amo  necessary  to  got  the 
lifp-bnnt  ^our  only  remaininc  lx)at,)  into  the  water. 

TKbeC  accomplished,  I  saw  Mr.  Dorian,  the  third  otficer,  m  charge 
of  the  boat"  taking  Lo  to  keep  the  oars  on  board  to  prevent  them  from 
balnc  the  ship,  hoping  still  to  get  most  of  the  women  and  chddren  m 
h  s  boa  At  last  tlfoy  Imd  made  considerable  progress  ,n  ^ff^^^^^;;^ 
soars  when  an  alarm  was  given  that  the  ship  was  sinkmg,  and  the  boat 
"wT^irov^S  S  without  oa?s  or  anything  to  hc;lp  ;»'--'v- -th;^^^^^ 
when  the  ship  sunk,  the  boat  had  got  clear,  probably  an  eighth  of  a  m.le, 

*"  \7an\ttant,  about  four  and  three  quarter,  v.  «.,  the  Mp  went  do.m, 

TnSryitfhelu^,  after  a  brief  struggle  with  my 
own  Sless  child  in  my  arms,  when  again  I  felt  mys;  'f  .mpellcd  down- 
ward to  a  grea  depth,  and  before  I  reached  the  su.n.c  a  second  t.me 
had  near'y  perished,  and  lost  the  hold  of  my  ehild.  As  I  »g«>n  «»">f^^>«'J 
to  the  surface  of  the  water,  a  most  awful  and  heart-rending  scene  pre- 
sented i^sS  to  my  view-orrr  two  hundred  men,  women  and  children 
TtX^llS^toSr  amidst  pieces  of  wreck  of  every  kmd  calling  on 
SothTr  fof  help,  and  imploring  doA  to  assist  them.  Such  un  appall- 
ing scene  may  God  preserve  mo  from  ever  witnessing  again. 

Vwas  in  the  act  of  trying  to  save  my  child,  when  a  portion  of  the 
paSdTe-Jx  came  rushinl^  u'p  edgewise,  just  g--"S  -^.ff-^'^^';,'  ^ 
with  its  whole  weight  upon  the  head  ot  my  darling  child.  Another 
moment  T  beheld  him  lifeless  in  the  water.  I  succeeded  in  getting  on 
Tthe  top  of  he  paddle-box,  in  company  with  eleven  others;  one,  how- 
ever soon  left  for  another  piece,  finding  that  it  could  not  support  so 
man;.  Othe  8  remained  uniil  they  were  one  by  one  '^eheved  by  death. 
We^stood  in  water  at  a  temperature  of  45°,  up  to  o.r  kn«es,  and  fre- 
nuently  the  sea  broke  directly  over  us.  We  soon  ^^y'lf""^ /'''"' J^^l 
fSs  on  other  parts  of  the  wreck,  and  passed  the  night,  each  one  of 
lis  exoectinff  every  hour  would  be  our  last.  j„„„„ 

At  last  the  wished  for  morning  came,  surrounding  us  with  a  dense 
fo2-not  a  living  soul  to  be  seen  but  our  own  P^M'-^even  men  being 
left      In  the  course  of  the  morning,  we  saw  some  water-casks  and  other 
hfngs  belonging  to  our  ship,  but  'nothing  that  we  could  get  to  afford  us 
any  relief.     Our  raft  was  rapidly  settling,  as  it  r   ^^orbed  water. 

About  noon,  Mr".  S.  M.  Woodruff,  of  New  York,  was  relieved  by  death 
All  the  other"'„oi  began  to  suffer  very  severely  for  want  of  water,  excep 
M    George  F  Allen  and  myself.     In  that  respect  we  were  very  much 
fevoredraUhough  we  had  not  a  drop  on  the  raft.    The  day  continued 


AROTIO. 

B  williniit  nny  tdc'/s 
iG  only  ofl'ii-cr  li  ft 
tlio  nHn'iHtnJMt'  of 
thf-'ir  co«iln'''H  nnd 
lat  luornciil   Ix-foM* 

f),  hnd   takfn  our 
pulled  uwny  with 

rd  and  »wo  topgal- 
nd  material  as  we 
p  must  go  down  in 
n  getting  the  spara 
iccosaary  to  got  the 

rd  otficer,  m  charge 
prevent  them  from 
en  and  children  in 
!sa  in  collecting  the 
nking,  and  the  boat 
omselves  wilii;  and 
ui  eighth  of  a  mile, 

the  ship  went  dn^m, 

f  struggle,  with  my 
3(  'f  impelled  down- 
fiuc  a  second  time. 
As  I  again  struggled 
:-rending  scene  pre- 
rxrmen  and  childrrn 
ry  kind,  calling  on 
iTi.  Such  !in  appall- 
ig  again. 

en  a  portion  of  the 
ng  my  head,  falling 
ing  child.  Another 
jeedt^l  in  getting  on 
■n  others;  one,  how- 
ould  not  support  so 
le  relieved  by  death, 
oar  knees,  and  fre- 
scparated  from  our 
f  night,  each  one  of 

ing  us  with  a  dense 
y — seven  men  being 
vater-casks  and  other 
could  get  to  aiTord  us 
irbed  water, 
'as  relieved  by  death, 
want  of  water,  except 
;t  we  were  very  much 
The  day  continued 


DESTRUOTIOy  OP  TIIR  OOEAN  STEAMER  AROTIO. 


327 


foggy,  except  juHt  at  noon,  tm  near  an  wo  could  judge,  w(<  had  a  clear 
horizon  tor  about  lialf  an  hour,  and  nothing  could  be  Meon  but  water  and 
xky.  Night  came  on,  thick  and  dreary,  with  our  mindit  made  up  that 
niiither  uf  us  would  again  soe  the  light  of  another  day.  Very  Huun  three 
more  of  our  sutfering  party  fell  down  from  exhaustion,  and  were  washed 
oil'  by  tlui  sea,  leaving  Mr.  Allen,  a  boy,  and  myself.  Feeling  myself 
giHting  exhausted,  1  now  sat  down,  fur  tlio  first  time,  about  eight  o'clock 
in  the  evuuing,  on  a  trunk,  whicii  providentially  had  been  found  on  the 
wreck,  in  this  way  I  slept  a  little  throughout  the  night,  and  became 
somewhat  refreshed. 

Young  lieyn,  the  (ierman  boy  who  wos  with  us,  Hufforod  intensely. 
He  happene  1  to  have  some  biscuit  with  him  which  had  become  soaked 
with  the  salt-water,  and  eating  these  only  increased  his  thirst,  and  to 
make  mutters  still  worse,  he  drank  some  of  the  sea-water.  His  suffer- 
ings were  bciyond  all  description.  Twice  ho  jumped  overboard,  saying 
he  would  rath(!r  die  than  .sutler  as  he  was  doing;  and  each  time  we 
pulled  him  back  on  the  wreck.  At  one  time  he  cut  open  a  vein  in  his 
arm  and  sucked  his  blood. 

About  an  hour  before  daylight  —  now  Friday,  the  29th  —  we  saw  a 
vessel's  light  near  to  us.  We  all  three  of  us  exerted  ourselves  to  the 
utmost  of  our  strength  iu  hailing  her,  until  wo  became  (|uito  exhausted. 
In  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  the  light  disappeared  to  the  east  of  us. 
Soon  after  daylight  a  bark  hove  in  sight  to  the  north-west,  the  fog  having 
lightened  a  little,  steering  apparently  for  us;  but  in  a  short  time  she 
seemed  to  have  changed  her  course,  and  again  we  were  doomed  to  dis- 
appointment; yet  I  felt  hope  that  some  of  our  fullow-suflerers  might 
have  been  seen  and  rescued  by  them. 

Shortly  after  we  had  given  up  all  hopes  of  being  rescued  by  the  bark, 
a  ship  was  discovered  to  the  east  of  us,  steering  directly  for  us.  We 
now  watched  her  with  the  most  intense  anxiety  as  she  approached. 
The  wind  changing,  caused  her  to  alter  her  course  several  points. 
About  noon  they  fortunately  discovered  a  man  on  a  rafl  near  them,  and 
succeeded  in  saving  him  by  the  second  mate  jumping  over  the  side,  and 
making  a  rope  fast  around  him,  when  he  was  got  on  board  safely.  This 
man  saved  proved  to  be  a  Frenchman,  who  was  a  passenger  on  board 
the  steamer  which  we  came  in  collision  with. 

Ho  informed  the  captain  that  others  were  near,  on  pieces  of  the 
wreck;  and,  going  aloft,  he  saw  us  and  three  others.  We  were  the 
first  to  whom  the  boat  was  sent,  and  safely  taken  on  board  about  three 
r.  M.  Tiic  next  was  Mr.  Jatnes  Smith,  of  Mississippi,  second-class 
passenger.  The  others  saved  were  five  of  our  firemen.  The  ship 
proved  to  be  the  Cambria,  of  this  port,  from  Glasgow,  bound  to  Montreal, 
Captain  John  Russell. 

From  the  Frenchman  who  was  picked  up,  we  learned  that  the  steamer 
wkh  which  we  came  in  collision  was  the  screw  steamer  Vesta,  from  St. 
Pierre,  bound  for  and  belonging  to  Grenville,  France,  and  having  on 
board  one  hundred  and  forty  passengers  and  twenty  seamen.  As  near 
a.s  we  could  learn,  the  Vesta  was  steering  east-south-east,  and  was  cross- 
ing our  course  two  points,  with  all  sails  set,  wind  west  by  south.  Her 
anchor  stock,  about  seven  by  four  inches  square,  was  driven  through  the 
bows  of  the  Arctic,  about  eighteen  inches  above  the  water  line,  and  an 
immense  hole  had  been  made,  at  the  same  instant,  by  the  fluke  of  the 
anchor,  about  two  feet  below  the  water  line,  raking  fore  and  aft  the 
plank,  and  finally  breaking  the  chains,  leaving  the  stock  remaining  in 


,„8  DE8TECCT.0N  OF  THE  OOEAK  STEiMEU  ABCTIO. 

..a  *,«„«..  the  .-.ae  of  .he  AreUc^o,  ;•  j;;  ^Vft";  "..""uSil 
he,  hows  had  !>"".  ""'J"'  '?',he  lorn.?  have  been  d,i.e..  through 

r:taf  r:.ir/r.rofor.?:;;j  a,  i  fe„,  hun,.,ea,  o,- .». 
-Sh°  rsL.  of  c.pu>.  tu«  ---£t'cs."ii 

J,„e»  Smith,  .  »a.™  "J  f^^'^J'X.  ..".tive,  .nd  is  e„h»oood  b, 

r^z^^^^irsr:^,,^ ..  «...hot  h.d 

times  when  o\deck,see.ng  the  weather  so  ,^^^j^  ^^^  ^^^    ^e 

than  three  or  four  of  the  ship  a  lengtns  ^^  ^j^.^^,^^      ^^^er 

going  on  at  full  speed,  withou    any  alarm  d     ,  ^^  ^  ^^^^  ^^^^ 

fi'gnal  being  sounded  at  'n^//^;,^,;™  A   about  fifteen  minutes  after 
accustomed  to  ma  f«g  "^fJ^^lJ^'^truck,  and  while  sitting  in  my  state- 

the  meridian,  ^ig^b^*\^.  J'^Ju^'e^.neTcry  of  a  voice  on  deck  (who  I  at 
room  in  the  forward  cabm,  the  earnest  cry  ^^  ^^^^^  ,,     . 

the  moment  took  to  be  the  man  «„  ^h«J««^°  ^^^if  ,„d  all  others  .n  the 

Cook,  my  room-mate,  to  calm    he  e-c.teme"t  a  ^^g^  ^^^  ^^^^^^^^ 
cabin,  and  before  the  man  g.vmg  the  a  ar  ^^^^.^^  j,     ^  somewha 

engine-room,  we  were  made  '^J^^^  \"V",^,hing  against  the  starboard 
slight  jar  to  our  ship,  '^^%«'"P^"'''i';>u  '  e„se,  but  I  think  we  all  seemed 
bow.     It  was  a  moment  of  awe  and  suspense,  u  ^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^ 

Jo  iisfy  ourselves  that  fh-^of  -as  sj^-gh  ,  and  tha  ^^ 

large  and  strong  avesse  ,no  ««"0"4  °'l™^^f  g^ch  a  nature.  With  such 
happen  to  such  a  ship,  '"  ."^ V'^I'^ate  I  was  very  quickly  on  deck, 
a  Reliance  on  my  own  m.nd,  at  ^"y  ;^^^;g'J^,,3,  ,/arned  that  a  screw 
and  m  detached  --f°"f  .^uu^k  L^ol  the^ta'rboard  bow,  and  g  anc- 

steamer,  with  all  sad  ^'^^l ^^J^f  ^eel-house,  struck  her  again,  and  she 
ing  aft  our  starboard  wheel  ^°J  wheel  ^oj'      .^  ^^^  ^^.^^  ^         j 

passed  oflf  astern  of  us  out  «f  f  fj*  ™'"ii  ^^^  fight  with  iis,  but  instantly 

In  the  first  glance  '^'^""^^'"^I^^L^^.een L  "  ^'   °"  '^''  ''^'  ''^  ^'  *" 

began  to  get  alarmed  ^^  call  for  the  passengers  to  keep  on  the  port- 

jlX^s°^r:e^i° rle'^'relt'd  that  oo,  ship  .^  .ait,„,  round 

in  search  of  her  also.  „„adle-box,  giving  orders  in  one  way  and 

I  saw  Captain  l^»-f°"  ^^^^f.^dm^a 'running  here  and  there  on  the 

another,  and  most  ofthe  officers  and  men^^^^^^^^^  ^^^„,.,„g  ^^  know 

deck,  getting  into  an  evident  «tate^«    am    ,^^  ^^         ^^^  ^^j      ,„  p„- 

what  was  to  be  done  or  '^PPly;"^  ^^rs    a        other  heavy  articles   over 
ticulav,  except  in  g«"'ng  the    anchors    a     ^^^^  ^^^^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^ 

to  the  port-side  of  the  ship,  f '""'^^^ ^/ghip,  from  eight  to  twelve  or 
several  large  breaks  in  the  side  «f  ^J ,3' J^nvinced  that  in  the  ten 
?:;neen  fe'et  abaft  of  the  -^^^^^J^terr further  submerged  in  the 
or  fifteen  minutes'  time  our  wheels  we  ^^^^^^^  somewhat  afte 

Srng  re  dCk^^ePghl  ^Z  theTrtard,^,.  it  was  too  evident  that 


\RCTIO. 

ly,  as  80  much  of 
leavy  longitudiaal 
en  driven  througli 
hundreds  of  most 

f  a'pns^iengrr,  Mr. 
of  Mississippi.  U 
ind  is  enhanced  by 

1,  the  weather  had 
id  alarmed  several 

I  fancied  not  more 
(1  be  seen,  and  she 
im  whistle,  or  other 
nner  as  I  had  been 
ifteen  minutes  after 

sitting  in  my  state- 
;e  on  deck  (who  I  at 
'stop  her,  stop  her; 
and  all  others  in  the 
luld  be  heard  running 

deavoring,  with   Mr. 
ng  the  ladies  in  the 
eck  had  reached  the 
3sion  by  a  somewhat 
against  the  starboard 
[  think  we  all  seemed 
hat,  as  we  were  on  so 
appened  or  could  well 
a  nature.     With  such 
rery  quickly  on  deck, 
,  learned  that  a  screw 
rboard  bow,  and  glanc- 
ck  her  again,  and  she 
a  the  thick  fog.     I  saw 
ht  with  lis,  but  instantly 
the  side  we  had  been 
s  to  keep  on  the  port- 
of  our  boats  had  been 
and  six  of  the  men,  to 
•  ship  was  making  round 

y  orders  in  one  way  and 
'g  here  and  there  on  the 
ithout  seeming  to  know 
Lo  any  one  thing  in  par- 
her  heavy  articles  over 

starboard  bow  and  saw 
from  eight  to  twelve  or 
convinced  that  in  the  ten 
irther  submerged  m  the 

herself  somewhat  after 
t  it  was  too  evident  that 


■k:-'i 


Etttored  Mconilngto  Act  of  CongreM.  A.  D.  HDtrcLv,  l.j'  Henry  Howe,  in  the  clerk',  offloe  of  the  Diwrict  Court  of  the  United  SUt«>  for  the  Southern  DUtrlct  of  Ohio. 


U: 


TIu-  Hbtive  is  a  reprcsontution  of  ihc  soom  on  the  Arctic,  a  short  time  before  she  went  down. 
In  the  center  sItiniU  Cnjptiiin  l.uce,  with  his  young  son  clinging  (o  him.  Beyond,  a  group  of 
the  agonized  passenger;'  are  in  prayer.  The  background,  partially  enveloped  in  fog,  discloses  a 
glimpse  of  the  ocean,  Wj  ith  a  few  Hgures  on   looting  fragments.     On  the  right,  the  brave  Dorian 


t    mivmvV     Dwu    ol    Wvilvt^tj    cixv    \W    JWcVvc. 


J 


is  busy  gatherinij;  materiale  for  the  raft ;  on  the  left,  young  Holland  is  applying  the  torch  to  the 
cannon.  •'  Unimoved  by  the  base  desertion  of  others,  he  continued  firing  the  signal  gun,  that 
boomed  like  a  djiath-knell  over  the  waters,  and  when  the  wreck  tank  to  its  gloomy  grave,  be 
too  became  num'iered  with  the  dead.     Was  death  ever  more  heroic?" — Page  340. 


««MMf«>ftlMim««VW 


applying  the  torch  to  the 
ring  the  eignal  gun,  that 
to  its  gloomy  grave,  he 
-Page  340. 


DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  OCEAN  STEAMER  ARCTIC. 


329 


Captain  Luce  himself,  as  well  as  all  hands,  was  becoming  aware  of  our 
danger;  and,  from  the  tremendous  volume  of  water  being  thrown  out 
from  our  steam  pumps,  I  was  convinced  we  were  making  water  at  a 
fearful  rate. 

Then  came  in  full  view  before  us  the  other  vessel,  presenting  a 
most  heart-rending  spectacle;  the  whole  of  her  bow,  for  at  least  ten  feet 
abaA  her  cut-water,  was  literally  crushed  away,  leaving,  to  all  appearance, 
an  open  entrance  to  the  sea;  and  how  she  had  remained  above  water  for 
so  many  minutes  seemed  a  mystery.  Her  decks  were  covered  with 
people,  and  all  her  sails  on  all  three  of  her  masts  were  set.  We  merely 
passed  her  again,  and  she  was  in  less  than  a  minute  hid  in  the  fog,  but 
scarcely  out  of  sight  when  we  heard  arise  from  her  deck  a  loud  and 
general  wail  of  mourning  and  lamentation.  It  was  just  previous  to,  or 
at  the  same  time  that  we  thus  came  in  sight  of  and  passed  her,  that  our 
wheels  went  over  two  or  three  separate  individuals  in  the  water,  as  well 
as  a  boat  and  crew,  who  had  evidently  left  the  other  ship  for  safety  on 
ours.  One  man,  only,  we  picked  up,  an  old  weather-beaten  French 
fisherman,  who,  having  leaped  from  the  small  boat  before  she  went  under 
our  wheel,  caught  a  rope  hanging  from  our  ship,  and  was  finally  pulled 
on  board  of  us,  and  from  whom  we  learned  something  of  the  other  vessel. 
Captain  Luce  had,  by  the  time  of  our  coming  in  sight  of  the  Vesta, 
become  so  convinced  of  our  own  critical  situation,  that  our  only  or  best 
chance  was  to  keep  under  headway  as  fast  as  possible  toward  the  land. 

A  deep-seated,  thoughtful  look  of  despair  began  to  settle  upon  every 
countenance — no  excitement,  but  ladies  and  children  began  to  collect 
on  deck  with  anxious  and  inquiring  looks;  receiving  no  hope  or  consola- 
tion, wife  and  husband,  father  and  daughter,  brother  and  sister,  would 
weep  in  each  other's  embrace,  or  kneel  together  imploring  Almighty 
God  for  help.  Men  would  go  about  the  decks  in  a  sort  of  bewilderment 
as  to  what  was  best  to  be  done;  now  laying  hold  of  the  hand  pumps 
with  redoubled  energy,  or  with  sickening  eftbrt  applying  their  power  to 
the  hauling  up  of  freight  out  of  the  forward  hold,  already  floating  in 
water  before  the  lower  hatches  were  opened.  System  of  management 
or  concentration  of  effort  was  never  commenced  or  applied  to  any  one 
object.  Two  separate  ineffectual  attempts  to  stop  the  leaking  by  drop- 
ping a  sail  down  over  the  bow,  were  made,  and  the  engines  were  kept 
working  the  ship  ahead  toward  the  land ;  but  in  the  course  of  an  hour,  I 
should  think,  from  the  time  of  the  collision,  the  lower  furnaces  were 
drowned  out  and  the  steam  pumps  stopped.  Then  it  seemed  to  become 
only  a  question  of  how  many  hours  or  minutes  we  would  be  above 
water.  The  first  officer  with  his  boat's  crew  we  had  let  behind  from 
the  first.  The  second  officer,  with  a  lot  of  the  sailors,  had  lowered 
another  boat  and  left  the  ship,  and  a  general  scrambling  seemed  to  be 
going  on  as  to  who  should  have  places  in  the  only  two  remaining  boats 
that  I  saw  on  deck.  The  stern  tackling  of  another  had  given  way  from 
the  weight  of  persons  in  it  while  it  was  swinging  over  the  side,  and  I 
think  several  must  have  been  lost  with  that.  I  saw  one  lady  hanging  to 
the  bow  tackle  of  it  afler  the  stern  had  broken  loose.  One  of  those 
still  remaining  was  a  large  one,  on  the  quarter-deck,  occupied  by  ladies 
and  children  and  some  few  gentlemen.  The  other  was  on  the  upper 
dock  forward,  and  in  the  possession  of  a  lot  of  firemen.  Things  were 
in  this  condition  at  about  two  hours  aftet  the  accident.  Captain  Luce 
was  superintending  the  lowering  of  spars  and  yards,  aided  mostly  by 
passengers,  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  rafl,  and  complaining  that  all 


*-»*«Jfc^«**»fltaie*a^*«*:v>-- jft^JS.»*«Ufc,%*fcr*Jt».  ,«^.fc.  ■ 


380  DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  OCEi      STEAMER  ARCTIC. 

his  officers  and  men  had  left  him.     Most  of  the  women  and  children 
terc  collected  round  the  boat  on  the  quarter-deck  seem.ngly  resigned 

^  Some  few"  gentlemen  exerted  all  their  powers  to  prevail  on  others  to 
work  on  the  pumps,  but  all  to  no  purpose,  the  ship  kept  on  gaming  .n  quan- 
Tv  as  steadiW  as  time  progressed.  The  engines  had  stopped  working,  and 
I  Lelgthat  the  chief  engineer,  with  some  of  his  assistants  md  firemen, 
had  bK  forward  boat  in  the  water  over  by  the  bow,  under  he  pre- 
tense I  saw  of  working  at  the  canvas,  which  was  hangmg  over  the  bow, 
rMtos^nkitdownoverthe  leaking  places,  but  seeing  as  I  thought, 
flvZom    of  their  real  intention  to  get  off  from  the  ship  withou    too 
S  iHhe  boat,  I  dropped  myself  down  near  by  them  on  a  small  raft 
"f  thr^e  planks  Ibout  a  foot  wide  each,  and  ten  or  twelve  feet  long  and 
an  inch  Fn  thickness,  lashed  together  with  some  rope  and  four  hand- 
snikes   and  which  I  had  just  previously  helped  to  lower  into  the  wate 
fo   the  purpose  of  working  from  about  the  bow  of  the  ship.     Finding  it 
bore  me  3  HlSved  off,  intending  to  get  along  side  of  the  engineer's 
boat  but  a     I  shoved  off  several  firemen  and  one  or  two  pa^Bengers 
Sropped  down  into  the  boat,  the  engineer  protesting  ^gamst  their  doing 
so  and  at  the  same  time  pushed  off,  and  pulled  well  away  from  the  ship, 
wUhaboit  twelve  or  fifteen  persons  in  »>-  ^oat,  dec  a^  »;  J-e  on 
board   at  the  same  time,  that  he  was  not  going  off,  but  would  stay  by  the 
sh?o  to  the  last.     At  the  same  time,  he,  or  those  in  the  boat  with  hm, 
Jjtinued  to%ll  away  in  what  I  considered  was  the  direction  of  the 
land   and  were  in  a  few  minutes  lost  in  the  tog.  •       u     „ 

I  now  srwThere  was  no  probable  chance  for  me  but  to  remain  where 
I  was  on  mv  frail  little  raft,  until  I  could  see  some  better  chance  after 
or  before  t^e  ship  went  dovin.  She  had  now  settled  down  to  the  wheel- 
houses  The  upper  furnaces  had  for  some  time  been  drowned  ou  . 
So'  on  board  were  doing  nothing  but  firing  signal  guns  of  distress 
rryingto  Jet  spars  overboard,  and  tearing  doors  off  the  hinges,  nothing 
else  seemed  tJ  present  itself,  as  the  means  of  saving  the  lives  of  some 
three  hundred  souls  still  on  board. 

I  have  crossed  the  Atlantic  nine  times  now,  and  nearly  every  pre 
vious  time  have  had  in  charge  one  or  more  of  my  family  or  near  rela- 
ys Ctnow,  I  thanked  my^Godthat  I  had  not  even  an  acquaintance 
with  me  in  this  my  adversity.     I  tightened  up  my  little  raft  as  well  as  I 
Tould  so  as  to  make  it  wi  hstand  the  buffetings  and  strainings  of  the 
T^iy  rollingseT,  and,  with  the  aid  of  a  long  narrow  piece  of  plank 
which     torelp  off  the  others,  using  it  as  a  paddle,  I  kept  hovering  w.  bin 
tVo  or  three  hundred  yards  of  the  sinking  ship,  watching  operations 
there!  and  keephig  myself  from  being  drifted  out  of  sight,  so  as  o  have 
whit  company  fhe?e  iJight  be  left  on  rafts  like  my  own  after  our  doomed 
Vessel  had  s/nk  beneat?  the  surface      In  this  position  I  -w;hr- diffe- 
rent small  rafts  like  my  own  leave  the  ship,  one  of  them  w  th  th  ee  and 
another  with  two  of  the  firemen  standing  erect  on  them  the  third  with 
the  old  Frenchman  we  had  already  picked  up,  and  «"«  «f '^^  "Jf  ^^^JJ 
of  the  shin  sitting  on  it.     Those  three  rafts  all  drifted  close  by  me,  so 
tXXl  hSled  by  one  and  another  of  them  with  the  reques  for 
us  all  to  keep  near  together,  to  which  I  assented,  but  told  them  .hat  we 
Tad  all  bette'r  try  Jd  keep  by  the  ship  till  she  -ent  down^    At  th. 
time,  I  noticed  that  the  large  boat,  which  had  been  on  the  quarter-deck, 
was  in  the  water,  and  was  being  freighted  pretty  ^f  J' j"  ^^^X  raft  of 
with  several  females  and  a  good  number  of  males,  and  that  the  ratt  ot 


^^r-M'   v^  ^y,^*-!.^id!,-«y-='M™^^ 


ARCTIC. 

men  and  children 
eomingly  resigned 

revail  on  others  to 
on  gaining  in  quan- 
opped  working,  and 
istants  r^nd  firemen, 
ow,  under  the  pre- 
ying over  the  bow, 
eing,  as  I  thought, 
e  ship  without  too 
em  on  a  small  raft 
velve  feet  long  and 
pe  and  four  hand- 
)wer  into  the  water 
e  ship.     Finding  it 
5  of  the  engineer's 
or  two  passengers 
against  their  doing 
away  from  the  ship, 
daring  to  those  on 
it  would  stay  by  the 
the  boat  with  him, 
he  direction  of  the 

ut  to  remain  where 
better  chance  after 
I  down  to  the  wheel- 
been  drowned  out. 
lal  guns  of  distress, 
the  hinges,  nothing 
g  the  lives  of  some 

d  nearly  every  pre- 
f  family  or  near  rela- 
/en  an  acquaintance 
ttle  raft  as  well  as  I 
ind  strainings  of  the 
rrow  piece  of  plank, 
;  kept  hovering  within 
watching  operations 
if  sight,  so  as  to  have 
)wn  after  our  doomed 
ion,  I  saw  three  difle- 
them  with  three  and 
them,  the  third  with 
one  of  the  mess  boys 
rifted  close  by  me,  so 
1  with  the  request  for 
Dut  told  them  that  we 
went  down.     At  this 
1  on  the  quarter-deck, 
illy,  to  all  appearance, 
,  and  that  the  raft  of 


1 


DEaTRUCTION  OF  THE  OCEAN  STEAMER  ARCTIC. 


331 


spars  was  at  the  same  time  being  lashed  together,  and  several  getting  on 
it.  I  noticed  also  a  couple  of  large  empty  wator-caaks,  lashed  togtiher, 
with  live  men  on  them,  apparently  passengers,  leave  the  siiip  nnd  drift- 
ing toward  me,  while  within  about  fifty  yards  they  capsized  witii  the 
force  of  a  iieavy  swell,  giving  their  living  freight  an  almost  imnicdiato 
watery  grave.  Three  of  them,  I  noticed,  regained  the  top  side  of  the 
casks  only  to  be  immediately  turned  over  again,  and  the  casks  separat- 
ing, 1  saw  no  more  of  tiiem.  My  heart  sickened  at  so  much  of  imme- 
diate deatli,  and  still  1  almost  longed  to  have  been  one  of  them,  for  at 
the  same  instant,  and,  as  near  as  I  can  judge,  at  about  foui  and  a  half 
o'clock,  the  siiip  began  to  disappear — stern  foremost  she  entered  under 
the  surface,  her  bow  rising  a  little  as  she  slowly  went  under;  and  1  dis- 
tinctly heard  the  gurgling  and  rushing  sound  of  the  water  filling  her 
cabins,  from  stem  to  stern,  as  she  went  under;  taking,  I  should  think,  from 
thirty  seconds  to  a  minute  in  disappearing,  with  a  large  number  of  people 
still  upon  her  deck.  ,    .•    i  u 

Thus  went  down  the  noble  steamer  Arctic,  leavmg  nothmg  behmd  but 
a  mixture  of  fragments  of  the  wreck  and  struggling  human  beings.  I 
saw  one  large  half-round  fragment -burst  above  the  surface,  and  several 
of  the  struggling  fellow-mortals  get  on  it;  this,  and  the  raft  of  spars, 
with  several  on  it,  and  the  boat  full  of  people,  were  all  that  I  could  dis- 
tinctly make  out  as  being  left  in  the  neighborhood  of  where  the  ship 
went  down  to  windward;  and  the  three  small  rafts  to  leeward,  along  with 
my  own,  were  left  to  pass  the  night  now  beginning  to  close  in  upon,  and 
hide  away  from  my  sight,  I  wish  I  could  say  from  my  memory,  this 
dreadful  day;  but  such  a  nigh)  of  extreme  melancholy,  despair,  and 
utter  loneliness,  I  hope  I  shall  never  again  experience.  I  had,  it  is 
true,  become  familiarized  with  death,  and  felt  as  if  it  would  be  great 
relief  to  go  immediately  like  the  rest;  and,  for  this  end,  I,  with  some- 
what of  satisfaction,  thought  of  the  vial  of  laudanum  in  my  pocket,  pre- 
viously intended  for  a  better  use— but,  oh !  how  unprepared  was  I  to  see 
my  God,  and  for  my  family's  sake  how  necessary  I  felt  it  was  for  me 
still  to  live  a  while  longer,  else  would  I  have  emptied  that  vial  or  rolled 
over  the  side  of  my  plank  most  willingly. 

The  night  was  cold  and  chilly,  the  dense  fog  was  saturating  my 
already  wet  clothing.  I  was  standing  to  the  ankles  in  the  water,  with  the 
the  waves  every  now  and  then  washing  me  above  the  knees,  no  hope  in 
my  mind  of  being  drifted  to  the  land,  and  in  a  part  of  the  ocean  where 
it  is  expected  a  thick  fog  continually  hangs  over  the  surface,  precluding 
the  hope  o?  any  chance  vessel,  in  passing  near  us,  being  aware  of  our 
situation— all  circumstances  seemed  to  say,  it  is  but  a  question  of  how 
long  the  physical  frame  can  endure  this  perishing  state,  or  how  long 
before  a  more  boisterous  sea  turns  over  or  separates  the  slightly  fastened 
planks.     Thus  reflecting,  I  offered  up  to  Him  who  ruleth  the  winds  and 

waves to  Him  unto  whom  we  all  flee  in  our  deepest  distress — a  sincere 

petition  for  mercy,  that,  as  I  had  now  been  called  to  account,  I  might, 
notwithstanding  my  unworthiness,  find  an  acceptance  through  the  merits 
of  Him  who  suffered  for  us,  and  who  stands  ready  to  aid,  and  who  says. 
Knock  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you  —  unto  whom  can  we  look,  oh, 
our  God!  but  unto  thee? — our  whole  life  is,  after  all,  as  this  hour,  a 
mere  question  of  a  few  short  days,  and  what  are  all  the  mere  vanities 
transpiring  during  an  ambitious  but  short  existence,  compared  to  an 
assurance  which  maketh  our  latter  end  a  fearless  one.  Relieved 
and  consoled  by  this  my  last  petition,  I  was  somewhat  calmly  resignmg 


„,,  BK8T»nOT,ON  OF  THU  OCF.AK  STF.AMF.B  AnCTIO. 

ance  could  hold  out,  when  I  '*'^«"^*'"''\,  „  steward's  dish  baskets  it 
with  tin,  floating  »if  »-• '^f., ("/-^To  U  I'gofu  aboard,  and  with  ti,c 
proved  to  be-and,  P'^d;"'"g  "i%„d';„und  my  shoulders,  I  lasiied  U 
Lip  of  a  small  p.ece  of  "f  /  J^^"  s,  not  only  tending  to  make  my 
nrettv  firmly  on  the  top  of  the  planK,  ^""  '  •  .'  ^jy  piaco  to  sit  on 
frire  secure,  but  .«f 'd'"LTi„^^?u;m  ng  a  slfeSer  for  my  legs 
,he  edge  of  it,  and,  w.th  7  f^^^^jrA^^^  arranged,  and  while  s.t- 
up  US  high  as  my  knees,  ^fter  gjU'ng  J^  ^.  ^^^r  the  top  of  it, 
tillg  watching  the  water  every  now  and  then  f,     g,j^^,  ^,,j  .^j  ^o 

and  becoming  ««n^'"^f^;t\Ce  wdLht  of  the  raft,  I  was  again  surprised 
my  discomfort,  as  we  1  as  to  th«  ^.'S  of  the  raft,  which,  proving  to  be 
Jhear  a  distinct  rattle  again  t  the  side  ott         ^^^  ^^  ^fe-preservers, 

a  small  air-tight  tin  can,  a  P»  "^  V.^^en  of  the  presence  of  a  protect- 
I  seized  hold  of  it,  as  "J" 'jf/ ;^°,"t7of  U  with  my  pocket-knife,  and 
ing  Providence.     I  cut  out  one  ena  01  anything  else,  I  then 

ound  it  to  answer  the  l-JPJf  ^^«  .^  i  ^^renablel  to  keep  my  little 
needed-a  bailing-pot-and  ^^y  ".;";,  ^  protection  from  "e  cold, 
shelter  clear  of  water;  and  so  acceptable,  as  a  p  ^      jj. 

trip  blast,  did  I  find  this  »>"  « -'XepTng  'not  o^;  my  feet  and  legs, 
cramped  down  into  the  '"^'^^l'^"' ^  warm.     Tn  this  sort  of  s.  ua- 

butthe  lower  part  of  n^J  ^^^^y.^^^  he  b™'^^'"^  '^'^^^  '"'"'*  *** 
S^n,  I  wore  away  the  t«d>ou8  nigh  ,  and  the  b^ea      g.      ^^^^^^^ 

-SrS:;i:rcl.red^awayt^ 

was  truly  grateful,  but,  oh!  how  dj^o  "J^J^Xle  b?oad  expanse  of  waters, 

the  prospect  he  thus  unfolded     "jer  tne  ^^^^^  ^^^^  ^^ 

not  a  sail  could  be  ff'^^^^if/SLT erect,  and  showing  themselves 
about  half  a  mile  distant,  stdlstancimg  _^^  ^^^^^ 

at  intervals,  as  every  heavy  sweU  raised  tr  ^^^  ^^^  ^  ^^^ 

yet  felt  either  hunger  or  thirst  for  wmcn  ^^^^  ^  ^^^^  determmed 

but  a  handful  of  dry  broken  <^'ackers  m  my  '  ^^^^  ^^^  craving  of 
to  save  to  the  last,  and  of  ^«""f^";„^S  about  an  hour  before  nightfall, 
either.  The  day  >^ore  on  st  11  ^^^J  "^j^J.^^e  of  whom  I  had  worked 
when  the  two  firemen  (^/^'n  hailmg  di^a  ^^^^^^.^^  ^"^^"V''/ 

my  way  again)  discovered  a  ship  under  ^  ,^^^^         handkerchief, 

but  it  was  with  faint  hopes  of  s«cc«f  J"  „g\„„  ^s  a  paddle,  the  firemen 
^"ed  to  the  end  of  the  strip  0    wood  I  was  J.ng  ^^J  ,,,,     The 

doing  the  same  with  a  shorter  V  ece  o    w  ^^^^  ^^^^^^  ^^^  ^  , 

ship,  at  one  ^'^'.^J^X  had  discovered  something,  but  the  night  closed 

taSa^d^JuKat^^^^^^^^^^ 

'"  iTa^'ed  through  this  "ig^t  m  a  doz.rjg,  dea^^,  sh-^^^   g-^^ 

sort  of  state,  with  all  sorts  of  ^J"""  ^^^^^^^^^  moments,  both 

disordered  mind,  and  all  sorts  of  pictureyn^^^^  ^^^^^^  ^^  ^     j^ 

of  a  pleasing  and  of  a  >^«^«^»'"g,^5  [hen  during  the  night,  I  fancied 
dark  Surface  of  the  water-  Now  and  then  dur.^^^^  as'l  was  at  the 
.nyself  hailed  by  various  surrounding  pa        ,  ^.^^^^^^  but  the  two 

same  time,  that  none  «  hers  were  withm  ^^  ^^^  ^^^^  '^^J'.^f, 

firemen.  My  disordered  f''"^/'  JJ^^'^.^P  „„der  the  firm  belief  that 
t^:in:Sr^:^:<^^  .ear^h  for  us,  and  .ost  lu.td, 


J 


.,...{-~y'" 


I  ARCTIO. 

d  power  of  cndur 

jquarc  basket,  lined 

•d's  dish   basltots  it 

joard,  and,  with  the 

loulders,  I  lashed  it 

tendinj;  to  make  my 

dry  piaco  to  sit  on 

shelter  for  my  legs 

igcd,  and  while  sit- 

^  over  the  top  of  it, 

tly  filled  and  add  to 

'  was  again  surprised 

which,  proving  to  be 

sd  as  life-preservers, 

resencc  of  a  protect- 

ny  pocket-knife,  and 

anything  else,  I  then 

led  to  keep  my  little 

)tection  froni  t'c  cold, 

I  soon  found  myself 

mly  my  feet  and  legs, 

In  this  sort  of  situa- 

:ing  dawn  revealed  to 

rolling  waves,  and  my 

e  that  the  night  closed 

indthe  heat  of  his  raya 
y  cheerfulness,  seemed 
road  expanse  of  waters, 
ires  of  the  two  firemen, 
ad  showing  themselves 
n  its  crest.     I  had  not 
ruly  thankful,  for  I  had 
which  I  felt  determined 
ireaded  the  craving  of 
in  hour  before  nightfall, 
of  whom  I  had  worked 
il,  broadside  toward  ua; 
aiated  my  handkerchief, 
as  a  paddle,  the  firemen 
1  their  possession.     The 
ler  course  for  a  moment, 
ling,  but  the  night  closed 

y,  shivering,  half  sensible 
ly  drowsy  and  somewhat 
f  wakeful  moments,  both 
Dating  before  me  on  the 
ring  the  night,  I  fancied 
jiivinced,  as  I  was,  at  the 
ing  distance  but  the  two 
me  for  more  than  half 
under  the  firm  belief  that 
1  for  us,  and  most  lustilj 


1 


DESTRUCTION  OP  THE  OCEAN  STEAMER  AH  OTIC. 


33?> 


did  I  answer  every  fancied  or  real  signal.  The  morning  dawned  again, 
and  with  it  a  horrid  scene  of  despair  at  the  gloomy  pros|>(.>ct  of  the  same 
dense,  foggy  atmosphere,  now  and  then  full/  developing  tu  view  the 
same  two  erect  figures  dancing  about  on  the  rolling  surf;  and,  in  my 
selfish  liberality,  I  bargained  with  myself  that  I  would  endure  still 
during  this  day,  seeing  that  my  two  companions,  who  were  obliged  to  be 
on  their  feet,  supporting  each  other  in  a  very  precarious  looking  back-to- 
back  attitud-e,  were  able  to  still  exist.  I  felt  a  little  hungry  this  morn- 
ing, and  ate  half  a  biscuit.  While  warming  myself  by  about  two  houre' 
paddling  up  toward  them,  during  which  the  fog  partially  cleared  away, 
and  while  close  to  them,  we  all  became  excited  at  the  sight  of  a  sail  far 
to  the  south,  as  I  thought,  but  broadside  toward  us.  Like  the  one  on 
the  previous  day,  1  had  little  hope  of  her  coming  much  nearer;  but, 
being  determined  to  leave  no  etTort  unttied  which  might  possibly  attract 
their  notice,  I  stript  myself,  and  takin;;*  off  my  shirt,  tied  it  by  the  sleeves 
to  the  end  of  my  paddle,  and,  with  my  handkerchief  on  a  small  strip  of 
wood  tied  on  above  it,  I  thought  I  had  a  tolerably  conspicuous  signal, 
and  waved  it  to  and  fro  for  more  than  an  hour,  until  the  ship  was  nearly 
out  of  sight — and  just  as  I  had  lowered  it,  in  utter  hopelessness,  we  all 
descried,  at  the  same  instant,  in  the  opposite  direction,  cnotlier  sail — 
and  on  to  us — just  entering,  as  it  were,  into  our  grand  amphitheater, 
through  a  cloud  of  mist  that  seemed  to  rise  and  clear  away  above  the 
vessel,  forming  a  grand  triumphal  archway  around,  our  Eureka,  like  a 
tower  of  promise,  in  the  center.  Feeling  sure,  at  first  sight,  that  this 
one  was  standing  toward  us,  I  did  not  long  remain  undeceived,  for  she 
began  to  increase  in  size  as  time  wore  slowly  on;  and,  although  she  was 
falling  to  leeward  considerably,  as  she  advanced,  still  I  felt  sure,  if  she 
kept  on  the  same  tack,  she  would  undoubtedly  see  our  signals  before 
passing  beyond.  My  large  signal,  too,  continued  to  drift  me  nearer  to 
her  track,  and  took  me  almost  out  of  sight  of  my  two  companions. 

When  within  about  two  or  three  miles  of  us,  and  about  an  hour  and  a 
half  a(\?r  she  first  hove  in  sight,  we  were  relieved  by  her  backing  her 
sails,  altering  her  course,  and  lying-to  for  awhile;  then,  hoisting  a  signal 
on  her  spanker-gaif,  she  put  about  and  bore  away,  on  and  on,  far  in  the 
distance,  on  the  opposite  tack,  until  my  heart  began  to  fail  again,  doubt- 
ing whether  she  was  beating  to  windward  for  us, or  had  gone  on  her  way, 
rejoicing  in  the  discovery  and  rescue  of  only  a  portion  of  the  unfortunate 
wretches  within  range  of  her.  But,  again,  how  light  and  buoyant  was 
the  joy,  as  she  at  last  put  about,  and  stood  directly  for  us;  and  on  and 
on  she  advanced,  like  a  saving  angel,  until  we  could  see  her  noble  look- 
ing hull  distinctly  rise  and  fall;  within  little  over  a  mile  distant  from  us, 
when  she  backed  her  sails  again,  and  waited  for  some  time  in  the  prose- 
cution of  her  mission  of  mercy,  no  doubt,  relieving  some  of  our  scatter- 
ing companions  from  a  like  precarious  state.  Soon,  she  filled  away 
again;  and,  at  last,  lying-to  close  by  the  two  firemen,  I  saw  her  boat 
lowered  with  five  men  in  it,  who,  picking  up  the  two  firemen  in  their 
course,  came  dashing  along  direct  for  my  raft,  and  soon  Iwuncing  along 
side,  I  allowed  myself  to  tumble  aboard  of  them,  unable,  physically,  to 
adopt  anything  of  a  grateful  action,  and,  morally,  overpowered  with 
gratitude  to  God  and  to  those  his  instruments. 

I  remained  speechless  until  I  got  on  board  the  ship.  Before  getting 
on  board,  however,  the  boat  went  away  off  some  distance  to  windward, 
and  picked  up  the  three  other  firemen,  whom  I  had  seen  leave  the 
Arctic,  but  who  had  been  ever  since  out  of  view.     We  all  got  huddled 


i 


f 


1 1 


334  DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  OCEAN  STEAMER  ARCTIC. 

upon  the  deck,  somehow,  although  rather  awkwardly,  and  making  my 
way  down  to  her  neat  little  cabin,  as  well  as  my  stiff  feet  and  legs 
would  allow,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  paying  my  respects  to  Captain  John 
Russell,  and  found  myself  on  board  the  ship  Cambria,  of  Greenock, 
bound  from  Glasgow  to  Quebec.  Captain  Russell,  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Walker,  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and  his  vary  kird  and  atten- 
tive lady,  Mr.  Sutherland,  of  Caithnesshire  in  S;;otland,  Mr.  John  Mc- 
Naught,  and  several  of  the  passengers  of  the  steerage,  paid  us  every 
attention  that  I  could  have  desired;  Captain  Russell  giving  me  up  the 
berth  which  he  had  been  using  himself,  and  putting  everything  on  board 
in  requisition  that  might  tend  in  the  least  to  relieve  and  make  us  com- 
fortable. I  was  surprised  to  learn  that  the  old  Frenchman,  whom  we 
had  picked  up  from  the  Vesta,  was  our  good  genius  on  this  occasion; 
being  directly  in  the  track  of  the  approaching  Cambria,  he  was  picked 
up  by  the  second  mate  of  the  Cambria,  Mr.  Ross,  jumping  overboard, 
with  a  line,  and,  seizing  hold  of  the  old  man,  they  were  both  pulled  on 
board;  and  the  rescued  Frenchman,  in  the  best  English  he  could  muster, 
made  Captain  Russell  aware  that  others  were  near,  who  then  went  to  the 
mast-head,  and,  with  his  glass,  made  out  the  other  four  pieces  of  wreck, 
which  we  were  all  on,  and,  making  his  long  tack  to  windward,  came 
back  in  the  midst  of  us,  picking  up  first,  from  that  half-round  piece 
of  wreck  that  I  saw  burst  above  the  surface  at  the  time  of  the  ship 
going  under,  Captain  Luce,  Mr.  George  Allen,  of  the  Novelty  Works, 
and  a  young  German,  a  passenger  on  the  Arctic,  by  the  name  of 
Ferdinand  Keyn. 

They,  along  with  eight  others  of  those  who  went  down  with  the  ship, 
had  gained  this  piece  of  wreck,  which  turned  out  to  be  a  segment  of  dne 
of  the  paddle-boxes — and,  singular  as  it  seems.  Captain  Luce,  who  had 
stuck  by  his  sinking  ship  to  the  last  minute,  was  thus  saved  at  last  on 
the  very  boards,  which,  as  commander,  were  his  post  of  duty.  The 
same  thing,  however,  had  caused  the  death  of  an  interesting  son,  by 
striking  or  falling  on  him  as  it  burst  above  water.  The  eight  others,  who 
had  gained  it  with  them,  had,  from  time  to  time,  perished  on  it;  and  Mr. 
Keyn  was  on  the  point  of  making  the  ninth,  when  the  Cambria  hove  in 
sight.  Mr.  Allen,  too,  although  saved  himself,  lost  his  wife  and  several 
other  relatives,  who  were  on  board  with  him,  and  whom  he  saw  placed 
on  the  raft  of  spars  before  the  ship  went  under.  I  found  those  three  my 
companions  in  the  cabin  of  the  Cambria,  and  being  attended  to  like 
myself.  The  old  Frenchman  and  the  five  firemen  were  comfortably 
quartered  away  in  the  forecastle,  all  suffering  much ;  and  the  old  man 
having  lost  his  '  compagnon  de  voyage,'  the  mess  boy,  who  held  out  as 
long  as  he  could,  but  finally  rolled  overboard.  In  the  course  of  a  few 
days,  we  all  began  tc  get  around  and  feel  pretty  well,  with  the  exception 
of  the  severe  pains  in  our  feet,  which  continued  with  very  little  intermis- 
sion ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  it  was  most  congenial  to  our  feelings,  that, 
through  the  leadership  of  Mr.  Walker,  we  had  the  daily  opportunity  of 
rendering  praises  and  thanksgiving  to  a  gracious  God  for  his  mercy  and 
goodness  toward  us.  Captain  Russell  feels  the  circumstance  of  his 
instrumentality  in  the  matter  with  great  gratification,  on  account  of 
Captain  Nye,  of  the  Collins'  steamer  Pacific,  having,  some  years  ago, 
run  great  risk  in  saving  him  and  his  crew  from  off  the  sinking  Jessie 
Stevens,  in  a  severe  gale  on  the  Atlantic." 

Of  the  five  boats  that  left  the  Arctic,  only  two  were  ever  heard 
from,  the  one  commanded  by  Mr.  Francis  Dorian,  the  third  mate,  the 


'n'^'lr!'-"''*'-'^!''^ 


«Hrt»^?»'B*  ■■»*<*■ 


I  AROTIO. 

ly,  and  makinji;  my 
stiff  feet  and  legs 
cts  to  Captain  John 
nbria,  of  Greenock, 
the  Reverend  Mr. 
3ry  kind  and  atlen- 
and,  Mr.  John  Mc- 
age,  paid  us  every 
giving  me  up  the 
everything  on  board 
and  make  us  com- 
enchman,  whom  we 
s  on  this  occasion; 
l»ria,  ho  was  picked 
jumping  overboard, 
ircre  both  pulled  on 
ish  he  could  muster, 
fho  then  wont  to  the 
ur  pieces  of  wreck, 
to  windward,  came 
at  half-round  piece 
e  time  of  the  ship 
the  Novelty  Works, 
,  by  the   name   of 

own  with  the  ship, 
ve  a  segment  of  dne 
•tain  Luce,  who  had 
IS  saved  at  last  on 
post  of  duty.  The 
interesting  son,  by 
le  eight  others,  who 
shed  on  it;  and  Mr. 
e  Cambria  hove  in 
lis  wife  and  several 
lom  he  saw  placed 
und  those  three  my 
ig  attended  to  like 
I  were  comfortably 
;  and  the  old  man 
ty,  who  held  out  as 
e  course  of  a  few 
with  the  exception 
very  little  intermis- 

>  our  feelings,  that, 
laily  opportunity  of 

for  his  mercy  and 
rcumstance  of  his 
in,  on  account  of 
^.  some  years  ago, 
the  sinking  Jessie 

►  were  ever  heard 
the  third  mate,  the 


DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  OCEAN  STEAMER  ARCTIC. 


33.5 


other  by  Mr.  William  Baalham,  the  second  mate.  The  remainder, 
doubtless,  sunk  in  the  storm  of  the  succeeding  Saturday.  The  persons 
in  these  boats,  with  eight  or  ten  more  on  the  raAs  or  fragments  of  tiie 
wreck,  comprised  all  of  the  survivors  of  the  catastrophe.  Not  a  single 
female  on  board  was  saved — all  perished! 

Mr.  Dorian's  conduct,  during  these  trying  scenes,  was  noble.  He  was 
the  only  one  of  all  tho  principal  officers  that  remained  faithful  to  the 
orders  of  his  superior  to  the  last.  The  recital  of  Peter  McCabe,  a 
waiter  in  the  cabin,  the  solitary  survivor  of  the  large  rafl,  which  Mr. 
Dorian  worked  to  construct  with  much  zeal,  unfolds  to  us  other  ter- 
rible incidents  of  this  calamity.  In  common  with  the  rest  of  the  crew 
and  passengers,  McCabc  seemed  at  first  to  have  had  no  idea  tiiat  the 
ship  had  encountered  serious  damage  by  tho  cuilisio.),  but  when  he  came 
on  deck,  he  was  soon  undeceived.  Ho  was  busy  ^t  work  on  the  riifl, 
when  there  came  a  dull  rushing  sound,  and  a  lon<i  wail,  and  the  Arctic 
went  down.  He  was  himself  ingulfed  in  the  vortex  r/.'  the  sinking  ship,  and 
gave  himself  up  for  lost.  The  waters  had  closed  ovor  him,  but  presently 
he  perceived,  as  it  were,  a  dim  light  over  his  head,  and  he  rose  to  the 
surface.  He  caught  hold  of  a  door,  then  of  a  barrel,  then  he  swam  to 
the  raft,  to  which  the  seventy  poor  creatures  were  clinging.  The  sea 
was  rough — not  strong;  but,  in  the  confusion,  the  rafl  had  been  so  im- 
perfectly constructed,  that  the  waves  dashed  over  it,  and  the  miserable 
passengers  were  swept  from  their  hold.  What  follows,  we  will  not 
attempt  to  paraphrase.  Has  human  eye  ever  witnessed  a  scene  of  more 
awful  and  protracted  agony? 

"  Those  who  had  life-preservers  did  not  sink,  but  floated  with  their 
ghastly  faces  upward,  reminding  those  who  still  remained  alive  of  the 
fate  that  awaited  them.  In  the  midst  of  all  this,  thank  heaven,  I  never 
lost  hope,  but  retained  my  courage  to  the  last.  One  by  one,  I  saw  my 
unfortunate  companions  drop  off;  some  of  them  floated  off,  and  were 
eaten  and  gnawed  by  fishes,  while  others  were  v  ashed  under  the  rafl, 
and  remained  with  me  till  I  was  rescued.  I  could  see  their  faces  in  the 
openings,  as  they  were  swayed  to  and  fro  by  the  waves,  which  threatened 
every  moment  to  wash  me  off.  The  rafl,  at  one  time,  was  so  crowded 
that  many  had  to  hold  on  by  one  hand.  Very  few  words  were  spoken 
by  any,  and  the  only  sound  that  we  heard  was  the  splash  of  the  waters, 
or  the  heavy  breathing  of  the  poor  sufferers,  as  they  tried  to  recover 
their  breath  afler  a  wave  had  passed  over  them.  Nearly  all  were  sub- 
merged to  their  arm-pits,  while  a  few  could  with  great  difficulty  keep 
their  heads  above  the  surface.  The  women  were  the  first  to  go;  they 
were  unable  to  stand  the  exposure  more  than  three  or  four  hours.  They 
all  fell  off  the  rafl  without  a  word,  except  one  poor  girl,  who  cried 
out  in  intense  agony,  *Oh,  my  poor  mother  and  sisters!'  When  I  had 
been  a  few  hours  on  the  rafl,  there  were  not  more  than  three  or  four 
left." 

One  of  these  three  or  four  gave  to  Peter  McCabe  a  paper,  which  he 
describes  as  like  a  "  small  map,"  and  which,  as  he  thought,  was  some 
kind  of  title-deed.  A  few  minutes  afler  he  had  given  it,  as  though  all 
energy  had  been  exhausted  in  the  preservation  of  that  precious  docu- 
ment, which  he  had  at  length  been  compelled  to  consign  to  the  custody 
of  another,  his  gtasp  gave  way,  and  the  owner  of  the  title-deed  was 
washed  away.  It  is  strange  enough  that  McCabe,  despite  of  uU  )iis 
efforts,  could  not  succeed  in  preserving  that  precious  paper;  he  mude 
ineffectual  efforts  to  get  it  into  his  pocket;  he  swam  with  it  some  time 


336 


DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  OCEAN  STEAMER  ARCTIC. 


l)otweon  his  teeth,  but  all  was  in  vain;  the  t\v.v.A,  whicii  had  boon  so 
dearly  prized,  was  carried  away  from  iiis  month,  and  added  for  a  moment 
to  the  relics  of  the  wreck — then  seen  no  more.  A  little  incident  of  this 
kind  feems  to  bring  the  scene  before  or.  -.  eyes  with  a  more  vivid  reality 
even  than  the  recital  of  the  greater  and  more  sweeping  destruction. 
Before  eight  and  a  half  o'clock  that  evening,  every  soul  on  the  rail  with 
McCnbe  were  either  dead  or  washed  otf;  and  "  I,"  says  ho,  "  wan  left 
alone!  But  a  few  minutes  before  the  last  niiin  went,  I  asked  him  the 
time.     He  told  mo,  and  died  in  Jive  minutcn  afterward !  ^^ 

Nothing  could  have  been  more  exemplary  on  this  occasion,  than  the 
resignation  of  tlic  women,  or  the  ready  obedience  displayed  by  the  pas- 
sengers. If  all  hod  acted  as  they  did  upon  that  fatal  day,  we  should 
now  be  commenting  upon  a  far  less  distressing  tale;  but  the  flight  of  the 
seamen  and  officers  in  the  boats,  full  two  hours  before  the  vessel  sunk, 
was  the  cause  of  all  the  multiplied  horrors  of  the  disaster.'"  Individuals, 
however,  displayed  undaunted  courage.  The  good  conduct  of  one  young 
man,  who  fired  the  cannon,  an  engineer  learning  under  instructions, 
named  Stewart  Holland,  was  more  conspicuous  than  that  of  any  other 
person  on  board.  "A  more  brave,  courageous  and  self-sacrificing 
being,"  says  Captain  Luce,  "I  nevfT  saw."  He  tried  to  save  all,  with- 
out seeming  to  think  anything  al)out  bis  own  safety,  never  attempting  to 
get  into  a  boat.  His  end  was  heroic.  Unmoved  by  the  base  desertion  of 
others,  he  continued  firing  the  signal  gun,  that,  like  a  death-knell,  boomed 
over  the  waters;  and  when  the  wreck  sunk  to  its  gloomy  grave,  he,  too, 
became  numbered  with  the  dead.     Was  death  ever  more  noble? 

Holland  was  from  Washington  City.  His  father,  on  first  learning  of 
the  event,  still  clung  to  the  hope  that  his  son  had  escaped  the  perils  of 
the  wreck,  by  some  such  miracle  as  saved  Captain  Luce.  He  exclaimed: 
•'My  son  is  not  lost;  I  will  not  give  him  up;  but,"  he  continued,"  better 
a  thousand  times  that  he  should  perish  in  the  manly  discharge  of  hia 
duty,  than  have  saved  a  craven  life  by  such  cowardice  and  selfishness  as 
marked  the  conduct  of  many  of  the  crew."  Such  sentiments  show  a 
father  worthy  of  such  a  son.  Soon  afler  his  arrival  in  New  York,  Mr. 
Dorian  addressed  the  following  letter  to  Mr.  Isaac  Holland: 

"  I  am  a  stranger  and  can  oiler  no  apology  for  addressing  you,  further 
than  my  desire  of  adding  my  humble  testimony  to  the  merits  of  your 
noble  boy.  He  was  in  the  habit  of  daily  coming  to  my  room,  telling  me 
funny  stories,  etc.,  and,  in  this  way,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  forming  an 
intimate  acquaintanceship  with  him.  Believing  that  anything  connected 
with  him  in  the  last  scene  might  possess  a  dear,  though  painful,  interest 
to  you,  I  send  you  all  I  know.     I  regret  it  is  so  exceedingly  scanty. 

About  two  hours  afler  the  Arctic  was  struck,  the  firing  of  the  gun 

*  A  larger  part  of  t)ie  seamen  were  foreigners,  the  ofTscourines  of  the  marine  servic« 
of  many  countries.  Had  they  been  of  that  class  of  brave,  hardy,  right-principled 
men  that,  years  a^o  composed  the  crews  of  our  merchant  vessels,  their  conduct  mi^ht 
have  V^oii  mnre  like  that  exhibited  on  board  the  British  steamer  Birkenhead,  which 
was  lost  on  the  coast  of  Africa  a  few  years  since.  That  vessel  struck  on  a  hidden 
rock,  stove  a  plank  at  the  bow,  and  went  down  in  half  an  hour's  time.  A  regiment 
of  troops  was  on  board.  As  soon  as  the  alarm  was  given,  and  it  was  apparent  that 
the  ship's  doom  was  sealed,  the  roll  of  the  drum  called  the  soldiers  to  arms  on  the 
upper  deck.  That  call  was  promptly  obeyed,  though  every  gallant  heart  knew 
that  it  was  his  death  summons.  The  women  and  children  were  placed  in  the  boats, 
and  lu-nrly  all  saved.  There  were  no  boats  for  the  troops,  but  there  was  no  panic, 
no  bliinchi^d,  quivering  lips  among  them.  Down  went  ttic  ship,  and  down  went  the 
hi^roic  band,  uhoulder  to  shoulder,  firing  •  feu  d*  joie  as  they  sunk  beneath  the 
waves. 


C-.U 


■■"<.i,.  ,--• 


DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  OCEAN  STEAMER  ARCTIC. 


RCTIO. 

ch  had  bcon  so 
il(!(l  for  a  moment 
1!  iiuidont  of  this 
more  vivid  rtiality 
.ping  (U-fttiuction. 
i\  on  tl.o  rart  with 
ays  ho,  "  wa»  left 
,  1  asked  him  the 

jccBsion,  than  the 
,,laycd  by  the  paa- 
al  day,  we  sliould 
ut  the  flight  of  the 
e  the  vessel  sunk, 
Iter.*     Individuals, 
nductofonc  young 
under    instructions, 
1  that  of  any  other 
and    self-sacrificing 
h1  to  save  all,  with- 
nevcr  attempting  to 
»e  base  desertion  of 
deatli-knell,  boomed 
oomy  grave,  he,  too, 
more  noble? 
on  first  learning  ot 
caped  the  perils  of 
,ce.     He  exclaimed: 
,e  continued,"  better 
inly  discharge  of  hiB 
ice  and  selfishness  as 
h  sentiments  show  a 
al  in  New  York,  Mr. 
Holland: 

Idressing  you,  further 
o  the  merits  of  your 
o  my  room,  telling  me 
eafeure  of  forming  an 
at  anything  connected 
lough  painful,  interest 
iceedingly  scanty, 
the  firing  of  the  gun 

rings  of  the  marine  serviM 
,e.Wdv.right-pr."cipled 
easels,  their  conduct  mi^ht 
rteamer  Birkenhead,  «h.ch 
vessel  struck  on  a  hidden 
rhour-stime.  A  regjoieut 
1.  and  it  was  apparent,  that 
the  soldiers  to  arms  on  the 

every  gallant  heart  knew 
„f  vere  placed  in  the  boaU. 
pa,  but  there  was  no  panic. 
L  ship,  and  down  went  the 

aa  they  sunk  beneath  the 


337 


ittracted  my  attnition;  and  I  recollect  lliat,  when  I  saw  Mr.  Holland,  it 
tttruck  mo  us  rcmurkaljly  strange  that  he  uioiu',  of  all  lieiongin^;  to  tiie 
iiigiiiei  ring  dt  pttrtinent,  should  be  there.  Ho  must  have  liud  a  good 
clianie  la  go  in  the  chief  engineer's  boat  and  be  saved,  hut  he  did  not, 
it  .siMins,  make  tluf  slightest  exertion  to  save  himself.  His  wiiole  con- 
duct ciin  l)(!  accounted  for  by  the  simple  word  duty,  and  nothing  else. 

1  recolloci  that,  about  an  hour  before  the  ship  HUidi,  I  wa.s  hurriedly 
searching  lor  s|)ikos,  to  help  to  form  a  raft.  I  had  just  passed  through  the 
saloon;  on  the  sofas  were  men  who  had  fainted — and  there  were  many 
of  tliem,  loo — the  ladies  were  in  little  groups, clasped  together;  and  they 
seemed  to  mo  to  be  strangely  «juiet  and  resigned.  As  I  emerged  from 
the  saloon,  tho  scene  that  presented  itself  was  one  I  hope  never  to  sec 
again.  Tlie  passengers  had  broken  up  tho  bar;  the  licpiors  were  flow- 
ing down  the  scuppers.  Hero  and  there  were  strong,  stout-looking  men 
on  their  knees,  in  tho  attitude  of  prayer;  others,  when  asked  to  do 
anything,  were  immovable,  perfectly  stupefied. 

la  the  midst  of  this  scene,  Stewart  came  running  up  to  me;  his 
words  were:  'Dorian,  my  powder  is  out;  I  want  more;  give  me  the 
key.'  'Never  mind  the  key,'  I  replied;  'take  an  ax  and  break  open 
tiio  door.'  He  snatched  one  close  behind  me.  and  down  into  the  ship's 
hold  ho  dived,  and  I  went  over  tho  ship's  side  to  my  raft.  Half  an  hour 
later,  when  busy  at  the  raft,  a  voice  hailed  me,  and,  on  looking  up,  1 
again  saw  Stewart,  when  ho  hurriedly  asked:  'Dorian,  have  you  a  com- 
pass in  your  boat?'  'No,'  I  replied;  and  oft'  he  went.  He  knew  that 
any  chance  I  had  would  be  shared  with  him;  and  I  have  often  thought 
how  strange  it  was  that  that  young  man  should,  for  a  moment,  quit  his 
gun  to  inquire  after  my  safety,  and  never,  for  a  moment,  think  of  his 
own.  But  such  was  Stewart  Holland.  I  recollect  distinctly  his  appear- 
ance as  ho  hailed  me  from  tho  deck.  The  right  side  of  his  face  was  black 
with  powder,  and  two  large  spots  on  the  left  side.  When  he  spoke,  his 
countenance  seemed  lighted  up  with  something  like  a  quiet  smile." 

The  clergy  of  our  large  cities  preached  discourses  upon  tho  loss  of 
the  Arctic.  We  conclude  this  article  by  a  pathetic  extract  from  a  sermon 
by  tlie  Rev.  Henry  Ward  Beecher,  delivered  in  his  church  of  tho  Pil- 
grims, at  Brooklyn,  the  power  of  which  will  strike  every  heart.  The 
text  was  the  forty-sixth  Psalm,  first  three  verses:  "God  is  our  refuge 
and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in  time  of  trouble:  therefore  will  not 
we  fear,  though  the  earth  be  removed  and  the  mountains  be  carried  into 
the  midst  of  the  sea;  though  the  waters  thereof  roar  and  be  troubled, 
though  the  mountains  shake  with  the  swelling  thereof." 

"  It  was  autumn.  Hundreds  had  wended  their  way  from  pilgrimages; 
t'rom  Rome  and  its  treasures  of  dead  art,  and  its  glory  of  living  nature, 
from  the  sides  of  Switzer's  mountains,  from  the  capitals  of  various 
nations;  all  of  them  saying  in  their  hearts,  we  will  wait  for  the  Septem- 
ber gales  to  have  done  with  their  equinoctial  fury,  and  then  we  will 
embark;  we  will  slide  across  the  appeased  ocean,  and  in  the  gorgeous 
month  of  October  we  will  greet  our  longed-for  native  land,  and  our 
heart-loved  homes.  And,  so,  the  throng  streamed  along  from  Berlin, 
from  Paris,  from  the  Orient,  converging  upon  London,  still  hastening 
lOward  the  welcome  ship,  and  narrowing  every  day  the  circle  of  engage- 
ments and  preparations.  They  crowded  aboard.  Never  had  the  Arctic 
twrne  such  a  host  of  passengers,  nor  passengers  so  nearly  related  to  so 
many  among  us.  The  hour  was  come.  The  signal  ball  fell  at  Green- 
wich. It  was  noon  also  at  Liverpool.  The  anchors  were  weighed  ;  the 
22 


.  _^*Eiii*- 


I 


„nT,nN  OP  THK  OCEAN  BTEAMF.U  AUOTIO, 
«„o  DESTUROTION  OF  TUis.  .       ,       .     ^  Htrea.nn.l  ul.roud, 

Mersey,  a.ul  turns           I  ^^         ^,,^ 

homeward  run.  ,   ^„d  men  saw  h.m.      '''^'      ,  j,/  „n  „,e 

'^''"  ''11tv"e£lS  him/  Whoever  stoo.l^^^-                            ,. 

prow,  an«!  no  eye  di"  ^       stecrcil  the  ^f*"'-  ..rmiul      And  so, 

hope  was  c»"'fJ* '    ,  „,,  j,,o  incouvenicnccs  ot  tlio  v  yj  ^^^j 

eJ,y  Kuest      Amu    aU  the       „,„„,ur-/iome  »  "o«/' J  cvc.n"«' ""« 
Btill  that  «!"f.^"7;iiU  one  ni«ht  nearer  homo,  and  a  ^.^^^^^^ 

every  morn.nK,  It  was  9  ^^^^     ^^,^j.      Vw«  of  Newf.>und\«nd. 

J"yj"'7mUtTa    fiievcr  hlunts  ^^o  vast  « -1^^^^^^^ 
ttvlh      Udtatit,andplunBn.g.n,^^UM^^  l,„,  rt,,i,.d  trom 

B«'<i>y  %JJ\^,M  never  en.er«e.        ^e  last  su     «^^^^      ,^^      j,,  ,„,„„, 
about.      1  "fy  »'  vovaae  is  done  to  snip  »""  ^  i„strum<'nt  of 

that  deck.      1  he  »'\«;  ,7y7,^ii,,,,  Horn  the  nortl>  tha    »"*^''  '  ^,,-  ,„i,i, 

there  cau.e  --^    ^  'm  "orious  «hroud   t hat  vas      t.nc^^^-^^^ 

wheels,  but   >nv-;^-^„,,^,  ,  wi.hi.n^ail  and  beann«  r    ht^^^o^^^^ 

in  the  «orf»  ol  ™V,    TUcy  dcpiitlcd,  »nil  w  lU  >  ""  ' '        '    „„  ,|,e 

K'rt   :""•-»'"  'if'"''  oWi"  no»  '  "'  ""«"'  "rl  Th^ 

'        Gourl.e,  been  «»  ^l^.^^^^i    ^ho  commander's  w'"-^;?  'ecVcancy  of  the 

built  .«  .n.ple  ''l^' 7|J'„m  he  •'"'''"S  '!;''',""'i''i  c  "ft  ha  pa.«  »»J 
*""''"";«  2.v"  £  hSeJ  by  .»"■«  of  ««  "'^  "i'^id  ^vaa  lost 
H„„,.  «»»W  ^,X  „,.  It  «M  not  "'»  X  de"pe..le  .elS.lmcs.  of 
repass  *«' '" '"f  b/„„e  topulso,  "^  *''Tt.7'bandoncd  thoit  pos" 

They  deserted  their  duty.  i 


'"* 


U  AUOTIO, 

rclioc.^  in  upti"  ("very 
y fully  forlli  fri'i'i  iho 
niusl,  imd   bcyuis  her 

Death  bbI  »|)on  the 

tlio  wheel  in  nil  the 

ft,  nncJ  none  knew  it. 

hJH  errnml.     Ami  so, 

self,  nnd  joy  was  with 

Ik;  voyage,  there  was 

not  far  away.     And 

p.,  and  at  eveninj;,  one 

,cy  belichi  ilmt  distant 

0W8  of  Newfoundhind. 

wreaths  wrapped  them 

\\^^\^V  has  flanhrd  from 

i)af.8i;nRer8.     At  noon, 

.ul  fateil  instrument  of 

ant  atmosphere  of  nii«l, 

sliiuff  prow  and  roaring 

•e,  u"nron8ciouH,  and    at 

nring  ri(,'lit  toward  each 

,  emerging  from  the  gray 

oke  to  the  Arctie.      llie 

lull       Slie  ucither  reeled 

rs  deemed  that  they  had 

his  nama  be  ever  spoken 
,  boat  with  the  first  oiliccr 
Aadourlie  went  over  the 
d  to  the  brave  commander, 
ent  thc'^c  abide  in  the  ship 
,ith  them  the  iiope  of  the 
,ld  and  rising  up  vipon  the 
aw  that  stern,  bravo  mate, 
re  wont  to  mmd— had  he 

will we  may  believe  that 

lice  and  recreancy  of  tlie 
>parently,  each  subordinate 
0,  and  so  honor, 
iremen,  engineers,  waiters, 
oned  the  helpless  women, 
„i     Four  hours  there  were 
catastrophe  of  sinking.     In 
,,  well  directed,  might  have 
cssity,  filled  the  boats  with 
with  a  flotilla,  that  ere  many 
,e  many  craft  that  pass  and 
,6      All  command  was  lost, 
the  desperate  selfishness  of 
They  ahandoned  their  posts 
sd  their  commander.    Tliev 


DESTRUCTION  OF  THK  OCEAN  BTKAMKR  ARCTIC. 


339 


yielded  up  to  death  moro  than  two  hundred  helpienH  hoiiIs  committed  to 
their  trust.  And  yet,  even  for  tliose,  let  there  be  some  thought  of 
charity.  Li^t  u.4  not  forgot  the  wcaknosi  of  tho  Hesii ;  tiio  al)s(Mico  of  the 
first  mate,  wlinm  they  woro  wont  to  obey;  llio  terriblt!  force  of  panic, 
even  upon  bravo  men;  tho  sense  of  the  hopelcsMness  of  eHbrt  to  'iive 
so  many,  and  tho  instinctive  desiro  of  iiclf-prosorvation.  All  this  is  but  a 
little. 

But  so  much  extenuation  as  there  may  bo,  let  them  have  its  benefit 
who  certainly  need  every  cover  of  charity,  to  save  them  from  tho  indig- 
nation of  a  grieved  and  outraged  community.  Let  it  be  roiiiembered, 
also,  that  individuals  among  them  acted  most  nobly,  and,  because  tho 
multitude  wero  base,  lot  not  tho  exceptional  cases  be  forgotten.  Let 
that  single  otVicor,  who  did  cling  to  the  last  manfully  to  his  duty — tho 
thirti  mate,  Dorian — bo  remembered;  and  that  man  who  was  set  to  fire  the 
signal  gun  of  distress,  young  Holland,  who  stood  by  his  post  until  the 
ship  sunk,  and  was  in  tho  very  act  of  firing  as  tho  last  plunge  was 
ma<le  ;  and  that  engineer,  who  had  a  boy  under  his  care,  but  refused  to 
leave  in  the  first  boat,  where  a  place  was  offered  him,  be(-nuse  he  could 
not  find  his  ward,  and  would  not  go  without  him.  Let  us  charitably  hope 
that  many  irioro  such  individual  acts  occurred,  unnoticed  and  unreported, 
to  redeem  the  crew  and  engineers  from  such  disgrace  us  weigiis  heavily 
upon  them.  Many  a  poor  follow  lies  beneath  the  waves,  unable  to 
defend  himself,  who  may  have  lost  his  life  because  he  \ra»  faithful  to  the 
last;  and  his  heroism  may  bo  without  a  witness,  his  name  witiiout  a 
defender. 

llow  nobly,  in  the  midst  of  weakness  and  terror,  stood  that  worthy 
man.  Luce,  iu  this  terrible  scene — calm,  self-sacrificing,  and  firm  to  tho 
end.  Of  all  the  witnesses,  but  one  has  disparaged  his  exertions.  He 
says,  that  this  noble  commander  'seemed  like  a  man  whose  Judgment 
was  paralyzed.''  Yet  this  man  says,  that  when  he  was  rushing  despe- 
rately for  the  boat.  Captain  Luce  withstood  him,  and  tore  the  very 
raiment  from  his  back,  exclaiming:  ^Let  the  passengers  go  in  the  boat;'' 
and  with  disgraceful  naivettc  he  says:  ^  No  more  attention  was  paid  to 
the  captain  than  to  any  other  man  on  hoard.  Life  was  as  sweet  to  us  as 
to  others.'' — (Patrick  Tobiu.)  Without  doubt  such  a  man  would  think  his 
judgment  was  paralyzed  who  would  not  run;  whoso  life  was  not  so 
sweet  as  his  duty;  who  could  die,  but  could  not  abandon  a  trust  as  sacred 
as  was  ever  committed  to  human  hands.  Nor  do  I  remember,  in  all  my 
reading,  any  Roman  heroism  that  can  compare  with  one  incident  recorded 
by  one  witness.  When  Captain  Luce  was  urged  to  enter  one  of  the 
boats,  he  declined  utterly.  He  was  urged  to  lot  his  son  go  in — that  son 
whom,  afterward,  sinking,  he  carried  in  his  arms — that  son  that,  rising 
from  the  wave,  was  slain  irt  his  bosom  by  the  stroke  of  a  piece  of  the 
wreck.  But  should  a  man  give  precedence  to  anything  that  belonged  to 
him,  over  the  hundred  helpless  creatures  that  clung  to  him?  His  thrico 
heroic  reply  was:  'My  son  shall  share  his  father's  fate!' 

Now,  all  over  tho  deck,  was  there  displayed  every  frantic  form  of 
fear,  of  anguish,  of  bitter  imploration,  of  transfixed  despair.  Some, 
with  insane  industry,  strove  at  the  pumps;  others  rushed  headlong  over 
the  sides  of  the  ship;  the  raft  was  overburdened  ;  the  sea  was  covered 
with  men  struggling  for  a  little  time  against  their  fate.  But  let  us 
remember  that  there  were  other  scenes  than  these.  There  were  scores 
there  who  had  long  known  that,  by  death,  heaven  was  to  be  entered. 
There  were  those  who  had  rested  the  burden  of  their  sin  upon  Him 


./ 


340  DESTRUCTION  OP  THE  OCEAN  STEAMER  ARCTIC, 

.  *v,o  ain  of  the  world.  Not  in  vain  had  they 
who  came  to  take  away  *^«.  ^.j/^- J^e  ready  whenever  the  Son 
prayed  every  day,  for  y«"«^;^*>^j;,»;^yitVthere^  when  the  nrst 

of  Man  should  come.     1  here  were  mo  if  it  were  to  dream  m 

«hock  was  over,  sett  ed  ^^^^^/^^^^.^''..t  looked  upL  that  tremendous 
peaceful  sleep.     Maidens  ^ere  there,  who^.oo  v 

tour  as  the  bride  for  her  br.degrootn     Oh    >";'>  ^j.  ^,,^  ^^^,,,, 

that  mournful  sea,  wh.ch  m.s^s  •^^^^^^j^^^^'^iJ^;  ,here  that  could  say, 
might  not  be  seen  <>f  ^^^  ^^^'^.^a  r"i«  present  help  in  trouble!^ 
<God  is  our  refuge  «"f  »""f "f '*'  ^JraLs-  they  determined  to  die, 
There,  friends  exchanged  thei  last  e^^^^^^'  'Jf J,^  j  ether  their 
holding  in  their  arms  those  bes^belovedan^^^^^^^  ^^ 

lives  to  the  hands  of  ^"i^^^:  ^"Se  wUh  true  grandeur!  Oh,  noble 
triumph  over  all  fear,  and  crown  the  J.te  w.th  g^  ^^^^^       ^^^^^ 

trust!  tlut,inthe  shock  of  such  a  sudden  ae      ,  ^  ^^ 

waves,  and  behold  the  R«dee"^er,  and  re.   m  n™  ^^^^  ^j^^     ^^^^^^ 

ail  fear!    1"  such  an  hour,  every  one  wat^ey^  ^^^  Then  it  was 

the  timid  became  heroic,  ""J  ^^«  ^^^^^'^^^^^  ,etense,  that  could  give 
neither  weaUh,  nor  hcmors,  nor  sta  on  nor  p^^^  ^^^^  ,^^  ^^^ 

help,  f  ^"g^^^'/^^.SeJed  S  that  could  behold  the  Invis.ble-a 
of  worth,  except  a  cl«ar-eyed  p>«  y  Creator,  and  a  hope 

faith  that  could  rest  the  very  oulnt^  ^^   .^^  ,„„ 

that  could  behold  so  much  innba  ,  staterooms,  many  a  prayer 
uponthe  earth      I  will  not  doubt  tha,m^^^^^^        ^  .^  ^^^^  ^,^^^.^^^ 

was  uttered,  which  /"«"d.ng  angels  wa  ^^^^  ^^^^^^^  ^^  ^^^ 

there  were  men  and  worn  n  wl-  wa.te^^^  J^^^^      ^^^^  ^^^^^ 
waits  for  the  morning,     ^t  'en^tn  me  ^^  .^^  ^^^^^^^  ^^      ,, 

the  last  groan  of  the  ship  itself.  ^^^^  f^^m  his 

Oh,  what  a  burial  was  here!     Not  as  wh^^^^^^^  ^^  ^^^     ^^^^ 

home,  ainong  ^fP^'g^^S  the  turf  and  the  flowers.     No  priest  stood 
and  laid  peacefully  beneath  the  luri  a  ^^^^  ^^.^^^  ^^^^^ 

to  pronounce  a  burial  service.     It  wj\« J'"  °3|  ^he  grave,  nor  sexton 
shrouded  the  hurial-pb^ce.     No  spade  prepare^  ^^^ 

filled  up  the  hollowed  earth      ^^'j^^^^^^j  left  the  sea  as  if  it  had 
returning  waters,  smoothed  out  every  rippi*-, 

not  been." 


.,%r--' 


^v^.)j-;»^-- ^.riirp^^iP 


-1 


ARCTIC. 

in  vain  had  they 
whenever  the  Son 
lat,  when  the  first 
vere  to  droani  in 
in  that  tremendous 
dread  crisis,  upon 
gedy  oi'  the  waters 
re  that  could  say, 

help  in  trouble!'' 
determined  to  die, 
1  up  together  their 

in  such   an  hour 
mdeur!    Oh,  noble 
mount  up  above  the 
the  taking  away  of 
allible  tests.    Then, 
med.     Then  it  was 
se,  that  could  give 
eless.     Nothing  was 
old  the  Invisible— a 
Creator,  and  a  hope 
ngly  let  go  its  hold 
■ooms,  many  a  prayer 
aven;  in  that  cabin, 
ir  the  event,  as  one 
id.     That  great  ship, 
its  wounds,  gave  her 
ipany  were  whelmed; 
aring  from  the  black, 
[1  were  mingled  with 

le  13  borne  from  his 
i  to  the  green  fields 
era.  No  priest  stood 
ave.  The  mists  alone 
the  grave,  nor  sexton 
sunk,  and  the  quick 
efl  the  sea  as  if  it  had 


THE 


LOST   RUSSIAN   SAILORS, 


WHO  wax    ABANDONED   ON    THE    DESERT    ISLAND    OK    EAST    SPITZBERaEN:     TO  WHICH    IB 
ADDSD  THE  NARUATIVB  Oir  THE  MISFOBTDNES  Of  THE  CEBW  OF  THE 


RUSSIAN  SHIP  ST.  PETER. 


In  the  year  1743,  Jeremiah  Okladmkoff,  a  merchant  of  Mesen,  in  the 
province  of  Jugovia,  and  the  government  of  Archangel,  fitted  out  a  vessel 
carrying  fourteen  men.  She  was  destined  for  Spitzbergen,  to  be  employed 
in  the  whale  and  seal-fishery.  For  eight  successive  days  after  they  had 
sailed,  the  wind  was  fair;  but  on  the  ninth  it  changed,  so  that  instead  of 
getting  to  the  west  of  Spitzbergen,  the  usual  place  of  rendezvous  for  the 
Dutch  ships,  and  those  of  other  nations  annually  employed  in  the  whale- 
fisheries  they  were  driven  eastward  of  those  islands;  and,  after  some  days, 
they  found  tiiemselves  at  a  small  distance  from  one  of  them,  called  East 
Spitzbergen. 

Having  approached  this  island  within  about  three  wersts,  or  two  English 
miles,  their  vessel  was  suddenly  surrounded  by  ice,  and  they  found  them- 
selves in  an  extremely  dangerous  situation.  In  this  alarming  state  a 
consultation  was  held,  when  the  mate,  Alexis  Himkof,  declared,  he 
recollected  lie  had  heard  that  some  of  the  people  of  Mesen,  having  some 
time  before,  formed  a  resolution  of  wintering  on  this  island,  had  accord- 
ingly carried  from  that  town  timber  proper  for  building  a  hut,  and  had 
actually  erected  one  at  some  distance  from  the  shore. 

This  information  induced  the  whole  company  to  resolve  on  wintering 
there;  if,  as  they  hoped,  the  hut  still  existed:  for  they  clearly  perceived  the 
imminent  danger  in  which  they  were,  and  that  they  must  inevitably  perish 
if  they  continued  in  the  ship.  They,  therefore,  dispatched  four  of  the 
crew  in  search  of  the  hut,  or  any  other  succor  they  could  meet  with. 
These  were  Alexis  Himkof,  the  mate;  Iwan  Himkof, his  godson;  Stephen 
Scharapof,  and  Feeder  Weregin.  As  the  shore  on  which  they  were  to 
land  was  uninhabited,  it  was  necessary  that  they  should  make  some  pro- 
vision for  their  expedition.  They  had  almost  two  miles  to  travel  oyer 
loose  bridges  of  ice,  which  being  raised  by  the  waves,  and  driven  against 
each  oth'  by  the  wind,  rendered  the  way  equally  difficult  and  dangerous. 
Prudence,  therefore,  forbade  their  loading  theni-elves  too  much,  lest  being 
overburdened,  they  might  sink  between  the  pieces  of  ice  and  perish. 

Having  thus  maturely  considered  the  nature  of  their  undertaking,  they 
provided  themselves  with  a  musket,  a  powder-horn,  containing  twelve 
charges  of  powder,  with  as  many  balls ;  an  ax,  a  small  kettle,  a  bag  with 
about  twenty  pounds  of  flour,  a  knife,  a  tinder-box  and  tinder,  a  bladder 
filled  with  tobacco,  and  every  man  his  wooden  pipe.  Thus  equipped 
these  four  sailors  arrived  on  the  island,  little  suspecting  the  misfortune 
that  was  about  to  befal  them.  The  first  thing  they  did  was  to  explore 
the  counirv,  and  soon  discovered  the  hut  they  were  in  search  of,  about 
.  (341) 


JF 


842 


THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS. 


ill 

m 


rwetcte;  bid   w3  tS'two  doors,  one  to  ^^I^^^J^^; 
he  other  to  communicate  with  the  inner  ^^-^  ^/^  Z  £1  room  w  s 
.«  irni^n  ihp  larjrer  room  warm  when  once  heated,     in  tne  large  n^uin  •» 

very  cold  weather,  to  sleep  upon.  .  ,    ,  Uo^gyer. 

This  discovery  gave  our  adventurers  great  joy.     The  hut  had,  "owever, 

had  landed,  they  saw  nothing  but  an  open  sea,  free  from  ice,  wn.cn  mu 
ntht  had  been  the  cause  of  this  disastrous  event.    But  they  could  not 

°\to'tnl«'e«M  deprived  the  wretched  mariner,  of  .11  hop.  of 
r  J  j„=„o;.      Their  firqt  attention  was  emnloyed,  as  may  easny  l^ 

"''U  hasalready  been  observed  that  the  hut  discovered  by  the  sailors  had 
sus taLed  some  dar^aga.  There  were  cracks  in  many  places  between  the 
ErXo' r  buUdinl,  which  allowed  ^e^  admission  to  the  air.     This 

which  wooden  houses  must  always  be  liable.     ^^^P"'."  °'  *f'',,  JJ"  g^Q 

'Xtre;roVt^-r;ti£rieTo:.TS^ 
'Th'^'iSrSd ':hi:r:°.Ctiro;,  d™....  h.bit.bie  u.  „  few 

.peee,  oT.n1n,.l.,  render,  them  »■!"•' ^ t  iff.S  T ."n", of  ,°h 
sailors.     Without  fire  it  was  impossible  to  resist  the  severity  oi  u. 


-jKT.-.;-S(iSrin' 


T 


1 


in  length,  eighteen 
intechamber,  about 
ut  the  exterior  air, 
contributed  greatly 
the  large  r<jom  was 
that  is,  a  kind  of 
either  for  baking, 
lussian  peasants  in 

_  hut  had,  however, 
built  a  considerable 
morning  hastened 

ir  success,  and  also 
on,  ana  >ther  neces- 

tho  island.  Their 
le  place  where  they 
from  ice,  which  but 
easily  ue  conceived 
uring  the  preceding 
But  they  could  not 
le  vessel,  had  been 
),  and  shattered  her 
ea  by  the  current,  a 
Whatever  accident 
lO  tidings  were  ever 
he  sunk,  and  that  all 

riners  of  all  hope  of 
ed  to  the  hut  full  of 
lyed,  as  may  easily  be 
ice  and  repairing  their 
d  brought  with  them, 
1  animals  the  island 

red  by  the  sailors  had 
\y  places  between  the 
ion  to  the  air.  This 
they  had  an  ax,  and 
to  make  the  boards 
great  abundance  all 
ill  up  the  crevices,  to 
airs  of  this  kind  cost 
ssians,  for  all  Russian 
bouses,  and  being,  in 

habitable  to  so  few 
>r  the  production  of 

found  on  any  of  the 
ilarming  nature  to  our 
leverity  of  the  climate; 
I  or  supported?  Pro- 
icular  the  sea  supplies 
beach  they  collected 
5  waves.     It  consisted 


THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS. 


an 


at  first  of  the  wrecks  of  ships,  and  ailerward  of  whole  trees  with  their 
roots,  the  produce  of  some  more  hospitable,  but  to  them  unknown,  country. 
During  tlie  first  year  of  their  exile,  nothing  proved  of  more  essential 
service  to  these  unfortunate  men,  than  some  boards  tiiey  found  on  the 
beach,  having  u  long  iron  hook,  some  nails  about  five  or  six  inches  in 
length  and  proportionably  thick,  together  with  other  pieces  of  old  iron 
fixed  in  them,  the  melancholy  relics  of  some  vessels  cast  away  in  those 
remote  parts.  These  were  thrown  on  shore  by  the  waves,  at  a  time  when 
the  want  of  powder  gave  our  men  reason  to  apprehend  that  they  must 
fall  a  prey  to  hunger,  as  they  had  nearly  consumed  the  reindeer  they 
had  killed.  This  circumstance  was  succeeded  by  aiiother equally  fortunate; 
they  found  on  the  shore  the  root  of  a  fir-tree,  which  nearly  approached 
to  the  figure  of  a  bow. 

As  necessity  has  ever  been  the  mother  of  invention,  so,  with  the  help 
of  a  knife,  they  soon  converted  this  root  into  a  good  bow;  but  they  still 
wanted  a  string  and  arrows.  Not  knowing  how  to  procure  these  at  present, 
thjy  resolved  upon  making  a  couple  of  lances  to  defend  themselves 
against  the  white  bears,  tiie  attacks  of  which  animals,  by  far  the  most 
ferocious  of  tiieir  kind,  they  had  great  reason  to  dread.  Finding  they 
could  neitlie'  make  the  heads  of  their  lances,  nor  of  their  arrows,  without 
the  help  of  a  hammer,  they  contrived  !o  form  the  largo  iron  hook  men- 
tioned above  into  ono,  by  heating  it,  and  widening  a  whole  it  happened 
to  iiave  about  its  middle,  with  the  assistance  of  one  of  the  largest  nails. 
This  received  the  handlo,and  a  round  knob  at  one  end  of  the  hook  served 
for  the  face  of  the  hammer.  A  large  stone  supplied  the  place  of  the 
anvil,  and  tongs  were  formed  of  a  couple  of  reindeer's  horns.  With 
these  tools  they  mado  two  spear-heads,  and  ai\er  polishing  and  sharpening 
them  oa  stones,  they  tied  them  as  fast  as  possible  with  thongs  of  reindeer 
akin,  to  sticks  about  the  thickness  of  a  man's  arm,  which  they  got  from 
some  branches  of  trees  that  had  been  cast  on  shore.  Thus  equipped 
with  spears,  they  resolved  to  attack  a  white  bear;  and  aflcr  a  most  dan- 
gerous encounter,  they  killed  the  formidable  creature,  and  thus  obtained 
a  fresh  supply  of  provisions.  The  flesh  of  this  animal  they  relished  ex- 
ceedingly, and  they  thought  it  much  resembled  beef  in  flavor.  They 
perceived,  with  great  pleasure,  that  the  tendons  might,  with  little  or  no 
trouble,  be  divided  into  filaments  as  fine  as  they  pleased.  This  was, 
perhaps,  the  most  fortunate  discovery  these  men  could  have  made ;  for 
beside  other  advantages,  they  were  thus  furnished  with  Firings  for  their  bow. 

Tlie  success  our  unfortunate  islanders  had  experienced  in  making  the 
apears,  and  the  great  utility  of  the  latter,  encouraged  them  to  proceed, 
and  to  forge  some  pieces  of  iron  into  heads  of  arrows  of  the  same  shape, 
though  somewhat  smaller  than  those  of  the  spears.  Having  ground  and 
sharpened  these  like  the  former,  they  tied  them  with  the  sinews  of  the 
while  bears  to  pieces  of  fir,  to  which,  by  means  of  sinews,  also  of  the 
white  bear,  they  fastened  feathers  of  sea-fowl,  and  thus  became  possessed 
of  a  complete  bow  and  arrows.  Their  ingenuity  in  this  respect  waa 
crowned  with  success  far  beyond  their  expectation;  for,  during  the 
time  of  their  continuance  upon  the  island,  they  killed  with  these  arrows 
no  less  than  250  reindeer,  beside  a  great  number  of  blue  and  white  foxes. 
The  flesh  of  these  animals  served  them  also  for  food,  and  their  skins  for 
clotliing,  and  other  necessary  preservatives  against  the  intense  cold  of 
a  climate  so  near  the  pole. 

They,  however,  killed  only  ten  white  bears  in  all,  and  these  not  without 
the  utmo&t  danger;  for  these  animals  being  prodigiously  strong,  defended 


'-• T"^  .rtW/ 


111 


THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS. 

...  -„J   fiirv      The  first  they  attacked 

themselves  ^^^h  aBtonishmg  vigor  and  fa^y^T^e^  ^^^  ^^^^ 

designedly,  but  the  «th«r  nme  they  k^"^^^^^  ^^l^,,,  ^oom  of  their  hut  in 
of  these  creatures  even  ^«f  >^5«\^^;^f  J  j  not,  it  is  true,  show  an  equal 
order  to  devour  them.     AH  the  bears  oia        ,  ^^ 

degree  of  fury;  either  because  some  w^ele^s  p  ^^^  ^y.^^  ^^^^^^^ 
were  naturally  of  a  less  ferocious  «'«P^f 'Xht  on  the  first  attempt  of  the 
the  hut  immediately  betook  themselves  to  A.ght  on^^^^^^  formidable'attacks 

sailors  to  drive  them  ''^fy-  \ 'JP"';'  "ty,  as  they  were  in  almost  per- 
threw  the  men  into  great  terror  and  anxiety  as       y  ^^^  ^^.^^ 

Ces'  aS  ;  it^;£rt r/ete  I^  f^d  the^  wretched  mariners 
[S  TuriLg  their  continuance  in  thaUrearyabcKle.  .^  ^^^ 

In  their  excursions  through   he  island  they  n     ^^.^  ^^,  ^^^^^  ^^^^^ 
middle  of  it,  a  slrniy  loam  ^^  ^  ^ind  ot  clay.  ^^  .^  ^„. 

to  formautensil  to  serveforalar^p^^^^^^  To  have  been 

stantly  burning  with  thefatof  he  animals ^^^^^^^       ^^^^^^^^  ^^^ 

destitute  of  light,  in  a  ^^^^J^'^^^XncLsed  their  other  calamities, 
sevcralmouths  together  would  have  greatly. nc  ^^^^^  ^^.^^ 

Having,  therefore,  ^^^loned  a  kind  of  lamp  they  ^^  ^ 

doer's  fat,  and  stuck  in  it  somejinen  tw.s'ea  f_^^  ^^^^^^     .^ 

But  they  had  the  mortf  atio"  to  find  ^h^^^^^  .^  ^^  ^,i  ^.^^^^^ 

not  only  soaked  into   the  ^lay,  but  Ja.rlyjan  S  ^    ^^^^^^.      ^^j^ 

It  was,  therefore,  necessary  to  ^o"*"'?,  """J.^™.  but  from  the  substance 
inconvenience,  which  did  "/ P:.°<;«^^/;"1^^^^^^  made  another  one, 

of  which  the  lamp  was  made  being  too  porous,     l     y^^     ^^^  ^^^^ 
dried  it  thoroughly  in    he  ^.r,  then   heatea  ^    ^  ^^ 

quenched  it  in  their  Settle,  m  which  they  had  boil^^^^^^      ^^,J  ^^^^  ^„^^ 

flour  to  the  consistence  of  starch.     \j^^^";P  ^  •  ^  ^^at  it  did  not  leak, 
with  melted  fat,  they  novv  found  to  the.r  great  joy,  ^^^  ^.^j^ 

But,  for  greater  ^-urity  they  d  pped  l'^«"  ^^g^c^^^^/i^  ,his  attempt 

to  make  wicks  fo.  Iheir  lamp.    .Y'''°l,,a^d  the  deficiency.    By  these 

rn,  '°iK  »™ch  Tas'L.  V  their  .rn»l  on  the  ,sl.„d,  nn.,1 
Utat  of  iheit  embarkation  for  their  native  connlr^ 
"  The  necessity  of  conv«.t.ng  the  ™''«f™;;»',Sed.  exposed  theS, 
,   .uch  a.  Iherr  shirt,  and  <1""«'''|  :*e     The?" J  fonnd  themselves  in 

*LT.h'L'"h<:;raf/»: -h^^^^^^^^^ 

St:S5;'.;Ve\trnVSs:t%ail.  m  .he  trying  hen,  of 

distress.  r   i  •„»  /^f  ftivnq  and  reindeer,  that  had  hitherto 

They  had  abundance  of  «,'""«.;f  ["J^"^^^^^^^^ 
served  them  for  bedding,  and  which  they  now  thoug  ^  ^,^^      ^^^^ 

more  essential  service,  but  \bey  were  at  a  loss  how  ^^^^^^ 


SS^ISs*.  ■''■'' 


.■3j;j??5^':" 


1 


THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS. 


345 


rst  they  attacked 
defense;  for  some 
)in  of  their  hut  in 
le,  show  an  equal 
scd  by  hunger,  or 
sral  which  entered 
first  attempt  of  the 
formidable  attacks 
rere  in  almost  per- 
le  blue  and  white 
wretched  mariners 

ound,  nearly  in  the 
is  they  found  means 
)sed  to  keep  it  con- 
kill.     To  have  been 
arkness   reigns   for 
leir  other  calamities, 
d  it  with  some  rein- 
tie  shape  of  a  wick. 
13  the  fat  melted,  it 
]gh  it  on  all  sides, 
d  of  preventing  this 
It  from  the  substance 
ly  made  another  one, 
1-hot,  and  afterward 
1  down  a  quantity  of 
then  dried  and  filled 
that  it  did  not  leak, 
their  paste,  and  with 
ceded  in  this  attempt, 
1  accident,  that  at  all 
rhich  they  determined 
urposes. 

3d  to  be  cast  on  shore 
imong  the  wrecks  of 
m,  which  served  them 
33  began  to  fail,  their 
deficiency.  By  these 
mission,  from  the  day 
?al  on  the  island,  until 

parts  of  their  clothing, 
pecified,  exposed  them 
D  found  themselves  in 
s;  and  as  winter  was 
jourse  to  that  ingenuity 
3  in  the  trying  hour  of 

ideer,  that  had  hitherto 
[ht  of  employing  to  some 
low  to  tan  them.  After 
lowing  method:  They 
,  till  they  could  pull  off 


the  hair  pretty  easily ;  they  then  rubbed  the  wet  skin  with  their  hands 
till  it  was  nearly  dry,  when  they  spread  some  melted  remdeer  lat  over 
it,  and  again  rubbed  it  well.  By  this  process  the  leather  was  rendered 
soft,  pliant  and  supple,  and  proper  for  every  purpose  for  which  they 
wanted  to  employ  it.  Those  skins  that  were  designed  for  furs,  they 
soaked  only  one  day  to  prepare  them  for  being  wrought,  and  then  proceeded 
in  the  manner  before  mentioned,  excepting  only  that  they  did  not  remove 
the  hair.  Thus  they  soon  provided  themselves  with  the  necessary 
materials  for  all  the  parts  of  dress  they  wanted. 

They  made  a  curious  needle  out  of  a  piece  of  wire;  and  the  sinews 
of  the  bear  and  reindeer,  which  they  split  into  several  threads,  served 

them  to  sew  with.  •  •      i     . 

Excepting  the  uneasiness  which  generally  accompanies  an  involuntary 
solitude,  these  people  having  thus,  by  their  ingenuity,  so  far  overcome 
their  wants,  might  have  had  reason  to  be  contented  with  what  Providence 
had  done  for  them  in  their  distressful  situation.  But  that  melancholy 
reflection,  to  which  eacii  of  these  forlorn  persons  could  not  help  giving 
way,  that  perhaps  he  might  survive  his  companions,  and  then  perisli  lor 
want  of  subsistence,  or  become  a  prey  to  the  wild  beast,  incessant  y 
disturbed  their  minds.  The  mate,  Alexis  Himkof,  more  particular  y 
suff"ered:  having  left  a  wife  and  three  children  behind,  he  was  deeply 
afflicted  at  his  separaion  from  them.  He  declared,  after  his  return,  that 
they  were  constantly  in  his  mind,  and  that  the  thought  of  never  more 
seeing  them  rendered  him  very  unhappy.  _ 

When  our  four  mariners  had  passed  nearly  six  years  in  this  dreary 
place,  Fcodor  Weregin,  who  had  from  the  first  been  in  a  languid  condition, 
died,  after  suffering  excruciating  pains  during  the  latter  part  of  his  lite. 
Though  they  were  relieved  by  that  event  from  the  trouble  of  attending 
him,  and  the  pain  of  witnessing  without  being  able  to  alleviate  his  misery, 
yet  his  death  affected  them  not  a  little.  They  saw  their  numbers  dimi- 
nished, and  each  of  the  survivors  wished  to  be  the  next  to  follow  him. 

As  he  died  in  winter,  they  dug  a  grave  in  the  snow  as  deep  as  they 
could,  in  which  they  laid  the  corpse,  and  then  covered  it  to  the  best  ot 
their  power,  that  the  white  bears  might  not  get  at  it.  The  melancholy 
reflections  occasioned  by  the  death  of  their  comrade  were  still  tresli  in 
their  minds,  and  each  expected  to  pay  this  last  duty  to  his  remaining 
companions  in  misfortune,  or  to  receive  it  from  them,  when,  on  the  titteenth 
of  August,  1749,  a  Russian  ship  unexpectedly  appeared  in  sight. 

The  vessel  belonged  to  a  trader,  who  had  come  with  it  to  Archangel, 
intending  that  it  should  winter  in  Nova  Zembla,  but,  fortunately  for  our 
poor  exiles,  the  director  of  the  whale-fishery  proposed  to  the  merchant  to 
let  his  vessel  winter  at  West  Spitzbergen,  to  which,  after  many  objections, 
he  at  length  agreed.  .,, 

The  contrary  winds  they  met  with  on  their  passage  made  it  impossible 
for  them  to  reach  the  place  of  their  destination.  The  vessel  was  driven 
toward  East  Spitzbergen,  directly  opposite  to  the  residence  of  our  man 
ners,  who.  as  soon  as  they  perceived  her,  hastened  to  ligiit  fires  upon  tlie 
hills  nearest  their  habitation,  and  then  ran  to  the  beach,  waving  a  flag  made 
of  reindeer's  skin,  fastened  to  a  pole.  The  people  on  board,  perceiving 
these  signals,  concluded  that  there  were  men  upon  the  island,  who  im- 
plored their  assistance,  and  therefore  came  to  an  anchor  near  the  shore. 
It  would  be  in  vain  to  attempt  to  describe  the  joy  of  these  poor  people, 
at  seeing  the  moment  of  their  deliverance  so  near.  They  soon  agreed 
with  the  master  of  the  ship  to  work  for  him  during  the  voyage,  and  to 


g^g  THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS. 

nav  him  eighty  rubcls  on  their  arrival,  for  taking  them  on  board  with  all 

foxes  and  those  of  the  ten  white  bears  they  had  ki  led.     Ihey  tooK  care 

S?s;::tsSi=;;is:K«s^ 

kept  in  a  blrbox,  very  ingeniously  made  with  thc.r  kn.te  on.y;  and  m 

"'CV^rd?eSe;s^K:at  at  Archangel  on  the  twenty-eighth  of 
SeXhc'S,  having  spent  six  years  and  three  months  .n  the.r  dreary 
80litudc  The  r^omentof  their  landing  was  near  proving  fatal  to  Jje 
lov inn  and  beloved  wife  of  Alexis  Ilimkof,  who  bemg  present  when  the 
3  c^me  1X0^,  immediately  knew  her  f-band  and  ran  w.th  such 
eagerness  to  his  embraces,  that  she  slipped  into  the  water,  and  very 

"Ml::ril"a"?ivaT:e"re  strong  and  healthy,  but  having  lived  so 
long  without  bread,  they  could  not  reconcile  themselves  to  the  use  of  it, 
and  complained  that  it  filled  them  with  wind;  nor  could  they  bear  any 
spiritous  liquors,  and  therefore  drank  nothing  but  water. 


mm 


m 


LOSS  OP  THE  RUSSIAN  SHIP  ST.  PETER. 

On  the  coast  of  Beerings'  Island,  in  the  Sea  of  Kamtschatka,  and 
subsequent  distresses  of  the  Crew. 

Tnv  Russians  though  of  all  the  European  nations  the  most  interested 

eVnSnce     Uil  lieuten.n«  were  a  Gsrman,  nmcd  M.rlm  Spanborg 
'aKsSikof.  a  Ruaaian.    Be.ringa  .and  ^ia  ^^XetS 

te"S»"?of  w^n ir.""'''e  fear  of  being  blocked  up  by  the  ,co, 
B  Kinfs  uSi  ove'r  land  to  Irkutzk  in  Siberia    and   proceeded  to 


I'm 


THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS. 


347 


on  board  with  ull 
is  weight  of  rein- 
)f  blue  and  white 
They  tooit  care 
life  and  ax.  which 
lidi  thoy  carefully 
inife  only;  and  in 

!  twenty-eighth  of 
iths  in  their  dreary 
oving  fatal  to  the 
present  when  the 
and  ran  with  such 
le  water,  and  very 

but  having  lived  so 
res  to  the  use  of  it, 
luld  they  bear  any 
sr. 


ER. 
lamtachatka,  and 


the  most  interested 
sver,  roused  to  any 
is  of  the  English  to 
'he  Czar  Peter,  was 
id  himself  drew  up 

)Ut  who  had  served 
head  this  expedition. 
I  fortitude  and  great 
i  Martin  Spanbcrg, 
rs  spent  almost  five 
e  voyage  itself. 

coast,  and  wintered 
d  the  Island  of  St. 
(  east  coast  of  Asia. 
;ked  up  by  the  ice, 

eighteenth  of  Sep- 
ka.  They  quitted  a 
an  the  fifth  of  June, 
lence  that  they  could 
As  they  found  no 
lied  the  southermost 
k.  From  that  place 
1,  and  proceeded  to 
li,  1730. 

rse  of  his  navigation, 
ees,  he  had  observed 


sians  which  seemed  to  indicate  that  there  was  some  coast  or  land  toward 
the  oast.  This  declaration  was  confirmed  by  the  testimony  o  his 
lieutenants  Spanberg  and  Tschirikoff,  and  they  proposed  a  second  ex- 
pedition to  Kamtschatka,  to  explore  tho  regions  which  separated  tlie 
Asiatic  continem  from  the  north  of  America.  Tho  Russian  Oovermncnt, 
seiisiblo  of  the  importance  of  the  project,  acquiesced  in  the  proposal  ot 
Bceriu.'s,  wlio  was  appointed  to  conduct  the  new  enterprise,  wilii  the 
rank  ot"  commodore,  while  his  two  lieutenants  were  nominated  captains 

""cominodore  Beerings  went  on  board  the  St.  Peter,  and  Captain  Tschi- 
rikoif  took  tlie  command  of  the  St.  Paul.  Two  other  vessels  carried  he 
provisions,  and  another  had  on  board  two  academicians,  sent  out  by  the 
Russian  Academy  of  Sciences,  and  their  baggage.  A  tew  days  previous 
to  their  departure,  Beerings  called  a  council,  in  which  it  was  resolved, 
first  to  CO  in  quest  of  the  land  laid  down  in  the  chart  as  having  been  seen 
by  John  de  Gama.  On  the  fourth  of  June,  1741,  the  two  captains  se 
sail,  steering  tho  direction  which  had  been  agreed  upon  till  the  twelfth 
of  that  month,  when,  being  in  the  latitude  of  forty-six  degrees,  they  were 
convinced  that  Gama's  land  did  not  exist,  as  they  had  met  with  none 
during  that  run.  They  immediately  put  the  ships  about,  and  stood  to  the 
northward,  to  the  fitleenth  degree,  without  making  any  discovery  1  hey 
then  agreed  to  steer  eastward  for  the  American  continent,  but  on  the 
twentieth  the  ships  were  separated  by  a  violent  storm,  succeeded  by  a 

*^  Nothing  of  consequence  occurred  till  the  eighteenth  of  July,  when 
Beerings,  still  hoping  to  meet  with  tho  St.  Paul,  and  continuing  to  steer 
to  the  northward,  perceived  the  continent  of  America  Having  cast 
anchor,  the  commodore  sent  Chitroff,  the  master,  with  a  few  armed  men, 
to  survey  the  coast,  while  another  shallop  was  dispatched  in  ques  ot 
water.  Steller  went  on  board  the  latter,  and  in  an  island  on  which  they 
landed  he  found  several  empty  huts,  whence  it  «"?  conjectured  tJiat  tho 
natives  of  the  continent  visited  it  for  the  purpose  of  fishing.  These  huts 
were  of  wood,  wainscoted  with  planks  well  joined  together.  They  here 
found  a  box  of  poplar  wood,  a  hollow  ball  of  earth  containing  a  small 
pebble,  as  if  to  sefve  for  a  child's  plaything,  and  a  whetstone  on  whch 
were  visible  the  marks  of  copper  knives  that  had  recently  been  whetted 

""steller  made  several  observations  in  the  huts.  He  found,  arnong  other 
thiugs,  a  cellar  containing  smoked  salmon  and  a  sweet  herb,  ^^ady  dressed 
for  easing,  in  the  same  manner  as  vegetables  are  prepared  m  K^Jf  ^^^J- 
There  wl^e  likewise  cords,  grindstones,  and  utensils  of  various  k'n^J.  Hav- 
ing approached  a  place  where  the  savages  had  been  d-n-ng'/l^^y  f  •^"f 
himselves  to  flight  as  soon  as  they  perceived  him.  He  there  found  a  dart 
aid  an  instrument  for  producing  fire,  of  the  same  form  as  those  made  use 
of  in  Kamtschatka.  It  consists  of  a  board  perforated  m  several  places; 
the  end  of  a  stick  being  put  into  one  of  these  holes,  the  other  extremy 
ia  turned  backward  and  forward  between  the  palms  of  the  hands  till,  with 
the  rapidity  of  the  motion,  the  board  takes  fire,  on  which  the  sparks  are 
received  upon  some  matter  that  is  easily  inflamed. 

The  watering  party  related  that  they  had  passed  two  places  where  fires 
appeared  to  have  been  recently  made,  that  they  had  observed  wood  which 
had  been  cut,  and  the  track  of  human  feet  in  the  grass.  They  had  I  ke- 
wise  seen  five  red  foxes,  which  showed  no  shyness  or  timidity  on  mee  ng 
Uiem.     They  carried  nothing  with  them  from  the  huts  but  a  few  smoked 


>' 


-ssasES: 


&  m 


THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS, 
fish  resembling  carp,  -d-hich  proved  very  good  ea^^^^^         convince 

the  natives  that  they  had  °°t»>'"g  •^J'"  .^hSrc  a  few  prose.Us  for 
h.n.l.-d  on  their  coast,  the  com'nodo^«  eS    two  i  on  POts,  two  knives, 

Sy:rX««^e^:5::alrp:;n^  w.^ch  he  pre.un.d 

would  prove  extremely  acceptable  to  the  savages. 

The  Russians  now  stood  out  f  ««";  "^"f  JuTv  discovered  an  island, 

without  seeing  land,  they,  ""^.'^^  »*;;;»  £r    hey  Lvet^^^^^^^      of  Foggy 
to  which,  from  ^he  thickness  of  the  weather  t^^^^^^^  ^^  ^^^^  ^^_ 

Island.    'rh« -^ole  nf  Aegarf  to  TaEei  with  scSrvy,  and  the 
in  the  meantime  the  crew  ocgun  »«  p      j^  ^^^^^ 

commodore  hi-self  was  in  a  worse  s.tu^  ^,  ^..^    ,, 

beainning  to  run  short,  ^^e  .^"«^''*"'',?"  continent.     The  coast  in  this 
stood  to  the  north,  and  «oon  Jscovered  the  cont ment^  ^^  .^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^ 

part  is  extremely  steep,  and  ''»«°7'*J)"J;thirtieth  the  pilot,  Andrew 
UichtheSt.Petercametoananchoi      Onth^^  .^^^J^  .^^  ^,,^^^  ^^ 

Hasselherg,  was  sent  to  one  of  ^'^f.^^'^'Jinjens,  taken  out  of  different 

fresh  water.     He  soon  returned  with  t^« JP^^™'^';^,  „«  time  to  be  lost, 
lakes,whichweremoreor  esssaU.     Bu,a8th^re^  ^^^^^  ^^ 

it  was  judged  prudent  to  takyn  a  quant  yof^^^^^  ^„,  „,„  ,, 

which  at  length  Proved  fatal  to  a  great  part  of  he  crew  ^^^  ^^  ^^^ 

In  the  morning  the  R^^^'^J^  h«j/^  "'goon  afterward,  two  savages, 
islands,  and  likewise  saw  a  fir^  ^here  »««^  ^  approached  the 
each  in  a  canoe  resembling  ^^o^^ //^^Yr^or/s  a^a  geslures  they  invited 

purpose  the  great  shallop  was  h«'«*f  **  Jl\i'j;!,cd  went  into  the  boat, 
LcLpanied  by  Steller  and  nine  -;"/;"  ^™f„\L'number  of  nine, 
and  proceeded  toward  the  island.     The  savages,  ^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^^^^^ 

appeared  on  the  shore,  and  were  >°77\!„  fv,„  °  i„ng  that  were  made,  nor 

rocks,  as  they  had  been  ordered.  savases  but  being  unable  to 

These  men  were  kindly  received  by  the  savages,  but  p  ^^,^^ 

understand  each  other,  they  were  obged  to  con^^^^^^^^ 
latter,  with  a  view  to  regale  t*^«  .Jj^f'^^J'fad  wUh  them.     It  appeared 
flesh,  which  was  the  only  P^°^'«'«f  .\^',Je  "tiipo  e  of  catching  whales, 
that  their  residence  here  was  only  for  the  purpos  b         ^^^ 

for  on  the  shore  was  observed  as  "»"/ ^oats  as  men  b     ^ 
a  woman  among  them;  «« t*^«*' P;''^!?' ^.^^frows  noi^my  other  arms  that 


■,i:^:a«i 


THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS. 


849 


ig.  To  convince 
irangers  wlio  had 
few  prcsoiits  for 
pots,  two  knives, 
dich  he  pretiumed 

)ecn  several  days 
overed  an  island, 
he  name  of  Foggy 
nding  off  and  on; 
h  scurvy,  and  the 
her.     Fresh  water 
|r-ninth  of  August, 
The  coast  in  this 
of  islands,  among 
1  the  pilot,  Andrew 
slands  in  quest  of 
ken  out  of  different 
i  no  time  to  bo  lost, 
ter  rather  than  be 
Ling,  and  thus  the 
ey  could  procure  a 
i  with  it.     To  the 
acks  of  ihc  scurvy, 
w. 

men  on  one  of  the 
ward,  two  savages, 
;rs,  approached  the 
restiires  they  invited 
presents  which  they 
,  to  entice  them  into 
they  returned  to  the 

)  land,  and  for  this 
Lieutenant  Waxel, 
went  into  the  boat, 
the  number  of  nine, 
come  to  the  shallop, 
that  were  made,  nor 
ntinued  to  invite  the 
,  among  whom  was  a 
shallop  to  one  of  the 

,  but  being  unable  to 
rerse  by  signs.     The 
id  them  with  whale's 
1  them.     It  appeared 
e  of  catching  whales, 
n,  but  no  hut,  and  not 
>  permanent  habitation 
jr  any  other  arms  that 
1  one  of  them  had  the 
to  be  the  oldest  person, 
with  a  glass  of  brandy, 


but  that  liauor  appeared  c^u^'y  ^^^^--J'::;!:^^:?;;^^  ^ 
.pitting  it  out  o    >-•■;-.,         -«  "  to  crj  _out,  ^      ^^  ^J^,^^^^^  .  ^^^^^^_ 

counlrymon  that  the  Kussians  vvcrt         g  ^^^^^  ^^^^ 

Bible  to  appease  hun;  "P'^'^  f'J^^^iiil!  •  .mediate  y  returned  to  the 

'f'i  "  d"w:xel  didtt  idg         rudent  to  detain  hinJauy  longer.     At 
island,  and  Waxel  diU  not  juug       \  ^  ^^^^^^       ^  ^„  ^,,0^^., 

the  same  tunc  he  cal  e^J  off  the  t  >Jtc  n^cn  w.  ^^^^^  J^      ^^  ^^^^^^^ 

The  savages  at  first  showed  ^'1'8P"''"';"  '"    j^  j  ^     ^  the  interpreter. 

they  suffered  two  of  •^^  ^^^.^^'^l  \y  wl  ch  t  sLlop  was  m'oored, 

Some  of  them  ^^^f'^f^'^'.'tl'  managed  as  one  of  their  canoes,  or 
thinkinu  ,H.  doubt  she  was  as  easily  "'^"»g  ,p  ^  ^i.^i,  jesign, 

hoping  to  .lash  I'^VrJ^Thrfrrprcter  meanwhile  entreated  not  to  bo 
Waxel  cut  the  cable.  1  he  '"«;;P'^^\^;  "  ,  ;  ^^at  wore  made  them 
left  behind.     The  «'^7g^«,d'«J«";„^''Se^^^^  with  a  view  to 

to  let  him  g«' ^;^^VSe  sTces    an^r^^^  ^he  report, 

fr  ghten  tlicm  only.  1  ho  success  -i'!"^  .^  ,  ,  ^  ^  gy^h  a  degree 
re-echoed  by  a  neighboring  n'°"»'«^^' J^"  J^,^„'  \e,  im.nediately  n.ade 
that  they  fell  down  on  the  ^^^^^S^c,  and,  /y  their 

his  escape.  The  «^^''8^^/°°^„  ,,^  i,,:.»ted.  Waxel  did  not  think  proper 
cries  and  gestures,  appeared  high  yirrtattcK  coming  on,  the  sea  grew 
to  remain  there  any  longer,  as  »'«  "g  ^^J  7™'"«^  ;„j  ^  h,if.« 
very  rough,  and  the  vessel  ^^  ^^^^^fj  ^^^^^he  Luth,  in  order  to  get 
Leaving  the  island,  the  "l^^'^'^^^f^w.tlie  autumn,  the  wind  scarcely 
off  the  coast,   .^^^m  ih.sium  X^\  (^r ^ni\^^^^^  This  was  a  great 

varied,  excepting  between  W-  S- JV.  ana  ^^^^^^^^^  ^^^ 

obstacle  to  the  sp-dy  ve  -n  oHhe  s    p.     Besid^^  ^^,   ^^ 
a  most  always  foggy,  so  tliai  iney  wt-     ^„,,„„f,uentlv,  without  being  able 
without  seeing  either  sun  or  «f «' J^^^'^JJ^S"    if 'i^  easy  to  conceive 
to  take  the  altitude  or  correct  f  ^^'^J''^^"^  °J„,ed,  wandering  in  such 
the  inquietude  which  they  must  h-e^  expeoenced   w^^  ^^  ^^^^  ^ 

uncertainty  in  an  ""known  sea^       Lore  disagreeable  than  that  of  navi- 

|;fe;;S^  i^S^-oS  ^^^'L.  anxiety  in  regions 
''^Z:^f  ^th  -;ary  w^nds  ^nd  .m^^^^ 

the  coast,  they  reaolved  ^«  ^^ffP  »^>^^V„^'P^2  d.ove  th^  very  far  to  the 

the  west,  «"«-^^tlVs"  oS  inu  d  Leven^^^^^^  iJermission 

gouth-west.   /?'8  tempest  coniinue/  acknowledged 

and  was  so  furious,  that  Andrew  Hasselberg  in     P^^^     ^^^ 
that,  during  the  forty  years  >° J^ich  he  hjd  served  ^t       ,  ^^^^^H^^^ 

of  the  world,  he  had  never  seen  ^^ythrng  equal  ^  ^^  ^y     ^^^^  ^^^_ 

:^ii:uXn^urectu^^^^^^^^^^ 

J  the  scurvy  extended  jt-^-J^L^^ghT    e  le^ft  fn  L\uh^"o 
^^sed  without  a  death  and  scarce^^^^^^^^^^^  ^^      ^^^^  ^^^^^^ 

navigate  the  vessel.    In  ^^  s  melancno  y  s  j      .^  ^^.^^ 


ggQ  THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS. 

and  they  had  no  hope  ^f/^'st  nten"o  ffiand  incessant  ra'n.  continued 
The  crow,  exposed  to  the  most  ™«"  ^^      ^^  g^eh  ravages  that 

to  lower  those  which  might  be  loo  m"«  •  ^  ■  ^^A  there 

""Vt'inci.  ,.in,  which  h.d  '""-/J^i-^^^rrdtge,?.'™ 
.„d  .now.  Th.  nightt  grew  l»"e"  ™""'^'„';„™„  E'.cSn  to  .p- 
con.eq«ei.tly  l.c.e..e<l,  !>"""»  '''"I'/S  ™  o  1"  their  f.™h  ««»- 
prohend  that  the  .h,p  r"!lf  ^„„4.e  w  „  became  i„.,.ppo-t.bl.  to 
ZrraXTt!,tj:Se?in"-he.,h.n>,wh^^^^^^ 

from  iheir  misery.  ,„„„;nf.i1  without  a  steersman,  and  as 

During  several  days  the  vessel    7J'"/™X^         she  received  it 

if  motionless  on  the  water;  or  il  she  ^^^  ^"y  ^j^fj^  ,he  was  consigned. 

only  from  the  inipulse  of  the  winds  and  waves  to  ^v^^^^^^^^^^^  J.^^^^ 

lt.'ould  have  1^-n.nvain  to      so^t  o^^^^^^^^^  ^  ^^^^ 

drven  to  despaii.     In  tins  '"'"'^'""J         pvhnrtincthemnot  to  donpair 

deck  and  work  the  ship  as  k>ng  as  ^h^y  J^^^^";'°,;,,,„,  on  the  fourth  ol 
Such  was  the  dismal  situation  of  the  crp,W  ^^^ 

November,  they  again  began  to  sad  ^^  ^c^fro  rKliatka.     They 
what  latitude  they  were,  or  at  ^^at  cl'«Unce  trom  ^^  ^^^^^ 

fcir'whtt^rthf  Io%f  trSlitihen,  .^Jt  eigh.  i„ 

the  morning,  they  J'8'^«y,«'"f ''^^"JL  .u„  geamen  mustered  up  the  little 

^'  '^V°  rTl;r  itv  eXavored  toTpproach  it,  but  it  was  still 

strength  they  had  left.     Ihey  f^^^J"'      •     [jf^  gnow-covered  summits 

at  a  great  distance,  for  they  could  ^^'X^^'^JlXylefir  it,  night  arrived. 

i;L;!i'Lerr'r:rrw°rf7'Sir -».  N^ithing  ,„.,. 

:    ne"e».'y  to  render  Ihei,  -"''ffrrneTSer  to  the  eonimodore, 
Waxel  having  made  hVV''luwffi«,.  ™d  o  «M«lt  with  them  wh.^ 

t'fo"^,';o:sse\rKi''sri»  *" '-  -*«»  *- 


jwlowskn,  appeared 
icil  held  on  board, 

^t  of  Kamtpchatka, 

advanced  Bcapon. 

^ant  ra'n,  continued 

such  ravageH  that 

J)ortcd  in  his  station 

fnt  strength  to  keep 

lor  to  steer,  another, 

le.     They  durst  not 

Jhero  was  no  person 

themselves  were  so 

o  pieces,  and  there 

lich  they  had  taken 

8  succeeded  by  hail 
1  their  dangers  were 
had  reason  to  ap- 
mc  their  fresh  water 
ime  insupportable  to 
n  summoned  to  their 
ler  exertions.  They 
able,  to  deliver  them 

a  steersman,  and  as 
ment  she  received  it 
eh  she  was  consigned, 
(leasures  with  a  crew 
pted  a  more  prudent 
ig  them  not  to  despair 
ir  to  make  a  last  eifort 
Tiuch  nearer  than  they 
ded  them  to  keep  on 

len,  on  the  fourth  ot 
out  knowing  cither  in 
Kamtschatka.  They 
;y  could  hope  to  reach 
when,  about  eight  in 

mustered  up  the  little 
ach  it,  but  it  was  still 
now-covered  summits 
near  it,  night  arrived. 
iT  not  to  risk  the  loss 
of  the  rigging  on  the 
ieces.    Nothing  more 

er  to  the  commodore, 
onsult  with  them  what" 
Id.     They  considered 
azy  ship  which  it  was 
t  the   cordage  which 


THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS. 


851 


ratr.r.sii/ri'/jWJa 


remained  whole  was  as  much  worn  as  tiiat  which  had  broken,  as  the  ri^'iring 
was  huurd  snapping  overy  inouion:,  and  even  during  tiie  time  ot  tiieir 
deliberation.  Tiie  water  diminished  every  day,  and  the  sickness  grow 
wors(! ;  they  had  before  suH'orcd  from  the  rain,  but  they  now  felt  rnucli 
greater  inconvenience  from  tho  cold,  which,  instead  of  becoming  more 
moderate,  grew  every  day  more  intense.  Tiiey  determined,  in  conseqnenco 
of  all  these  considerations,  to  diseiribark  on  the  land  which  they  '.ad  (Ji» 
covered,  as  tiieir  lives  would  at  least  bo  safer  there,  and  probably  tiiey 
might  find  some  method  of  getting  the  ship  into  a  place  of  safety. 

Tlic  Russians,  conformably  to  the  decision  of  the  council,  steered  for 
the  land,  but  only  under  the  small  sails,  on  account  of  the  weak  condition 
of  their  innsts.  At  five  at  night  they  came  into  twelve  fathoms  of  water, 
where  they  cast  anchor,  and  veered  away  three-fourths  of  the  cable.  At 
six  the  cubic  gave  way,  and  the  waves,  which  were  of  prodigious  size, 
drove  the  ship  against  a  rock,  on  which  siio  twice  struck,  and  yi^t  the 
lead  indicated  five  fathoms  of  water.  At  the  same  time  the  sea  broke 
with  such  fury  against  the  sides  of  the  vessel  that  she  shook  to  her  very 
keel.  A  stjcond  anchor  was  thrown  out,  but  the  cable  broke  even  bcl'oro 
the  anchor  appeared  to  have  taken  hold.  Fortunately  the  remuiningono 
was  not  in  readiness,  otherwise,  in  this  extremity,  that  also  would  have 
been  thrown  overboard,  and  thus  they  would  have  lost  all  their  anchors. 
At  tho  moment  when  they  were  busily  employed  in  getting  ready  the 
third  anchor,  a  prodigious  sea  took  the  shii)  and  drove  her  clear  olf  the 
rock.  Th'  Russians  suddenly  found  them.selvcs  in  calm  water,  and 
anchored  in  four  fathoms  and  a  half,  and  about  three  hundred  fathoms 
from  the  shore. 

On  the  8i.\th  of  November,  at  one  o'clock.  Lieutenants  Waxel  and  Steller 
went  on  shore,  and  found  the  land  sterile,  and  covered  with  snow.  A 
stream  which  issued  from  the  mountains  and  fell  into  the  sea  not  far 
from  the  spot,  was  not  yet  frozen;  its  water  was  limpid  and  very  good. 
No  trees  were  to  be  seen, nor  even  any  brushwood  for  fuel;  the  sea  had, 
however,  thrown  .some  ujmn  tho  beach,  but  being  concealed  beneath  the 
snow,  it  could  not  easily  bo  found.  This  account  was  not  calculated  to 
produce  the  most  favorable  impressions.  Where  were  they  to  procure 
the  materials  necessary  for  constructing  habitations?  where  could  tho 
sick  be  placed  in  comfort?  and  how  could  they  be  preserved  from  the  cold? 
Man,  however,  should  never  abandon  himself  to  despair;  for  the  nioro 
forlorn  his  situation,  the  more  ingenious  is  ho  rendered  by  necessity. 
Between  the  sand-hills,  bordering  the  stream  al)ove  mentioned,  were  holes 
of  considerable  depth;  these  it  was  pro))oscd  to  clean  out  at  the  bottom, 
to  cover  them  with  sails,  and  thus  take  shelter  in  them  till  they  could 
collect  a  suflicicnt  quantity  of  drift-wood  to  erect  huts.  In  the  evening 
Waxel  and  Steller  returned  to  tho  ship  to  make  their  report  to  the 
commodore. 

Immediately  upon  their  return  a  council  was  called,  and  it  was  resolved 
to  send  on  shore,  tho  next  day,  all  those  of  the  crew  who  were  siill  in 
health,  to  prepare  some  of  the  holes  for  the  reception  of  the  sick.  This 
being  done,  on  the  eighth  of  November  the  weakest  were  carried  on 
shore.  Some  expired  as  soon  as  they  were  exposed  to  the  air,  even 
before  they  reached  the  deck,  others  upon  deck,  or  in  the  boat,  and 
several  after  they  had  reached  the  land.  The  country  swarmed  witn  a 
species  of  foxes,  called  in  the  Russian  language  Pestzi.  Steller  has 
given  a  very  interesting  account  of  these  animals,  which  the  reader  will 
find  introduced  at  tho  conclusion  of  this  article,  in  order  to  prevent  the 


^ 


m 


3;VJ 


THE  LOST  UUSSIAX  SAIT-ORS. 


interruption  of  thn  narrntivr.     On  th.  ninth  of  ^^^^'^^^'^ l^'^^fZl' 
v.ll  r,  v.-r.-.l  ..t-ninHt  tl.c  .•xtorni.l  air,  was  .arncl  ..n  sl.o  <■  l.y  h.-.r  i...  n, 
,      ki  n.i  of  iimr  form.  .1  of  two  ,.ol..s  ,roH..Mi  wit ,  .-ord..     A  ..,"^^"10 
,    h        ,o..n  ,.r.,.ar.Hl  for  Lis  ro.-,.,,.ion      Tlw  l,us,n.-sH  ot   ..■mov.nj 
sick  rontinn.a  ovory  .lay,  and  not  a  ,lay  ,.a.s...l  w.lhout  «'    ;  "  " 
hnn  .lylMK.     Nono  of  Hu.so  wi.o  hml   k.'i't  H.'^m  L'-ls  on  boa.. I  the    h.p 
!<     .r.l:  thoywcr..  prim-ipally  tlu.so  «l.o,  out  ol  nulil -r.MK.^  to  i.fo, 
or      th U  H..iilanin.ity,  ha.l  HulV.^ro.l  tho  .llH.-a..^  to  «•>>  tl..;  u,.,..>r  han  I 
T    .  s  Lcurvy  b.-Klns  will.  .'Mr.Mno  la.situ.l.s  w  ...-I.  «...,;«  tl..  who  o 
l,o.  y   nndnrn  ti.o  ,nan  in.lol.nt,  .liH^...tH  hi...  w.tl.  ovrythinK.  .•nl.r..-ly 
t^:^  his  HpiritH,  an,l  «ra.U.ally  n.r...s  a  kin.l ..   asth.na,  w  'U^l.  n-.m.  |^ 
its  If  on  tho   sliKhtcst  movc.n.u.t.     It  ..sually  hapiuns  «.'"'' '''»"«;" 
nlVrH  lvi..«  .lown  to  wnlkinff,  a...l  in  this  ..ase  lu,  .s  .nev.lal.ly  1.  st.     All 
to   ncnE  aro  soon  artlictcfd  with  a...to  ,.ains,  tho    .•««  «wel  Itho  com. 
'xbn   .."•..«.■«  yellow,  tho  l.o.ly  is  covc-r.-l  with  l.v..  »!...«,. he  mou  h 
I  .1  ;..  ns  1.1...1,  ..n.l  to.,.th  «.ow  I.h.«o.     'n.o  ,at.cnt  tl.on  toe  s  n..  .  c  .- 
nation  to  stir,  a..<l  it  is  in.liir.3rent  to  him  whether  he  l.ves  or .!,.«.      i  hcHe 
i  yrr.t  8taL.'H  of  the  (li«cnse  an.l  th.-ir  etreCs  were  o  .serve,  o..  board, 
wir  kewise  r...narkc,l  that  so.no  of  tho  sick  were  se.zecl  w.th  a  pan.c, 
anS     0  0  su  r,l..l  at  the  least  ,...ise,  and  at  ev.=ry  call  that  was  ^-rvc-n  .n 
tl"3  ship.     Others  ate  with  a  very  hearty  appet.te,  an.    .l.d  not  .mag.no 
the..."  Ivos  in  danger.     Tho  latt.ir  no  sooner  heard  the  o.der  g.ven  lo 
thcren.7val    f  thc^ick,than  they  <l"iUed  their  ha.n.n.Kks  and  dressed 
,c...se  les   not  donhting  b..t  that  they  should  spced.ly  r.-cover.     But 
cSng  u.    from  b.low,  saturated  with  humidity,  and  out  of  a  corrup  cd 
aZsphere,  tho  fresh  air  which  they  inhaled  on  deck  so.m.  put  a  per.od 

^'^  Thos.!'only  recovered  who  were  not  so  far  overcome  by  the  disease  as 
,0  b  blSd  continually  to  keep  their  beds,  who  re.na..,ed  as  lo..g  as 
possible  or'  their  legs,  and  in  ...otion.  It  was  ow.ng  °  ^'-[J'-^^V^^J 
ihcir  nat.iral  gayety  that  they  were  not  dqected  l.ke  the  others.  A  man 
Sis  dis^osi^iJn  sLved  .Utf.e  same  ti...o  for  an  -an.pb  and  encouraged 
bv  his  conversation  those  who  were  in  the  same  condiUon.  I  he  goou 
%^.  ^f  exet'dse  were  par.ic.larly  apparent  in  the  officers  who  w^-' 
constantly  employed  in  giving  orders,  and  "''^S^;*^^"  'l^,  ^r'Ve.e 
greatest  part  of  the  tin.e,  lo  kcp  an  eye  on  what  passed      1    '-y  ^e  « 

f  ways  i..'  action,  and  could  not  lose  their  p''"l«'/,'>^^^';,7 ';!t,od  chcer- 
thcm  Steller  was  a  physician  of  the  soul  as  well  as  of  the  body ,  cheer 
furess  was  his  constant  companion,  and  he  comrnunicated  .t  to  all  around 
S  Among  the  officers,  the  commo.loro  was  the  only  person  who  sunk 
ben;.thtT  disease ;  his  age  and  his  constit..tion  rendered  h.m  more 
S  spoi  fo  resrthan'to  activity.  He  at  length  became  so  susp.c.ous,  and 
was  so  impressed  with  the  idea  that  everyone  was  "^  ''nemy,  that  a  last 
even  StoZr,  whom  he  had  before  regarded  as  h.s  best  fnend,  durst  not 

''''?f  ^le'rand  SiUoTiemained  in  tolerable  health  as  long  as  they  were 
at  ZT    They  remained  in  the  ship  till  the  last,  resolv.ng  that  all  the 

c  eTshould  le  put  on  shore  before  they  -P^-^^/j^'^^,  .•^XaUo^i 
Thr^v  likewise  had  better  accommodat.ons  on  board.  Ih.s  situauon, 
S^eVr  had  nearly  proved  fatal  to  them,  either  because  they  no  longer 
had  so  much  exercise,  or  were  exposed  to  the  nox.ous  vapors  wh.ch 
J  J  r  »i,«  hr.]A  In  n  few  davs  they  were  taken  so  ill  that  they 
rrX"  be  cli.d  L'mTh'Vhip  J.he  .ho,„  «>d  .iU.  P«.p.r 
prJcutioM  on  their  ren». J  into  the  .ir,  they  both  recovered. 


THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS. 


353 


till!  cnmiiioilorc, 
orr  liy  lour  iiii'ii, 
lis.  .\  !<c|mrate 
rsH  of"  i(tiii)viiij( 

lltlldllt    HIMITIll  of 

III  lioiiril  tlie  Mliip 

iiriTCMci!  to  life, 

llir  ii|i|)i!r  hand. 

Hi'izcH  till!  whole 

crylhiiiK,  iiiliri.'ly 

|,  which  iiiiiiiilV'tits 

tiiiit  till!  patient 

iviliiiily  lost.     All 

Hn  swell,  Iho  coin- 

H|)otH,  the  mouth 

en  leels  no  incli- 

s  or  tii«!H.     Thc80 

i.sirvcd  on  bonrd. 

i/i'(l  with  a  punic, 

tiiiit  wns  ^'iven  io 

(lid  not  imagino 

le  Older  given  for 

ocks  find  dressed 

lily  recover.     But 

out  of  a  corrupted 

soon  put  a  period 

by  the  disease  as 
inaincd  as  long  as 

>  their  vivacity  nod 
10  others.  A  man 
le,  and  encouraged 
Jilion.  The  good 
officers,  who  were 

>  be  on  deck  the 
ssed.  Tiiey  were 
L>y  had  Steiler  with 
f  the  body;  cheer- 
ited  it  to  all  around 
f  person  who  sunk 
ndered  him  more 
so  suspicious,  and 
enemy,  that  at  last 

It  friend,  durst  not 

long  as  they  were 
)lving  that  all  the 
iiither  themselves. 
I.  This  situation, 
ise  they  no  longer 
ious  vapors  which 
ken  so  ill  that  they 
e,  and  with  proper 
M>vered. 


Deeriiigi  (lied  the  cightli  of  Dcccmlicr,  1741,  ami  tiie  iNlanil  wax  callud 


itV-r 


11.4  n:iiii>' 


ft  inuy  aliiiiist  bo  Hiiid  tliiil  lii.>  wn^  biiiicil  allw.      llavi 


"« 


Ir.'eti  carricil  nti  Mliorc  with  the  grentent  precaution,  lie  was  jilai nl  in  thf 
l.irgesf  and  Ica-'t  incoinmodioii.s  hole,  ami  a  covering,'  wan  caiel'ully  creeled 
iiviT  liiiii  ill  till!  form  of  a  tent.  The  xand  hooii  began  to  fall  down  friim 
tiie  sides  of  the  hole  in  wliicli  he  lay,  and  every  inoiiieiit  covered  his  feet. 
It  w  i(  iiiiiiiriliately  removed  by  tlione  who  attended  him;  but,  at  \mI,  he 
Mould  no!  Miill'er  it  to  be  taken  nway,  thinking  be  fell  some  wuiinth  from 
it,  tiic  vital  lii'at  having  already  forsaken  tiic  other  part.M  of  bis  body.  The 
.4.111(1  gradually  acciiiniilaliMl,  till  it  covered  him  up  to  the  belly ;  and  when 
lie  had  expinil,  his  people  were  obliged  to  dig  him  out,  in  order  to  giv* 


ma 


ad 


eceiii  intoriiient. 


dcii 


Rii 


f  the  commodore, 

rni.-<fortiiin'  to  lo.se  the'r  vessel,  the  only  resource  capabh;  of  extricating 
tlieiii  from  thoir  forlorn  situation.  She  was  at  anchor,  as  wc  have  seen 
above,  and  e.xpo.sed  to  the  violence  of  a  tempestuous  sea,  when,  in  the 
niglit,  between  thi;  twenty-eighth  and  twenty-ninth,  a  furious  storm  arose, 
the  c.ible  parted,  and  the  vessel  whh  driven  ashore,  very  ncor  the  donH 
of  till)  lliissiaiis.  She  was  found  in  the  morning  buried  in  the  snnd  to 
the  deptii  of  eight  or  ten  feet.  Upon  inspection,  the  keel  nnd  sides  wore 
found  to  lie  liioken  to  jiieces.  The  water,  which  entered  the  .ship  and 
ran  olf  below,  had  washed  awny  or  8poile(i  the  greatest  part  of  the  re- 
maining provisiions,  consisting  of  flour,  oatmeal,  and  salt. 

Sitiiiited  as  the  unfortunate  mariners  were,  this  loss  was  e.xtroinely 
afHicling:  but  appi^ared  niiirh  less  when  they  reflected  tiiat  the  vessel, 
tlioii;,'h  iniK'h  damaged,  had  been  thrown  upon  the  sand  ut  their  feet,  and 
not  carried  out  to  sea;  they  still  entertained  hopes  that,  even  if  she  could 
not  be  got  afloat  again,  they  might  with  the  materials  build  a  bark  capable 
of  carrying  them  to  Kamtschatkn. 

The  events  which  had  occurred  since  their  shipwreck  had  diverted 
the  attention  of  the  Russians  from  two  important  objects  in  their  situation; 
in  tiio  fiiHt  place,  to  take  a  survey  of  the  country  in  which  they  iiad  landed, 
and,  in  tiic  .second,  tu  provide  for  their  subsistence.  After  reconnoilering 
tlu;  island,  they  proceeded  to  examine  the  provision  which  had  been  saved 
from  the  ship.  Having  first  deducted  and  stowed  away  eighteen  hundred 
pounds  of  flour  to  servo  them  on  their  passage  from  the  island  to  Karnt- 
.scbatka,  the  remainder  was  divided  into  equal  portions.  Though  these 
were  very  scanty,  and  thirty  of  their  number  died  during  their  stay  oil 
the  island,  yet  they  would  not  have  been  suflicicnt,  but  for  the  seasonable 
oupply  which  the  marine  animals  aflbrded. 

The  first  which  served  them  for  food  were  the  otters.  Their  flesh 
was  hard,  but  they  were  obliged  to  put  up  with  it  till  they  could  procure 
some  less  disagreeable  in  its  stead.  After  they  had  ceased  to  use  them 
fur  food,  the  Russians  killed  a  great  number  of  these  animalu  for  the 
«ake  of  their  beautiful  skins,  nine  hundred  of  which  they  collected  during. 
tboir  residence  on  the  island.  In  the  month  of  March  the  otters  disap- 
peared, and  were  succeeded  by  another  animal,  called  the  sea-cat,  and 
afterward  by  seals.  Their  flesh  wasexceedingly  disgusting  to  the  Russians, 
who  fortunately,  now  and  then,  surprised  a  young  sea-lion.  The  latter 
trc  excellent  eating;  but  they  never  durst  venture  to  attack  them  excepting: 
«hen  aaleep. 

The  sea-cow  likewise  proved  of  great  utility  to  the  Russians.  One  of 
tiiesc  animals  which  they  took,  weighed  eight  thousand  pounds,  and  fur- 
nished them  with  food  for  a  fortnight.     Their  flesh  may  be  compared  to 


354 


THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS. 


beef,  and  the  fat,  with  which  it  is  covered  to  the  depth  of  three  or  four 
inchofi,  resembles  that  of  pork.  This  they  melted  down  and  used  instead 
of  butter.  They  likewise  salted  a  considerable  quantity  of  the  flesh  and 
filled  several  casks,  which  they  added  to  the  provision  already  destined 
for  their  voyage  to  Kamtschatka.  During  their  residence  on  the  island 
two  whales  were  likewise  cast  on  shore,  and  these  furnishea  them  with 
an  abundant  supply  when  other  marine  animals  failed. 

On  the  melting  of  the  snow,  about  the  end  of  March,  1742,  the  Rus- 
sians began  to  think  seriously  of  their  return.  Being  all  assembled,  to 
the  number  of  forty-five,  they  took  into  consideration  the  means  of 
returning  to  Kamtschatka.  The  state  of  perfect  equality  in  which 
they  had  lived  since  their  landing  on  the  island  produced  a  variety  of 
opinions,  which  were  warmly  supported  by  those  with  whom  they  origi- 
nated. Waxel,  to  whom  the  command  by  right  devolved,  conducted 
himself  under  these  circumstances  with  great  art  and  prudence.  Without 
giving  ofiense  to  the  authors  of  the  different  plans,  he  opposed  them  to 
each  other,  and  destroyed  them  by  means  of  a  third,  which  he  again 
overthrew  by  objections  which  appeared  unanswerable.  At  length  he  and 
ChitrofT,  who  acted  in  concert,  proposed  their  opinion,  which  was  to  take 
the  vessel  to  pieces,  and  to  construct  another  of  a  smaller  size,  but  suffi- 
ciently spacious  to  hold  all  the  crew  and  the  provisions.  In  discussing 
the  business,  tJiey  laid  great  stress  on  the  consideration  that  all  those  who 
had  suffered  together  would  not  be  separated;  that  none  would  be  left 
behind  ;  that  if  a  new  misfortune  occurred,  they  would  be  together,  and 
that  none  of  them  would  be  exempted  from  it.  This  opinion  being  unani- 
mously approved  of,  a  paper  was  drawn  up  to  the  efi'ect,  and  signed  by 
all  t.'^e  crew.  The  favorable  weather  at  the  beginning  of  April  permitted 
them  to  put  it  in  execution.  The  whole  month  was  employed  in  breaking 
up  tl\e  ship,  and  the  officers,  by  their  diligence,  set  u  laudable  example 
to  tl)o  rest. 

Op  the  sixth  of  May  they  began  to  work  upon  fheir  new  vessel,  which 
was  forty  feet  in  length  and  thirteen  wide.  She  had  but  one  mast  and 
one  deck,  with  a  cabin  at  the  stern,  and  a  kitchen  at  the  head.  At  the 
same  time  they  likewise  built  a  boat  capable  of  holding  nine  or  ten 
persons. 

The  vessel  I^eing  completed,  was  launched  on  the  tenth  of  August,  and 
named  the  St.  Peter,  afler  the  ship  from  the  remains  of  which  she  had 
been  constructed.  The  balls  and  superfluous  iron-work  served  for  ballast. 
A  calm,  which  continued  six  days,  enabled  them  to  fix  the  mast,  rudder 
and  sails,  and  to  take  on  board  the  provisions. 

On  the  sixteenth  they  put  to  sea  ;  and,  with  the  help  of  oars,  got  clear 
of  the  rocks  and  shallows  near  the  island.  They  then  set  their  sails  to 
take  advantage  of  a  breeze  which  sprung  up.  They  had  the  satisfaction 
to  find  that  their  vessel  was  an  excellent  sailer,  and  might  be  managed 
with  the  greatest  facility.  On  the  eighteenth  they  were  overtaken  by  a 
contrary  wind,  which  blew  with  great  violence  at  south-west.  Being 
apprehensive  of  a  tempest,  they  resolved  to  lighten  the  vessel,  by  throwing 
overboard  part  of  their  ballast.  On  the  twenty-fifth  they  came  in  sight 
of  Kamtschatka,  and,  on  the  twenty-seventh,  came  to  an  anchor  in  the 
harbor  of  Petropawlowska.  It  is  scarcely  possible  to  express  the  transports 
of  the  Russians  when  they  again  found  themselves  in  the  midst  of  comfort 
and  abundance. 

Afler  passing  the  winter  at  Petropawlowska,  they  again  embarked  in 
the  month  of  May,  and  arrived  nt  Ochotzk.    Waxel  repaired  to  Jakutsk, 


Icpth  of  three  or  four 

lown  and  used  instead 

fantity  of  the  flesh  and 

ision  already  destined 

isidence  on  the  island 

furnishea  them  with 

liled. 

Jarch,  1742,  the  Rus- 

leing  all  assembled,  to 

leration  the  means  of 

ict  equality   in   which 

produced  a  variety  of 

with  whom  they  origi- 

it  devolved,  conducted 

,nd  prudence.     Without 

ns,  he  opposed  them  to 

,  third,  which  he  again 

able.     At  length  he  and 

nion,  which  was  to  take 

a  smaller  size,  but  suffi- 

ovisions.     In  discussing 

3ration  that  all  those  who 

that  none  would  be  left 

would  be  together,  and 

his  opinion  being  unani- 

he  eftect,  and  signed  by 

nning  of  April  permitted 

L-as  employed  in  breaking 

!,  set  H  laudable  example 

n  their  new  vessel,  which 
le  had  but  one  mast  and 
hen  at  the  head.  At  the 
3  of  holding  nine  or  ten 

n  the  tenth  of  August,  and 
omains  of  which  she  had 
on- work  served  for  ballast, 
sm  to  fix  the  mast,  rudder 

the  help  of  oars,  got  clear 
hey  then  set  their  sails  to 
They  had  the  satisfaction 
r,  and  might  be  managed 
they  were  overtaken  by  a 
ce  at  south-west.  Being 
ten  the  vessel,  by  throwing 
ty-fifth  they  came  in  sight 
came  to  an  anchor  in  the 
lie  to  express  the  transports 
Ives  in  the  midst  of  comfort 

a,  they  again  emoarkcd  in 
iVaxel  repaired  to  Jakutsk. 


THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS. 


355 


where  he  resided  during  the  winter.  In  October,  1744,  he  arrived  at 
Jeniseisk,  at  which  place  he  found  Captain  Tschirikofi*,  who  soon  after- 
ward received  an  order  from  the  senate  to  repair  to  Petersburgh;  on 
which  Waxel  succeeded  him  in  the  command  of  the  crews  of  both  vessels. 
With  these  he  proceeded  to  the  same  city,  where  he  arrived  in  the  month 
of  January,  1749,  which  may  be  considered  as  the  conclusion  of  the 
second  expedition  to  Kamtschatka,  after  a  period  of  sixteen  years  from 
its  commencement. 

The  Arctic  fox,  of  which  the  Russians  found  such  numbers  in  Beerings' 
Island,  is  of  a  bluish  gray  color.  The  hair  is  very  thick,  long  and  soft, 
the  nose  sharp,  and  the  ears  short,  and  almost  hid  in  the  fur.  The  tail 
is  shorter,  but  more  bushy  than  that  of  the  common  fox.  The  following 
is  the  account  given  by  8teller  of  the  habits  and  manners  of  this  extra- 
ordinary animal. 

"  During  my  unfortunate  abode  on  Beerings'  Island  I  had  opportunities 
more  than  enough  of  studying  the  nature  of  this  animal,  which  far  ex- 
ceeds the  common  fox  in  impudence,  cunning,  and  roguery. 

"  They  forced  themselves  into  our  habitations  by  night  as  well  as  by 
day,  stealing  all  that  they  could  carry  off;  even  things  that  were  of  no 
use  to  them,  such  as  knives,  sticks,  and  clothes.  They  were  so  incon- 
ceivably ingenious  as  to  roll  down  our  cas!:s  of  provisions,  several  pounds 
in  weight,  and  then  steal  the  meat  out  of  them  so  ably,  that  at  first  we 
could  not  bring  ourselves  to  ascribe  the  theft  to  them.  As  we  have 
stripped  an  animal  of  its  skin,  it  has  often  happened  that  we  could  not 
avoid  stabbing  two  or  three  foxes,  from  their  rapacity  in  taking  the  flesh 
out  of  our  hands. 

"  If  we  buried  it  ever  so  carefully,  and  ever  added  stones  to  the  weight 
of  earth  that  was  upon  it,  they  not  only  found  it  out,  but  with  their 
shoulders  shoved  away  the  stones,  lying  under  them  and  helping  one 
another  with  all  their  might.  If,  in  order  to  secure  it,  we  put  an  animal 
on  the  top  of  a  high  post  in  the  air,  they  either  dug  up  the  earth  at  the 
bottom,  and  thus  tumbled  the  whole  down,  or  one  of  them  clambered 
up,  and  with  incredible  artifice  and  dexterity  threw  down  what  was 
upon  it. 

"  They  watched  all  our  motions,  and  accompanied  us  in  whatever  we 
were  about  to  do.  If  the  sea  threw  up  an  animal  of  any  kind,  they 
devoured  it  before  we  could  get  up  to  rescue  it  from  them;  if  they  could 
not  consume  the  whole  of  it  at  once,  they  dragged  it  in  portions  to  thr 
mountains,  where  they  buried  it  under  stones  before  our  eyes,  running 
to  and  fro  as  long  as  anything  remained  to  be  couveyed  away.  While 
this  was  doing  others  stood  on  guard  and  watched  us.  If  they  saw  any- 
thing coming  at  a  distance,  the  whole  troop  would  combine  at  once  and 
begin  digging  all  together  in  the  sand,  till  a  beaver  or  sea-bear  would  be 
so  completely  buried  under  the  surface  that  not  a  trace  of  it  could  be 
seen.  In  the  night,  when  we  were  asleep,  they  came  and  pulled  off  our 
nightcaps,  and  stole  our  clothes  from  under  our  heads,  with  the  beaver 
coverings  and  the  skins  we  lay  upon.  In  consequence  of  this  we  always 
slept  with  our  clubs  in  our  hands,  so  that  if  they  awoke  us  we  might  drive 
them  away  or  knock  them  down. 

When  we  made  a  halt  to  rest  by  the  way,  they  gathered  around  us 
and  played  a  thousand  tricks  in  our  view,  and  when  we  sat  stili  thuy 
approached  so  near  that  thoy  gnawed  the  thongs  of  our  shoes,  If  wc  lay 
down,  as  intending  to  sleep,  they  came  and  smelt  at  our  noses,  to  try 
whether  we  were  dead  or  alive ;  if  we  heid  our  breath  they  gave  us  such 


►»*<»w»*vi"'*".'Y" 


»-a  THE  LOST  RUSSIAN  SAILORS. 

a  tUff  by  the  nose  as  if  they  would  bite  it  off.  On  our  first  arrival  they 
Ji  off  the  toes,  fingers,  and  noses  of  the  dead  while  we  were  prepanng 
the  grave,  and  thronged  in  such  a  manner  about  the  mfirm  and  sick,  that 
it  was  with  difficulty  we  could  keep  them  off. 

"Evrrv  rnoTning  we  saw  these  audacious  animals  patro  ling  about 
among  thl  TeluoL  and  sea-bears  lying  on  the  fand,  smellirg  at  such 
M  were  asleep,  to  discover  whether  some  one  of  them  might  no  be  dead ; 
?f  tha  happened  to  be  the  case,  they  proceeded  to  diss.ct  him  imme- 
diate?i  S7Zn  afterward  all  were  at  work  in  dragging  the  parts  away: 
2  xa7ser  sea-lions  :n  their  sleep  overlay  their  young,  tl,ey  ej-y  mom mg 
examined,  as  if  conscious  of  this  circumstance  the  whole  herd  of  them, 
one  bj  one,  and  immediately  dragged  away  the  dead  cubs  from  their 

On  the  th  d  day  after  my  arrival  I  knocked  down  upward  of  seventy  of 
Sem  with  a  club,  within  the  space  of  three  hours,  and  made  a  covering 
« TvT  t  of  l"°ir  skin-  They  were  so  ravenous,  that  with  one  hand 
we  cCuld  holr;;  them ;  pie  J  of  flesh,  and  with  a  stick  or  ax  in  the 
other  could  knock  them  on  the  head. 

"From  all  the  circumstances  tliat  occurred  during  our  «>»y'J.' «" 
evidenUhat  these  animals  could  never  before  have  been  acquaintea  with 
mimkind,  and  that  the  dread  of  man  is  not  innate  m  brutes,  but  must  be 
grounded  on  long  experience." 


our  first  arrival  they 
;e  we  were  preparing 
I  infirm  and  sick,  that 

uals  patrolling  about 
and,  smellirg  at  such 
m  might  not  be  dead; 
to  dissoct  him  imme- 
gging  the  parts  away: 
ig,  they  every  morning 
whole  herd  of  them, 
lead  cubs  from  their 

ther  by  night  or  day, 
I  young  and  old,  and 
hen  we  awoke  in  the 
been  knocked  on  the 
iuring  my  slay  in  the 
s  with  my  own  liands. 
upward  of  seventy  of 
,  and  made  a  covering 
s,  that  with  one  hand 
I  a  stick  or  ax  in  the 

uring  our  stay,  it  vvas 
been  acquainted  with 
in  brutes,  but  must  be 


EXPERIENCES 


or 


BRITISH   NATAL   OFFICER. 


MB  OITEK  BT  OAFTAIN  BAaiL  BilX,  OF  THK 


ROYAL   NAVT. 


Various  circumstances  conspired  to  give  me,  very  early  in  life,  what 
is  called  a  taste  for  the  sea.  In  the  first  place,  I  came  into  the  world 
in  the  midst  of  a  heavy  gale  of  wind;  when  such  was  tlie  violence  of 
the  storm,  and  the  beating  of  the  rain,  that  there  were  some  thoughts 
of  removing  the  whole  party  to  a  less  rickety  corner  of  the  old  mansion, 
which  shook  from  top  to  bottom.  So  strong,  indeed,  was  the  impression 
made  on  the  imagination  of  those  present,  by  the  roaring  of  tlse  surf, 
close  at  hand,  the  wiiistling  of  the  wind  in  the  drenched  forest,  and  the 
obvious  rocking  of  the  house,  under  the  heavy  gusts  of  that  memorable 
gale,  that,  as  soon  as  I  was  old  enough  to  understand  anything  at  all,  the 
association  between  the  events  of  my  future  life,  and  those  of  my  birth- 
night,  began  to  be  sown  in  my  mind.  Thus,  long  before  I  shipped  a 
pair  of  trowsers,  I  felt  that  a  salt-water  destiny  was  to  be  mine;  and  as 
everybody  encouraged  me  to  cherish  these  early  predilections  for  the 
sea,  I  grew  up  with  the  certainty  of  becoming  a  sailor. 

It  is  clear  enough  that  no  boy,  instruct  him  as  we  will,  can  form 
correct  ideas  of  what  he  is  likely  to  meet  with  in  any  profession.  The 
incipient  difficulties  and  discomforts  of  all  professions  are,  probably, 
pretty  much  alike ;  and  the  boy  who  has  not  energy  enough  to  set  his 
face  resolutely  against  the  eaily  discouragements  of  any  particular  call- 
ing, will,  in  all  probability,  be  successful  in  no  other.  It  is,  however, 
so  great  an  advantage  to  have  a  young  person's  own  feelings,  and  his 
point  of  honor  heartily  engaged  in  the  cause  in  which  he  has  embarked, 
that,  if  circumstances  render  such  a  thing  at  all  expedient,  or  not  quite 
unreasonable,  the  choice  of  a  profession  may  often  be  conceded  with 
advantagr  But  such  free  choice  ought  to  be  afterward  burdened,  with 
a  positive  interdict  against  change.  In  the  case  of  a  sea  life,  this 
appears  to  be  quite  indispensable;  for  the  contrast  is  so  striking,  in  most 
cases,  between  the  comforts  of  home  and  the  discomforts  of  a  ship — to 
say  nothing  of  rough  fare,  hard  work,  sea-sickness,  and  strict  discipline — 
that,  if  an  opening  be  constantly  presented  for  escape,  few  youngsters 
will  have  resolution  enough  to  bear  up  against  those  trials  to  which  they 
must  be  exposed,  and  which  they  ought  to  hold  themselves  prepared  to 
meet  with  cheerfulness. 

Perhaps  the  naval  profession  owes  a  good  deal  of  its  peculiar  char- 
acter to  these  very  disadvantages,  as  they  are  called;  and  though  we 
may  oflen  regret  to  see  young  men,  of  good  abilities,  dropping  out  of 
the  navy,  who,  if  they  had  only  cast  on  the  right  tack,  might  have  done 

(367) 


353  BtPEMENOES  OF  A  BRITISH  NAViO,  omOER. 

£;"Xj;i;"upr*'»tCb:io',  ««ed . ,»...  ^u  p-b.. 

more  »  less  precision,  the  d«8««  'J"  "^  ^  ;,  „„,;..  dlfflcltj  in 
ii  likely  lo  be  culled  upon  lo  P'""'"','.  °  '  ':,,,.  even  in  a  vague  way, 
col/to  any  j-t  concl^-;P- ^^^^^^^^  the  .hofe  world; 

in  the  life  of  a  sailor.  .."I'^/^^f^J  three-decker,  or  be  wedged  into  a 
he  may  be  lost  in  the  wilderness  f»  ^  jre  ^  .^  Spitzbergen;  he 

cock-boat;  he  may  b«  f"«''^^„^7S  1  days  of  the  week  in  the 
,nuy  be  cruismg,  or  .''^  >"  ^,^f  f_  ^iUuie  on  t^e  seventh;  or  he  may 
mi^st  of  a  fleet,  and  fl°«f j^^^^g'.^re  Ist  fatal  to  subordination;  or 
waste  his  years  '"P^f^^^^^l'll-jr and  hear  from  his  friends  every  day; 
be  employed  on  the  home  «tat'on,  and  "^aj  ^.^^^^^  getting  a 

or  he  may  be  ufteen  months,  as  ^  ^^^^  J^jf  °;\„  easy-going  commander, 
better,  or  seeing  a  newspaper.     He  may  have  ^n  easy  g^^  g^  those  tight 

v^hich  is  a  very  great  evil;  or  h'«  capU^"    J       ,,ery  one  on  board 
hands,  who,  to  use  the  slang  of  J"®  cock  g  k     h  ^  ^^^  ^^^  ^^ 

u  und;r  the  fear  of  the  Lord  and  -^'Zm^u,  and  hardly  'two  days  alike . 
to  sea  for  tweixty  ^^"^21?,^  soiirminds  and  productive  in  them  ot 
AH  this,  which  IS  del»g™  to  «T.^,™V  ^  ".ery  often  ruinous  to 
every  kind  of  resource,  is  utterly  *''^*'™,^;  t:„eritv ;  and  weak  minds 
JZl  Weak  frames  generally  ^l^^""  'd  the  ^"  eAsity  of  its  aclion. 
become  confused  with  its  -™P»>;^7^?^;,X;J;i  TbouUess,  ^ 
But,  on  the  other  hand,  the  variety  jj  '^«  "''S,^  the  wear  and  tear  of 
a  young  man  has  only  strength  of  body,  to^enau    ^^^^  ^^  ^^  ^^^^^ 

watching,  and  other  ^n^^'^'^^'^J'^SntJ  of  openings  occurring,  sooner 

'.sSirriS'iTf  S'r,  tz^.  u,  ..  posiu.ei,  0.0. 

from  tetreal.  ,.        enthuslMm,  when  the  actual  time 

I  mnst  own  that,  in  spi  e  »'_  »J' "^  "°'"^j  plunging  quite  alone  and 

came  for  fairly  leaving  tnends  and  home,  Mtl  P      g    b  -l^^^  ^.^^^^  ^, 

irrevocably  into  a  new  '*,  I  W'  '^"e^rulte  strange,  I  scarcely  knew 
myself,  which,  as  these  feelings  were^qu^  8^      „(^,,i,, 

how  to  manage.    I  had  been  «"»»«y>  "■,  ,  ,,„^„  „i,hed,  when  the 

irue,  and  was  •'»•)"  f Xt  I^had  not  b'een  taken  at  my  word,    I  car, 
actual  moment  arrived,  that  1  »•"  »»         ^  ,  f,,,  p,etly  much  as  if  I 

TvilTttrgl  orSei:  wCr  c'arrlage  that  was  to  convey  m, 
•Trer,:b:f,rs'f?rinhe«den^^^^^^^ 

Ca^er.ta.t»ym,'frmJ^SiT^^^^^^^^^ 
dTy-fS.  iSed-V .°:ieSir;S'iha.  w  J  disagreeable. 

,  .oeu  a  different  course.    ^^  ^  ^___^  ^^^^  ^^^  ,^^  ,,„, 

..D..n  Fa™«.=-Aft..  ^  ^ lo"n'i  wKr^S'nte  SfddTeS 
rSit^oSe-i-ltu^r  wS/rU°l'w..en  .  came  down,  there 


OFFICER. 

e  is  no  denying  that 

npanions,  whom  they 

make  useful  public 

ate  beforehand,  with 
k  which  a  joungman 

peculiar  difficulty  in 
even  in  a  vague  way, 
des  the  whole  world ; 
,  or  be  wedged  into  a 
n  in  Spitzbergen;  he 
i  of  the  week,  in  the 
5  seventh;  or  he  may 
il  to  subordination ;  or 
his  friends  every  day ; 
time,  without  getting  a 
asy-going  commander, 
be  one  of  those  tight 
ps  every  one  on  board 
In  short,  a  man  may  go 

hardly  two  days  alike. 
1  productive  in  them  of 
I  very  often  ruinous  to 
verity;  and  weak  minds 

intensity  of  its  action, 
is  so  boundless,  that  if 
re  the  wear  and  tear  of 
;  also  strength  of  char- 
inings  occurring,  sooner 

find  profitable  employ- 
ion  of  a  sailor  might  be 

it,  are  positively  cut  off 

I,  when  the  actual  time 
lunging  quite  alone  and 
anxiety  and  distrust  of 
trange,  I  scarcely  knew 
my  own  profession,  it  is 
ilmost  wished,  when  the 
ken  at  my  word.  I  can 
I  felt  pretty  much  as  if  1 
e  that  was  to  convey  me 

jccurred  yesterday,  most 
a  letter,  written  only  the 
^_in  the  unknown  world 
py,  and  might  easily  have 
y  what  was  disagreeable. 

rDER,  June  12,  1802. 
ent  down  into  the  mess- 
h  a  table  in  the  middle  ot 
Vhen  I  came  down,  there 


EXPERIENCES  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 


359 


were  a  grcnt  many  cups  and  saucers  upon  the  table.  A  man  came  in 
atid  poured  hot  water  into  the  teapot.  There  are  about  fourteen  of  us 
mess  at  the  same  time.  We  were  very  merry  in  this  dark  hole,  whore 
we  iiad  only  two  candles. 

•'  We  come  down  here,  and  sit  when  we  like ;  and  at  other  times  go 
upon  deck.  At  about  ten  o'clock  we  had  supper  upon  bread  and  cheese, 
and  a  kind  of  pudding,  which  we  liked  very  much.  Some  time  after 
this  1  went  to  a  hammock,  which  was  not  my  own,  as  mine  was  not 
ready,  there  not  being  enough  of  clues  at  it,  but  I  will  have  it  to-night.  I 
got  in  at  last.  It  was  very  queer  to  find  myself  swinging  about  in  this 
uncouth  manner,  for  there  was  only  about  a  foot  of  space  between  my 
face  and  the  roof;  so,  of  course,  I  broke  my  head  a  great  many  times 
on  tiie  different  posts  in  the  cock-pit,  where  all  the  midshipmen  sleep. 
After  having  got  in,  you  may  be  sure  I  did  not  sleep  very  well,  when  all 
the  people  were  making  such  a  noise,  going  to  bed  in  the  dark,  and  the 
ship  in  such  confusion. 

"  I  fell  asleep  at  last,  but  was  always  disturbed  by  the  quarter-master 
coming  down  to  awake  the  midshipmen  who  were  to  be  on  guard  during 
the  night.  He  comes  up  to  their  bedsides  and  calls  them;  so  I,  not 
being  accustomed  to  it,  was  always  awaked  too.  I  had  some  sleep, 
however,  but  early  in  the  morning  was  again  roused  up  by  the  men 
beginning  to  work. 

"  There  is  a  large  liole  which  comes  down  from  the  decks,  all  the 
way  through  to  the  iiold,  where  they  let  down  the  casks.  The  foot  of 
the  hammock  that  I  slept  in  was  just  at  the  hole,  so  I  saw  the  casks  all 
coming  down  close  by  me.  I  got  up  at  half  past  seven,  and  went  into 
the  berth,  (our  mess-room,)  and  we  were  all  waiting  for  breakfast  till 
eight,  when  the  man  who  serves  and  brings  in  the  dishes  for  the  mess 
came  d.wn  in  a  terrible  passion,  saying  that  as  he  was  boiling  the  kettle 
at  the  stove,  the  master-at-arms  had  thrown  water  upon  the  fire  and  put 
it  out.  All  this  was  because  the  powder  was  coming  on  board.  So  we 
had  to  want  our  breakfast  for  once.  But  we  had  a  piece  of  bread  and 
butter;  and  as  we  were  eating  it,  the  master-at-arms  came  down,  and 
said  that  our  candles  were  to  be  taken  away;  so  we  had  to  eat  our  dry 
meal  in  the  dark/' 

■  HIDSUIFMENS'    PRANKS. 

During  the  long  winters  of  our  slothful  discontent  at  Bermuda,  to 
which  island  our  ship  had  been  sent,  caused  by  the  Peace  of  Amiens, 
the  grand  resource,  both  of  the  idle  and  busy,  among  all  classes 
of  the  Leander's  officers,  was  shooting.  The  midshipmen  were  gener- 
ally obliged  to  content  themselves  with  knocking  down  the  blue  and  red 
birds  with  the  ship's  pistols,  charged  with  his  majesty's  gun-powder, 
and,  for  want  of  small  shot,  with  slugs  formed  by  cutting  up  his  majesty's 
musket-bullets.  The  officers  aimed  at  higher  game,  and  were,  of  course, 
better  provided  with  guns  and  ammunition.  Several  of  these  gentlemen 
had  brought  from  England  some  fine  dogs — high-bred  pointers;  while 
the  middies,  also,  not  to  be  outdone,  must  needs  have  a  dog  of  their  own : 
they  recked  very  little  of  what  breed;  but  some  sort  of  r.nimal  they  said 
they  must  have. 

I  forget  how  we  procured  the  strange-looking  beast  whose  services 
we  contrived  to  engage;  but,  having  once  obtained  iiim,  we  were  not 
slow  in  giving  him  our  best  affections.  It  is  true  he  was  as  ugly  as  any- 
thing could  possibly  be.     His  color  was  a  dirty,  reddish  yellow;  and 


14- 


ft. 


M'^'- 


EXPERIENCES  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFIO-.R. 


!1  u  parTofTirhair  twisted  •J^^f^^J' Jj/idJ  SL'To^  a1?The 
quie  straight,  al-st  to  the  ground      He  wa«  u^^^^^       ^,^^  ^.^^ 
purposes  of  real  sport,  but  ^^'^e  gooa  en     g  ^^^^j^.^    ^^  ^,j 

'V«"'^°'Ste;;ei7s;anlX^aL;:^^^  to  the  exalted 

People  will  differ  If;"/^^^™;,':';,^  tt  ot^^ers  on  board,  though  the 
to  the  great  superiority  of  «""  °\^  ,„ „  g^ch  confidence  on  our  part, 
name  te  gave  him  ^'t^J'^lf  ^  ^J^^^fded  to  call  him  Shakings.  Now  it 
After  a  full  deliberation,  it  was  dec^°«°  -^^  ^^  .mall  fragments  of 

must  bo  explained  that  shaking 'the"a^^^  ^^^  lanyards-m 

rope-yarns,  odds  and  ends  of  ?«"'*8e,  o'«  «  J         ^f  ^he  ropes. 

ghov.,'to  any  kind  of  refuse  ans.ng  out  of  the^^^^^^  ^ 

^::Si^^^:o:':£r^:^^^^  ^eLen  the  p^n. 

of  the  deck,  in  the  hot  weather.  ^^^  ^^^^t  j-om- 

'Sf  old  Shakings  -- "^Ch  ho  d-rly  "^^^  midshipmen,  and 

panionable  of  dogs;  and  ^^ough  ho  ««*   ^  ^  ^,-  ^he  auinuil  m 

^as  dearly  beloved  by  ^ho^.;" /i^^i suVe  in  the  society  of  his  own 
his  compositionto  take  a  st.l    higher  pi  belonging  to  the 

kind.  So  that,  when  the  ^^'g^'^^f.' „  °"L;,,Pion,  Mr.  Shakings  lost  no 
officers  came  on  board,  afte^a  shooting  -^---«"^';„,^,,^  ..^o  liked  this 
time  in  applying  to  them  for  tie  ^^  l\,\ngl  ^W  sorts  of  encourage- 
sort  of  familiarity  very  ^^c",  ga  «  PO"^  ^'^  =  ^^  ,,,  ,,,h  an  abomi- 
ment.     Not  so  their  mas  ers;  they  ^o"ia  ^^  ^^^^^  ^^^  ^ 

nablo  cur,  as  they  «:^"'^''  *?"  i*-^;"!  eek  and  well-kept  animals.  At  hrst 
utterly  useless,  ^^'''"g  ^'l^''^"  'u  intultL  expressions  as  these;  then 
their  dislike  was  conhned  to  such  msuiung      v  ^.^^  ^^^  ^^^.^^^ 

it  came  to  an  occasiona    kick  ^/^'^.^  cV.vith  the  hunting-whip. 
of  a  fowling-p.ece;  f  ^^ '^'j  y' *'*,^,  j""  T.lace,took  all  this,  like  a  sensible 
Shakings,  who  '"/^'"?.^.7;  ^  ^3,   ^  en  out  of  hearing  of  the  higher 
fellow,  in  good  part,  ^^^^'^ Vth  ^^uf 'a^d  deep,  against  the  tyranny  and 
powers,  uttered  curses,  both  1^^"^  ana  o^    I      k  ^^^^  fancy,  was 

ilppvession  exercised  against  an  an»J^l;^'^^.  ;„^      ,  together.     They 
declared  to  be  worth  all  '^e  dogs  i«  the  w  t^^^^  ^^^^  upon  them, 

krSSsS^S  SrS.po.i*ea  b„„.,c..ea  o«,onc 
"".Its.,  iolly-bo...  a.d  U„d  .h.;  infernA  dirty,  ugl,  be».  of  a  dog, 

poor  dear  Shakings!  midshipmens'  berth  at  that  moment, 

^  If  a  stranger  had  come  into  th^  ™'«^,  PJ^^i^g  was  about  to  be  broken 
he  might  have  thought  h,s  |"-f  ^^^  Xdtatioxi  seLed  utterly  canceled 

£S:' tS;:S;  ;:r?:aCUting  a  .tter  of  remonstrance 


FIOIR. 

part  hung  down, 

usclcsH  for  all  the 

aish  the  raids  with 

pigs,  barking  at  old 

ited  to  the  exalted 

re  had  no  doubts  as 
n  board,  though  the 
idence  on  our  part. 
Shakings.  Now  it 
.  small  fragments  of 
m,  old  lanyards — in 
nd  tear  of  the  ropes, 
itiful  favorite  in  con- 
j  that  of  well-tarred 
ed  by  many  a  dab  of 
I  between  the  planks 

least,  the  most  com- 
thc  midshipmen,  and 
ugh  of  the  animiil  in 
he  society  of  his  own 
ers  belon^ini»  to  the 

Mr.  Shakings  lost  no 
inters,  who  liked  tliis 
lU  sorts  of  encourage- 
to  see  such  an  abomi- 
curscdly  diity,  and  so 
iept  animals.     At  first 
essions  as  these;  then 
nose  with  the  butt-end 
ti  the  hunting-whip. 
!.  all  this,  like  a  sensible 
■  hearing  of  the  higher 
rainst  the  tyranny  and 
n  their  fond  fancy,  was 
m  put  together.     They 
ch  soon  fell  upon  them, 

To  their  great  horror 
[1  at  some  liberty  which 
led  boot,  called  out,  one 

rty,  ugly  beast  of  a  dog, 

(trokosman  of  the  boat. 
the  shore,  and  pitch  him 
,0  doubt."     So  off  went 


is 


berth  at  that  moment, 
•e  was  about  to  be  broken 
seemed  utterly  canceled 
ms  hurled  upward  at  the 
ibining  to  make  our  lives 
r  a  lett"er  of  remonstrance 


EXPERIENCES  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 


361 


to  the  admiral  against  this  unheard-of  outriigc  ;  and  one  youth  swore 
deeply  that  he  would  leave  the  service,  unless  ju-^^ticc  were  obtained. 
But  as  lie  iiad  been  known  to  swear  the  same  thing  half  a  dozen  times 
every  day  since  ho  joined  the  ship,  no  great  notice  was  taken  of  this 
pledge.  Another  declared,  upon  his  word  of  honor,  that  such  an  act 
was  enough  to  make  a  man  turn  Turk,  and  fly  his  country!  At  last,  by 
{jenoral  agrcfMncnl,  it  was  decided  tliat  we  sliould  not  do  a  bit  of  duty, 
or  even  stir  from  our  seats,  till  wo  obtained  redress  for  our  grievancos. 
However,  while  wo  were  in  the  very  act  of  vowing  mutiny  and  disobe- 
dience, tiic  hands  were  turned  up  to  "furl  sails!"  upon  wiiich  tlie  whole 
party,  totally  forgetting  their  magnanimous  resolution,  scudded  up  the 
ladders,  and  jumped  into  their  stations  with  more  tiian  usual  alacrity ; 
wisely  thinking  that  the  moment  for  actual  revolt  had  not  yet  arrived. 

A  better  scheme  than  throwing  up  the  service,  or  writing  to  Iho 
admiral,  or  turning  Musselmcn,  was  afterward  concocted.  The  mid- 
shipmen, who  went  on  shore  in  the  next  boat,  easily  got  hold  of  poor 
Shakings,  who  was  howling  on  the  steps  of  the  watering-place.  In 
order  to  conceal  him,  he  was  stuiTed,  neck  and  crop,  into  the  captain^s 
cloak-bag,  brought  safely  on  board,  and  restored  once  more  to  the  bosom 
of  his  friends. 

In  spite  of  all  we  could  do,  however,  to  keep  Master  Shakings  below, 
he  presently  found  his  way  to  the  quarter-deck,  to  receive  the  congratu- 
lations of  the  other  dogs.  There  he  was  soon  detected  by  the  higher 
powers,  and  very  shortly  afterward  trundled  over  the  gangway,  and  again 
tossed  on  the  beach.  Upon  this  occasion  he  was  honored  by  tiie  presence 
of  one  of  his  own  masters,  a  middy,  sent  upon  this  express  duty,  who 
was  specially  desired  to  land  the  brute,  and  not  bring  him  on  board 
again.  Of  course  this  particular  youngster  did  not  bring  the  dog  off; 
but  before  night,  somehow  or  other,  old  Shakings  was  snoring  away,  in 
grand  chorus,  with  his  more  fashionable  friends,  the  pointers,  and  dream- 
ing no  evil,  before  the  door  of  the  very  officer's  cabin  whose  beautifully 
polislied  boot  he  had  brushed  so  rudely  in  the  morning;  an  offense  that 
bad  led  to  his  banishment. 

Tills  second  return  of  our  dog  was  too  much.  The  whole  posse  of 
us  were  sent  for  on  the  quarter-deck,  and,  in  very  distinct  terms,  positively 
ordered  not  to  bring  Shakings  on  board  again.  These  injunctions 
having  been  given,  this  wretched  victim,  as  we  termed  him,  of  oppres- 
aion  was  once  more  landed  among  the  cedar  groves.  This  time  he 
remained  a  full  week  on  shore;  but  how  or  when  he  found  his  way  off 
again  no  one  ever  knew;  at  least  no  one  chose  to  divulge.  Never  was 
there  anything  like  the  mutual  joy  felt  by  Shakings  and  his  two  dozen 
masters.  He  careered  about  the  ship,  barked  and  yelled  with  delight, 
and,  in  his  raptures,  actually  leaped,  with  his  dirty  feet,  on  the  milk- 
white  duck  trowsers  of  the  disgusted  officers,  who  heartily  wished  him 
at  the  bottom  of  the  anchorage!  I'nus  the  poor  beast  unwittingly  con- 
tributed to  accelerate  his  hapless  fate,  by  this  ill-timed  show  of  con- 
fidence in  those  who  were  then  plotting  his  ruin.  If  he  had  kept  his 
paws  to  himself,  and  staid  quietly  in  the  dark  recesses  of  the  cx)ck-pit, 
wings,  cable-tiors,  and  other  wild  regions,  tlie  secrets  of  whicii  were 
known  only  to  the  inhabitants  of  our  sub-marine  world,  all  might  yet 
hive  been  well. 

We  had  a  grand  jollification  on  the  night  of  Shakings'  restoration;  and 
hi:'  health  was  in  the  very  act  of  being  drunk,  with  three  times  three, 
when  the  officer  of  the  watch,  hearing  an  uproar  below,  the  sounds  of 


l\ 


( 


862  EXPERIENCES  OP  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFPIOER. 

which  were  conveyed  dUtinclly  up  the  wimbail,  sent  down  to  put  our 
U  ht  out  and  wo  were  forced  to  march  ofl'  srowhng  to  our  han.mocka. 
"ncvT  hy!"o  our  surprise  and  horror,  old  Shakings  was  not  to  bo  seen 
or  hoa  .  of  Wo  searched' every  where,  interrogated  the  coxswa.ns  of 
°lthJ  oats,  and  cross-questioned  the  marines  who  had  been  son  nes, 
durina  the  night,  on  the  forecastle,  gangways  and  poop ;  but  all  m  va.n- 
no  trance  of  Shakings  could  be  found. 

At  length  the  opinion  began  to  gain  g'°»"^VT^  Tn'And  our^i^e 
beast  had  been  put  an  end  to  by  some  diabolical  means,  and  our  ire 
mountTacS,rdingly.  This  suspicion  seemed  the  more  natural,  as  the 
office  ssad  no  a  word  about  the  matter,  nor  even  asked  us  what  we 
omcers  saia  iio  ^j^.^  ^^^^^  ^^  excitement  and 

iLtrSontr  on    til',  one  o^  the  midshipmen,  who  had  some  dro  lery 
in    is  com,  o  ition,  gave  a  new  turn  to  the  expression  of  our   houghts 

T  isSem     who  was  more  than  twice  as  old  as  mos  of  us     ay 
„hm     tlStv  hud  won  the  aftoctions  of  the  whole  of  our  class,  by  the 
Se.    ss  of  ll  manners,  and  the  generous  part  he  always  took  on  our 
SY^l^re  among  u«  the  pet  name  of  Daddy;  and  certainly  he  was 
1  Uo"«  fith.     o  time  anion.'  us  who,  like  myself,  were  quite  ad nft  in  the 
hr-itut  any  o^e  to  look  after  them.     He  was  a  man  of  talents  and 
ch  sica     d  catL,  but  he  had  entered  the  navy  far  too  late  in  lite  eve 
?o    akc  to       cordially.     His  habits,  indeed,  bad  become  so  rigid,   hat 
the  V  could  never  bo  inado  to  hcnd  to  the  mortifying  kind  of  discipline 
whiTitppear,  every  ottioer  should  run  through,  but  which  only  the 
vo  «;  and'^Eheart/d  can  brook.     Our  worthy  friend,  acconl.ngly, 
I       mU    is  abilities,  taste  and  acquirements,  never  seemed  at  home  on 
boa  d  it^-  an     inU  s  a  man  can  reach  this  point  of  liking  for  the  sea, 
he  i    bo  1^'r    n  si  ore.     At  all  events,  old  Daddy  cared  more  about  his 
boo  s  tl  In  lut  the  blocks,  and  delighted  much  more  in  giving  us 
nssis.ince  in  our  literary  pursuits,  and  trying  to  teach  us  to  be  useful, 
tl!an  in  renderhig  himseff  a  proficient  in  those  professional  mysteries, 
ivhirli  he  never  hoped  to  practice  in  earnest  himsell. 

Wha  this  veryTnteresting  person's  early  history  was  we  never  could 
find  otU  nor  why  he  entered  the  navy;  nor  how  it  came  ^hat  a  man  of 
his  powers  and  accomplishments  should  have  been  kept  back  so  long. 
hdJod  he  youngsters  never  inquired  too  closely  into  these  mat  ers 
EgqtUte  contented  to  have  the  advantage  of  h.9  protect^n  against 
thP  oonression  of  the  oldsters,  who  occasionally  bullied  them.  Upon 
a  1  occLion  of  difficulty,  we  were  in  the  habit  of  clustering  round  him, 
'o  tell  our  grievances,  great  and  small,  with  the  certainty  of  always 
findtng  ?n  him  that  great  desideratum  in  calamity-a  patient  and  friendly 

''Twiil  easily  be  supposed  that  our  kind  Daddy  took  more  than  usual 
inte  es   in    Ms  affair  of  Shakings,  and  that  he  was  applied  to  by  us  at 
every    t«"e  of  the  transaction.^  He  was  sadly  perplexed,  of  course 
when  the  do2  was  finally  missing;  and  for  some  days  he  could  give  us 
L  comtt  -r Suggest  Ly  mode\f  revenge  which  --^J  *- ^^^^^^^^^ 

'^Z's:r::^t:^^tn^.^,  ■..  h.  dry  and 

«llahtlv  sarcastic  way,  which  all  who  knew  him  will  recollect  as  well  a« 
ffhev  saw  hmS,  drawing  his  hand  slowly  across  his  mouth  and 
chn' «rre  cl  be'no  harm',  my  boys,  in  putting  the  other  dogs  m 


own  to  put  our 
our  hammockH. 
s  not  to  bo  seen 
e  coxawains  of 
been  8on*ric8, 
but  all  in  vain — 

19,  that  the  poor 

ins,  and  our  ire 

natural,  as  the 

cod  us  what  we 

excitement  and 

some  drollery 

our  thoughts. 

a  most  of  us,  say 

our  class,  by  the 

ways  took  on  our 

certainly  he  was 

{uite  adrift  in  the 

an  of  talents  and 

late  in  life  ever 

me  so  rigid,  that 

cind  of  discipline 

nt  which  only  the 

end,  acconlingly, 

;emed  at  home  on 

liking  for  the  sea, 

1  more  about  his 

lore  in  giving  us 

h  us  to  bo  useful, 

ssional  mysteries, 

as  \vc  never  could 
ime  that  a  man  of 
iept  back  so  long, 
nto  these  matters, 
protection  against 
lied  them.  Upon 
stering  round  him, 
ertainty  of  always 
atient  and  friendly 

:  more  than  usual 
ipplied  to  by  us  at 
ilexed,  of  course, 
■s  he  could  give  us 
as  not  too  danger- 
irudently  observed, 
foolish  to  get  our- 

d,  in  his  dry  and 
ecollect  as  well  ab 
iss  his  mouth  and 
the  other  dogs  in 


EXPERIENCES  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 


3(];{ 


mourning  for  their  dear  departed  friend  Shakings;  for,  whatever  is 
come  of  him,  he  is  lost  to  them  as  well  as  to  us,  and  his  memory  ought 
to  be  duly  respected." 

This  iiint  was  no  sooner  given  than  a  cry  was  raised  for  crape,  and 
every  ciiest  and  bag  ransacked,  to  procuro  badges  of  mourning.  The 
pointers  were  speedily  rigged  up  with  a  large  bunch  uf  crape,  tied  in  a 
handsome  bow,  upon  the  leil  leg  of  each,  just  above  the  knee.  The 
joke  took  immeiliately.  The  officers  could  not  help  laughing;  for, 
though  wo  considered  them  little  better  than  fiends  at  that  moment  of 
excitement,  they  wore,  in  fact,  except  in  this  instance,  the  best  naturod 
and  most  indulgent  n>en  I  remember  to  have  sailed  with.  They,  of 
course,  ordered  tiie  crapo  to  be  instantly  cut  off  from  the  dogs'  logs; 
and  one  of  tiio  officers  remarked  to  us,  seriously,  that  as  wo  had  now 
had  our  piece  of  fun  out,  there  were  to  bo  no  more  8u<;h  tricks. 

Oft"  wo  scampered,  to  consult  old  Daddy  what  was  to  be  done  next, 
as  we  had  been  positively  ordered  not  to  moddlo  any  more  with 
the  dogs. 

"  Put  the  pigs  in  mourning,"  ho  said. 

All  our  crape  was  expended  by  this  time;  but  this  want  was  soon 
supplied  by  men  whose  trade  it  is  to  discover  resources  in  difficulty. 
With  a  generous  devotion  to  the  cause  of  public  spirit,  one  of  these 
juvenile  mutineers  pulled  off  his  black  handkerchief,  and,  tearing  it  in 
pieces,  gave  a  portion  to  each  of  the  circle,  and  away  wo  all  started 
to  put  into  practice  this  new  suggestion  of  our  director-general  of 
mischief. 

The  row  which  ensued  in  the  pig-sty  was  prodigious — for  in  those 
days,  hogs  were  allowed  a  place  on  board  a  man-of-war,  a  custom  most 
wisely  abolished  of  late  years,  since  nothing  can  bo  more  out  of  char- 
acter with  any  ship  than  such  nuisances.  As  these  matters  of  taste  and 
cleanliness  were  nothing  to  us,  we  did  not  intermit  our  noisy  labor  till 
every  one  of  the  grunters  had  his  armlet  of  such  crape  as  we  had  been 
able  to  muster.  We  then  watched  our  opportunity,  and  opened  the  door 
so  as  to  let  out  the  whole  herd  of  swine  on  the  main-deck  just  at  a 
moment  when  a  group  of  the  officers  were  standing  on  the  fore  part  of 
the  quarter-deck.  Of  course  the  liberated  pigs,  delighted  witjfi  their 
freedom,  passed,  in  review,  under  the  very  nose  of  our  superiors,  each 
with  his  mourning  knot  displayed,  grunting  or  squealing  along,  as  if  it 
was  their  express  object  to  attract  attention  to  their  domestic  sorrow  for 
the  loss  of  Shakings.  The  officers  were  excessively  provoked,  as  they 
could  not  help  seeing  that  all  this  was  affi}rding  entertainment,  at  their 
expense,  to  the  whole  crew;  for,  although  the  men  took  no  part  in  this 
touch  of  insubordination,  they  were  ready  enough,  in  those  idle  times 
of  the  weary,  weary  peace,  to  catch  at  any  species  of  distraction  or 
deviltry,  no  matter  what,  to  compensate  for  the  loss  of  their  wonted 
occupation  of  pommeling  their  enemies. 

The  matter,  therefore,  necessarily  became  rather  serious;  and  the 
whole  gang  of  us  being  sent  for  on  the  quarter-deck,  we  were  ranged 
in  a  line,  each  with  his  toes  at  the  edge  of  a  plank,  according  to  the 
orthodox  fashion  of  these  gregarious  scoldings,  technically  called  "  toc- 
the-line  matches."  We  were  then  given  to  understand  hat  our  pro- 
ceedings were  impertinent,  and,  after  the  orders  we  had  received,  highly 
offensive.  It  was  with  much  difficulty  that  either  party  could  keep  their 
countenances  during  this  official  lecture,  for,  while  it  was  going  on,  the 
sailors  were  endeavoring,  by  the  direction  of  the  officers,  to  remove  the 


,..  EXPKR.Ei.CB.  OF  A  BBIT.B,.  »*VA..  OPncEB.       , 

"*"*  -.    L        •   „      If  V.ovv<  vcr,  it  bo  difficiiU— M 

bU.  of  «ilk  from  the  lc^«  «;*-../';«  i.^^to'L^rnin,,  it  in  a  job  ten 
roost  difficult  wo  found  ''-'"  P"  .i"^,,"  ,St  .jjain.  Such,  ut  lcti«l,  m  the 
times  more  troublo.omo  t«/"^;''  '"'"i^ent/.  the  only  ono,  p.-rhaps,  on 
fair  inference  ^^"'^^'1^°.  '7JSTo  "m  o  what  wo  hud  etro.i..d  .n 
rccord-for  it  cost  »>*>f  ^'^^  '"f.  ^nS  of  the  uncoasinK  and  outrugcous 
less  than  an  hour- to  "^^V  ""^'""B  decks,  especially  un.ler  the  Runs, 
uproar  which  took  place  »«"«  J^^^  'jSe  Jullcy,  where  two  or  three 
and  even  under  the  coppers,  y^"'? ''^^,,,^9  apparently  resolvecl  to 
ltt,rrSit'^-  rCSon  of'beln,  deprived  of  the. 

™7S  was  very  ^re^^^^^^^ZllZ^^'^ ^ 
the  course  of  the  day,  the  real  ^^^-^^^  °' ^'^j  Two  of  the  mids  were 
taking  a  pig  out  of  •"7),?;"?  ^on  a  »  U  olck  bunting  to  the  lc,g  of  a 
detected  in  the  very  act  "^ ^V  "doc  ared  they  had  already  cut  off  crape 
BOW,  from  which  the  seamen  J^^^J'^^J  \  J,  ^..-.t  of  black, 
and'silk  enough  to  'i'^^^.'^i.^  ^ero  ratted,  the  whole  party  of  us 
As  soon  as  these  fresh  offenses  wcj«      I  ^^^  ^^,^,^,  yont  to  sit 

were  ordered  to  the  '"'^«^-»'«'^'l  ^^^/^u";  topgallant  yard-arms,  and  one 
on  the  topmast  cross-trees,  .o.ne  J  J^e  U^pga»  ^^^^  y^ 

Zm  goLtleman  being  P'^;.';^^  '^^^'^^  the  extremity  of  the  gaff.  n 
balanced  abaft  by  another  ^  »«/»\P  ^^j"  fo,  six  or  eight  hours,  as  old 
tddTrtSr  uTwittT^rl^rvhe/we  were  called  down  as  the 

XJiLe..r:,  fViend,  being^r^her  provoked  ^^^^^tSX- 
his  young  flock  ""^^.^'^^^Virthe  dot  had  eally  been  made  away  wtth 
It  soon  occurred  to  h"",  tha nf  he  dog  n  ^^hiut     ,„„st  have  had 

tobacco  out  of  his  mouth.  ,;  j^  ^jth  which  the  butcher  took 

Old  Daddy  observed  the  peculiar  rel.sh  ^^^^  ^,,,i  ,,  before 

his  glass;  and  m.xmg  ^nf  "^r,  a  gooo  ^^^^^^ 

"  Surely,  sir."  suddenly  asked  the  inquisitor. 

;;?^d7n't\t':luMh:?sUmered  the  butcher,  qutte  taken  b, 
surprise,  and  thrown  all  aback.  ^^^^^^^  y°Vr;?5 

"  !'^'\^'"'come  tel  us'^all  about  it  now.    How  did  you  get  nd  of 
north-wester,     l^ome,  leii  uo  » 
the  dog?-of  Shak.ngs,  I  mejmT  ^^  ^.^  .^  ^  ^ag-a  bread- 

«'  Why,  sir,"  said  the  peaching  rogue,        P 

''•'E'Well-what  then?"  ovcrboard-out  of  the  midship 

« I  tied  up  the  mouth,  and  put  him  ovcro 

lower-deck  port,  sir."  ^  Daddy. 

«»Ye8;  but  he  would  not  sinkf    sam  ±^      : 


'.  iAftt*  j.<K)tBa*-*i . 


bn  difficnU— M 
,  it  is  a  job  ten 
,  ut  lcti»l,  iH  tho 
>no,  pi-rhnpH,  on 
hiul  etliMi'^d  in 
and   outiugeous 
iiidcr  the  Runs, 
ere  two  or  three 
ntly  resolved  to 
cprived  of  their 

Ihakings;  but,  in 
nary  difficulty  of 
f  tho  mids  were 
ig  to  tho  leg  of  a 
idy  cut  off  crape 
lack. 

vholo  party  of  ua 
,c  wore  sent  to  sit 
,rd-arn\s,  and  one 
was  vory  properly 
:y  of  the  gaff.  In 
ight  liours,  as  old 
illed  down  as  the 

ho  punishment  of 
[  fate  of  Shakings, 
n  made  away  with, 
ity,  must  have  had 
lan  in  the  evening, 

s  health?"  said  the 
\  immense  quid  of 

h  tho  butcher  took 
;nt,  placed  it  before 
I'ords : 

iinane  a  man  as  any 
well  that  ywu  must 


isitor. 

cher,  quite  taken  by 

ass  for  you— a  stiff 
iv  did  you  get  rid  of 

n  in  a  bag— a  bread-  , 
-out  of  the  midship 


EXPKUIENCK8  OF  A  IUUTI3U  NAVAL  OFFICER.  365 

"Oh,  sir,"  cried  the  butcher,  now  onlcrinj,'  fully  into  tho  merciless 
«piril  ol  Ills  trudi^,  "  1  put  a  four-und-twonly-pouiul  sliot  into  tho  bag 
along  \s  .1  I  Shakings." 

"  Did  yiiii  ?— 'riuiii,  Master  Butcher,  all  I  can  say  is,  you  aro  as  precious 
a  rascal  as  ever  wont  about  unhanged.  Tiiero,  drink  your  grog,  and  bo 
off  with  you!"  . 

Next  morning  when  tho  officers  wore  assembled  at  breakfast  in  the 
ward-room,  the  door  of  tho  captain  of  miirinos'  cabin  was  suddenly 
opeuod,  and  that  officer,  half  siiaved,  and  laughing  through  a  collar  of 
•oaji-suds,  stalked  out,  with  a  paper  in  his  liand. 

«'  Hero,"  ho  oxclaimed,  "  is  a  copy  of  verses,  whicli  1  found  just  now 
in  my  basin.  I  can't  tell  how  they  got  thoro,  nor  what  they  aro  about— 
but  you  shall  judge." 

So  he  read  tho  two  following  stanzas  of  doggerel: 

"  When  tlio  Nortlipni  OuMfcd'racy  thrrat«no(l  our  shores, 
And  nmstd  Albion'H  Liiiii,  rpclinini?  lo  slpcp, 
Pri'fervBtioii  was  taken  of  ail  tlut  Kins^'i*  Stores, 
Nor  80  much  as  a  Hope  Yarn  was  lauacliid  in  the  deep. 

"  But  now  it  is  Peace;  other  hopes  aro  in  view, 
And  all  active  service  ns  litjlit  as  a  featlier; 

The  Stores  may  be ,  and  iiiirnanity,  too,  • 

For  Shaki.nos  and  Shot  are  tlirown  o'erboard  together  I' 

I  need  hardly  say  in  what  quarter  of  tho  ship  this  biting  morsel  of 
cock-pit  satire  was  concocted,  nor,  indeed,  who  wrote  it,  for  there  was 
no  one  but  our  good  Daddy  who  was  equal  to  such  a  flight.  About  mid- 
night, an  urchin,  who  sliall  bo  nameless,  was  thrust  out  of  one  of  the 
after-ports  of  the  lower-deck,  from  whicii  lio  clambered  up  to  the  marine 
officer's  port,  and  the  sash  liappening  to  have  been  lowered  down  on  tho 
gun,  the  epigram,  copied  by  another  of  tho  youngsters,  was  pitched  into 
tho  soldier's  basin. 

The  wisest  thing  would  have  been  for  the  officers  to  have  said  nothing 
about  the  matter,  and  let  it  blow  by.  But  angry  people  aro  seldom 
judicious;  so  they  made  a  formal  complaint  to  the  captain,  who,  to  do 
him  justice,  was  not  a  little  puzzled  how  to  settle  the  affair.  The  reputed 
author,  however,  was  called  up,  and  tho  captain  said  to  him: 

«  Pray,  sir,  are  you  the  writer  of  these  lines?" 

"  I  am,  sir,"  he  replied,  at\er  a  little  consideration. 

"Then  all  I  can  say  is,"  remarked  the  captain,  "they  are  cleTer 
enough  in  their  way — but  take  my  advice,  and  write    no   more  such 

rerses."  .  ,    ,  .      .  ,       . 

So  the  affair  ended.  The  satirist  took  the  captain's  hint  in  good  part, 
and  confined  his  pen  to  topics  below  the  surface  of  the  water. 

KEEFINO    WATCH. 

With  a  few  exceptions,  every  person  on  board  a  man-of-war  keeps 
watch  in  his  turn:  and  as  this  is  one  of  the  most  important  of  the  wheels 
which  go  to  make  up  the  curious  clock-work  of  a  ship's  discipline,  it 
•eems  to  deserve  a  word  or  two  in  passing. 

The  officers  and  midshipmen  are  generally  divided  into  three  watches — 
first,  second  and  third.  As  the  senior  lieutenant  does  not  keep  watch, 
the  officer  next  in  rank  takes  the  first,  the  junior  lieutenant  the  second, 
and  the  master  the  third  watch,  in  ships  where  there  are  not  more  than 
three  lieutenants.     Under  each  of  these  chiefs  there  is  placed  a  squad 


'$} 


r 


860 


EXPERIENOKH  OF  A  HHITISU  KAVAL  OFPIOER. 


of  midnhipmcn;  thu  principal  ono  of  whom  in  mate  of  thn  watch,  tho 
noxt  ill  floniority  iH  Htationod  on  tho  forecantlu,  anil  atler  him  comt-H  tho 
poop  mid.  Thu  yoiingiitorH  inmain  on  tho  loc-iiido  of  tho  qiiartor-deck, 
hionjf  with  tho  mato  of  tho  watch.  For  it  must  bo  obsorvod,  that  no  ono 
but  tho  captain,  tho  lioutenants,  tho  maater,  nurj^con,  pur'ser,  and  marine 
officer  is  over  allowed,  upon  any  occasion  n'hatsoovor,  to  walk  on  tho 
weathcr-aidv).  This  custom  has  bccomo  so  much  a  matter  of  course, 
that  1  hardly  remember  asking  myself  boforo,  what  may  have  boon  tho 
origin  of  tho  regulation?  The  chief  purpose,  no  doubt,  is  to  dra-.v  a  strong 
lino  of  distinction  between  tho  difforeiit  innks;  although,  independently 
ot'  this,  the  weather-side  is  certainly  tho  most  convenient  to  walk  upon 
when  the  ship  ib  pressed  with  sail:  it  is  also  the  best  sheltered  from 
wind  and  rain;  and  tho  vi>>'.>',  both  low  and  aloft,  is  more  commanding 
than  it  is  from  the  leeward. 

Every  person,  also,  nui  excepting  tho  captain,  when  ho  comes  on  the 
tjuartcr-dcck,  touches  his  hat;  and  as  this  salutation  is  supposed  to  be 
paid  to  this  privileged  spot  itneif,  all  those  who  at  the  moment  have  the 
honor  to  bo  upon  it  are  bound  to  acknowledge  the  compliment.  Thus, 
even  when  a  midshipman  comes  up,  and  t.ikes  oil'  iiis  hat,  uU  the  officers 
who  are  walking  tho  dock,  the  adrnitnl  included,  if  he  happena  to  bo  of 
the  number,  touch  their  hats  likewise. 

So  completely  does  this  form  grow  into  n  habit,  that  in  the  darkest 
night,  and  when  thore  may  not  be  a  single  person  near  the  liatchway,  it 
i:i  invariably  ii{i{n:>ded  to  with  the  snme  precision.  Indeed,  when  au 
officer  of  the  navy  happens  to  be  on  board  a  merchant  ship,  or  a  packet. 
he  finds  it  difficult  to  nvoid  carrying  his  hand  to  his  hat  every  timo  he 
comes  on  deck.  1,  for  one,  at  least,  can  never  got  over  tho  feeling  that 
it  is  rude  to  neglect  this  ceremony,  and  have  oflen,  when  on  board  pas- 
sage vessels,  wondered  to  see  gontlemen  so  deficient  in  good  breLding, 
as  to  come  gaping  up  the  hatchway,  as  if  their  hats  were  nailed  to  thoir 
heads,  and  their  hands  sewed  into  their  breuchos-pockets! 

Of  course,  each  person  in  the  watch  has  a  specific  duty  to  attend  to, 
as  I  shall  endeavor  to  describe  presently;  but,  first,  it  may  be  well  to 
mention  tj  e  ingenious  arrangement  of  the  hours  by  which  tho  periods 
of  watching  arc  equally  distributed  to  all. 

In  speaking  of  the  three  watches,  it  will,  perhaps,  avoid  confusion, 
and  rather  simplify  tho  description,  to  call  them,  for  a  moment,  not  first, 
second  and  third,  as  they  are  named  on  board  ship,  but  to  designate 
them  by  the  letters  A,  B  and  C. 

Let  us  begin  then  by  supposing  that  A\<3  watch  commences  at  eight 
o'clock  in  the  evening;  the  officer  and  his  party  remain  on  deck  till  raid- 
night,  four  hours  being  one  period.  This  ia  called  the  first  watch.  Bis 
next  roused  up,  and  keeps  the  middle  watch,  which  lasts  from  midnight 
till  four  o'clock.  C  now  comes  up,  and  stays  on  deck  till  eight,  which 
is  the  morning  watch.  A  then  returns  to  the  deck,  where  he  walks  till 
noon,  when  he  is  relieved  by  B,  who  stays  up  till  four.  If  C  were  now 
to  keep  the  watch  from  four  to  eight,  of  course  A  would  again  have  to 
keep  the  first  watch  on  the  serx>nd  night,  as  he  did  it  first  starting;  and 
all  the  others,  in  like  manner,  would  have  to  keep  over  again  exactly 
the  same  watches,  every  night  and  day.  In  order  to  break  this  uniform 
recurrence  of  intervals,  an  ingenious  d^'^  Ice  has  been  hit  upon  to  pro- 
duce a  constant  and  equitable  rotation.  When  or  where  this  plan 
was  invented,  I  do  not  know,  but  I  believe  it  exists  in  the  ships  of 
all  nations. 


?PIOER. 

)  of  thn  watch,  the 
fter  him  comos  the 
f  tho  qiinrtor-deck, 
iRorvod,  thai  no  one 
puner,  ami  marine 
lOT,  to  walk  on  tho 
I  matter  of  course, 
may  have  boon  the 
t,  is  to  draw  a  strong 
)Ugh,  independently 
jniont  to  walk  upon 
tost  sheltered  from 
1  more  commanding 

en  ho  comts  on  the 
m  is  supposed  to  be 
ic  moment  have  the 
compliment.  Thus, 
a  hat,  all  tho  officers 
ho  happen!!  to  be  of 

,  that  in  the  darkest 
icar  the  hatchway,  it 
I.  Indeed,  when  an 
uit  ship,  or  a  packet, 
is  hat  every  time  he 
over  tho  feeling  thai 
,  when  on  board  pas- 
jnt  in  good  breeding, 
a  were  nailed  to  their 
ockets ! 

ific  duty  to  attend  to, 
irst,  it  may  bo  well  to 
by  which  the  periods 

aps,  avoid  confusion, 
jr  a  moment,  not  first, 
ihip,  but  to  designate 

I  commences  at  eight 
main  on  deck  till  mid- 
l  the  first  watch.    B  is 
;h  lasts  from  midnight 
deck  till  eight,  which 
;k,  where  he  walks  till 
four.    If  C  were  now 
v.  would  again  have  to 
id  it  first  starting;  and 
lep  over  again  exactly 
r  to  break  this  uniform 
I  been  hit  upon  to  pro- 
n  or  where  this   plan 
exists  in  the  ships  of 


*^- 


^>. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


2.0 


1.4 


1.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


tes 


j^^^ 


mA,i^mrn.iimimif<fm.-&,^i^m^''jimm~-' 


l/. 


^ 


rf> 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  canadien  de  microreproductions  historiques 


■w 


".i>'W ' ' a.a'iiM»/J'^i*a  Jti'jiyj^^: -''-y'',S''^i5J!jSM<'J'^--'''?--<'''^-?-^*i'*"  j*^*-'^'- ' '  '"''< '  '-'"•     ">'"'"' 'M 


t 


EXPERIENCES  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 


367 


The  period  from  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  till  eight  in  the  evening, 
instead  of  constituting  one  watch,  is  divided  into  two  watciies,  of  a  couple 
of  hours  each.  These,  I  don't  know  why,  are  called  the  "  dog  watches." 
The  first,  which  lasts  from  four  to  six  o'clock,  belongs,  on  the  second 
day,  according  to  the  order  described  above,  to  C,  who  is,  of  course, 
relieved  at  six  o'clock  by  A.  This  alteration,  it  will  be  observed,  gives 
the  first  watch  ^from  eight  to  midnight)  to  B,  on  the  second  night;  tlie 
middle  watch  (from  midnight  to  four)  to  C;  and  the  morning  watch 
(from  four  to  eight)  to  A;  the  forenoon  watch  (from  eight  to  noon)  to  B; 
and  the  afternoon  (from  noon  to  four)  to  C.  The  first  dog  watch  (from 
four  to  six)  will  now  be  kept  by  A,  the  second  dog  watch  (from  six  to 
eight)  by  B,  and  so  on,  round  and  round.  By  this  mechanism,  it  will 
easily  be  perceived,  the  officers,  on  each  succeeding  day,  have  a  watch 
to  keep,  always  one  stage  earlier  than  that  which  they  kept  on  tiie  day 
before.  Thus  if  A  has  the  morning  watch  one  night,  he  will  have  tiie 
middle  watch  on  the  night  following,  and  the  first  watch  on  the  night 
after  that  again.  The  distribution  of  time  which  this  produces  is  very 
unequal,  when  the  short  period  of  twenty-four  hours  only  is  considered ; 
but  the  arrangement  rights  itself  in  the  course  of  a  few  days.  On  the 
first  day,  A  has  ten  hours'  watch  to  keep  out  of  the  twenty-four,  B  eight, 
and  C  only  six.  But  on  the  next  day,  A  has  only  six  hours,  while  B  has 
ten,  and  C  eight;  while  on  the  third  day,  A  has  eight,  B  six,  and  C  ten 
hours  watchmg;  and  so  on,  round  and  round,  from  year's  end  to 
year's  end. 

This  variety,  to  a  person  in  health  and  spirits,  is  often  quite  delightful. 
Each  watch  has  its  peculiar  advantages;  and  I  need  hardly  add  that  each 
likewise  furnishes  an  ample  store  of  materials  for  complaining,  to  those 
discontented  spirits  whose  chief  delight  is  to  coddle  up  grievances,  as 
if,  forsooth,  the  principal  object  of  life  was  to  keep  ourselves  unhappy, 
and  to  help  to  make  others  so. 

The  first  watch  (eight  o'clock  to  midnight)  which  comes  after  the 
labor  of  the  day  is  done,  and  when  everything  is  hushed  and  still,  carries 
with  It  this  great  recommendation,  that,  although  the  hour  of  going  to 
bed  IS  deferred,  the  night's  rest  is  not  afterward  broken  in  upon.  The 
prospect  of  "turning  in"  at  midnight,  and  being  allowed  to  sleep  till 
seven  in  the  morning,  helps  greatly  to  keep  us  alive  and  merry  during 
the  first  watch,  and  prevents  the  excitement  of  the  past  day  from  ebbing 
too  fast.  On  the  other  hand,  your  thorough-bred  growlers  are  apt  to  say, 
It  IS  a  grievous  task  to  keep  thg  first  watch,  after  having  gone  through 
all  the  toil  of  the  day,  and,  in  particular,  after  having  kept  the  afternoon 
watch,  (noon  to  four  o'clock,)  which,  in  hot  climates,  is  always  a  severe 
trial  upon  the  strength.  Generally  speaking,  however,  I  think  the  first 
watch  IS  the  least  unpopular;  for,  I  suppose,  no  mortal,  whatever  he 
might  think,  was  ever  found  so  Quixotic  as  to  profess  openly  that  he 
really  kked  keeping  watch.  Such  a  paradox  would  be  famously  ridiculed 
on  board  ship! 

The  middle  watch  is  almost  universally  held  to  be  a  great  bore;  and 
certainly  it  is  a  plague  of  the  first  order,  to  be  shaken  out  of  a  warm 
bed  at  midnight,  when  three  hours  of  sound  sleep  have  sealed  up  our 
eyelids  all  the  faster,  and  steeped  our  senses  in  forgetfulness,  and  in 
repose,  generally  much  needed.  It  is  a  bitter  break,  too,  to  have  foTir 
good  hours  sliced  out  of  the  very  middle  of  the  night's  rest,  especially 
when  this  tiresome  interval  is  to  be  passed  in  the  cold  and  rain,  or,  which 
18  fltten  still  more  trying,  in  the  siUtry  calm  of  a  smooth,  tropical  sea, 


'Cf 


,„,  EXPEa.l5»0ESOrADB.T.»HSAVALO>-F.0EB, 

°^^  -.1    „  na  If  thev  had  been  dipped  o»ei- 

when  the  sleepy  sails  as  -f^  ^^S,    ng,t7so  very  gentf  s  bare  y 

lioll^  Sr  Ce^lllc^Sn  of  .1:  sound  aW.  so.  .e  to 
^^^Seless  the  .uch  abused  ;.uldle  .aU.  has^^  J— ,  . 
least  for  those  ardent  young  «P';J^  Y  °  ,^'  There  are  full  three  hours 
whose  habit  it  is  to  make  t^.e  rno^t  of  h.ngs.^     ^^^  ^  ^^^^  ,^    j 

and  a  l>alf  of  sound  ^^^o^^^^^/^'^,.  ^h,  the  mind,  being  rested  as  well 
sleep"  after  it  is  over.  Beside  «  ^^  '  .  ^^^  come  to  their  task  bo 
as  the  body,  before  the  m.ddle  ^^f  ^^^^''^es  to  execute,  they  are 
JrV;  dy,  thit  if  there  be  ,^^7  ^ard  or  anx.ous  c,„    ^  ^^  ^^ 

promptly  and  well  '^"en^f  »«•  fjj^^^f  Jy  entlmsiam  may  contrive  to 
ihe  deck,  tlie  thoughts  of  an  oflicerot  ay  ^^^.^^^.^^  ^^..^j,  that 

find  occupation  either  in  looking  back,  or  in  ^^J^  ^.^fully  employed 
Tndof  cheerfulness  which  belongs  to  youtn  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^^ 

AUhat  season  of  the  night  every  one  e^se  F^^^  ,ookout-m^n  at 

-\er  at  the  con,  the  h^^^^^^^^  d  the  .uar  er. 


ErdK;;;.r;i;tions .  K^Ssil^^iS^ 

Ind  eSept,  of  course,  the  different  drowsy  m.^  ^j^  ^^^^^^^^^  ^„y„^,„g 


thpir  dineroni  at<iv>""'  -••  -       "     -  ,irn«i8v  miuaics,  who,  p""-  • - 

and  eSept,  of  course,  tlie  ^fere"!  ^'^^  ™  j  ^„i  forward,  counting 
leep  tramming  along  the  q»»^^^;-*^?f  ;i,^:3T"  looking  wistfully  at  the 
the  half-hour  bells  with  ^"'''""^^f  J^J^^^' door  shakes  ever  and  anon  M 

^^|:^t?ioyous  morning  w^h  ^^ ^  ^^llJ^ J j;::;^ ^^^^J 

It  is  the  beginning  of  a  "e'/'^y  "L^S^so  that,  when  the  first  touches 
arrattackeltoo,afteragoodn^h   3^^^^^^^^  .„  ^,,  black  «ky, 

«f  the  dawn  appear,  and  the  ho"2on,  p  J  j^,^g  ^  tgeling 

begins  to  show'i^elf  in  the  -fj^^te  en  the  dullest  are  not  altogether 

of  elasticity  and  «t^«°g^^' °^„t; ,  I'nent  when  ^^^^^'^^\°[^^'l^Z 
Sensible.     In  war  time  th^  is  a  "J"™^.     j^     „„d  happy  is  the  «harp- 

«  Up  with  the  helm!''  cries  the  officer^  ^^,    Youngster, 

studdi'ng-sails-rig  out  ^^J^^^  a  strang'er  on  the  ^ee-bow-aa^ 

;::  ttrw^t^mltinVaS  sail.  /^^^^Jf  fSl7'^^^^^^^^  other  ves-eV. 

V.  the  merry  morning  ^"'"^V,^?  be^fkenra- to  the  course  steered, 

hove  in  sight,  fresh  r^^-^,™"!  th  tS  period  of  the  day   at  sea. 

characteristics  of  the  profession.  j^^  ,^^j^^  «".pV7™v1L1! 

The  morning  watdi,  also,  '^f  P^^^JJI^  d^y  free,  from  eight  o  clock 
hardly  ever  fails  to  afford, !"'«' '^^^  Je^^oul'brokea  resolution  .8  put 
Su  four  in  the  afternoon.  Many  a  P^J'^y  ^o  those,  however,  who 
off  o  this  period,  only  to  be  Jg^  »;  J"'*^^^;  ,„„  day  in  every  three. 


:t 


ER. 

in  dipped  otei- 
rently  us  barely 
'  with  notes  so 
most  sots  me  to 

advantages,  al 
;  them  out,  and 
full  three  hours 
,ng  a  "  spell  of 
g  rested  as  well 
3  to  their  task  BO 
xecute,  they  are 
g  to  do  but  pace 
,  may  contrive  to 
brward,  with  that 
seluUy  employed, 
jave  the  qiiarter- 
0  lookout-men  at 
and  the  quarters, 
vho,  poor  fellows! 
forward,  counting 
g  wistfully  at  the 
ever  and  anon,  as 
uld  be  accelerated 

universal  favorite, 
arize.     Tho  duties 
en  the  first  touches 
t  in  the  black  sky, 
ho  spirits  a  feeling 
are  not  altogether 
ndreds  of  eyes  are 
happy  is  the  sharp- 
iltation: 


topgallant  and  roysl 
iboom!  Youngster, 
n  the  lee-bow— and 

-uish." 

an,  and  other  vessels 
the  course  steered, 
,d  of  the  day,  at  sea, 
than  any  other  tinae, 
,t  decision,  and  vigor 
y,  form  the  essential 

active  employment  it 
se,  from  eight  o'clock 
ken  resolution  is  pu» 
»  those,  however,  who 
»r  day  in  every  three, 
BS,  is  of  the  greatest 


EXPERIENCES  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 


369 


consequence;  though,  it  must  be  owned  that  at  tho  very  best,  a  ship  is 
but  a  wretched  place  for  reading.  The  eternal  motion,  and  the  infernal 
noise,  almost  baffle  the  most  resolute  students. 

For  a  hungry  midshipman  (when  are  they  not  hungry?)  the  morning 
watch  has  attractions  of  a  still  more  tender  nature.  The  mate,  or  senior 
man  among  them,  is  always  invited  to  breakfast  with  the  officers  at  eight 
o'clock;  and  one  or  two  of  the  youngsters,  in  turn,  breakfast  with  the 
captain  at  half  past  eight,  along  with  the  officer  of  the  morning  watch 
and  the  first  lieutenant,  who,  in  many  ships,  is  the  constant  guest  of  the 
captain,  both  at  this  meal  and  at  dinner. 

I  have  already  mentioned  that  the  first  watch  begins,  nominally,  at 
eight,  and  ends  at  midnight;  but  people  are  much  mistaken,  who  Suppose 
that  a  slcepy-hcadcd  midshipman,  with  the  prospect  of  a  cold  middle 
watch  before  him,  and  just  awakened  out  of  a  sound  nap,  is  disposed  to 
jump  up  at  once,  dress  himself,  and  run  upon  deck.  Alas!  it  is  far 
from  this;  and  no  one  who  has  not  been  exposed  to  the  trial  can  conceive 
tlio  low  ebb  to  which  patriotism,  zeal,  public  spirit — call  it  what  you 
please — sinks  at  such  an  hour  in  the  breast  of  the  unhappy  wretch  who, 
in  the  midst  of  one  of  those  light  and  airy  dreams,  which  render  the 
night  season  of  young  people  such  a  heaven  of  repose,  is  suddenly 
roused  up.  After  being  awakened  by  a  rude  tug  at  the  clues  of  his 
hammock,  he  is  hailed,  after  the  following  fashion,  by  the  grulf  old 
quarter-master: 

"Mr.  Doughead!" 

No  answer.     Another  good  tug  at  the  hammock. 

"  Mr.  Doughead!  it's  twelve  o'clock,  sir!" 

"Very  well,  very  well;  you  need  not  shake  me  out  of  bed,  need  you? 
What  sort  of  a  night  is  it?" 

"  It  rains  a  little,  sir,  and  is  just  beginning  to  blow.  It  looks  very 
black,  sir." 

"Oh,  plague  take  it!  Then  we  shall  have  to  take  in  a  reef,  I 
suppose?" 

"  It  seems  very  like  it,  sir.     It  is  beginning  to  snuffle." 

With  this,  Mr.  Doughead  gives  himself  a  good  shrug  in  his  blanket, 
turns  half  round,  to  escape  the  glare  of  light  frpm  the  quarter-master's 
lantern,  hung  up  within  six  inches  of  his  face,  expressly  to  keep  him 
awake,  and  in  ten  seconds  he  is  again  tightly  clasped  in  the  arms  of 
Morpheus,  the  presiding  deity  of  the  cock-pit  at  that  hour.  By  and  by 
comes  down  the  quarter-master  of  the  middle  watch,  who,  unlike  the 
young  gentleman,  has  relieved  the  deck  twenty  minutes  before. 

"Mr.  Doughead!  it's  almost  one  bell,  sir." 

"Indeed!"  exclaims  the  youth.  "I  never  knew  anything  of  it.  I 
never  was  called." 

"  Oh,  yes,  you  were,  sir.  The  man  I  relieved  said  you  asked  him 
what  sort  of  weather  it  was,  and  whether  we  should  have  to  take  in  a 
reef." 

"  I  ask  about  the  weather !  That  'a  only  one  of  the  lies  he  always  tells, 
to  get  me  into  a  scrape." 

While  they  are  speaking,  the  bell  strikes  one,  indicating  that  half  an 
hour  has  elapsed  since  the  first  conversation  took  place,  touching  the 
weather;  and  presently,  before  Mr.  Doughead  has  got  his  second  foot 
over  the  side  of  his  hammock,  the  mid  who  is  to  be  relieved  by  him 
comes  rattling  down  the  cock-pit  ladder,  as  wet  as  a  shag,  cold,  angry, 
and  more  than  half  asleep. 
24 


Vxi 


& 


370  EXPERIENCES  OP  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 

« I  siiv  Master  Doughy,  do  you  mean  to  relieve  the  deck  to-nighl? 

\°>"T'  m  ^MteTto  keep  .11  m?  o«„  w..ch,  ana  g^nc.ll,  l,.ir  of 
,1,0  P«"i=»,'=?»'=«'"'' "!  Kf  L  of  lho,o°  »»«"  i"'">  -I""  »"°  '""''" 

understood,  when  It  is  ™«"t'<>»«d  \*'^^^J'\7^7i°\;^^^^^^  that 'the 

described  occupies  less  than  ^^J^f^^  "^^.^^  ^^^^^restiy  say,  that  the 
hammocks  touch  one  ^^^''^'^  •.  ^f  .'J^fSn,  has  been  found  in  these 
soundest  sleep,  by  far,  hat  I  ^»'^^%7^^"^^^"'^7',  t^oug,,  the  recollection 
apparently  uncomfortab  e  pl^^-of,^^^;  ;,"!  l'i;Snced  on  making 

Lss  of  interest,  which  only  j^^^^;  i;'^^„?f  ^aV  be  managed  in  three 

The  wicked  operation  of  »  cutting  f*"..  3   divide  the  foremost 

ways.     The  mildest  form  IS  to  take  a  kmfo^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^^ 

bringing  tte  lound  stern  of  the  J^^g  «f ;^f '"^''^"^'feceive    t.    The 
If  1,0  happons  to  bo  .looping  m  <''V,'"'„^°  ,  ™   rin„°  I   mo"o  ruggod, 

°lto,tlt' ao^  £'.i,n..ir»"S"L"r..n'bu. .  .,«g  of 

""St.lTSr.hl.  horso-pUyi.  »n,eUn,o.  y-jej  l,!  p.»;ng  J 
Uno  ,o,.ncl  .ho  middle  p.,.  of  .ho  hammock    »»^  f^^  ™  °8^  ,„j,  „„ 

sr,LTo»\"iroi\L7:aii"do'rdni  ^^  *»  no^w 


lOER. 

ic  deck  to-ni{,'hl? 
rn  a  lef»  yot.  1  '11 
elicf  in  tlio  wliolc 
generally  lialf  of 
lieutenant  t  )-inor- 
I  means  of  making 

"1  tell  you,  again, 

Horn  made;  for  all 
c  midshipmen  arc 
their  own  hands, 
wn  fashion,  on  any 
dy  gentlemen   arc 

occasions,  is  called 
it  be  imagined  from 
of  a  thing  a  ham- 
long  by  two  wide, 
sets  of  small  lines, 
e,  which  again  are 
>ng  the  beams.     In 
a  couple  of  blankets, 
d.     The  degree  of 
3  gentlemen  may  be 
^  the  apparatus  just 
width,  and  that  the 
loncstly  say,  that  the 
been  found  in  these 
(Ugh  tke  recollection 
perienced  on  making 
narling  of  a  piercing 
r  leave  my  nfemory ; 
;  of  evergreen  fresh- 
be  managed  in  three 
divide  the  foremost 
nd  of  the   hammock 
ed  out,  feet  foremost, 
[ler  lanyard  to  bo  cut, 
rn  the  sleeper's  head 
5  jerked  into  the  air. 
ich  has  the   effect  of 
;ontact  with  the  edge 
s  to  receive  it.    The 
lose  on  the  deck;  or, 
Bt;  on  the  hard  bends 
i  much  more  rugged, 
Fall  is  but  a  choice  of 

igmented  by  piecing  a 
id  fastening  it  to  the 
myards  at  the  ends  are 
[  freely;  but  the  nobler 


EXPERIEN'CES  OF  A  BUITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 


371 


part  of  'lim  being  secured  by  the  bolly-band,  as  it  is  called,  the  futurt- 
hero  tit'  Hdtiie  future  Trafalgar  remains  suspended  ingloiiously,  in  mid 
air,  like  tliu  golden  ilocco  over  a  wollcn-drapor's  shop. 

These  are  but  a  few  of  tiio  tricks  played  off  upon  those  who  will  not 
relievo  tin!  deck  in  proper  time.  I  remember  an  incorrigible  snotjzer, 
who  had  been  called  three  or  four  times,  but  still  gave  no  symptoms  of 
any  intention  of  "showing  a  leg,"  the  only  allowable  test  of  sincerity  in 
the  proc(!Ms  called  "turning  out."  About  five  o'clock,  on  a  fine  tropical 
morning,  when  the  ship  was  cruising  off  the  Mono  Passage,  in  the  VVest 
Indies,  and  just  before  the  day  began  to  dawn,  it  was  resolved,  in  a  full 
conclave  of  the  middies  of  his  own  watch,  assembled  on  the  lee-side 
of  the  quarter-deck,  that  an  example  should  forthwith  be  made  of  tha 
sleeper. 

A  detachment,  consisting  of  four  stout  hands,  was  sent  to  the  ham- 
mock of  liie  culprit.  Two  of  them  held  the  youth  firmly  down,  whila 
(lie  otiicrs  wrapped  the  bed-clothes  round  him,  and  then  lashed  him 
up — tiiat  is,  strapped  him  tightly  in  by  means  of  the  lashing,  a  long 
cord  with  which  tiie  hammocks  are  secured  when  brought  upon  deck  in 
the  day-time.  No  part  of  the  unfortunate  wight  was  left  exposed 
except  his  face.  When  he  was  fairly  tied  in,  the  lanyards  of  his  hamr 
mock  were  cast  off,  and  the  bundle,  half  midshipman,  half  bedding,  was 
dragged  along,  like  a  log  of  wood,  to  the  square  of  the  hatchway. 

When  all  was  secure,  the  word  "haul  up"  was  given  from  below, 
upon  which  the  party  on  deck  hoisted  away.  Tiie  sleeper  awakened, 
vanished  from  the  cock-pit,  only  to  make  his  appearance,  in  a  few 
seconds,  at  the  mouth  of  the  windsail,  half  way  between  the  quarter- 
deck and  the  mizzen-stay.  Of  course,  the  boys  watched  their  oppor- 
tunity, when  the  officer  of  the  watch  had  gone  forward  on  the  gangway, 
to  see  how  the  head-yards  were  trimmed;  but  long  before  he  came  aft 
again,  their  victim  was  lowered  down,  and  the  signal  halyards  unbent. 
What  to  do  with  the  wretch  next  was  a  great  puzzle,  till  one  of  them 
said,  "  Oh!  let  us  stick  him  up  on  his  end,  between  two  of  the  guns  on. 
the  weather-side  of  the  deck,  and,  perhaps,  the  officer  of  the  watch  may 
take  him  for  an  Egyptian  mummy,  and  have  him  sent  to  the  British 
Museum,  as  a  present  to  the  king."  This  advice  was  instantly  followed;, 
and  the  enraged,  mortified  and  helpless  youngster,  being  placed  so  that 
the  first  rays  of  the  sun  should  fall  on  his  countenance,  there  was  no. 
mistaking  his  identity. 

jack's  allowance. 

The  moment  of  noon  is  the  most  important  of  all  the  grand  epochs 
which  mark  the  progress  of  time  on  board  ship.  It  commences  our  day 
in  nautical  astronomy,  and  is  ushered  in  by  a  number  of  ceremonies, 
some  of  which  never  fail  to  excite  the  ridicule  of  our  "  shore  going " 
friends  who  may  happen  to  be  on  board;  and  who,  from  not  well  under- 
standing the  drift  of  what  they  see,  are  apt  to  fancy  much  of  it  unneces- 
sary. Nothing  is  so  easy,  indeed,  asto  quiz  those  punctilious  formalities 
with  which  naval  discipline  abounds.  But  if  experience  has  taugiit  that, 
many  of  the  most  valuable  fruits  of  good  order  can  be  traced  to  th« 
exact  observance  of  these  very  forms,  they  surely  lose  none  of  their 
importance  from  having  been  so  long  established  that  their  origin  is  for- 
gotten— still  less  from  being  laughed  at  by  persons  not  having  had  the 
happiness  of  being  brought  up  at  sea,  and,  therefore,  by  no  means  tlie 
best  judges  of  the  utility  of  these  refinements. 


" 


372  EXPERIENCES  OF  K  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 

A,  the  hour  of  noon  m^o..^...^^^^^^.o^  t^Z:^  ^n  S 
coming  up  rhe  foro  and  ™-^'"  ^'f^J'^.Y'jX  a  silver,  and  tl>e  wood- 
hands,  tho  hoops  of  ^l^'^j'/J^^iiSL  moB  tidy  dairy-maid.  The  «rog, 
work  a«  neat  and  f^^^^^jf.f'^ZL  halMeck,  by  the  quarter- 
also,  is  now  mixed  in  a  arge  »".^  ""  u„ 'ther  leading  and  responsible 
maslcrs  of  the  watch  below,  ^^^^^^^f^^'^^^^^eSnded,  of  course,  by 

,„cu  among  the  sh.p'a  <;°"W;„'S 

the  mate  of  the  hold,  to  see  that  no  liquor  ^  ^^^  ^^ 

purser's  steward,  who  regulates  ^]'«J\*'=;iJ,»^„ext  ,J^  it  is  to  take 
water  to  bo  measured  out.  TJ^Vhl  "have  to  mount  to  the  mast-head  to 
the  wheel,  or  heave  the  l^'^d^  °™/^7;  ^  be  planted  as  sentries  at 
lookout,aswell  as    he  mat^nesj^ho  are^t^^^^  P^^^  beforehand 

Se7ertnrarrcl:d'"^^^^^^^^^  f-  ^^^  ^°-  ^'  ^'''' 

they  have  their  allowance  «";«<*  to  *J^™'  ^^^  ^„,^^^  other  minor  pre- 
Long  before  twelve  o'clock,  al    ff ««' "^"^  J"  ^^ere  ia  generally  a 
paratio'ns,  have   been   so  completely  mde,t^  J 

remarkable   stillness   over  the  ^^e   ^^.p  j  ^^  ^^^  break  of  the 

moment  of  noon  arrives  T.^^^/^^l^'^^^'^hiX,  in  his  hand,  which  ever 
forecastle,  with  his  bright  silver  '^all,  or  whistle,  ^^^^^^ 

and  anon  he  places  just  at  the  P^^^d^'j/^^^e  a  faint  "too  weet! 
which  threaten  to  >°t«^f«/«7'''' '*'JfiX  attention  of  the  boatswain's 
too  weet!"  as  a  preparatory  no  c  to  fix  jhe  M  ^^^^.^^  themselves 

SrS:St  mrdSrady'togive  due  accompaniment  to 

^'^^^S^r keeps  his^eye  cmUje  group  J^^-.;^;;^ 
knows  when  the  "sun  is  "Pf'J'y '^^^^^^^^  out  his^  latitude  with  a 

astronomers,  or  by  n°J'<='"gjh^,.  "f  ^t'.  Z^n  the  edge  of  the  hammock- 
pencil,  on  the  ebony  bar  of  his  ^"•'^^^"^'"Xn  neat-handed  navigators, 
railing;  though  if  he  be  one  «f  y«"'^  "f^^j^'one  way  or  other  the 
he  carries  his  little  book  for  ^h'^ /"^P^^j^  ,\"igfied  that  the  sun  has 
latitude  is  computed,  a.  soon  ^  the  master  is  saUs  ^^^^^  ^^  ^^ 

reached  his  highest  f '\";^^ '"^'^'tJSre  ^^dock,  communicating,  also, 
officer  of  the  watch,  and  reP«7  V^^^^^^  observed  The  lieutenant  pro- 
the  degrees  and  m mutes  ^^^^e  latitude  observeu^^^^  ^^^^  .^  .^ 

rnf^atrnffiS^^ 

^Xt  -Z^  evr ;?  t  ras'hi^ir  assisted  in  making  the 

^r c^uin  now  says  to  the  officer  ^^^Cf^^^^" 

It  fat:i:?Xr:^ed-:r„gf  o;t^:r         "^^^'^^ 

eight  bells!"  »u„,  «l,1  miarter-master,  stepping  down  the 

mmi»s,hi,  «>b»»i^'''.•"'v•°.^,!rt^me.l     Nol  less  reidy  or  le.. 


DER. 

3C8  may  be  seen 
ess-kids  in  their 
,  and  tlie  wood- 
laid.     The  jLjrog, 
,  by  the  quarter- 
and  responsible 
d,  of  course,  by 
,  and  also  by  the 
,f  spirits  and  of 
turn  it  is  to  take 
the  mast-head  to 
3d  as  sentries  at 
grog  beforehand. 
10  hour  at  which 

other  minor  pre- 
re  is  generally  a 
re  the  important 
•  the  break  of  the 
hand,  which  ever 
w  out  any  crumbs 
a  faint  "too  weet! 
>f  the  boatswain's 
station  themselves 
accompaniment  to 

bservers,  and  well 
3  place  among  the 
his  latitude  with  a 
;o  of  the  hammock- 
handed  navigators, 
e  way  or  other  the 
id  that  the  sun  has 
len  walks  aft  to  the 
jmmunicating,  also, 
rhe  lieutenant  pro- 
ats  that  it  is  twelve, 
round  of  reports  is 
IS  heard  every  word 
sisted  in  making  the 

"  Make  it  twelve." 
lake  it  twelve." 
rter-master,  "Strike 

•,  Stepping  down  the 
■•  Turn  the  glass,  and 

lis  mouth  for  several 
on  the  stop,  ready  to 
at  less  ready  or  less 
low-white  deal  tables 
their  mess-kids  acting 
the  first  stroke  of  the 


EXPERIENCES  OP  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 


373 


bell,  which,  at  this  particular  hour,  is  always  sounded  with  jicculiar 
vivacity,  the  officer  of  the  watch  oxclaims  to  the  boatswain,  '■  Pipe  to 
dinnt'r!" 

Those  words,  followed  by  a  glorious  burst  of  shrill  sounds,  "  long 
drawn  out,"  are  hailed  with  a  murmur  of  delight  by  many  s  hungry  tar, 
and  miiny  a  jolly  marine.  The  merry  notes  are  nearly  drowned,  next 
inHtaiit,  ill  the  rattle  of  tubs  and  kettles,  the  voice  of  the  ship's  cook  and 
his  matcH,  bawling  nut  tho  numbers  of  the  messes,  as  well  as  by  the 
sound  of  feet  trampling  along  the  decks,  and  down  the  ladders,  with  the 
steaming,  ample  store  of  provisions — such  as  set  up  and  brace  the  sea- 
man's frame,  and  give  it  vigor  for  any  amount  of  physical  action. 

A    seaman's    «RAV£. 

Independently  of  any  personal  interest,  sailors  are  always  very  desirous 
that  no  one  should  die  on  board — or  rather,  they  have  a  great  objection 
to  the  body  of  any  one  who  has  died  remaining  among  them.  This  is  a 
superstition  easily  accounted  for  among  men  whose  whole  lives  art 
passed,  as  it  were,  on  tho  very  edge  of  the  grave,  and  who  have  quite 
enough,  as  they  suppose,  to  remind  them  of  their  mortality,  without  the 
actual  presence  of  its  effects.  An  idea  prevails  among  them,  that  sharks 
will  follow  a  ship  for  a  whole  voyage  which  has  a  corpse  on  board;  and 
the  loss  of  a  mast,  or  the  long  duration  of  a  foul  wind,  or  any  other 
incoavcniencc,  is  sure  to  be  ascribed  to  the  same  influence.  Accord- 
ingly, when  a  man  dies  on  board  ship,  there  is  an  obvious  anxiety  among 
the  crew  to  got  rid  of  their  late  shipmate  as  speedily  as  possible. 

It  need  not  bo  mentioned  that  the  surgeon  is  in  constant  attendance 
upon  the  dying  man,  who  has  generally  been  removed  from  his  hammock 
to  a  cot,  which  is  larger  and  more  commodious,  and  is  placed  within  a 
screen  on  one  side  of  the  sick  bay,  as  the  hospital  of  the  ship  is  called. 
It  is  usual  for  tho  captain  to  pass  through  this  place,  and  to  speak  to  the 
men,  every  morning;  and  I  imagine  there  is  hardly  a  ship  in  the  service 
in  which  wine,  fresh  meat,  and  any  other  supplies  recommended  by  the 
surgeon,  are  not  sent  from  the  tables  of  the  captain  and  officevs  to  such 
of  the  sick  men  as  require  a  more  generous  diet  than  the  ship's  stores 
provide.  After  the  carver  in  the  gun-room  has  helped  his  messmates, 
he  generally  turns  to  the  surgeon,  and  says,  "  Doctor,  wh  it  shall  I  send 
to  the  sick?"  But,  even  without  this,  the  steward  would  certainly  be 
taken  to  task  were  he  to  omit  inquiring,  as  a  matter  of  course,  what  was 
wanted  in  the  sick  bay.  The  restoration  of  the  health  of  the  invalids 
by  such  supplies  is,  perhaps,  not  more  important,  however,  than  the 
moral  influence  of  the  attention  on  the  part  of  the  officers. 

I  have  generally  observed,  also,  a  most  valuable  effiect  produced  on 
the  minds  of  the  survivors,  by  the  captain  attending  the  death-bed  of 
any  of  his  crew.  It  is  astonishing,  indeed,  how  far  such  well  timed 
notice,  however  small,  goes  with  the  sailors;  and  it  is  of  importance  to 
remember  that  this  is  only  one  of  numberless  means  by  which  a  judicious 
olVicer  may  always  strengthen  his  hands,  and  improve  the  discipline  of 
his  ship,  at  an  extremely  small  sacrifice  of  time,  and  none  at  all  of  his 
true  dignity.  For  the  men  are  vastly  easier  managed  when  they  have 
reason  to  believe  their  superiors  enter  into  and  respect  their  feelings, 
than  when,  as  sometimes  happens,  they  see  them  act  as  if  they  scarcely 
considered  themselves  of  the  same  species.  Sailors,  indeed,  will  sub- 
mit cheerfully  to  much  greater  hardships,  and  work  with  double  energy, 
at  the  word  of  an  olficer,  however  strict,  provided  they  are  made  sensible 


•IT''- 


„,,  EXPERIENCES  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 

(no  matter  for  how  «hort  a  t  me)  by  in  ^^^^.ion^Uy,  a,ul  m  the 

whom  tho  surgeon  /"^y  .-^^J^J*  "  jXreat  generals  visiting  hosp.  als, 
flourishing  style  with  «h.c\we  rej^  ot  f '  H  ^j^^^^.^^^  „,  ,,,.1!  as 
but  uniformly,  and  m  th«Jl"'«\iJjjya  man  falling  at  his  post  m  the 
hearty  consideration  for  J^/j^'/'JS"  °*  ,  a  death  is  inferior,  no  doubt, 
service  of  his  country.     Th«  6clat  ot  suat  ^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^ 

to  that  which  is  bestowed  \°  »1^"*/ '  ^^  at  our  hands      A  man 

very  account  the  sacrifice  d'^^^'.Y.f^  ""A"  "^e  to  record  his  cxplo.tH,  and 

who  is  killed  in  action  has  J^V^^'^^i.^d  h  1  de"^^'''^'^-  ^"''  "m  '"'[" 
the  whole  country  may  b«  ^-^"^  ^» '^""j;'^,  "__of  the  soldier  or  sailor  who 
is  not  less-^r  may  even  ^^^^'^^^Jil'^Ts  story  untold,  and  his  suftor.ngs 
dies  of  a  fever  in  a  distant  ?"a— '^'^^^.V.L  to  his  frame,  he  may  Iravc 
unseen.  In  warring  against  climates  "-^"'^^^J^^^^^^.e  formidable  tiuin 
"crniered,  in/he.pblic  service  enem.e  often  m.^^^.^^^ 
those  who  handle  pike  and  gun      Thero  s       ^^^  ^_^^^^  ,,, 

therefore,  at  such  a  time,  to  show,  not  o    J  ^^^  apprcciatod. 

.hipniates,  and  his  fauuly  at  home,  that  his  ^^  ^  ^,^.^  ^^^  , 

f  r,.ne,nber,  on  one  occasion   ^^H^I^HJ,^  ,ee  him  sochco.tul 
,>oor  fellow  who  was  almost  g^n^'J'^^^y;''.,?  j,  Aad  anything  to  say. 

'"iSt^^rK'nS'Si;" -id  his  commander,  "  and  to  the  satisH^ction 
*'^r-r;;,nra7l  w^^a  to  know  sir,-  repUed  the  rnan    ^^  ^.  ^^^^^  ^^ 
Tl  cse  few  common-place  --f^.^  ^  I  atituie  by  the  people  under 
his  time,  but  were  l«"ffJ3    £,  «Uh^lny  other  gracefu    acts  of 
his  orders,  and   contributed,  along  w  vn  3  ^.^^^jj  jcsire. 

'ousiderat;  attention,  to  ^^^^^  ^^^ '^n  who  pleases  him,  he 
If  a  sailor  who  knows  »>«'«  dying  ha.s  ^^         ^  ,\,,i-mi  often 

13  very  likely  to  send  a  message  by  »^^^«  .  8.,^     ^ut  merely  to  say  some- 
to  trouble  his  commander  *'^h;ny  comm  ^^^^^^  ^^  grant  such 

ihina  at  .parting.     No  officer,  of  ««";«^' ^Jd  alwavs  be  volunteered;  for 
n  intervlw,  but  ^^^^^TJ^ Z\l^X'^^^ ^^^^^  ''''''''^"''  ''T  "I 

^^C;hortly  after  POor  Jack  dlea^eJs^P;^-^  for  lu^^^^^^ 
grave  by  his  messmates,  who,  with  the  ass.stan        .^  ^.^  hammock,  and 
fi  the  presence  of  the  master-at-arms,  sew  mm  j  ^^^^  ^,^^  j^^^y 

ha'iiV  placed  a  -"P^^;/, X  an  Egyptia^  —y)  on  a  .pare  gra^ 
(whicl.  now  not  a  little  '•esembles  an  r-gyp  ^  ^^je  up  m 

„„      Some  portion  of  the  ^^^'l^'^g.""^.^^' form   being  too   much  seen. 

he  package-apparently  ^«  ?;«;«,";;]  a-o^^  the  after  hatchway,  the 
.U  is  then  carried  aft,  '^"'^' ^.^'"^Sometimes  it  is  placed  between  two  of 
.rir^^artrhXd:ck;  brglerany,  I  think,  he  is  laid  where  I 

ave'  memioned,  just  abaft  [^^  --J-^  ;„,„  ,,  the  surgeon's  ineffectual 
,  should  have  mentioned  before  that  as  soon         ^^^^  ter-deck,  and 

professional  offices  are  at  an  end,  he  waiK 


3ER. 

levnrity,  hn  \\V.f- 
ipiuess  a  itart  of 

jtain  to  bo  seen 
any  of  his   jrcw 
nally,  and  in  the 
/isiting  hospitals, 
neas,  aa  w(;li  as 
at  his  post  in  the 
nferior,  no  doubt, 
ollect  that  on  this 
ir  hands.     A  man 
I  his  cxploitH,  and 
1.     But  tlie  merit 
dier  or  sailor  wlio 
ind  his  sulVeringa 
rame,  ho  may  Iravc 
re  formidablo-tiian 
thing  loft  undone, 
ng  man,  but  to  liis 
•0  appreciated, 
of  a  sliip  i<ay  to  a 
ce  him  soclicorful 
lathing  to  say. 
mile,  "  I  have  done 

,d  to  the  satisfaction 

an.  . 

not  five  minutes  ol 
y  the  people  under 
jr  graceful  acts  of 
he  could  desire. 
;ho  pleases  him,  ho 
eg  a  visit — not  often 
merely  to  say  some- 
refuse  to  grant  such 
bo  volunteered ;  for 
d  disincline  them  to 
listinctions  are  about 

ed  for  his  deep  sea 
f  the  sail-maker,  and 
in  his  hammock,  and 
It,  they  rest  the  body 
nmy)  on  a  spare  grat- 
e  always  made  up  in 
eing  too  much  seen, 
e  after  hatchway,  the 
aced  between  two  of 
ink,  he  is  laid  where  I 

6  surgeon's  inefiectual 
the  quarter-deck,  and 


A 


EXPKIIIKNCES  OF  A  BRITISH  N.VV.'.L  OrFlOEIl. 


375 


roiiorts  to  the  officer  of  the  watcli  tliat  one  of  IiIh  patients  has  just 
expired.  At  whiiti-ver  hour  of  the  day  or  nigiit  this  occurs,  tlie  captain 
is  immediately  made  acquainted  with  the  circumstance.  At  the  same 
lim<!  the  uiastor-at-arms  is  ordered  by  the  oflicer  of  the  watch  to  take 
imssession  of  the  dead  man's  clothes;  and  his  messmates,  soon  after- 
ward, proceed  to  dress  and  prc|)aro  the  body  for  burial. 

Next  day,  generally  about  eleven  o'clock,  the  bell  on  whidi  the  iialf 
hours  are  struck  is  tolled  for  tiic  funeral  by  one  of  the  quarter-masters 
of  liie  watch  below,  or  by  one  of  the  deceased's  messmates;  and  all 
who  choose  to  bo  prusonl  assemble  on  the  gangways,  booms,  and  round 
the  mainmast,  while  the  foropavt  of  the  quarter-deck  is  occupied  by 

the  officers.  „     •    • 

In  some  ships — and  it  ought,  perhaps,  to  be  po  in  all — it  is  made 
imperative  on  the  officers  and  crow  to  attend  this  ceremony.  If  such 
attendance  bo  a  proper  mark  of  respect  to  a  professional  brother — as  it 
surely  is — it  ought  to  bo  enforced,  and  not  lett  to  caprice.  Tliere  may, 
indeed,  be  times  of  groat  fatigue,  when  it  would  harass  men  aii<i  officers 
needlessly  to  oblige  them  to  come  on  deck  for  every  funeral,  and  upon 
such  occasions  the  watch  on  deck  may  be  sufficient.  Or,  when  some 
dire  disease  gets  into  a  ship,  and  is  cutting  down  her  crew  by  its  daily 
and  nightly,  or  it  may  be  hourly,  ravages,  and  wlicn  two  or  tiiree  times 
in  a  watch,  the  ceremony  must  be  repeated,  tiiose  only  whose  turn  it  ia 
to  be  on  dock  need  bo  assembled.  In  such  fearftil  times,  tlie  funeral  is 
generally  made  to  follow  close  upon  the  death. 

While  the  people  are  repairing  to  the  quarter-deck,  in  oltodienco  to  the 
summons  of  the  bell,  the  grating  on  which  tlie  body  is  phired,  bi'ing 
lifted  from  the  main-deck  by  the  messmates  of  tiie  man  wlio  hns  died,  is 
made  to  rest  across  the  lee  gangway.  Tlie  stanchions  for  the  mnn-ropcs 
of  the  side  arc  unshipped,  and  an  opening  made  at  the  after-end  of  tlio 
hammock  netting  sufficiently  large  to  allow  a  free  passage. 

The  body  is  still  covered  by  the  flag  already  mentioned,  with  the  feet 
projecting  a  little  over  the  gunwale,  while  the  mcs.>sniates  of  the  deceased 
range  themselves  on  each  side.  A  rope,  which  is  kept  out  of  sight  in 
these  arrangements,  is  then  made  fast  to  the  grating,  for  a  purpose  which 
will  be  seen  presently. 

When  all  is  ready,  the  chaplain,  if  there  be  one  on  board,  or,  if  not, 
the  captain,  or  any  of  the  officers  he  may  direct  to  officiate,  appears  on 
the  quarter-deck,  and  commences  the  beautiful  service,  which,  though 
but  too  familiar  to  most  ears,  I  have  observed,  never  fails  to  rivet  the 
attention  even  of  the  rudest  and  least  reflecting.  Of  course,  the  bell 
has  ceased  to  toll,  and  every  one  stands  in  silence  and  uncovered  as  the 
prayers  are  read.  Sailors,  with  all  their  looseness  of  habits,  are  well 
disposed  to  be  sincerely  religious;  and  when  they  have  fair  play  given 
them,  they  will  always,  I  believe,  be  found  to  stand  on  as  good  vantage 
ground,  in  this  respect,  as  their  fellow-countrymen  on  shore.  Be  this 
as  it  may,  there  can  be  no  more  attentive,  or  apparently  reverent  auditory, 
than  assembles  on  the  deck  of  a  ship  of  war,  on  the  occasion  of  a  ship- 
mate's burial. 

There  is  no  material  difference  in  the  form  of  this  service  from  that 
used  on  shore,  excepting  in  the  place  where  allusion  is  made  to  the 
return  of  the  body  to  its  parent  earth.  T^erhaps  it  might  have  been  as 
well  as  to  have  left  this  unchanged— for  ilie  ocean  may  well  be  taken, 
in  this  sense,  as  a  part  of  the  earth — but  since  an  alteration  of  the  words 
was  thought  necessary,  it  could  not  have  been  made  in  better  taste. 


if 


f^ 


37(j  KXPERIEN0E8  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 

The  land  Horvico  for  the  burial  of  tho  dead  contoius  iho  following 

''°"  Fo^Hinuch  as  it  hath  pleaied  Almighty  God,  of  his  groat  .ncrcy.  to 
take  unto  hin.self  the  soul  of  our  dear  brother  hero  departed,  wo  ther.- 
i  commit  his  body  to  the  ground,  earth  to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes,  dust 
lu  dust:  iu  sure  and  certain  hope,"  etc.  ,    r     r  •      i     »„,i 

very  one,  I  am  sure,  who  has  attended  tho  funeral  of  a  fnend-and 
wl  o  w  11  this  not  includ;?-must  recollect  the  solemnity  of  that  stage  of 
Ui^Tco  cmony,  where,  as  tho  above  words  are  pronounced,  there  are  cast 
n^othegra;;  three  success  vo  portions  of  earth,  which,  falling  on  tho 
coL,  «e5d  up  a  hollow,  mourntul  sound,  resembling  no  other  that  I 

""T'the  burial  service  at  sea,  the  part  quoted  above  is  varied  in  the 

to  take  out  of  this  world  the  soul  of  our  deceased  brother,  we  tl  orclore 
commU  l5l  body  tothe  deep,  to  be  turned  into  -"uptjon,  lo<^.ng  for 
the  resurrection  of  the  body,  when  the  sea  shall  g.ve  up  her  d«ad,  c^^ 
At  the  commencement  of  this  part  of  the  service,  one  «f  ^'?  f^''-^^" 
stoops  down,  and  disengages  the  flag  from  the  'f  ""^^^ jj /'';,  f  J^^  P,, 
mate  while  the  others,  at  the  words,  «  we  commit  his  body  to  the  eo p, 
Co'crie  grating  right  into  the  sea.  Tho  body  being  loaded  with  shot 
Tone  end,  glances  off  the  grating,  plunges  at  once  into  the  ocean,  and- 

"  In  a  moment,  like  a  drop  of  rain, 
He  sinks  into  its  denths  with  bubbling  «™h"'    v„own  " 
Without  a  grave,  unknelled,  uncoffined,  and  unknown. 

This  part  of  the  ceremony  is  rather  less  impressive  than  the  corres- 
oondent  part  on  land,  but  still  there  is  something  solemn,  as  well  as 
Sng,^n  the  suddek  splash,  followed  by  the  r.ound  ot  tho  grating,  a. 

'  TnTfit  ty"'a;  set^tootfwtTand  when  all  the  ship's  company 
"  „.l3,  that  i.  i.  c.lc»l.wd  10  l«..e  e,ea  chee.lul  .mptc.oM  o„ 

¥hTrUm7.'.^  e  whirAtXcro'f  .he  number.  I  ha,e  wUne»ed, 
ihe  ,ei  w"  *le.°y  ne  *  profession  for  him,  but  ho  or  h.s  f.iond. 

r4e?^eai  "ffi,  b„.  which  ho  jid  j«  -  ^x'ho':::  W 

for  a  seaman's  grave. 


lOEH. 

lUH  tho  following 

8  groat  iiiorcy,  to 
ipartoii,  wo  thore- 
lies  to  aslioB,  dust 

of  a  friend — and 
ty  of  that  stago  of 
;ed,  thero  aro  cast 
ich,  falling  on  tho 
ig  no  other  that  1 

e  is  varied  in  the 

B  wise  providence, 
ther,  wo  therefore 
uption,  looking  for 
up  her  dead,"  etc. 
one  of  the  seamen 
ns  of  his  late  ship- 
body  to  the  deep," 
g  loaded  with  shot 
o  tlie  ocean,  and — 


iknown." 

re  than  the  corres- 
solemn,  as  well  as 
1  of  tho  grating,  as 

the  ship's  company 
scribed,  although  a 
pleasing,  all  things 
rful  impressions  on 

could  conceive,  do 
the  sternest  natures, 
irs  1  have  witnessed, 

ate  and  fragile,  that 
it  he  or  his  friend? 
h  hia  frame  was  no 
a  great  favorite  with 
as  they  would  havr 
led  him  up  with  all 
style  which  did  not 
ell  resist,  as  it  was 
'ellow! — he  was  lonjr 
ir  complaint  was,  but 
per  might  have  done, 
lestuous  region.     He 
that  he  was  prepared 


KXI'KUIKNUKS  OF  A  HKITlaU  NAVAL  OFFICER. 


;{77 


1  remenilier,  in  the  course  of  tho  day,  going  to  tho  side  of  the  boy'n 
liaiiuncx'k,  and  on  laying  niy  hand  u|H)n  his  breuNt,  was  a.^tiiiiishiMl  to  'ind 
it  Hiill  wiutii — so  inui'li  ho,  that  I  almost  imagined  I  could  l\-v\  thi;  heart 
boat.  'VU\n,  of  coiiLso,  was  a  vain  fancy;  but  I  was  mutli  ott.icliud  to 
my  lilUe  roiupiuiion,  lu'iiig  then  not  much  tuMer  myself;  nml  I  win* 
.sootiitid  und  gratiSed,  in  n  cliildish  way,  by  discovering  that  my  friend, 
tliough  iiiuiiy  hours  dead,  had  not  yet  acquired  the  usual  revolting 
chilini'SH. 

In  atler  years  I  have  sometimes  thought  of  this  incident,  when  reflect- 
iiig  on  the  plt-asing  doctrine  of  the  Spaniards,  that  as  soon  as  children 
dit!,  they  are  translated  into  angels,  without  any  of  those  "cold  obstruc- 
tions" which,  they  pretend,  intercept  and  retard  tho  souls  of  other 
mortals.  The  peculiar  circumstances  connected  with  the  funeral  which 
I  am  about  to  describe,  and  this  fanciful  superstitions  of  the  sailois  upon 
the  occasion,  have  condiined  to  lix  tho  whole  scene  in  my  nu;mory. 

Sometliing  occurred  during  tiie  day  to  prevent  tho  funeral  taking  place 
at  the  usual  hour,  and  the  ceremony  was  deferred  till  long  after  sunset. 
The  evening  was  extremely  dark,  and  it  was  blowing  a  trc-ble-reefed 
topsail  breeze.  Wo  had  just  sent  down  the  lopgalluut  yards,  und  made 
all  snug  for  a  boisterous  winter's  night.  As  it  became  necessary  to  have 
lights  to  SCO  what  was  done,  several  signal  lanterns  were  placed  on  tho 
break  of  the  quarter-deck,  aud  others  along  the  hunnnock  railings  on 
the  leo  gangway.  The  whole  ship's  company  and  oflicers  were  assem- 
bled, some  on  the  booms,  others  in  the  boats,  while  tho  main  rigging 
was  crowded  half  way  up  to  the  cal-harpings.  Overhead,  the  mainsail, 
illuminated  as  high  us  tho  yard  by  the  lamps,  was  bulging  forward  under 
the  gale,  which  was  rising  every  minute,  and  straining  so  violently  at  the 
main-sheet,  that  there  was  some  doubt  whether  it  might  not  be  necessary 
to  interrupt  the  funeral  in  order  to  take  sail  off  the  ship.  The  lower- 
deck  ports  lay  completely  under  water,  and  several  times  the  nmzzles 
of  the  main-deck  guns  were  plunged  into  the  sea;  so  that  the  end  of 
the  grating  on  which  the  remains  of  poor  Dolly  were  laid,  once  or  twice 
nearly  touched  the  tops  of  the  waves,  as  they  foamed  and  hissed  past. 
The  rain  fell  fast  on  the  bare  heads  of  the  crew,  dropping  also  on  the 
officers,  during  all  tho  ceremony,  from  the  foot  of  the  mainsail,  and  wet- 
ting tho  leaves  of  tho  prayer-book.  The  wind  sighed  over  us  among 
the  wet  sliiouds,  with  a  note  so  mournful,  that  there  could  not  have  been 
a  more  appropriate  dirge. 

The  ship — pitching  violently — strained  and  creaked  from  end  to  end: 
so  that,  what  with  the  noise  of  tho  sea,  the  rattling  of  tho  ropes,  and 
the  whistling  of  tho  wind,  hardly  one  word  of  the  service  could  bo  dis- 
tinguished. The  men,  however,  understood,  by  a  motion  of  the  captain's 
hand,  when  the  time  came,  and  the  body  of  our  dear  little  brother  was 
committed  to  the  deep. 

So  violent  a  squall  was  sweeping  past  the  ship  at  this  moment,  that  no 
sound  was  heard  of  the  usual  splash,  which  made  the  sailors  allege  that 
their  young  favorite  never  touched  the  water  at  all,  but  was  at  once 
carried  off  in  the  gale  to  his  final  resting-place ! 

TUB     CUASE. 

On  the  8th  of  November,  1810,  when  we  were  lying  in  that  splendid 
harbor  the  Cove  of  Cork,  and  quietly  refitting  our  ship,  an  order  came 
for  us  to  proceed  to  sea  instantly,  ona  cruise  of  a  week  off  Cape  Clear, 
m  quest  of  an  enemy's  vessel,  reported  to  have  boon  seen  from  some  of 


I 


378 


EXPERIENCES  OP  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 


the  sij,'iial  towers  on  the  west  coast.  We  were  in  such  a.  predicament, 
that  it  was  impossible  to  start  before  the  next  morning,  tiiough  wc  worked 
all  nigiit.  OH'  we  went  at  last;  but  it  was  not  till  the  11th  that  we 
reached  our  appointed  station.  Toward  evening  it  fell  dead  calm,  at 
wliich  time  there  were  two  strange  sails  in  sight;  one  of  them  a  ship, 
which  we  "calculated"  was  an  American,  from  the  whiteness  of  his 
sails;  the  other  a  very  suspicious,  roguish-looking  brig;  but  as  both  of 
them  were  hull  down,  much  of  this  was  guess-work. 

As  the  night  fell,  a  light  breeze  sprung  up,  and  wc  made  all  sail  in 
the  direction  of  the  brig,  though  she  was  no  longer  visible.  In  the 
course  of  the  middle  watch,  we  fortunately  got  sight  of  her  with  our 
night-glasses,  and  by  two  in  the  morning  were  near  enough  to  give  her 
a  shot.  The  brig  was  then  standing  on  a  wind;  while  we  were  coming 
down  upon  her,  right  before  it,  or  nearly  so.  The  sound  of  our  bow- 
chaser  could  hardly  have  reached  the  vessel  it  was  fired  at  before  her 
helm  was  up;  and  in  the  next  instant  her  booms  were  rigged  out,  and 
her  studding-sails,  low  and  aloft,  seen  dangling  at  the  yard-arms.  The 
most  crack  ship  in  his  majesty's  service,  with  everything  prepared, «ould 
hardly  have  made  sail  more  smartly. 

For  our  parts,  we  could  set  nothing  more,  having  already  spread  every 
stitch  of  canvas;  but  tiic  yards  were  trimmed  afresh,  the  tacks  hauled 
closer  out,  and  the  halyards  sweated  up  till  the  yards  actually  pressed 
against  the  shceve-holcs.  The  best  helmsman  on  board  was  placed  at 
the  wheel;  and  the  foot  of  the  foresail  being  drawn  slightly  up  by  the 
bunt  slab-line,  he  could  just  see  the  chase  clear  of  the  foremast,  and  so 
keep  her  very  nearly  riglit  aliead.  The  two  forecastle  guns,  long  nine- 
pounders,  were  now  brouglit  to  bear  on  the  brig;  but  as  we  made  quite 
sure  of  catching  her,  and  did  not  wish  needlessly  to  injure  our  prize,  or 
to  hurt  her  people,  orders  were  given  to  fire  at  the  sails,  whicli,  expanded 
as  they  now  were  before  us,  like  the  tail  of  a  peacock  in  his  fullest 
pride,  oH'ered  a  mark  which  could  not  well  be  missed.  Nevertheless, 
the  little  fellow  would  not  heave  to  for  all  we  could  do  with  our  fore- 
castle guns.  At  four  o'clock,  therefore,  we  managed  to  get  one  of  the 
long  eighteen-pounders  on  the  main-deck,  to  bear  upon  him  from  the 
l)ridle-port.  Still  we  could  not  stop  him,  though  it  was  now  briglil 
moonlight,  and  there  was  no  longer  any  tenderness  about  hurting  his 
people,  or  injuring  Iiis  hull.  The  vessel,  however,  at  which  we  were 
now  peppering  away  with  round  and  grape  siiot,  as  hard  as  we  could 
discliarge  them  from  three  good  s'nart  guns,  was  so  low  in  the  water, 
that  siie  offered,  when  seen  end  on,  scarcely  any  mark.  How  it  iiap- 
pened  that  none  of  her  yards  or  masts  came  rattling  down,  and  that  none 
of  her  sails  flew  away,  under  the  influence  of  our  fire  was  quite 
inexplicable. 

The  water  stili  continued  quite  smooth,  though  the  breeze  had 
freshened,  till  we  went  along  at  the  rate  of  six  or  seven  knots.  When 
the  privateer  got  the  wind,  which  we  had  brought  up  with  us,  she  almost 
kept  her  own,  and  it  became  evident  that  she  was  one  of  tliat  light  and 
airy  description  of  vessels  which  have  generally  an  advantage  over  larger 
ships  when  there  is  but  little  wind.  We,  therefore,  observed,  with  much 
anxiety,  that  about  half  past  four  the  breeze  began  gradually  to  die 
away,  after  which  the  chase  rather  gained  than  lost  distance.  Of  course, 
the  guns  were  now  plied  with  double  care,  and  our  best  marksmen  were 
straining  their  eyes,  and  exerting  their  utmost  skill,  confident  of  hitting 
her,  but  all  apparently  to  no  purpose.     One  or  two  of  the  oflicers,  iu 


;^AL  OFFICER. 

e  in  such  a  predicament, 
orning,  tliougli  wo  worked 
not  till  the  llth  that  we 
ling  it  fell  dead  calm,  at 
light;  one  of  them  a  ship, 
rom  the  whiteness  of  his 
dng  brig;  but  as  bolh  of 
-work. 

,  and  we  made  all  sail  in 
10  longer  visible.  In  the 
got  sight  of  her  with  our 
;  near  enough  to  give  her 
id;  while  we  were  corning 
The  sound  of  our  bow- 
it  was  fired  at  before  her 
ams  were  rigged  out,  and 
ig  at  the  yard-arms.  The 
everything  prepared, *ould 

aving  already  spread  every 
I  afresh,  tlie  tacks  hauled 
he  yards  actually  pressed 
lan  on  board  was  placed  at 
r  drawn  slightly  up  by  the 
ear  of  the  foremast,  and  so 
forecastle  guns,  long  nine- 
)rig;  but  as  we  made  quite 
3ssly  to  injure  our  prize,  or 
;  the  sails,  which,  expanded 
tf  a  peacock  in  his  fullest 
be  missed.     Nevertheless, 
ve  could  do  with  our  fore- 
managed  to  get  one  of  the 
0  bear  upon  him  from  the 
though  It  was  now   bright 
tiderness  about  hurling  his 
cwever,  at  which  we  were 
siiot,  as  hard  as  we  could 
s,  was  so  low  in  the  water, 
iy  any  mark.     How  it  hap- 
rattling  down,  and  that  none 
ice  of  our  fire   was   quite 

1,  though  the  breeze  had 
six  or  seven  knots.  When 
)Ught  up  with  us,  she  almost 
e  was  one  of  that  light  and 
dly  an  advantage  over  larger 
ireforc,  observed,  with  much 
07.C  began  gradually  to  die 
m  lost  distance.  Of  course, 
md  our  best  marksmen  were 
(St  skill,  confident  of  hitting 
le  or  two  of  the  officers,  in 


EXPEHIENCKS  OF  A  RIIITISH  N.WAL  OFFICER. 


379 


particular,  wlio  piqued  themselves  on  kno\»ing  how  to  level  a  gun  ou 

principles  quite  unerring,  in  vain  tried  their  infallible  rules  to  bring  our 

persevering  chase  to  acknowledge  himself  caught. 

By  this  time,  of  course,  every  man  and  boy  in  the  ship  was  on  deck, 

whether  it  was  his  watch  or  not;  even  the  marine  officer,  the  purser  and 

the  doctor  left  their  beds — a  rare  phenomenon.     Every  one  was  giving 
his  opinion  to  his  neighbor;  some  said  the  shot  went  over  her,  .some 

that  they  fell  .^hort;  and  the  opinion  that  she  was  a  witcli,  or  the  Flying 
Dutchman,  jr  some  other  phantom,  was  current  among  tlie  sailors,  while 

the  marines  were  clicking  their  flints,  and  preparing  to  give  our  little 
gentleman  a  taste  of  the  small  arms  when  within  their  reach. 

While  things  were  in  this  anxious,  but  very  pleasurable  state,  our 
foresail  flappL^l  slowly  against  the  mast — a  sure  indication  that  the  breeze 
was  lulling.  The  quadruple  rows  of  reef-points  were  next  heard  to 
rattle  along  the  topsails — sounds  too  well  known  to  every  ear  as  symptoms 
of  an  approaching  calm.  The  studding-sails  were  still  full,  and  so  wore 
the  royals;  but,  by  and  by,  even  tiieir  light  canvas  refused  to  belly  out, 

•  so  faint  was  the  air  which  still  carried  us,  but  very  gently,  along  the 
water,  on  the  surface  of  which  not  a  ripple  was  now  to  be  seen  in  any 
direction.  As  the  ship,  however,  still  answered  her  helm,  we  kept  tlie 
<'uns  to  bear  on  the  chase  without  intermission,  and  with  this  degree  of 
effect,  that  all  her  sails,  both  low  and  alolt,  were  soon  completely  riddled, 
and  some  of  them  were  seen  hanging  in  such  absolute  rags,  tliat  tlie 
slightest  puff  of  wind  must  have  blown  them  away  like  so  many  cobwebs. 
By^five  oVlock  it  was  almost  entirely  calm,  and  we  had  the  mortification 
to  observe  that  the  chase,  whose  perseverance  had  kept  him  thus  long 
out  of  our  clutches,  was  putting  in  practice  a  maneuver  we  could  not 
imitate.  He  thrust  out  his  sweeps,  as  they  are  called,  huge  oars,  recpiir- 
ing  five  or  six  men  to  each.  These,  when  properly  handled,  by  a  sutH- 
ciently  numerous  crew,  in  a  small  light  vessel,  give  her  the  heels  of  a 
lar<re"ship,  when  so  nearly  calm  as  it  now  was  with  us.  Vi^c  w"ro  not 
going  more  than  a  knot  through  the  water,  if  so  much,  which  was  barely 
enough  to  give  us  steerage  way. 

The  Frenchman  got  out,  I  suppose,  about  fifteen  or  twenty  of  these 
sweeps,  and  so  vigorously  were  they  plied,  that  wo  could  see  by  the 
moonlight,  and  still  more  distinctly  when  the  dawn  appeared,  that  the 
foam  was  made  to  fly  in  sheets  at  each  stroke  of  these  gigantic  oars, 
which  were  worked  together,  by  their  looms  being  united  by  a  hawser 
stretching  fore  and  aft.  Our  chief  anxiety  now  was  to  pitch  a  shot 
among  hfs  sweeps,  as  one  successful  hit  there  would  have  sent  half  his 
crew  spinning  about  the  decks.  But  we  were  not  so  fortunate;  and  in 
less  than  an  hour  he  was  out  of  shot,  walking  off  from  us  in  a  style  which 
it  was  impossible  not  to  admire,  though  our  disappointment  and  vexation 
were  excessive.  By  mid-day  he  was  at  least  ten  miles  ahead  of  us; 
and  at  two  o'clock  we  could  just  see  his  upper  sails  above  the  horizon. 
We  had  observed,  during  the  morning,  that  our  indefatigable  little  chase, 
as  soon  as  he  had  row(5d  himself  from  under  the  relentless  fire  of  oiir 
guns,  was  busily  employed  in  bending  a  new  suit  of  sails,  fishing  his 
splintered  yards,  shifting  his  topgallant-masts,  and  rigging  out  fresh 
studding-sail  booms— all  wounded,  more  or  less,  by  our  shot.  As  the 
severe  labor  of  the  sweeps  was  never  intermitted,  we  knew,  to  a  certainty, 
that  tiie  chase,  tiiough  small,  must  be  full  of  hands,  and,  consequently, 
it  was  an  object  of  great  importance  for  us  to  catch  him.  Of  this,  how- 
ever, there  now  seemed  but  very  little  chance^   and  many  were  the 


i 


380  EXPERIENCES  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER, 

hearty  ..alocliction.  he  received  ^1-1-^ 

5::^Lrrr2Surrx  sice  j.e. . .  .« 

''T^y  seeded  as  if  every  o^  on  bc^d  l.d  J>oc.  sei^a  with  ^ 
fever-nothing  else  ^vas  thought  «  '  «'  ^"^  f^'^  "J'  f^J,^,  ekot  spv- 
every  gla.s,  great  and  small,  was  n  "^^^s  t'  «'  ^^«™  ^^ P,^  ^  ^_ 
glass  of  the  youngest  m.dsh.pinan,  to  ^l^*;  *"7 '"^"g^.j^ee.,  and  pointed, 
Each  telescope  in  its  turn  was  I'^^f^^^/S^/Serng  speck  on  the 
with  a  sort  of  sickening  cagernes,  t^^?"^,^  '  ,  'J\i  «  "f^ip^as  planted 
distant  horizon.  One  m.ght  '^J^"  »»y«  ^^fme  o  nume^  were  the 
in  a  grove  of  trees,  m  the  'l^'g^t  °f  X^frnd  s  one  of  our  nautical 
whistlers.  This  practice  of  whistling  f""^  ^J'"^ '"  °  f^^^^^,  insensibly 
superstitions,  which,  however  groundless  -nd  -bs^jd  fasten  ^^^^  ^J 
on  the  strongest  minded  sailors  at  such  in  es.^^1^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^^ 

:r:=t:^=;'n;f:^^E  SffSUemently  disdaimed 
all  i)elief  in  the  efficacy  of  such  in^=^"^;;'«"-  „^g^„  ^^jt,,  the  gales  them- 

cannot  he  materially  altered.     It  '""'^  "'/^^y.  •   .  ^^t  imaginable  excito- 
Bcverc  labor  and  complete  indolence,  of  the  h'ghest  ^'^^«  ^,^5^ 

ment,  and  of  the  most  P-^^  ^f-;,^- ,  J^.^d^rhowhlw  these  caus.s. 

water  on  the  rudder.      The  ti  e  «"f '"™.    ^^jg  ^f  ^ater  were  drawn 
and,  where  its  long  spout  could  not  reach,  bucKeis 


FICER. 

true,  by  our  own 
he  poor  excuse  of 
fcA  them  as  to  th« 

een  seized  with  a 
the  French  brig; 
in  the  pocket  spy- 
•cus  of  the  captain, 
treey,  and  pointed, 
ning  speck  on  tlie 
le  ship  was  planted 
numerous  were  the 
me  of  our  nautical 
,  fastens  insensibly 
d,  I  have  seen  many 
d  have  even  heard 
emently  disclaimed 

vith  the  gales  them- 
1  bloweth  only  when 
t  of  use  one  way  or 
in  all  time  to  come, 
itellect;  for,  as  long 
lanage  it  as  we  will, 
lade  up  of  alternate 
,  imaginable  excite- 
not  anxious  at  this 
w  how  these  causes, 
of,  leads  to  the  for- 
if  have  always  been 

n  the  mast-head,  far 
lur  most  experienced 
a  up.  In  the  course 
mt  it  could  easily  be 
whistlers  redoubled 
was  owing  to  their 
>ther  the  wind,  if  h'ft 
snture  to  pronounce; 
were  rejoiced  by  the 
attered  over  the  calm 

I  presume  from  the 

touch  the  water,  and 
/md,  the  ripple  from 
roken  the  face  of  the 
ed  its  approach,  by 
le  rally  supposed  to  be 
s,  do  good  service,  by 
to  float  far  above  the 
he  ship  gathered  way, 
msman,  when  he  fell 
,  by  the  action  of  the 
carried  into  the  tops, 
of  water  were  drawn 


EXPERIENCES  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 


381 


up,  and  thrown  on  the  sails,  so  that  every  pore  was  filled,  and  the  full 
eflFect  of  the  wind  was  exerted  on  the  canvas.  ,  ,     , .  , 

The  ship  now  began  to  speak,  as  it  is  termed ;  and  lookmg  over  the 
Tan^way,  we  could  see  a  line  of  small  hissing  bubbles,  not  yet  deservmg 
The  name  of  spray,  but  quite  enough  to  prove  to  us  that  the  breeze  was 
bcf  inning  lo  toll.  It  was  near  the  middle  of  November,  but  the  day  was 
asliot  as  if  it  had  been  summer;  and  the  wind,  now  freshenmg  at  every 
second,  blew  coolly  and  gratefully  upon  us,  giving  assurance  that  w« 
should  have  no  more  calms  to  trouble  us,  whatever  might  bo  our  other 
difficulties  in  capturing  Monsieur  Frenchman. 

Of  these  difficulties,  the  greatest  by  far  was  that  of  keepmg  sight  of 
the  brif  after  it  became  dark.  We  overhauled  him,  however,  so  fast  that 
we  had  great  hopes  of  being  able  to  command  him  with  our  night-glasses, 
in  which  case  we  made  pretty  sure  of  our  prize.  The  night-glass,  it 
mav  be  right  to  explain,  is  a  telescope  of  small  power,  increasing  the 
diameter  of  objects  only  about  eight  times.  It  has  a  large  field-glass; 
and,  in  order  to  save  the  interception  of  light,  has  one  lens  fewer  than 
usual,  which  omission  has  the  eff^ect  of  inverting  the  object  looked  at. 
But  this,  though  inconvenient,  is  of  little  consequence,  in  cases  where 
the  desideratum  is  merely  to  get  sight  of  a  veBsel,  without  seeking  to 

make  out  the  details.  ...  i 

Meanwhile,  as  we  spanked  along,  rapidly  accelerating  our  pace,  and 
rejoicing  in  the  cracking  of  the  ropes,  and  the  bending  of  the  ligiitest 
and  loftiest  spars— that  butterfly  sort  of  gear  which  a  very  little  wind 
soon  brushes  away— we  had  the  malicious  satisfaction  of  observing  that 
the  poor  little  privateer  had  not  yet  got  a  mouthful  of  the  charming  wind, 
which,  like  the  well  known  intoxicating  gas,  was  by  this  time  setting  us 
all  a-skipping  about  the  decks.  The  greater  part  of  the  visible  ocean 
was  now  under  the  influence  of  the  new-born  breeze ;  but,  m  the  spot 
where  the  brig  lay,  there  occurred  a  belt  or  splash  of  clear  white  light, 
within  which  the  calm  still  lingered,  with  the  privateer  sparkling  in  its 
center.  Just  as  the  sun  went  down,  however,  this  spot  was  likewise  melted 
into  the  rest,  and  the  brig,  like  a  poor  hare  roused  from  her  seat,  sprang 
off"  again.  We  were  soon  near  enough  to  see  her  sweeps  rigged  in--to 
the  delight,  no  doubt,  of  her  weary  crew,  whose  apprehensions  of  an  English 
prison  had  probably  kept  up  their  strength  to  a  pitch  rarely  equalled. 

As  the  twilight— the  brief  twilight  of  winter— galloped  .away,  a 
hundred  pairs  of  eyes  were  almost  jumping  out  of  their  sockets,  in  their 
attempts  to  pierce  the  night ;  while  those  who  had  glasses  kept  scrubbing 
them  without  mercy,  as  if  they  imagined  more  light  would  be  let  into 
the  tube  the  more  they  injured  the  lenses.  One  person,  and  only  one, 
continued,  as  he  asserted,  to  see  the  chase,  faintly  strung,  like  a  bead, 
on  the  horizon.  1  need  not  say  that  this  sharp-sighted  gentleman  was 
nailed  to  his  post,  and  ordered  on  no  account  to  move  his  head,  fatigue 
or  no  fatigue.  There  happened  to  bo  a  single  star,  directly  over  the 
spot  to  which  this  fortunate  youth  was  directing  his  view,  with  as  much 
anxiety  as  ever  Galileo  peered  into  the  heavens  in  search  of  a  new 
planet.  This  fact  being  announced,  a  dozen  spy-glasses  were  seen 
wagging  up  and  down,  between  this  directing  star  and  that  part  of  the 
horizon,  now  almost  invisible,  which  lay  immediately  below  it.  Many 
were  the  doubts  expressed  of  the  correctness  of  the  first  observation, 
and  many  the  tormenting  questions  put  to  the  observer,  as  to  which  way 
ihe  brig  was  standing?  what  sail  was  set?  whether  we  were  drawing  up 
with  her  or  npt?  as  if  the  poor  youngster  had  been  placed  along  side  ot 


t 


3S2 

the  vessel 


EXPERIENCES  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 

u.e  V0S..1.  These  jo"^- -'^f --;';,!;:;  r.^^if^ir^hrS.::; 

bv  l.i.lclin«  th.!  boy  keep  h.s  eye  f'^^,'^°"  ;''"|,„„„c,  altering  the  ship's 
an.l  tiun.  without  ac^uanu.nj|hunwh^ 

course  lor  hall  a  .nuiuto.  1 '"«  ^J^l'V"  "  -•  j.^.^  this  very  moniout !  I  saw 
,,.rore  he  cried  out,  '\IJ>7 '"^^^^f  he  si  i,'s  head  was  brought  back 
;;:;;el?;;irr^hc  c^ci:S-rher^  she  is  a«aia,by,ugo!  ..st 

at  the  wheel  could  see  .t  sh.mng  »'^  ^^^^^    ^^  J^^^  enabled  to  sle..r  the 
and  that  of  the  »opmast-s  uddmg-sa.  ,  and  Nva^^^^  ,,^^^  j„„„  ^y 

ship  with  much  g^^-^^^^^^f '^'""'aiiZ  as  the  breeze  had  freshened 
the'  con.pass    alone.     Before   ny^»  gl^*' J„  J,"  knots  an  hour,  we  had 

greatly,  and  we  were  going  ^^ .^^'l'^\H  ^'  one  could  see  her  with 
5rawn\M>  so  much  wah  the  privateer,  Imt^eve^^^^^^^     ^^^^  .narksmen  who 

tire  naked  eye,  and  the  g/^""^'^' ^'  „^''X  Jore  fidgeting  and  fussing 
had  lost  their  credit  on  the  P^«'^';d^'"f^„"'f ;*;;,,  ,Ue  prize,  as  they  now 
about   the  guns,  eager    o  bo  bangin     aw  y  »-  ^^,,^^j  ^  dextrous, 

began,  rather  P-™ ^a^t'lilSel^  Uo w  "[J^^y  '-u?  to  dLl  with,  and    how 

persevering,  and  gallant    ittlc  It   ow        j 

much  trouble  he  was  yet  to  g'^c  u^.  ^^^^  ^^j^hi,,  good 

It  was  not  till  about  t^^o  o'clock  tl  at  we  one  ^^^^^  ^^^^ 

shot  of  him;  and  as  it  had  »'«.«"  ^Sed^J^'t^       fe^^^  .^  .^^^^ 

quickly  the    night  before,  ^^"^Ji'^J.^^"'  and  the  lanyard 

Utmost  attention  was  "ow  pa  d  o  W'ng  t  en  P  P  -  ^j^^g  ^^e  gun  fell 
of  the  trigger  never  P«  ^^  .»  ^L,^  appeared'to  possess  the  same 
confident  of  ^''Y"\J uJi^vTeZ'  for  we  could  neither  strike  her 
witch-like,  invulnerable  quality  asey^J' ,  j^  •  jown  a  yard,  nor  lop 
hull,  so  as  to  force  her  to  -y'' P^,^;\^'',,,'^^  .,  Jfctacle  to'see  a  little 
oft-  a  mast  or  a  boom.     It  was    eal  y  a  cunou      p     ^^^^  ^ 

bit  of  a  thing  skimming  away  l^^f";? '^^  her,  I'ke  a  voracious  dolphin 
as  the  Endymion  tearing  and  Pl^.^g'^^/fl^Ji'Xh. 
leaping  from  sea  to  sea  m  P"^"'^.  °'^^,f/j;",f,uetion  of  the  brig  ;  for,  as 
In  time,  this  must  h^^';,«^"*l"l'"j'^u,  ,Uot"nust  by  and  by  have  taken 
we  gained  upon  her  rapidly,  so.ne  «f  ""J  ^'^f  j™",i„ed,  however,  to  enjoy 
efte?t,  and  sent  her  to  the  ^^""'"•^^^'^^^rn  perhaps  would  have  been 
a  little  longer  existence.  ^  i«  P  "P^J^ld  reiched  within  musket-shot, 
to  stand  on,  firing  at  h«r  sails,  till  we  had  r  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^^ 

and  then  to  have  knocked  ^ow"  he  he  m^^^^^^  y  ,^^  ,,,, 

deck.     This,  however,  was  not  «"^  ^^P/^' K^^^    TtarboLrd  broadside 
impatient-at  all  events  ho  gave  ordrs  for  the^^  ^^e  whole 

Not  a  mortal  on  board  the  f  g^^ff^'l'i^f^^Jh^  g^oke  blew  swiftly  past, 
again.     What,  then,  was  our  surps,w^  „,errily  than  before 

to  see  the  intrepid  lit  le  ^ocKy  Mmmg         J  general  murmur  of 

As  far  as  good  discipline  would  ^"«J' ^^ere  was      g  ^^^^^^^^ 

applause  at  the  Frenchman's  g^»;";7;„  .\",;^^^^^      the  frigate's  decks, 
th's  sound  was  converted  -ntohear^^^^^  ^  ^^^j, 

^S^d^r^r  fi^^l^^C'thf  brio's  stern,  as  if  in  contempt  of  his 

formidable  antagonist's  Prowess.  ^    ^^  ^^^j^  ^nd  in 

,^':T^t'\!^A^^e:^^^^^^^        of  our  course,  we  enabled 


k 


FIOER. 

d  to,  or  noarly  ao, 
I  to  1)0  tlio  cliiise, 
lUeving  the  ship's 
y  boon  coiniutncud 
■y  momoul!  I  saw 
was  bioii^'ht  back 
gaiu,  by  jingo!  just 

e  time.     The  man 
of  the  foretop-sail 
nablcd  to  steer  the 
aibly  have  done  by 
L'ze    had   freshened 
is  an  hour,  wo  had 
could  see  her  with 
the  marksmen  who 
Igetiug  and  fussing 
prize,  as  they  now 
ig  what  a  dextrous, 
leal  with,  and    how 

e  camo  within  good 
guns  were  fired  too 
;arc  in  pointing,  the 
rly;  and  the  lanyard 
g"  along  the  gun  felt 
Uo  possess  the  same 
Id  neither  strike  her 
down  a  yard,  nor  lop 
;tacle  to  see  a  little 
such  a  huge  monster 
Lea  voracious  dolpli  in 

1  of  the  brig  ;  for,  as 
by  and  by  liavc  taken 
led,  however,  to  enjoy 
ips,  would  have  been 
i  within  musket-shot, 
every  one  else  on  her 
or  perhaps  he  became 
)le  starboard  broadside 
uv,  poured  the  whole 
iclim!  . 

r  to  see  the  poor  brig 
noke  blew  swiftly  past, 
e  merrily  than  before, 
a  general  murmur  of 
next  instant,  however, 
er  the  frigate's  decks, 
a  single  small  gun,  a 
if  in  contempt  of  his 

)st  a  good  deal,  and  in 
)ur  course,  we  enabled 


EXPERIENCKS  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 


383 


th(  privateer  to  gain  several  hundred  yards  upon  us;  and  second  y,  his 
funny  little  shot,  which  had  excited  so  mucli  mirth,  passed  through  llie  lee 
foretop-sail  yardarm,  about  six  feet  inside  the  boom  iron.  Had  it  struck 
on  the  windward  side,  where  the  yard  was  cracking  and  stiainiiig  at  a 
most  furious  rate,  the  greater  part  of  the  sails  on  the  foremast  might  have 
been  taken  in  quicker  than  we  could  have  wisiied— lor  wo  were  now 
uoinu  at  the  rate  of  eleven  and  a  half,  with  the  wind  on  the  quarter. 

Just  as  we  made  out  where  his  first  siiot  had  struck  us,  another  cut  through 
the  weather  main-topgallant  sheet,  and  so  he  went  on,  firing  away  briskly 
till  most  of  our  lofty  sails  were  fiuttering  with  tiie  holes  made  in  them. 
His  own  sails,  I  need  scarcely  add,  were  by  this  lime  so  completely  torn 
up  bv  our  shot,  that  we  could  see  the  sky  through  them  all;  but  still  he 
refused  to  heave  to— and,  by  constantly  firing  his  single  stern-chaser, 
was  evidently  resolved  to  lose  no  possible  ciiance  of  escape.     Had  one 
or  two  of  his  shot  struck  either  of  our  topmasts,  I  really  believe  lie  mig  it 
have  got  otf.    It  therefore  became  absolutely  necessary  that  we  should 
either   demolish   or   capture   him  witliout   further  loss  of  time.     Ihe 
choice  we  left  to  himself,  as  will  be  seen.     But  such  a  spirited  cruiser 
as  this  was  an  enemy  worth  subduing  at  any  cost;  for   there  was  no 
calculating  the  mischief  a  privateer  so  admirably  commanded  might  have 
wroueht  in  a  convoy.     There  was  a  degree  of  discretion,  also,  about  this 
exuert   privateersman,  which  was    very  remarkable,  and    deserving  of 
audi  favor  at  our  hands  as  we  had  to  spare.     He  took  care  to  direct  his 
stern-chaser  so  high  that  there  was  little  chance  of  his  shot  striking  any 
of  our  oeople.     Indeed,  he  evidently  aimed  solely  at  crippling  the  masts, 
knowine  riglit  well  tliat  it  would  answer  none  of  his  ends  to  kill  or 
wound  any  number  of  his  enemy's  crew,  while  it  might   irritate  their 
captain  to  show  him  less  mercy  at  the  last  moment,  which,  as  will  be 
seen,  was  fast  approaching.  ,       ^     •    ,        i      < 

The  breeze  had  now  freshened  nearly  to  a  gale  of  wind,  and  when 
the  log  was  hove,  out  of  curiosity,  just  after  the  broadside  I  have  described, 
we  were  going  nearly  twelve  knots,  (or  between  thirteen  and  fourteen 
miles  an  hour,)  foaming  and  splasiiing  along.  The  distance  between  us 
and  the  brig  was  now  rapidly  decreasing,  for  most  of  his  sails  were  in 
shreds,  and  we  determined  to  bring  him,  as  we  said,  to  his  senses  at  last. 
The  guns  were  reloaded,  and  orders  given  to  depress  them  as  much  as 
possible— tlial  is,  to  point  their  muzzles  downward— but  not  a  shot  was 
to  be  fired  till  the  frigate  came  actually  along  side  of  the  chase.  Such 
was  the  poor  privateer's  sentence  of  death :  severe,  indeed,  but  quite 
necessary,  for  he  appeared  resolved  never  to  yield.  , .  •   ,    r 

On  we  flew,  right  down  upon  our  prey,  like  the  enormous  rockbird  of 
the  Arabian  Nights.  We  had  ceased  firing  our  bow-chasers,  that  the 
smoke  might  not  stand  between  us  and  the  lesson  we  meant  to  read  to 
our  lesolute  pupil,  so  that  there  was  "  silence  deep  as  death  along  our 
decks,  and  doubtless  on  his;  for  he  likewise  had  intermitted  his  firing, 
and  seemed  prepared  to  meet  his  fate,  and  go  to  the  bottom  like  a  m;.n. 
It  was  possible,  also,  we  thought,  that  he  might  only  be  watching,  even 
in  his  last  extremity,  to  take  advantage  of  any  negligence  on  our  part, 
which  should  allow  him  to  haul  suddenly  across  our  bows,  and,  by  getting 
on  a  wind,  have  a  chance  of  escaping.  This  chance,  it  is  true,  was 
very  small,  for  not  one  of  his  sails  was  in  a  condition  to  stand  such  a 
breeze  as  was  now  blowing,  unless  when  running  nearly  before  it  But 
we  had  seen  enough,  during  the  two  days  we  had  been  together,  to 
apprehend  that  his  activity  was  at  least  a  match  for  ours;  and  as  he  had 


tJ 


n 


i 


J 

V 


38-t 


EXPERIENCES  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 


already  shown  that  he  did  not  care  a  fig  for  shot,  he  might  bend  new 
sails  as  fast  as  we  could. 

At  all  events,  we  were  resolved  to  make  him  surrender,  or  run  him 
down:  such  was  our  duty,  and  that  the  Frenchman  knew  right  well. 
He  waited,  however,  until  our  flying  jib-boom  end  was  almost  over  his 
taff'rail;  and  the  narrow  space  between  us  was  filled  with  a  confused, 
boiling  heap  of  foam,  partly  caused  by  his  bows,  and  partly  by  ours. 
Then,  and  not  till  then,  when  he  must  have  seen  into  our  ports  and 
along  the  decks,  which  were  lighted  up  fore  and  aft,  he  first  gave  signal 
of  siirrender. 

The  manner  in  which  this  was  done  by  the  captain  of  the  privateer 
was  as  spirited  and  characteristic  as  any  part  of  his  previous  conduct. 
The  night  was  very  dark;  but  the  ships  were  so  near  to  one  another 
that  we  could  distinguish  the  tall  figure  of  a  man  mount  the  weather 
main-rigging  of  the  brig,  where  he  stood  erect,  with  a  lantern  in  his 
hand,  held  out  at  right-angles  from  his  body.  Had  this  light  not  been 
seen,  or  its  purpose  not  understood,  or  had  it  been  delayed  for  twenty 
seconds,  the  frigate  must,  almost  in  spite  of  herself,  have  gone  right  over 
him,  and  the  salvo  of  a  double-shotted  broadside  would  have  done  the 
last  and  fitting  honors  over  the  Frenchman's  grave. 

Even  as  it  was,  it  cost  us  some  trouble  to  avoid  running  him  down; 
for,  although  the  helm  was  put  over  immediately,  our  lee  quarter,  as 
the  ship  flew  up  in  the  wind,  almost  grazed  his  weather  gangway.  In 
passing,  we  ordered  him  to  bring-to  likewise.  This  he  did  as  soon  as 
we  gave  him  room ;  though  we  were  still  close  enough  to  see  the  efiect 
of  such  a  maneuver  at  such  a  moment.  Every  stitch  of  sail  he  had  set 
was  blown,  in  one  moment,  clean  out  of  the  bolt-ropes.  His  halyards, 
tacks,  and  sheets  had  been  all  racked  aloft,  so  that  everything  not  made 
of  canvas  remained  at  its  place  —  the  yards  at  the  mastheads,  and  the 
booms  rigged  out— while  the  empty  leech  and  foot-ropes  hung  down  in 
festoons  where,  but  a  minute  before,  the  tattered  sail  had  been  spread. 

Wo  fared,  comparatively  speaking,  not  much  better;  for  although  the 
instant  the  course  was  altered,  the  order  was  given  to  let  fly  the  topsail 
halyards,  and  every  other  necessary  rope;  and  although  the  down-haul 
tackles,  clewlines,  and  buntlines,  were  all  ready  manned,  in  expectation 
of  this  evolution,  we  succeeded  with  great  difficulty  in  saving  the  fore 
or  main-topsails  ;  but  the  topgallant-sails  were  blown  to  pieces.  All  the 
flying  kites  went  off"  in  a  crack,  whisking  far  away  to  leeward,  like  dried 
forest  leaves  in  autumn. 

It  may  be  supposed  that  the  chase  was  now  completely  over;  and  that 
we  had  nothing  further  to  do  than  to  take  possession  of  our  prize.  Not 
at  all !  It  was  found  next  to  impossible  to  board  the  brig,  or,  at  least, 
it  seemed  so  dangerous,  that  our  captain  was  unwilling  to  hazard  a  fcoat 
and  crew,  till  daylight  came.  The  privateer,  having  no  sail  set  to  keep 
her  steady,  became  so  unmanageable,  that  the  sea  made  a  clean  breach 
over  all,  rendering  it  out  of  the  question  to  board  her  on  the  weather 
side.  Nor  was  she  more  easily  approachable  to  leeward,  where  a 
tangled  network  of  broken  spars,  half-torn  sails,  shattered  booms,  and 
smacking  rope's-ends  formed  such  a  line  of  "  chevaux-de-frise  "  from 
the  cat-head  to  the  counter,  that  all  attempts  to  get  near  her  on  that  gide 
were  useless. 

The  gale  increased,  before  morning,  to  such  a  pitch,  that,  as  there 
was  still  a  doubt  if  any  boat  could  live,  the  intention  of  boarding  our 
prize  was  of  course  further  delayed.    But  we  took  care  to  keep  close  to 


»-J,'"wl»in«»".f»"r»rniiii')g_lp|1ir> 


Ljg'.W>-'''».^*  iii(>M'ii|iiit»l  'iH'l  I 


<.  j>»wnTri  iiw''i.«r'ii»iyi 


J. 


OFFICER. 

,  he  might  bend  new 

rrender,  or  run  him 
ui  knew  right  well, 
was  almost  over  his 
led  with  a  confused, 
and  partly  by  ours. 
u  into  our  ports  and 
I,  he  first  gave  signal 

tain  of  the  privateer 
is  previous  conduct, 
near  to  one  another 

mount  the  weather 
irith  a  lantern  in  his 

this  light  not  been 
I  delayed  for  twenty 
have  gone  right  over 
ould  have  done  the 

I  running  him  down; 
,  our  lee  quarter,  as 
eather  gangway.  In 
s  he  did  as  soon  as 
ugh  to  see  the  effect 
ch  of  sail  he  had  set 
opes.  His  halyards, 
everything  not  made 
mast  heads,  and  the 
ropes  hung  down  in 
lil  had  been  spread, 
ter;  for  although  the 
I  to  let  fly  the  topsail 
lOugh  the  down-haul 
anned,  in  expectation 
ty  in  saving  the  fore 
'n  to  pieces.  All  the 
to  leeward,  like  dried 

iletely  over;  and  that 
n  of  our  prize.  Not 
the  brig,  or,  at  least, 
ling  to  hazard  a  boat 
ig  no  sail  set  to  keep 
made  a  clean  breach 
i  her  on  the  weather 
;o  leeward,  where  a 
shattered  booms,  and 
evaux-de-frise  "  from 
near  her  on  that  gide 

L  pitch,  that,  as  there 

ition  of  boarding  our 

care  to  keep  close  to 


r.  a- 

,.  ® 

=V 

;■  » 

-  s 

—  » 

r.    C- 


If 

t:  _ 

-I  o 

C  o 

•  pr 

5" 


X 

a 

o 
4 


rt 


fr 

Q^ 


i 


a 


9 

e 

§■ 

s 
I 

I 


Br 
a 


e 

S' 


I 


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t^-. 


:,,toy--" 


w^wlllLMJIIIB'WfT 


A^  i 


EXPERIENCES  OP  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFICER. 


385 


her,  a  little  to  windward,  in  order  to  watch  her  proceedings  as  narrowly 
as  possible.  It  did  not  escape  our  notice,  in  the  meantime,  that  our 
friend,  (he  was  no  longer  our  foe,  though  not  yet  our  prisoner,)  went  on 
quietly,  even  in  the  height  of  the  gale,  «hifling  his  wounded  yards, 
reefing  new  ropes,  and  bending  fresh  sails.  This  cauuiid  us  to  redouble 
our  vigilance  during  the  morning,  and  the  event  siiowed  that  wo  had 
good  need  for  such  watchfulness.  About  three  oVlock  in  the  aflernoon, 
the  brig  having  fallen  a  little  to  leeward,  and  a  furious  squall  of  wind 
and  rain  coming  on  at  the  same  moment,  she  suddenly  bore  up,  and  set 
off  once  more,  right  before  the  wind.  At  the  height  of  the  squall,  we 
totally  lost  sight  of  our  prize;  and  such  a  hubbub  I  rarely  recollect  to 
have  heard  in  my  life  before. 

"Where  is  she?  —  Who  was  looking  outT  —  Where  did  you  see  her 
last?^'  —  and  a  hundred  similar  questions,  reproaches,  scolds,  and  the 
whole  of  the  ugly  family  of  oaths,  were  poured  out  in  abundance  ;  some 
on  the  privateer,  whose  adroitness  had  thus  over-reached  our  vigilance; 
some  upon  those  who,  by  their  neglect,  had  given  him  the  opportunity; 
and  many  imprecations  were  uttered  merely  to  express  the  depth  of 
anger  and  disappointment  at  the  stupid  loss  of  a  good  thing,  which  had 
cost  so  much  trouble  to  catch.  All  this  passed  over  in  the  first  burst  — 
sail  was  made  at  once  —  the  topsails,  close  reefed,  were  sheeted  home 
like  lightning — and  off  we  dashed,  into  the  thick  of  the  squall,  in  search 
of  our  lost  treasure.  At  each  mast-head,  and  at  every  yard-arm,  there 
was  planted  a  look-out  man,  while  the  forecastle  hammock-netting  was 
filled  with  volunteer  spyglasses.  For  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  a  dead 
silence  reigned  over  the  whole  ship,  during  which  anxious  interval  every 
eye  was  strained  to  tlic  utmost,  for  no  one  knew  exactly  where  to  look. 
There  was,  indeed,  no  certainty  of  our  not  actually  running  past  the 
privateer,  and  it  would  not  have  surprised  us  much,  when  the  squall 
cleared  up,  had  we  seen  him  a  mile  or  two  to  windward,  far  beyond  our 
reach.  These  fears  were  put  on  end  to  by  the  sharp-eyed  captain  of 
the  foretop,  who  had  perched  himself  on  the  jib-boom  end,  calling  out, 
with  a  voice  of  the  greatest  glee — 

"There  he  goes!  there  he  goes!  right  ahead!  under  his  topsails  and 
foresail ! " 

And,  sure  enough,  there  we  saw  him,  springing  along  from  wave  to 
wave,  with  his  masts  bending  forward  like  reeds,  under  the  pressure  of 
sail  enough  to  have  laid  him  on  his  beam-ends,  had  he  broached  to.  In 
such  tempestuous  weather,  a  small  vessel  has  no  chance  whatever  with  a 
frigate;  indeed,  we  could  observe  that,  when  the  little  brig  fell  between 
two  high  seas,  her  foresail  flapped  to  the  mast,  fairly  becalmed  by  the 
wave  behind  her. 

In  a  very  few  minutes,  we  were  again  along  side,  and  doubtless  the 
Frenchman  thought  we  were  at  last  going  to  execute  summary  vengeance 
upon  him  for  his  treachery,  as  we  called  it.  Nothing  daunted,  however, 
by  the  style  in  which  we  bore  down  upon  him,  the  gallant  commander 
of  this  pretty  little  eggshell  of  a  vessel  placed  himself  on<  the  weather- 
quarter,  and  with  a  speaking  trumpet  in  his  hand,  indicated,  by  gesticu- 
lations, a  wish  to  be  heard.  This  could  not  well  be  refused ;  and  we 
steered  as  close  as  we  could  pass  along  without  bringing  the  two  vessels 
in  contact,  or  risking  the  entanglement  of  the  yards,  when  we  rolled 
toward  one  another. 

"  I  have  been  compelled  to  bear  up,^'  he  called  out  in  French,  "other- 
wise the  brig  must  have  gone  to  the  bottom.  The  sea  broke  over  us  in 
26 


880 


BXPERIENCES  OF  A  BRITISH  NAVAL  OFFIOKR. 


«uch  «  way  that  I  have  been  obliged,  as  you  may  perceive,  to  throw  all 
my  guns,  boats  and  spara  overboard.  Wo  have  now  aovcral  loot  of  water 
in  the  hold,  in  consequence  of  your  shot,  which  you  may  likewise 
observo  have  nearly  destroyed  our  upper  works.  If,  tiierefore,  you 
oblige  me  to  heave  to,  1  cannot  keep  the  vesael  afloat  one  hour  in  such 

weather."  »..,,,  ... 

"Will  you  make  no  further  aMempt  to  escape?"  asked  the  cnptam  of 

the  Endymion. 

"As  yet  I  have  made  none,"  Ym  replied,  firmly ;  "I  struck  to  you 
already.  I  am  your  prize,  and,  feeling  as  a  man  of  honor,  I  do  not  con- 
aider  myself  at  liberty  to  escape,  even  if  I  had  the  power.  1  bore  up, 
when  the  squall  came  on,  as  a  matter  of  necessity.  If  you  will  allow 
me  to  run  before  the  wind,  along  with  you,  till  the  weather  moderates, 
you  may  take  possession  of  the  brig  when  you  please— if  not,  I  must  go 
to  the  bottom." 

Such  was  the  substance  of  a  conversation,  very  difficult  to  keep  up 
across  the  tempest,  which  was  now  whistling  at  a  great  rate.  To  have 
brought  the  ships  again  to  the  wind,  after  what  had  been  said,  would 
have  been  to  imitate  the  celebrated  "Noyades,"  of  Nantes;  for  the 
privateer  must  have  been  swamped  instantly.  Although  we  distrusted 
our  companion,  therefore,  most  grievously,  we  sailed  along  most  lovingly 
together,  as  if  we  had  been  the  best  possible  friends,  for  about  sixty  or 
seventy  miles;  during  the  greater  part  of  this  interval,  the  frigate  had 
scarcely  any  sail  set  at  all;  and  we  sometimes  expected  to  see  our  little 
friend  pop  fairly  under  the  water,  and  so  elude  us  by  fouiidering,  or 
escape  by  witchcraft,  by  the  protection  of  which,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
Johnnies,  he  had  been  so  long  kept  from  us. 

At  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  it  began  to  moderate,  and  by  midnight 

we  succeeded  in  getting  on  board  the  prize,  after  a  run  of  between 

three  and    four  hundred  miles.     Such  is  the  scale  of  nautical  sport! 

And  where,  I  now  beg  to  ask,  is  the  fox-hunting,  or  the  piracy,  or 

anything  else  more  exciting  than  this  noble  game? 

The  brig  proved  to  be  the  Milan  privateer,  from  St.  Malo,  of  fourteen 
guns,  and  eighty  men,  many  of  whom  were  unfortunately  wounded  by 
our  shot,  and  several  were  killed.  She  had  been  at  sea  eighteen  days, 
but  had  made  no  captures.  The  guns,  as  I  have  already  mentioned,  had 
been  thrown  overboard  to  lighten  her.  In  the  morning  we  stopped  the 
leaks,  exchanged  the  prisoners  for  a  prize  crew,  and  put  our  heads 
toward  the  Cove  of  Cork  again,  chuckling  at  our  own  success  in  having 
nabbed  the  very  vessel  we  were  sent  after.  But  this  part  of  the  exploit, 
it  seemed,  we  had  no  title  to  claim  merit  for,  since  the  Milan  had  not  seen 
the  land,  nor  been  within  many  miles  of  it.  This  was  a  trifle, however;  and 
wo  returned  right  merrily  to  tell  our  long  story  of  the  three  days'  chase. 
The  captain's  name  was  Lepelletier— 1  have  pleasure  in  recording  it— 
M.  Pierre  Lepelletier, of  St.  Malo;  and  wherever  he  goes  I  will  venture 
to  say  he  can  meet  no  braver  or  more  resolute  man  than  himself.  Long 
before  he  came  on  board  he  had  well  earned  the  respect  of  his  captors, 
high  and  low;  and  his  manners  and  information,  after  we  became  per- 
sonally acquainted  with  him,  raised  him  still  more  in  general  estimation. 

,.,.-,^  ,  !  ,.,,'....:,■,..    I     '\,-         ,«!:•>'*    (if    !-    ■''  ■,■    -'     ''V   "i      '■'  ' 


f  ti  Irriffliii'#i<1  - 


P-FIOKR. 

rccivo,  to  throw  all 

ovcral  t'oet  of  water 

you  may  liknwiso 

If,  therefore,  you 

t  one  hour  in  Buch 

iked  the  captain  of 

"I  struck  to    you 
lionor,  I  do  not  con- 
power.     1  bore  up, 
If  you  will  allow 
weather  moderates, 
if  not,  I  must  go 


T 


[lifficult  to  keep  up 
•eat  rate.  To  have 
id  been  said,  would 
of  Nantes;  for  the 
ough  we  distrusted 
along  most  lovingly 
,  for  about  sixty  or 
rval,  the  frigate  had 
;ted  to  see  our  little 
8  by  foundering,  or 
the  opinion  of  the 

ate,  and  by  midnight 
•  a  run  of  between 
0  of  nautical  sport! 
ig,  or  the  piracy,  or 

Jt.  Male,  of  fourteen 
unately  wounded  by 

sea  eighteen  days, 
eady  mentioned,  had 
ning  we  stopped  the 

and  put  our  heads 
vn  success  in  having 
s  part  of  the  exploit, 
e  Milan  had  not  seen 
a  trifle,  however ;  and 
le  three  days'  chase. 
(ure  in  recording  it — 
e  goes  I  will  venture 
than  himself.  Long 
jspect  of  his  captors, 
after  we  became  per- 
n  general  estimatian. 


^^.U^M^bu^.« 


NARRATIVE 


OK 


A    SAILOR  AMONG   SAA^AGES, 

BHVa  TUB  ADVKNTUBKg  Or  JOHN  a.  JKWRTT.RUBVIVOR  OK  TIIK  CllltW  Or  TIIK  BIIIP  BOSTOX 
BiaiNO  A  OAKriVlTT  or  NKABLT  TBRKH  YKAMU,  AMO.VU  TIIK  8AVA0KS  Of  NOOTKA  SOUNIl' 
BT   WHOM    Hit 


COMRADES  WEUE  MASSACRED. 


I  WAS  born  in  Boston,  a  considerable  borough  town  in  Lincolnshire, 
in  Great  Britain,  on  the  twenty-first  of  May,  1783.  My  father,  Edward 
Jewitt,  was  by  trade  a  blacksmitii,  and  estoeniud  among  the  first  in  his 
line  (if  business  in  that  place. 

When  a  child  I  was  always  fond  of  being  in  the  shop,  among  the  work- 
men, endeavoring  to  imitate  what  I  saw  them  do.  I  was  at  length  intro- 
duced into  the  shop,  and  my  natural  turn  of  mind  corresponding  with 
the  employment,  I  became,  in  a  short  time,  uncommonly  expert  at  the 
work  to  which  I  was  set.  About  a  year  after  I  had  commenced  this 
apprenticeship,  my  father,  finding  that  he  could  carry  on  his  business  to 
more  advantage  in  Hull,  removed  thither  with  his  family.  Among  his 
principal  customers  at  Hull,  were  the  Americans  who  frequented  that 
port,  and  from  whose  conversation,  my  father,  aa  well  as  myself,  formed 
the  most  favorable  opinion  of  that  country,  as  aflfording  an  excellent  field 
for  the  exertions  of  industry,  and  a  flattering  prospect  for  the  establish- 
ment of  a  young  man  in  life.  In  the  summer  of  the  year  1802,  during 
tlie  peace  between  England  and  France,  the  ship  Boston,  belonging  to 
Boston,  in  Massachusetts,  and  commanded  by  Captain  John  Salter,  arrived 
at  Hull,  whither  she  came  to  take  on  board  a  cargo  of  such  goods  as 
were  wanted  for  the  trade,  with  the  Indians  on  the  north-west  coast  of 
America,  from  whence,  after  having  taken  in  a  lading  of  furs  and  skins, 
■he  was  to  proceed  to  China,  and  from  thence  home  to  America.  The 
ship,  having  occasion  for  many  repairs  and  alterations,  necessary  for  so 
long  a  voyage,  the  captain  applied  to  my  father  to  do  the  smith-work, 
which  was  very  considerable.  That  gentleman,  who  was  of  a  social  turn, 
used  often  to  call  at  my  father's  house,  where  he  passed  many  of  hia 
evenings. 

In  the  hours  that  he  passed  at  my  father's,  Captain  Salter,  who  had  for 
a  great  number  of  years  been  at  sea,  and  seen  almost  all  parts  of  the 
world,  used  sometimes  to  speak  of  his  voyages,  and  observing  me  listen 
with  much  attention  to  his  relations,  he  one  day  when  I  had  brought  him 
•ome  work,  said  to  me,  in  rather  a  jocose  manner,  "John,  how  should  you 
like  to  go  with  me?"  I  answered  that  it  would  give  me  great  pleasure, 
that  I  had  for  a  long  time  wished  to  visit  foreign  countries,  particularly 
America,  which  I  had  been  told  so  many  fine  stories  of,  and  that  if  my 
father  would  give  his  consent  and  he  was  willing  to  take  me  with  him,  I 
would  go.    "  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  do  it,"  said  be, "  if  your  father  can  be 

(387) 


,..,,.'  *    J- 


388 


NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  HAVAOES. 


provailc<l  on  to  lot  you  po,  nnd  aa  I  want  an  export  mnith  for  nn  nrnioror, 
tlui  on<!  I  linvo  Hliippod  for  tlint  imrpoHO  not  bcinj^  Hutlioif'tilly  tnastor  of 
Ills  tratio,  i  linvo  no  doubt  that  you  will  anawor  my  turn  woll,  and  on  my 
roturn  to  America,  I  aliall  probably  bo  able  to  do  somothin^  much  Ixttur 
for  you  in  Boston.  I  will  tulco  tho  firat  op|)ortunity  of  »poakin>,'  to  yonr 
fathor  about  if,  and  try  to  porHuado  him  to  consent."  Ho  acconiin^jly,  tho 
nR.xt  evening  that  ho  called  at  our  houao,  introduced  tho  suliject:  my 
fattier  at  first  would  not  listen  to  tho  proposal.  But  on  Captain  Siiiter'B 
telling  him  of  what  benefit  it  would  be  to  mo  to  go  the  voyage  with  him, 
and  that  it  was  a  pitv  to  keep  a  promising  and  ingonioua  young  fellow, 
like  myself,  confinoil  to  a  small  shop  in  England,  when  if  I  had  'olorable 
success,  I  might  do  so  much  bettor  in  America,  where  vagc,  were  much 
higher,  and  living  clieapcr,  ho  at  length  gave  up  his  objt><.tion8  and  con- 
Bontod  that  I  should  ship  on  board  tho  Boston  as  an  armorer,  at  tho  ratu 
of  thirty  dollars  per  month. 

The  ship  having  undergone  a  thorough  repair  and  been  well  coppered, 
proceeded  to  take  on  board  her  cargo,  which  consisted  of  English  clothes, 
Uutch  blankets,  looking-glasses,  hoada,  knives,  razors,  etc.,  which  were 
received  from  Holland,  some  sugar  nnd  molasses,  about  twenty  hogsheads 
of  rum,  including  stores  for  the  ship,  a  great  quantity  of  ammunition, 
cutlasses,  pistols,  and  throe  thousand  muskets  ami  fowling-pieces.  Tho 
ship  being  loaded  and  ready  for  sea,  aa  I  was  preparing  for  my  departure, 
my  fathor  came  to  nic,  nnd  taking  me  aside,  said  to  me  with  much  emotion, 
"John,  I  nm  now  going  to  part  with  you,  and  heaven  only  knows  if  we  shall 
ever  again  meet.  But  in  whatever  part  of  the  world  you  are,  always 
bear  it  mind,  that  on  your  own  conduct  will  depend  your  success  in  life. 
Be  honest,  industrious,  frugal,  and  temperate,  and  yon  will  not  fail,  in 
whatsoever  country  it  may  be  your  lot  to  be  placed,  to  gain  yourself 
friends.  Let  the  Bible  be  your  guide,  and  your  reliance  in  any  fortune 
that  may  befall  you,  that  Almighty  Being  who  knows  how  to  bring  forth 
good  from  evil,  and  who  never  deserts  those  who  put  their  trust  in  him." 
He  repented  his  exhortations  to  mo  to  load  an  honest  and  Christian  life, 
and  to  recollect  that  I  had  a  father,  a  mother,  a  brother,  and  sister,  who 
could  not  but  feel  n  strong  interest  in  my  welfare,  enjoining  me  to  write 
him  by  tho  first  opportunity  that  should  ofifer  to  England,  from  whatever 
part  of  the  world  I  miglit  bo  in,  more  particularly  on  my  arrival  i'l  Boston. 
This  I  promised  to  do,  but  long  unhappily  was  it  before  I  was  able  to 
fulfill  this  promise.  I  then  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  my  worthy  parent, 
whose  feelings  would  hardly  permit  him  to  speak,  and  bidding  an  affec- 
tionate farewell  to  my  brother,  sister,  and  step-mother,  who  expressed 
tho  greatest  solicitude  for  my  future  fortune,  went  on  board  the  ship, 
which  proceeded  to  the  Downs  to  be  ready  for  the  first  favorable  wind. 
I  found  myself  well  accommodated  on  board  as  regarded  my  work,  an 
iron  forge  having  been  erected  on  deck;  this  my  father  had  made  for 
the  ship  on  a  new  plan,  for  which  he  aflervard  obtained  a  patent;  while 
a  corner  of  the  steerage  was  appropriated  to  my  vice  bench,  so  that  in 
bad  weather  I  could  work  below. 

On  the  third  day  of  September,  1802,  we  sailed  from  tho  Downs  with 
a  fair  wind,  in  company  with  twenty-four  sail  of  American  vessels,  most 
of  which  were  bound  home.  During  tho  first  part  of  our  voyage  we  saw 
scarcely  any  fish,  excepting  some  whales,  a  few  sharks,  and  flying  fish; 
but  after  weathering  Cape  Horn  we  met  with  numerous  shoals  of  sea 
porpoises,  several  of  which  we  caught,  and  as  we  had  been  for  some  time 
without  fresh  provisions,  I  found  it  not  only  a  palatable  but  really  a  very 


■r.'^'v' ! 


\(1ES. 

th  for  nn  nrmorcr, 
fuidiitly  innstor  of 
II  wrll,  (iml  on  my 
\\uuil  mm-li  Ixttor 
■  H|)fakin>,'  to  yonr 
0  acconliiiKly»tl'«' 
tho  Bul)jo«t:   my 
Captnin  Siiltrr'B 
voyaBt!  with  liim, 
iuiis  young  follow, 
.  if  I  ha«'.  •olcrable 
vagc,  wore  much 
olijoitions  and  con- 
armorer,  at  tho  rate 

been  well  coppered, 
1  of  English  clothes, 
rs,  etc.,  which  were 
nt  twenty  hogsheads 
itity  of  nmmunition, 
)wling-pinc(!H.     The 
ng  for  rny  dnpartur»', 
owith  much  emotion, 
inly  knows  if  we  shall 
orUl  you  are,  always 
your  success  in  life, 
you  will  not  fail,  in 
ied,  to  gain  yourself 
liance  in  any  fortune 
ivs  how  to  bring  forth 
lit  their  trust  in  him." 
;8t  and  Christian  life, 
jther,  and  sister,  who 
enjoining  mo  to  write 
igland,  from  whatever 
I  my  arrival  in  Boston, 
before  I  was  able  to 
e  of  my  worthy  parent, 
and  bidding  an  nffec- 
lother,  who  expressed 
at  on  board  the  ship, 
le  first  favorable  wind, 
regarded  my  work,  an 
y  father  had  made  for 
itained  a  patent;  while 
■  vice  bench,  so  that  in 

i  from  the  Downs  with 
American  vessels,  most 
t  of  our  voyage  we  saw 
sharks,  and  flying  fish; 
umerous  shoals  of  sea 
had  been  for  some  time 
atable  but  really  a  very 


NAKilATIVK  OK  A  HAILOK  AMONG  SAVAO^^S. 


880 


excellent  food.  VVitii  a  fair  wind  and  easy  weather  from  the  t went)' -eighth 
of  l)t>('(;nil)ur,  the  period  of  our  pasaiug  C'npe  llorn,  w<>  pursued  '  vir 
Toyaue  to  the  norlhw:ird  until  tho  twcinii  of  March,  I8U3,  vihttii  we  niadi 
Woody  I'oint,  in  Nuotka  Hound,  on  tho  north-west  col^t  of  Amnrira,  Wc 
immediately  stood  up  the  Hound  for  Nootka,  where  Cu,t>tain  Halt(>r  htid 
deterniint'd  to  stop,  in  order  to  supply  the  ship  with  wood  Hrvd  water  before 
proiecding  up  the  i-oast  to  trade.  The  ship  accordingly  cain^  t'<  anchor 
in  this  place,  at  twelve  n^clock  at  uight,  in  twelve  fathom  water,  (noddy 
bott<mi,  and  ho  near  the  shore  that  to  prevent  tho  ship  from  winding  we 
secur(!d  her  by  a  hawser  to  tho  trees.  On  the  morning  of  the  next  day. 
tho  thirteenth,  several  of  the  natives  came  on  board  in  a  canoe  from  tho 
village  of  Nootka,  with  their  king,  called  Maijuina,  who  appeared  much 
pleased  on  seeing  us,  and  with  great  seeming  cordiality,  welcomed  Cap- 
tain Hulter  and  liis  ollicers  to  his  country.  As  I  had  never  before  behold 
a  sava^'C!  of  any  nation,  it  may  readily  be  supposed  that  tho  novelty  of 
tJioir  appearance,  so  dilferent  from  any  people  that  1  had  hithortu  seen, 
excited  in  me  strong  feelings  of  surprise  and  enriosity.  I  wna,  however, 
particularly  struck  with  tiie  looks  of  their  king,  who  was  a  man  of  b 
dignitif*d  aspect,  about  six  feet  in  iieight  and  extremely  straight  and  well 
proportioned;  his  features  wore  in  general  good,  and  his  face  was  rou- 
dored  remarkable  by  a  large  Roman  nose,  a  very  uncommon  form  of 
feature  among  these  people;  his  cornjilexion  w.'is  of  a  '!ark  copper  hue, 
though  his  face,  legs,  and  arms,  were  ou  this  occasion,  so  coverod  with 
red  paint,  that  their  natural  color  could  scarcely  be  perceived;  his  eya- 
bruws  wore  painted  black,  in  two  broad  stripes,  like  a  now  moon,  and  his 
long  black  hair,  which  shone  with  oil,  was  fastened  in  a  bunch  on  the 
top  of  his  head,  and  strewed  or  powdered  all  over  with  white  down,  which 
gave  him  a  most  curious  and  extraordinary  appearance.  Ho  was  dressed 
in  a  large  mantle  or  cloak  of  the  black  sea-otter  skin,  which  readied  to 
his  knees,  and  was  fastened  arouud  his  middle  by  a  broad  belt  of  the 
cluth  of  the  country,  wrought  or  painted  with  figures  of  several  colors; 
tliis  dress  was  by  no  moans  unbecoming,  but,  on  the  contrary,  had  an  air 
of  savage  magnificence. 

From  his  having  frequently  visited  the  English  and  American  ships 
that  traded  to  the  coast,  Maquina  had  learned  the  signification  of  a  number 
of  English  words,  and  in  general  could  make  himself  pretty  well  under- 
stood by  us  in  our  own  language.  Ho  was  always  the  first  to  go  on  board 
such  ships  as  came  to  Nootka,  which  he  was  much  pleased  in  visiting, 
oven  wlien  he  had  no  trade  to  ofler,  as  he  almost  always  received  some 
•mall  present,  and  was  in  general  extremely  well  treated  by  the  com- 
manders. He  remained  on  board  of  us  for  some  time,  during  which  tho 
captain  took  him  into  tho  cabin  and  treated  him  with  a  glass  of  rnm; 
these  people  being  very  fond  of  distilled  spirits,  and  somo  biscuit  and 
molasses  wiiich  they  prefer  to  any  kind  of  food  that  we  can  offer  them. 

As  there  are  seldom  many  furs  to  be  purchased  at  this  place,  and  it 
was  not  fully  the  season,  Captain  Salter  had  put  in  here  not  so  much 
with  an  expectation  of  trading  as  to  procure  an  ampio  stock  of  wood  and 
water  for  the  supply  of  tiie  ship  ou  the  coast,  thinking  it  more  prudent 
to  take  it  on  board  at  Nootka,  from  the  generally  friendly  disposition  of 
the  people,  than  to  endanger  the  safety  of  his  men  in  sending  them  on 
shore  for  that  purpose  among  the  more  ferocious  natives  of  the  north. 
With  this  view,  we  immediately  sot  about  getting  our  water-casks  in 
readiness,  and  the  next  and  two  succeeding  days  part  of  the  crew  were 
sent  on  shore  to  cut  pino  timber  and  assist  the  carpenter  in  making  it 


390 


NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 


into  yards  and  spars  for  the  ship,  while  those  on  board  were  employed  in 
refitting  the  rigging,  repairing  the  sails,  etc.,  when  we  proceeded  to  take 
in  our  wood  and  water  as  expeditiously  as  possible,  during  which  time 
I  kept  myself  busily  employed  in  repairing  the  muskets,  making  knivea, 
tomaxes,  etc.,  and  doing  tiuch  iron  work  as  was  wanted  for  the  ship. 
Meantime  more  or  less  of  the  natives  came  on  board  of  us  daily,  bringing 
with  them  fresh  salmon  with  which  they  supplied  us  in  great  plenty,  re- 
ceiving in  return  some  trifling  artirles.  Captain  Salter  was  always  very 
particular  before  admitting  these  people  on  board  to  see  tiiat  they  hud 
uo  arms  about  them,  by  obliging  them  indiscriminately  to  throw  off  their 
garments,  so  that  he  felt  perfectly  secure  from  any  attack.  On  the 
iifleenth  the  king  came  on  board  with  several  of  his  chiefs;  ho  was 
dressed,  as  before,  in  his  magnificent  otter  skin  robe,  having  his  face  highly 
painted,  and  his  hair  tossed  off  with  the  white  down  which  looked  like 
snow;  his  chiefs  were  dressed  in  mantles  of  the  country  cloth  of  its 
natural  color,  which  is  a  pale  yellow;  these  were  ornamented  with  a 
broad  border,  painted  or  wrought  in  figures  of  several  colors,  represent- 
ing men's  heads,  various  animals,  etc.,  and  secured  around  them-  by  u 
belt  like  that  of  the  king,  from  which  it  was  distinguished  oiily  by  being 
narrower.  The  dress  of  the  common  people  is  of  the  same  fashion,  and 
differs  from  that  of  the  chiefs  in  being  of  a  coarser  texture,  and  painted 
red,  of  one  uniform  color. 

Captain  Salter  invited  Maquina  and  his  chiefs  to  dine  with  him,  and 
it  was  curious  to  see  how  these  people,  when  ihey  eat,  seat  themselves, 
in  their  country  fashion,  upon  our  chaiis,  with  their  feet  under  them, 
crossed  like  Turks.  They  cannot  endure  the  taste  of  salt,  and  the  only 
thing  they  would  eat  with  us  was  the  ship-bread,  which  they  were  very 
pDnd  of,  especially  when  dipped  in  molasses;  they  had  also  a  great  liking 
tor  tea  and  coffee,  »vhen  well  sweetened.  As  iron  weapons  and  tools  of 
almost  every  kind  are  in  much  request  omong  them,  whenever  they  came 
on  board  they  were  always  very  attentive  to  me,  crowding  around  me  at 
the  forge,  as  if  to  see  in  what  manner  I  did  my  work,  and  in  this  way 
became  quite  familiar;  a  circumstance,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  end,  of 
great  importance  to  me.  On  the  nineteenth,  the  king  came  again  on 
i^oard  and  was  invited  by  the  captain  to  dine  with  him.  He  had  much 
conversation  with  Captain  Salter,  and  informed  him  that  there  were  pbnty 
of  wild  ducks  and  geese  near  Friendly  Cove,  on  which  the  captain  made 
him  a  present  of  a  double-barreled  fowling-piece  with  which  he  appeared 
to  be  greatly  pleased  and  soon  afler  went  on  shore. 

On  the  twentieth,  we  were  nearly  ready  for  our  departure,  having  taken 
in  what  wood  and  water  we  were  in  want  of.  The  next  day  Maquina 
came  on  board  with  nine  pair  of  wild  ducks,  as  a  present,  at  the  same 
lime  he  brought  with  him  the  gun,  one  of  the  locks  of  which  he  had 
broken,  telling  the  captain  that  it  was  peshak,  that  is  bad.  Captain  Salter 
was  very  much  offended  at  this  observation,  and  considering  it  as  a  mark 
of  contempt  for  his  present,  he  called  the  king  a  liar,  adding  other  op- 
probrious terms,  and  taking  the  gun  from  him  tossed  it  indignantly  into 
the  cabin  and  calling  me  to  him  said,  "John,  this  fellow  has  broken  this 
beautiful  fowlinp-piece,  see  if  you  can  mend  it:"  on  examining  it  I  told 
him  that  it  could  be  done. — As  I  have  already  observed,  Maquina  knew 
a  numboL  of  English  words,  and,  unfortunately,  understood  but  too 
well  the  meaning  of  the  reproachful  terms  that  the  captain  addressed  to 
him. — He  said  not  a  word  in  reply,  but  his  countenance  sufficiently  ex- 
pressed the  rage  he  felt,  though  he  exerted  himself  to  suppress  it,  and  I 


SAVAGES. 

board  were  employed  in 

en  we  proceeded  to  take 

sible,  during  which  time 

muskets,  making  knives, 

as  wanted  for  tb?  ship. 

ard  of  ua  daily,  bringing 

ed  us  in  great  plenty,  re- 

n  Salter  was  always  very 

ard  to  see  tliat  they  had 

inately  to  throw  oflf  their 

um  any  attack.    On  the 

al  of  his  chiefs;   ho  was 

obe,  having  his  face  highly 

down  which  looked  like 

the  country  cloth  of  its 

were  ornamented  with  a 

several  colors,  represcnt- 

Bcured  around  them-  by  u 

istinguishod  only  by  being 

s  of  the  same  fashion,  and 

larser  texture,  and  painted 

sfs  to  dine  with  him,  and 
ihey  eat,  scat  themselves, 
th  their  feet  under  them, 
taste  of  salt,  and  the  only 
sad,  which  they  were  very 
they  had  also  a  great  liking 
I  iron  weapons  and  tools  of 
them,  whenever  they  came 
ie,  crowding  around  me  at 
my  work,  and  in  this  way 
ill  be  seen  in  the  end,  of 
1,  the  king  came  again  on 
with  him.  He  had  much 
!  him  that  there  were  phnty 
on  which  the  captain  made 
ce  with  which  he  appeared 
ihore. 

our  departure,  having  taken 
The  next  day  Maquina 
I,  as  a  present,  at  the  same 
he  locks  of  which  he  had 
hat  is  bad.  Captain  Salter 
ad  considering  it  as  a  mark 
tg  a  liar,  adding  otiier  op- 
fi  tossed  it  indignantly  into 
this  fellow  has  broken  this 
it:"  on  examining  it  I  told 
y  observed,  Maquina  knew 
ately,  understood  but  too 
at  the  captain  addressed  to 
ountenance  sufficiently  cx- 
imself  to  suppress  it,  and  I 


! 


NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES  391 

observed  him,  while  the  captain  was  speaking,  repeatedly  put  his  hand 
to  his  throat  and  rub  it  upon  his  bosom,  which,  he  afterward  told  me,  was 
to  keep  down  his  heart,  which  was  rising  into  iiis  throat  and  choking  him. 
He  soon  after  went  on  shore  with  his  men,  evidently  much  discomposed. 

On  the  morning  of  the  twenty-second,  the  natives  came  of!'  to  us,  as 
usual,  witii  salmon,  and  remained  on  board,  when  about  noon  Maquina 
came  along  side  with  a  considerable  number  of  his  chiefs  and  men  in 
their  canoes,  who,  after  going  though  the  customary  examination  were 
admitted  into  the  ship.  He  had  a  whistle  in  his  hand,  and  over  his  face 
a  very  u^'ly  mask  of  wood  representing  the  head  of  some  wild  beast, 
appeared  to  be  remarkably  good  humored  and  gay,  and  while  his  people 
sung  and  capered  about  the  deck,  entertaining  us  with  a  variety  of  antic 
tricks  and  gestures,  he  blew  his  whistle  to  a  kind  of  tune  which  seemed 
to  regulate  their  motions.  As  Captain  Salter  was  walking  on  the  quarter- 
deck amusing  himself  with  their  dancing,  the  king  came  up  to  him  and 
inquired  when  he  intended  to  go  to  sea? — he  answered,  lo-morrow. — 
Maquina  then  said,  "  You  love  salmon — much  in  Friendly  Cove,  why  not 
go  tiicn  and  catch  some?" — The  captain  thought  that  it  would  be  very 
desirable  to  have  a  good  supply  of  these  fish  for  the  voyage,  and  on  con- 
sulting with  Mr.  Delouisa,  the  first  mate,  it  was  agreed  to  send  part  of 
of  the  crew  on  shore  after  dinner  with  the  seine  in  order  to  procure  a 
quantity — Maquina  and  his  chiefs  staid  and  dined  on  board,  and  after 
dinner  the  chief  mate  went  off  with  nine  men  in  the  jolly-boat  and  yawl 
to  fish  at  Friendly  Cove,  having  set  the  steward  on  shore  at  our  watering 
place  to  wash  the  captain^s  clothes.  Shortly  after  the  departure  of  the 
boats  I  went  down  to  my  vice-bench  in  the  steerage,  where  I  was  em- 
ployed in  cleaning  muskets.  I  had  not  been  there  more  than  an  hour 
when  I  heard  the  men  hoisting  in  the  long-boat,  which,  in  a  few  minutes 
after,  was  succeeded  by  a  great  bustle  and  confusion  on  deck.  I  im- 
mediately ran  up  the  steerage  stairs,  but  scarcely  was  my  head  above 
deck,  when  I  was  caught  by  the  hair  by  on^  of  the  savages,  and  lifted  from 
my  feet;  fortunately  for  me,  my  hair  boing  short,  and  the  ribbon  with 
which  it  was  tied  slipping,  I  fell  from  his  hold  into  the  steerage.  As  I  was 
falling,  he  struck  at  me  with  an  ax,  which  cut  a  deep  gash  in  my  fore- 
head, and  penetrated  the  skull,  but  in  consequence  of  his  losing  his  hold,  I 
luckily  escaped  the  full  force  of  the  blow;  which,  otherwise,  would  have 
cleft  my  head  in  two.  1  fell,  stunned  and  senseless,  upon  the  floor — how 
long  I  continued  in  this  situation  I  know  not,  but  on  recovering  my  senses 
the  first  thing  that  I  did,  was  to  try  to  get  up;  but  so  weak  was  I,  from 
the  loss  of  blood,  that  I  fainted  and  fell. 

I  was,  however,  soon  recalled  to  my  recollection  by  three  loud  shouts  or 
yells  from  the  savages,  which  convinced  me  that  they  had  g6t  possession 
of  the  ship.  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  describe  my  feelings  at  this  terrific 
sound. — Some  faint  idea  may  be  formed  of  them  by  those  who  have  known 
what  it  is  to  half  awaken  from  a  hideous  dream  and  still  think  it  real. 
Never,  no,  never,  shall  I  lose  from  my  mind,  the  impression  of  that 
dreadf^ul  moment.  I  expected  every  instant  to  share  the  wretched  fate 
of  my  unfortunate  companions;  and  when  I  heard  the  song  of  triumph, 
by  which  these  infernal  yells  was  succ'  eded,  my  blood  ran  cold  in  my 
veins.  Having  at  length  sufficiently  recovered  my  senses  to  look  around  me, 
after  wiping  the  blood  from  eyes,  I  saw  that  the  hatch  of  the  steerage 
was  shut.  This  was  done,  tis  I  afterward  discovered,  by  order  of  Maquina, 
who,  on  seeing  the  savage  strike  at  me  with  the  ax,  told  him  not  to  hurt 
me,  for  I  was  the  armorer,  and  would  be  useful  to  them  in  repairing 


392  NARRATIVE  OP  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 

their  arms :  while,  at  the  same  time,  to  prevent  any  of  his  men  from  injuring 
ineirarins,  Willi  ,         „i__„j      Rut  to  me  th  8  c  rcumstance  wore  a  very 

TfiVrrnXpearatt  fo^^^^^^^  »'"''-^"^  '^f  T'^ '"" 

foS  U   ife  n  0^^^^^^   to  deprive  me  of  it  by  the  most  cruel  tortures 

^y'f'ce,  ihich  having  done,  I  was  able  to  see  d-t.;cay  wU^^^^^^ 
Bv««  hut  the  other  was  so  swollen  from  my  wound  that  it  was  ciosea. 
Zt£i^ie^^o^7eci^clemet  my  eyes:  six  naked  savages,  standing 
fn  1  Circe  around  me,  covered  with  the  blood  of  my  7;de;«d -"'J'^J^^^ 
with  their  daggers  uplifted  in  their  hands,  prepared  to  strike.  1  now 
Uiouaht  my  last  moment  had  come,  and  recommended  my  soul  to  my 
Maker  The  king,  who,  as  I  have  already  observed,  knew  enough  of 
Ssh  to  makrhimself  understood,  entered  the  circle  and  plac.ng 
2  elf  before  me,  addressed  me  nearly  in  the  Allowing  words-' Joln- 

aiTwer  yes.  He  then  told  me  that  he  would  spare  my  life,  and  orde  ed 
mcTo  kiss  his  hands  and  feet  to  show  my  submission  to  h.m,  which  I  d  d. 
Tthl  meantime  his  people  were  very  clamorous  to  have  me  put  todeath, 
^ttThTeThLli^'e  nLe  of  us  lefl  to  tell  our  s^^^^^^^^^^ 
and  prevent  them  from  coming  to  trade  wuh  them;  but  the  k.ng,  in  the 
most  determined  manner  opposed  their  wishes,  and  to  his  favor  am  I 
wholly  indebted  for  my  being  yet  among  the  living. 

As  I  was  busy  at  work  at  the  time  of  the  attack  I  was  without  ray  coat, 
and  whaTwith  the  coldness  of  the  weather,  my  feebleness  from  loss  of 
bfood  the  pain  of  my  wound,  and  the  extreme  agitation  and  terror  that  I 
still  f^lt  I  sCk  like  a  leaf,  which  the  king  observing,  went  into  the  cabm, 
and  tUing  up  a  greatH^^at  that  belonged  to  the  captain  threw  it  over 
mv  shoulders,  tellinl  me  to  drink  some  rumfrorn  a  bottle  which  he  handed 
"at  the 'same  tim'e,  giving  me  to  understand  thatjt  would  be  good  for 
fi^r  me  and  keep  me  from  trembling  as  I  did.     I  took  a  draagut  oi  ii, 
Sle™which,takbg  me  by  the  hand,  he  led  me  to  the  quarter-deck,  where 
tl^e  most  horrtd  sight  presented  itself  that  ever  my  eyes  w.tnessed-the 
heaSof  our  unfortunate  captain  and  his  crew,  to  the  number  of  twenty- 
Sve  wereTl  ""ranged  in  a  line,  and  Maquina  ordering  one  of  his  people 
fo  brTnTa  head,  «sked  me  whose  it  was:  I  answered,  the  captain  s;   m 
like  manner  the  others  were  showed  me,and  Itold  him  the  names,  excepl- 
in.  a  few  that  were  so  horribly  mangled  that  I  was  not  able  to  recognize 
Ser^     Tnow  discovered  that  all  our  unfortunate  crew  had  been  massa^ 
cred^andkLed  that,  after  getting  possession  of  the  ship,  the  savages 
Sad  bJoke  open  the  arm  ches?  and  magazine,  and  supplying  themselves 
t  ?h  ammunLn  and  arms,  sent  a  party  o\«hore  to  attack  our  men  w^ 

had  gone  thither  to  fish,  and  being  joined  by  "»™^^"/™"^,.*';Vff  tlS; 
without  difficulty  overpowered  and  murdered  them,  and  cutting  oH  their 
Teads  bought  them  on  board,  after  throwing  thei^r  bodies  into  the  sea^ 
Sooking  upon  the  deck,  I  saw  it  entirely  covered  with  the  blood  of  my 
pi   comrK  whose  throats  had  been  cut  with  their  own  jack-kn.ves, 


i-7%TS,t7: 


^i*»S*«t*fl,».«**i 


VOES. 

men  from  injuring 
itance  wore  a  very 
lans  had  only  pro- 
it  cruel  tortures. 
■y  long  time,  when 
ling  me  by  name, 
ell  a?  I  was  able, 
my  wound,  and  so 
iving  my  situation, 
h  the  blood  from 
,ly  with  one  of  my 
:hat  it  was  closed, 
savages,  standing 
urdered  comrades, 
to  strike.     I  now 
led  my  soul  to  my 
1,  knew  enough  of 
ircle,  and  placing 
ig  words — "  John — 
!^'     He  then  asked 
fight  for  him  in  his 
gers  and  knives  for 
I  was   careful  to 
ny  life,  and  ordered 
to  him,  which  I  did. 
ave  me  put  to  death, 
y  to  our  countrymen 
but  the  king,  in  the 
d  to  his  favor  am  I 

was  without  my  coat, 
ileness  from  loss  of 
lion  and  terror  that  I 
,  went  into  the  cabin, 
aptain,  threw  it  over 
ttle  which  he  handed 
it  would  be  good  for 
took  a  draught  of  it, 
quarter-deck,  where 
Byes  witnessed — the 
0  number  of  twenty- 
ng  one  of  his  people 
d,  the  captain's;  in 
n  the  names,  cxcepl- 
lot  able  to  recognize 
ew  had  been  massa- 
lie  ship,  the  savages 
upplying  themsclvet* 
attack  our  men  who 
irs  from  the  village, 
and  cutting  oft'  their 
bodies  into  the  sea. 
vith  the  blood  of  my 
jir  own  jack-knives, 


T 


NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 


393 


the  savages  having  seized  the  opportunity  while  they  were  busy  hoisting 
in  the  boat  to  grapple  with  them  and  overpower  them  by  their  nunibors  ; 
in  the  scullle  the  captain  was  thrown  overboard,  and  disputclxHi  by  tJKvse 
in  the  canoen,  who  immediately  cut  oft'  his  head.  What  I  felt  on  litis 
occasion,  may  bo  more  readily  conceived  than  expressed. 

Alter  1  had  answered  his  questions,  Maquina  took  my  silk  handker- 
chief from  my  neck  and  bound  it  around  my  head,  placing  over  the  wound 
a  leaf  of  tobacco,  of  which  we  had  a  quantity  on  board.  Tiiis  was  done 
at  my  desire,  as  I  had  often  found,  from  personal  experience,  the  benefit 
of  this  application  to  cuts. 

Maquina  then  ordered  me  to  get  the  ship  under  weigh  for  Triundly 
Cove.  Tills  I  did  by  cutting  the  cables  and  sending  some  of  thr  natives 
alot\  to  loose  the  sails,  which  they  performed  in  a  very  bungling  manner. 
But  they  succeeded  so  far  in  loosing  tiie  jib  and  topsails,  that,  with  the 
advantage  of  a  fair  wind,  I  succeeded  in  getting  the  ship  into  the  Cove, 
where,  by  order  of  the  king,  I  run  her  ashore,  on  a  sandy  beacli,  at  eight 
o^clock  at  night.  We  were  received  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  village, 
men,  women,  and  children,  with  loud  shouts  of  joy,  and  a  most  horrible 
drumming  with  sticks  upon  the  roofs  and  sides  of  their  houses,  in  which 
they  had  also  stuck  a  great  number  of  lighted  pine  torches,  to  welcome 
their  king^s  return  and  congratulate  him  on  the  success  of  his  enterprizc. 

Maquina  then  took  me  on  shore  to  his  house — which  was  very  large 
and  tilled  with  people — where  I  was  received  with  much  kindness  by  the 
women,  particularly  those  belonging  to  the  king,  who  had  no  less  than 
nine  wives,  all  of  whom  came  around  me  expressing  much  sympathy  for 
my  misfortune,  gently  stroking  and  patting  my  head  in  an  encouraging 
and  soothing  manner,  with  words  expressive  of  condolence. 

In  the  meantime,  all  the  warriors  of  the  tribe,  to  the  number  of  five 
hundred,  had  assembled  at  the  king^s  house  to  rejoice  for  their  success. 
They  exulted  greatly  in  having  taken  our  ship,  and  each  one  boasted  of 
his  own  particular  exploits  in  killing  our  men,  but  they  were  in  general 
much  dissatisfied  with  my  having  been  sufi'ered  to  live,  and  were  very 
urgent  with  Maquina  to  deliver  me  to  them  to  be  put  to  death,  which  he 
obstinately  refused  to  do,  telling  them  that  he  had  promised  me  my  life, 
and  would  not  break  his  word;  and  that  beside,  I  knew  how  to  repair  and 
to  make  arms,  and  would  be  of  great  use  to  them. 

The  king  then  seated  me  by  him  and  ordered  his  women  to  bring  him 
something  to  eat,  when  they  set  before  him  some  dried  clams  and  train 
oil,  of  which  he  ate  very  heartily,  and  encouraged  me  to  follow  his  ex- 
ample, telling  me  to  eat  much  and  take  a  great  deal  of  oil  which  would 
make  me  strong  and  fat;  notwithstanding  his  praise  of  this  new  kind  of 
food,  I  felt  no  disposition  to  indulge  in  it,  both  the  smell  and  taste  being 
loathsome  to  me;  and  had  it  been  otherwise,  such  was  the  pain  I  endured, 
the  agitation  of  my  mind,  and  the  gloominess  of  my  reflections,  that  I 
should  have  felt  very  little  inclination  for  eating.  Not  satisfied  with  his 
first  refusal  to  deliver  me  up  to  them,  the  people  again  became  clamorous 
that  Maquina  should  consent  to  my  being  killed,  saying  that  not  one  of 
us  ought  to  be  left  alive  to  give  information  to  others  of  our  countrymen 
and  prevent  them  from  coming  to  trade,  or  induce  them  to  revenge  the 
destruction  of  our  ship,  and  they  at  length  became  so  boisterous  that  he 
caught  up  a  large  club  in  a  passion  and  drove  them  all  out  of  the  house. 
During  this  scene  a  son  of  the  king,  about  eleven  years  old,  attracted 
no  doubt  by  the  singularity  of  my  appearance  came  up  to  me :  1  caressed 
him;    he   returned   my  attentions  with   much   apparent   pleasure,  and 


394  NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 

con^idcrinff  thi.  as  a  fortunate  opportunity  to  gain  the  good  will  o/t^e  father 
1  took  the  child  on  my  knee,  and  cutting  the  metal  bu  tons  from  oft    h« 
roa    I  had   on,  I  tied  them  around  his  neck.     At  th.s  he  was  highly 
,!;.l,;,.htc-d,  and  became  so  much  attached  to  me  that  he  would  not  quit 

'" 'i'ho  kin.'  appeared  much  pleased  with  my  attention  to  hi:,  son,  and 
„.lli„„  mo  That  it  was  time  to  goto  sleep,  directed  me  to  he  with  h.s  son 
ncx   U.  hi.n,  us  he  was  afraid  lest  some  of  his  people  would  come  wh.le 
ZL  asleep  and  kill  me  with  their  daggers.     I   ay  down  as  he  ordered 
u.     ut  neither  the  stateof  n.y  mind  nor  the  pain  I  felt  would  allow  me  to 
si,,  .p.     About  midnight  I  was  greatly  alarmed  by  the  approach  of  one 
of   h  ■  n  tives,  who  ctme  to  give  information  to  the  kmg  that  there  was 
one  of  the  while  men  alive,  who  had  knocked  h.m  down  as  he  went  on 
board  the  ship  at  night.     This  Maquina  ^o'""^""'';??^,;"  ""^ '  ^."'"ITv. 
to  understand  that  as  soon  as  the  sun  rose  he  should  kill  him.     I  endeav- 
or d  to  ^luade  him  to  spare  his  life,  but  he  bade  »"« .»>« -•-"/^"f.  gj 
Ui  sleep      I  said  nothing  more,  but  lay  revolving  in  my  mind  what  method 
could  devise  to  save  the  life 'of  this  man.    What  a  consolation,  thought 
,  what  a  happiness  would  it  prove  to  me  in  my  forlorn  state  among  these 
heathen,  to  have  a  Christian  and  one  of  my  own  countrymen  for  a  com- 
paJ  on  'and  how  greatly  would  it  alleviate  and  hghten  the  burden  of  my 
slavery.     As  I  was  thinking  of  some  plan  for  his  preservation   it  all  at 
once  came  into  my  mind  that  this  man  was  probably  the  sail-makcr  of  the 
S  named  Thompson,  as  I  had   not  seen  his  head  among  those  on 
deS,  an"  knew  tha't  he'was  below,  at  work  upon  ^he -its  not  long^^ 
the  a  tack.     The  more  I  thought  of  it  the  more  probable  it  appeared  to 
me  and  as  Thompson  was  a  r^an  nearly  forty  years  of  age   and  had  an 
o"d  loo!!,  I  conceited  it  would  be  easy  to  make  hm  V<^^^^^orjuyJ^^^, 
and  by  this  means  prevail  on  Maquina  to  spare  his  life.     '"T^"^  ">«;";« 
I  fell  into  a  doze,  but  was  awakened  with  the  first  beams  of  the  sun  by  the 
king  who  told  me  that  he  was  goingto  kil  the  man  who  was  on  board   he 
ship,  and  ordered  me  to  accompany  him.     I  rose  and  followed  him,  leading 

^trm^;^to"L'trch'i^^ndall  the  menof  thetrlbe  assemb... 
The  khig  addressed  them,  saying  that  one  of  the  whi  e  men  had  been 
found  alfve  on  board  the  ship,  and  requested  their  opinion  as   o  sav  ng 
his  life  or  putting  him  to  death.     They  were  unanimously  f  Jhe  _first 
this  determination  he  made  known  to  me.     Having  arranged  my  p  an,  I 
asked  him™ pointing  to  the  boy  whom  I  still  held  by  the  hand   if  he  loved 
Sson   he  answered  that  he  did;  I  then  asked  the  child  if  he  loved  hs 
father  and  on  his  replying  in  the  affirmative,  I  said  "  And  I  also  love  mine." 
I  then  threw  myself  on  my  knees  at  Maquina's  feet,  and  implored  h.rn, 
w  th  ^ears  In  my  eyes,  to  spare  my  father's  life,  if  the  man  on  board  should 
prove  to  be  hS,  telling  him  that  if  he  killed  my  father  it  was  my  ^v.sh 
fhat  he  should  kill  me'too,  and  that  if  he  did  -^  J  --»;^,,k'»  ^^J;;; 
and  that  he  would  thus  lose  my  services ;  whereas,  by  sparing  my  f  ather  s 
Hfe  he  would  preserve  mine,  which  would  be  of  great  advantage  to  him 
bv  mv  rTairin'L  and  making  arms  for  him.     Maquina  appeared  moved 
by  Ty  en^reatifs  and  promised  not  to  put  the  man  to  death  if  he  should 
be  my  father.     He  then  explained  to  his  people  what  I  had  s aid   and 
ordered  mo  to  go  on  board  and  tell  the  man  to  come  on  shore,      lo  my 
unspeakable  yy  on  going  into  the  hold,  I  found  that   my  conjecture 
was  true,  Tlifpson  was  there,  he  had  escaped  wuhout  any  injury,  ex- 
cepting a  slight  wound  in  the  nose,  given  him  by  one  of  the  savages  with 


VAGES. 

ood  will  of  the  father, 

buttons  from  oft"  th« 

this  ho  was  highly 

it  he  would  not  quit 

ntion  to  hit.  son,  and 
ne  to  lie  with  his  son 
le  would  come  while 
f  down  as  he  ordered 
bit  would  allow  me  to 
the  approach  of  one 
!  king  that  there  wns 

down  as  he  went  on 
ited  to  me.  giving  me 
1  kill  him.  I  endeav- 
3  me  be  silent  and  go 
my  mind  what  method 
a  consolation^  thought 
orn  state  among  these 
ountrymen  for  a  com- 
ten  the  burden  of  my 

preservation,  it  all  at 
|r  the  sail-maker  of  the 
lead  among  those  on 
le  sails,  not  long  before 
robable  it  appeared  to 
rs  of  age,  and  had  an 
m  pass  for  my  father, 
ife.  Toward  morning 
earns  of  the  sun  by  the 

I  who  was  on  board  the 
d  followed  him,  leading 

if  the  tribe  assembled. 
3  white  men  had  been 
ir  opinion  as  to  saving 
inimously  for  the  first: 
ig  arranged  my  plan,  I 
ly  the  hand,  if  he  loved 
de  child  if  he  loved  his 
'  And  I  also  love  mine." 
eet,  and  implored  him, 
he  man  on  board  should 
f  father  it  was  my  wish 

I I  would  kill  myself— 
,  by  sparing  my  father's 

great  advantage  to  him 
quina  appeared  moved 
in  to  death  if  he  should 
le  what  I  had  said,  and 
;ome  on  shore.  To  my 
nd  that   my  conjecture 

without  any  injury,  ox- 
'  one  of  the  savages  with 


NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 


395 


a  knife,  as  ho  attempted  to  come  on  deck,  during  the  scufHe.  Finding 
the  savages  in  possession  of  the  ship,  as  he  afterward  informed  me,  he 
secreted  himself  in  the  hold,  hoping  for  some  chance  to  make  his  escape — 
but  that  the  Indian  who  came  on  board  in  the  night  approaching  the  place 
where  he  was,  he  supposed  himself  discovered,  and  being  determined  to 
sell  his  life  as  dearly  as  possible,  as  soon  as  he  came  within  his  reach, 
he  kn'>cked  him  down,  but  the  Indian  immediately  springing  up,  ran  off 
at  full  speed. — I  informed  him  in  a  few  words  that  all  our  men  had  been 
killed;  that  the  king  had  preserved  my  life,  and  had  consented  to  spare 
his  on  the  supposition  that  he  was  my  father,  an  opinion  which  he  must 
be  careful  not  to  undeceive  them  in,  as  it  was  his  only  safety.  After 
giving  l»im  his  cue,  I  went  on  shore  with  him  and  presented  him  to 
Maquina,  who  immediately  knew  him  to  be  the  sail-maker  and  was  much 
pleased,  observing  that  he  could  make  sails  for  his  canoe. — He  then  took 
us  to  his  house  and  ordered  something  for  us  to  eat. 

On  the  twenty-fourth  and  twenty-fifth,  the  natives  were  busily  employed 
in  taking  the  cargo  out  of  the  ship,  stripping  her  of  her  sails  and  rigging, 
cutting  away  the  spars  and  masts,  and,  in  short,  rendering  her  as  complete 
a  wreck  as  possible;  the  muskets,  ammunition,  cloth,  and  all  the  principal 
articles  taken  from  her,  being  deposited  in  the  king's  house. 

While  they  were  thus  occupied,  each  one  taking  what  he  liked,  my 
companion  and  myself  being  obliged  to  aid  them,  I  thought  it  best  to 
sectire  tiie  accounts  and  papers  of  the  ship,  in  hopes  that  on  sonic  future 
day  I  might  have  it  in  my  power  to  restore  them  to  tlie  owners.  With  this 
view  I  took  possession  of  the  captain's  writing-desk  which  contained  the 
most  of  them,  together  with  some  paper  and  implements  for  writing.  I 
had  also  the  good  fortune  to  find  a  blank  account  book,  in  whicli  I  resolved, 
should  it  be  permitted  me,  to  write  an  account  of  our  capture  and  the 
most  remarkable  occurrences  that  I  should  meet  with  during  my  stay 
among  these  people,  fondly  indulging  the  hope  that  it  would  not  be  long 
before  some  vessel  would  arrive  to  release  us.  I  likewise  found  in  the 
cabin,  a  small  volume  of  sermons,  a  Bible,  and  a  common  prayer-book  of 
the  Cliurch  of  England,  which  furnished  me  and  my  comrade  great  con- 
solation in  the  midst  of  our  mournful  servitude,  and  enabled  me,  under 
the  favor  of  Divine  Providence,  to  support,  with  firmness,  the  miseries 
of  a  life  which  I  might  otherwise  have  found  beyond  my  strength  to 
endure.  As  these  people  set  no  value  upon  things  of  this  kind,  I  found 
no  difficulty  in  appropriating  them  to  myself,  by  putting  them  in  my  chest, 
which,  though  it  had  been  broken  open  and  rifled  by  the  savages,  as  I  still 
had  the  key,  I  without  much  difficulty  secured.  In  this  I  also  put  some 
small  tools  belonging  to  the  ship,  with  several  other  articles,  particularly 
a  journal  kept  by  the  second  mate,  Mr.  Ingraham,  and  a  collection  of 
drawings  and  views  of  places  taken  by  him,  which  I  had  the  good  fortune 
to  preserve,  and  on  my  arrival  at  Boston,  I  gave  them  to  a  connection  of 
his,  the  honorable  Judge  Dawes,  who  sent  them  to  his  family  in  New 
York. 

On  the  twenty-sixth,  two  ships  were  seen  standing  in  for  Friendly  Cove. 
At  their  first  appearance  the  inhabitants  were  thrown  into  great  confusion, 
but  soon  collecting  a  number  of  muskets  and  blunderbusses,  ran  to  the 
shore,  from  whence  they  kept  up  so  brisk  a  fire  at  them,  that  they  were 
evidently  afraid  to  approach  nearer,  and  after  firing  a  few  rounds  of  grape- 
shot  which  did  no  harm  to  any  one,  they  woro  ship  and  stood  out  to  sea. 
These  ships,  as  I  afterward  learned,  were  the  Mary  and  Juno  of  Boston. 
They  were  scarcely  out  of  sight  when  Maquina  expressed  much  regret 


...  _^ _./ 


396  NARBITIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMOBO  SAVA0K8. 

„.,  he  h=.l  pcr,n„.od  hi,  people  .o  f.^'^^trmant^rerS'S'teV';" 

:iir:htrrLi»:'r,h°L';';eXr;:  ^"SL .»»..,  ..a.  ,„ 

Ihc  north  and  south.  acouisitiou,  was  desirous  of 

Maquina,  who  was  very  P'^""^;^"^  "^^^''^^^^e^    '  He   accordingly 

welcon.ins   these  v.s.tors  in  the  European   rnan^-  j^  ^^j^^^ 

ordered  his  men,  as  the  canoes  approached,  o  a«f  ««;>'«  «^'  '^    ,^^  ,^„„„„ 

o„  .he  ,ho,e,d,e»ed  ..  '!'«?  ""^r^  sS.  C f™™  "»  cargo, 
,„osl  fanMtic  maimer,  "■"«  ■"  »7™  »  J^*" '  '  E  broadeloth,  «ilh 
„,h«,.  in  Ko(.oci.,(o,  cloak.,)  ol  ""«'  f^"'  ^  huls  Found  «ilh 
.locking,  drawn  o,,,,  tkcr  1"=»J  ;  '-l  J'^J  ij°Xe™*o.™  of  ihen. 

EirLirsr^sjfgi-tfrtr^eei^ 

bill  p,e,...d  upoB  the  .M.d  .n.load  °f  g"™'  'h«'' »'^°"||^,,  ^  ,,,„„  „i,h 

trophies  what  they  had  taken  from  us      f  hen  ^  j^"^  fJJ^e,  c^^^ 
eluded,  Maquina  invited  the  strangers  to  a  feast ^^^'^  \^^^^  /^^j^  „„,  ^f 
of  whale  blubber,  «'"oked  herrmg  ^P^Jj^^fteing  over,  the  trays  oul  of 

Uiey  received   in  return,  presents  of  cloth,  etc.,  alter  wnicn         y 


■•i-.«-r"-a«rr'- 


r.'^:r~-'-'.''il^'- 


■.^■.i„«*.^-^  -'*t«f>6r^ 


ti.as^tsjsa*?*^*: 


AVAGKS. 

}ing  apprehensive  that 
ner  they  had  been  re- 
ilh  him.  A  few  days 
ived  at  Nootka  a  great 
1  than  twenty  tribes  to 

sition,  was  dcsirons  of 
ner.     He   accordingly 
mble  on  the  beach  with 
impson  at  the  cannon 
ng  slides  of  timber  in 
mpet   in   his   hand  he 
n  drumming  or  beating 
[othing  could  be  more 
ip  of  savages  collected 
ill-gotten  finery,  in  the 
,  taken  from  our  cargo, 
yellow  broadcloth,  with 
lecks  hung  round  with 
re-boxes;  some  of  theiri 
r  shoulders,  and  five  or 

was  it  to  see  them  all 
perpendicularly,  with  the 
ir  shoulders,  and  in  this 
last,  called  to  them  with 
[ward  and  timid  manner, 
ind  as  above  mentioned, 
lompson,  immediately  on 
roll  and  tumble  over  the 
springing  up  they  began 
forward  upon  the  shore, 
exploits  and  exhibited  as 

the  ceremony  was  con- 
t  at  his  house,  consisting 
ried  fish  and  train  oil,  of 
ing  over,  the  trays  out  of 
liately  removed  to  make 
trtainment. 

lan  one  hundred  muskets, 
idred  yards  of  cloth,  and 
.  After  receiving  these 
canoes,  for  so  numerous 
y  but  the  chiefs  to  sleep 
perty  from  being  pillaged 
1  keep  guard,  during  the 
s  manner  tribes  of  savages 
g  for  several  days,  bringing 
fish  and  clams,  for  which 
etc.,  after  which   they  in 

ship  was  discovered  to  be 
res  having  gone  on  board 
Ilundor,  some  sparks  from 
ith  some  combustibles  soon 


NARRATIVE  OP  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES- 


SOT 


.j^^/-sr?-if#K=5'^5^^*^' 


enveloped  the  whole  in  flames.  The  natives  regretted  the  loss  of  the  ship 
the  more  as  a  great  part  of  her  cargo  still  remained  on  board.  To  my 
companion  and  myself  it  was  a  most  melancholy  sight,  for  with  her  dis- 
appeared from  our  eyes  every  trace  of  a  civilized  country;  but  the  dis- 
appointment we  experienced  was  still  more  severely  felt,  for  wo  had 
calculated  on  having  the  provision  to  ourselves,  which  would  have  fur- 
nished us  with  a  stock  for  years,  as  whatever  is  cured  with  salt,  together 
with  moat  of  our  other  articles  of  food,  is  never  eaten  by  these  people. 
I  had  luckily  saved  all  my  tools,  excepting  the  anvil,  and  the  bellows 
which  were  attached  to  the  forge,  and  from  their  weight  had  not  been 
brought  on  shore.  We  had  also  the  good  fortune,  in  looking  over  what 
had  been  taken  from  the  ship,  to  discover  a  box  of  chocolate  and  a  case 
of  Port  wine,  which,  as  the  Indians  were  not  fond  of  it,  proved  a  great 
comfort  to  us  for  some  time,  and  from  one  of  the  natives  I  obtained  a 
nautical  almanac,  which  had  belonged  to  the  captain,  and  which  was  of 
great  use  to  me  in  determining  the  time. 

About  two  days  after,  on  examining  their  booty,  the  savages  found  a 
tierc'i  of  rum,  with  which  they  were  highly  delighted,  as  they  have 
beco.-ne  very  fond  of  spirituous  liquors  since  their  intercourse  with  the 
whites.  This  was  toward  evening,  and  Maquina,  having  assembled  all 
the  men  at  his  house,  gave  a  feast,  at  which  they  drank  so  freely  of  the 
rum,  that  in  a  short  time  they  became  so  extremely  wild  and  frantic  that 
Thompson  and  myself,  apprehensive  for  our  safety,  thought  it  prudent 
to  retire  privately  into  the  woods,  where  we  continued  till  past  midnight. 
On  our  return,  we  found  the  women  gone,  who  arc  always  very  temperate, 
drinking  nothing  but  water,  having  quitted  the  house  and  gone  to  the  other 
huts  to  sleep,  so  terrified  were  they  at  the  conduct  of  the  men,  who  all 
lay  stretched  out  on  the  floor  in  a  state  of  complete  intoxication.  How 
easy,  in  this  situation,  would  it  have  been  for  us  to  have  dispatched  or 
made  ourselves  masters  of  our  enemies,  had  there  been  any  ship  near 
to  which  wo  could  have  escaped,  but  as  we  were  situated,  the  attempt 
would  have  been  madness. 

The  burning  of  our  ship,  which  we  had  lamented  so  much,  as  depriving 
us  of  so  many  comforts,  now  appeared  to  us  in  a  very  different  light,  for 
had  the  savages  got  possession  of  the  rum,  of  which  there  were  nearly 
twenty  puncheons  on  board,  we  must  inevitably  have  fallen  a  sacrifice 
to  their  fury  in  some  of  their  moments  of  intoxication.  This  cask, 
fortunately,  and  a  case  of  gin,  was  all  the  spirits  they  obtained  from  the 
ship.  To  prevent  the  recurrence  of  similar  danger,  I  examined  the 
cask,  and  finding  still  a  considerable  quantity  remaining,  1  bored  a  small 
hole  in  the  bottom  with  a  gimblet,  which,  before  morning,  to  my  great 
joy,  completely  emptied  it. 

By  this  time  the  wound  in  my  head  began  to  be  much  better,  so  that 
I  could  enjoy  some  sleep,  which  I  had  been  almost  deprived  of  by  the 
pain,  and,  though  I  was  still  feeble  from  the  loss  of  blood  and  my 
sufferings,  I  found  myself  sufficiently  well  to  go  to  work  at  my  trade,  in 
making  for  the  king  and  his  wives  bracelets  and  other  small  ornaments 
of  copper  or  steel,  and  in  repairing  the  arms,  making  use  of  a  large 
square  stone  for  the  anvil,  and  heating  my  metal  in  a  common  wood  fire. 
This  was  very  gratifying  to  Maquina  and  his  women  particularly,  and 
secured  me  their  good  will. 

In  the  meantime  great  numbers  from  the  other  tribes  kept  continually 
flocking  to  Nootka,  bringing  with  them,  in  exchange  for  the  ship's  plunder, 
such  quantities  of  provision,  that,  notwithstanding  the  little  success  that 


898 


NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 


Maq.iina  mot  with  in  whaling  this  season,  and  thoir  glu  lonoua  waste, 
alwavs  <'  ling  to  .^xceas  when  thoy  have  it,  regardless  ot  the  morrow, 
seldom  did  the  natives  experience  any  want  of  food  durmg  the  summer. 
As  to  myself  and  companion,  wo  fared  as  they  d.d,  never  wantmg  for 
such  provision  as  they  had,  though  wo  were  obliged  to  eat  it  «^o.«kcd  m 
their  manner  and  with  train  oil  as  a  sauce,  a  circumstance  not  .  little  un- 
pleasant, botl  from  thoir  uncleanly  mode  of  cooking,  and  many  of  the 
Lrticics  of  their  food  which,  to  a  European,  are  very  d.s-usting,  bu  ,  as 
the  saying  is,  hunger  will  break  through  stone  walls;  and  wc  found,  at 
times,  inihe  blubber  of  sea  animals  and  the  flesh  of  the  dog  fish,  loath- 
some  as  it  in  general  was,  a  very  acceptable  repast. 

But  much  oftener  would  poor  Thompson,  who  was  no  favorite  with 
them,  have  suffered  from  hunger  had  it  not  been  for  my  '""-n'^hyig  >™ 
with   provision—This  I  was   enabled  to   do   from  my  work,  Maquina 
allowing  me  the  privilege,  when  not  employed  for  him,  to  wo^k  for  my- 
self in  making  bracelets    and  other  ornaments  of  copper,  fish-hooks, 
daggers,  etc.,  either  to  sell  to  the  tribes  who  visited  us,  or  for  our  own 
chiefs,  who,  on  these  occasions,  beside  supplying  me  with  as  much  aa 
I  wished  to  eat,  and  a  sutlicicncy  for  Thompson,  almost  always  made  me 
a  present  of  a  European  garment  taken  from  the  ship,  «r  ««^«  f  «""« 
of  cloth,  which  were  made  up  by  my  comrade,  and  enabled  us  to  go 
comfortably  clad  for  some  time,  or  small  bundles  of  penknives  razors 
scissors,  etc.,  for  one  of  which  we  could  almost  always  Pr?««^«  J°'"  '^o 
natives  two  or  three  fresh  salmon,  cod,  or  halibut,  or  dried  Ash,  clams 
and  herring  spawn  from  the  stranger  tribes;  and  had  we  «n>yj|««"  P®'- 
mitted  to  cook  them  after  our  own  way,  as  we  had  pots,  and  other  uten- 
sils belonging  to  the  ship,  we   should   not  have  had   «>"«h   cause  of 
complaint  in  this  respect;   but  so  tenacious  are  these  peopje  "f  the.r 
customs,  particularly  in  the  article  of  food  and  cooking,  that  the  king 
a  wayrobliged  me  to  give  whatever  provisions  I  bought  to  the  women  to 
cook-and  one  day  finding  Thompson  and  myself  on  the  shore  employed 
Tboil  ng  Sown  Jea-wat?r  into  salt,  on  being  told  what  it  was  he  was 
iery  much  displeased,  and  taking  the  little  we  had  procured  th  ew  it 
into  the  sea.     In  one  instance  alone,  as  a  particular  fav-r,  he  allowed 
Te  to  boil  some  salmon  in  my  own  way  when     invited  h.m  and  h  « 
queen  fo  eat  with  me;  they  tasted  it,  but  did  not  like  it,  and  made  thetr 
meal  of  some  of  it  that  I  had  cooked  in  their  country  fashion. 

My  health  being  at  length  re-established,  and  my  wound  healed, 
Thompson  became  very  importunate  for  me  to  begin  ">?  JO»;°»>'  ?"d  a« 
I  had  no  ink,  proposed  to  cut  his  finger  to  supply  me  with  blood  for  the 
purpose  whenever  I  should  want  it.  On  the  first  of  June  1  accordingly 
Eom.nenced  a  regular  diary,  but  had  no  occasion  to  make  u«e  of  the 
e-DPdient  suggestod  by  my  comrade,  having  found  a  much  better  sub- 
Se "n  theTxpressed'juice  of  a  certain  plant,  which  fu-f  f  ^^^  ^^J 
a  bright  green  color,  and  afler  making  a  number  of  ^"f '«  .^^'  '^^J 
succeeded  in  obtaining  a  very  tolerable  ink,  by  boiling  the  J«'ce  "f  he 
blackberry  with  a  mixture  of  finely  powdered  charcpd  and  filtering 
it  through  a  cloth.  This  I  afterward  preserved  m  bottles  and  found  it 
answer  very   well,  so  true   is   it  that  "necessity  is  the    mother   of 

rnvrtlon."'  As  fo'r  quills  I  found  no  difficulty. j"  P^rh'Jhlbe'^Lhwrs 
ever  I  warned,  from  the  crows  and  ravens  with  which  the  beach  was 
afmost  always  covered,  attracted  by  the  offal  of  whales,  seals,  eto,  and 
wS  w^eTo  tie  that  I  could  easily  kill  them  with  stones,  while  a 
large  clam-shell  furnished  me  with  an  inkstand. 


IVACIES. 

iir  ^'luttonous  waste, 
less  of  the  morrow, 
during  tho  uuininer. 
(1,  never  wanting  for 
to  cat  it  cooked  in 
stance  not  >  little  un- 
ng,  nnd  many  of  the 
ry  dis^uBting,  but,  as 
;  and  we  found,  at 
f  the  dog  fish,  loath- 

was  no  favorito  with 

or  my  furnishing  him 

my  work,  Maquina 

him,  to  work  for  my- 

f  copper,  fish-hooks, 

ed  us,  or  for  our  own 

me  with  as  much  as 

most  always  made  me 

ship,  or  some  fathoms 

md  enabled  us  to  go 

of  penknives,  razors, 

vays  procure  from  tho 

or  dried  fish,  clams 

lad  we  only  been  per- 

pots,  and  other  uten- 

had   much   cause  of 

these  people  of  their 

cooking,  that  the  king 

ought  to  the  women  to 

an  the  shore  employed 

lid  what  it  was,  he  was 

lad  procured,  threw  it 

:ular  fav  ~>r,  he  allowed 

I  invited  him  and  his 

like  it,  and  made  their 

try  fashion. 

id  my  wound  healed, 
gin  my  journal,  and  as 
me  with  blood  for  the 
.  of  June  I  accordingly 
in  to  make  use  of  the 
nd  a  much  Letter  sub- 
hich  furnished  me  with 
r  of  trials  I  at  length 
oiling  the  juice  of  the 
charcpal  and  filtering 
in  bottles  and  found  it 
Lty  is  the  mother  of 
procuring  them,  when- 
which  the  beach  was 
whales,  seals,  etc.,  and 
m  with  stones,  while  a 


,!*! 


KABRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 


399 


The  extreme  solicitude  of  Thompson,  that  I  should  begin  my  journal, 
might  be  cunsidered  as  Hin<^ular  in  ii  mun  who  neither  knew  luiw  to  write 
or  read — a  circumstance,  by  the  way,  very  uncommon  in  an  American — 
were  we  less  acquainted  with  tho  force  of  habit,  ho  having  been  for 
many  years  at  sea.  and  accustomed  to  consider  the  keeping  of  a  journal 
as  a  thing  indispensable.  This  man  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  and  when 
eight  years  old,  ran  away  from  his  friends,  and  entered  as  a  cabin  boy  on 
board  a  ship  bound  to  London;  on  his  arrival  there,  finding  himself  in 
distress,  he  engaged  as  an  apprentice  to  the  captain  of  a  Collier,  from 
whence  he  was  impressed  on  board  an  English  man-of-war,  and  continued 
in  tho  British  naval  service  about  twenty-seven  years,  during  which  he 
was  present  at  the  engagement  under  Lord  Howe  with  tho  French  fleet 
in  June.  1794;  and  when  peace  was  made  between  England  nnd  France, 
was  diiichargod.  He  was  a  very  strong  nnd  powerful  man,  an  expert 
boxer,  and  perfectly  fearless;  indeed  so  little  was  his  dread  of  danger, 
that,  when  irritated,  he  was  wholly  regardless  of  his  life.  Of  this  tho 
following  will  furnish  a  sufficient  proof: 

One  evening,  about  the  middle  of  April,  as  I  was  at  the  house  of  one 
of  the  chiefs,  where  I  had  been  employed  on  some  work  for  him,  word 
was  brought  me  that  Maquina  was  going  to  kill  Thompson.  I  immedi- 
ately hurried  home,  where  I  found  the  king  in  the  act  of  presenting  a 
loaded  musket  at  Thompson,  who  was  standing  before  him  with  his 
breast  bared,  and  calling  on  him  to  fire.  I  instantly  stepped  up  to 
Maquina,  who  was  foaming  with  rage,  and  addressing  him  in  soothing 
words,  begged  him,  for  my  sake,  not  to  kill  my  father,  and  at  length  suc- 
ceeded in  taking  the  musket  from  him  and  persuading  him  to  sit  down. 
On  inquiring  into  the  cause  of  his  anger,  I  learned  that  while  Thompson 
was  lighting  the  lamps  in  the  king's  room,  Maquina  having  substituted 
our's  for  their  pine  torches,  some  of  the  boys  began  to  teaze  him,  run- 
ning around  him  and  pulling  him  by  the  trowscrs;  among  the  most 
forward  of  whom  was  the  young  prince.  This  caused  Thompson  to 
spill  the  oil,  which  threw  him  into  such  a  passion,  that,  witiiout  caring 
what  he  did,  he  struck  the  prince  so  violent  a  blow  in  his  face  with  his 
fist  as  to  knock  him  down.  The  sensation  excited  among  the  savages 
by  an  act  which  was  considered  as  the  highest  indignity,  and  a  profan- 
ation of  the  sacred  person  of  majesty  may  be  easily  conceived.  The 
king  was  immediately  acquainted  with  it,  who,  on  coming  in  and  seeing 
his  son's  face  covered  with  blood,  seized  a  musket  and  began  to  load  it, 
determined  to  take  instant  revenge  on  the  audacious  oflfender;  and  had 
I  arrived  a  few  minutes  later  than  I  did,  my  companion  would  certainly 
have  paid  with  his  life  for  his  rash  and  violent  conduct.  I  found  the 
utmost  difficulty  in  pacifying  Maquina,  who,  for  a  long  time  aAer,  could 
not  forgive  Thompson,  but  would  repeatedly  say,  "John,  you  die- 
Thompson  kill.''  But  to  appease  the  king  was  not  all  that  was  necessary. 
In  consequence  of  the  insult  offered  to  their  prince,  tho  whole  tribe  held 
a  council,  in  which  it  was  unanimously  resolved  that  Thompson  should 
be  put  to  death  in  the  most  cruel  manner.  I,  however,  interceded  so 
strenuously  with  Maquina  for  his  life,  telling  him  that  if  my  father  was 
killed,  I  was  determined  not  to  survive  him,  that  he  refused  to  deliver 
him  up  to  the  vengeance  of  his  people,  saying,  that  for  John's  sake  they 
must  consent  to  let  him  live.  The  prince,  who,  at\er  I  had  succeeded 
in  calming  his  father,  gave  me  an  account  of  what  had  happened,  told 
me  that  it  was  wholly  out  of  regard  to  me,  as  Thompson  was  my  father, 
that  his  life  had  been  spared;  for  that  if  any  one  of  the  tribe  should 


400  NARRATIVE  OP  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 

aaro  to  lift  a  hand  against  him  in  anger,  ho  would  most  certainly  be  put 

'°  Stan  this  narrow  escape  produced  "otynuch  effect  o^  Thompson 

Son  of  a  chiet,  wno  was  uuouv  i  »  j        himself,  in  consequence  of 

custom,  was  considered  as  a  Tyoo^  or  ch^f  h.mse^f,  n^^^      ^^  .^  ^^^.^ 
his  having   provoked  him  by  ca  ing  h.m  »  «.  clamorous 

caused  great  commotion  m  the  village,  and  the  tnoo  was  v    y 

among  them;  addmg,  that  "^  o"'y,'^  ""''"  ^„  "J  -ace-  for  to  a  brave 

wiTh  their  sports  and  buffoon  tricks,  making  little  "'""'''"f  "^^/^^^'^  ""'^^^l 
S  diildreE  of  the  chiefs,  by  which  -^^^^  ^l^^^T   aI  I  ^rUier  le 
them,  and  fish-hooks,  daggers,  etc,  for  th^J'^^J;^^;,,^^'  of  the 

commendation  to  their  favor,  ""^^  ^^^^^^^^^^ Jr  W"'^g^^ 

utmost  importance  to  us,  I  resolved  t"*"""  ,*7"  3d  in  acquiring, 

the  course  of  a  few  months  residence,  I  so  far  succeeoea  m  u.  M         b^ 

when  they  themselves  were  short  of  provisions  and  suffering  for  the  wan 
"^BuTto  return  to  our  unhappy  situation.    Th°«f  ^^  .^'xtcS 
our  fears  lest  no  ship  would  come  to  our  'Please,  ana  xnai 


SAVAGES, 
d  most  certainly  be  put 

ch  effect  on  Thompson, 
temper.  For  not  many 
on,  in  striking  the  eldest 
1,  and,  acf^ording  to  their 
iself,  in  consequence  of 
rhite  slave.  This  affair 
tribe  was  very  clamorous 
t.     I  used  frequently  to 

conduct,  and  beg  him  to 
ur  duly,  since  our  lives 
liing  to  exasperate  them; 
for  so  bitter  was  the  hate 
d  in  manifesting,  both  by 
irer  would  submit  to  theiT 
3d  than  be  obliged  to  live 
id  a  good  vessel  and  some 
iirscd  race;  for  to  a  brave 
and  Spaniards  with  glory, 

a  slave  to  such  a  poor, 

had  determined  from  the 
onduct  toward  them,  and 
,  their  customs  and  mode 
Iness  that  had  rescued  me 
nguish  in  captivity  among 
^  gain  their  good  will  by 
tenance,  appearing  pleased 
tie  ornaments  for  the  wives 
Bcame  quite  a  favo  i,  .  with 
mselves.  As  a  fariher  re- 
ht  eventually  prove  of  the 

their  language,  which,  in 
ar  succeeded  in  acquiring, 
ill  understood.  I  likewise 
hat  might  prove  necessary 

both  them  and  their  cursed 

did  1  gain  the  good  will  of 
arcely  ever  failed  expenen- 
ved  with  a  smile  of  welcome 
having  something  giveu  me 
I  meal  have  I  had  from  them, 
13  and  suffering  for  the  want 

Though  my  comrade  and 
n  we  could  have  expected 
jms  and  mode  of  living,  yet 
release,  and  that  we  should 
re  to  us  a  source  of  constant 
jmy  state  was  to  go  on  Sun- 
t,  to  the  borders  of  a  fresh 
B,  where,  after  bathing,  and 


NARRATIVE  OP  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGK8. 


401 


putting  on  clean  clothes,  wo  would  seat  ourHelvcs  under  the  shade  of  a 
beautiful  pine,  while  I  read  some  chapters  in  the  Bible,  and  the  prayers 
appoint'-d  by  our  Church  for  the  day,  ending  our  devotions  with  a  fervent 
prayer  to  the  Almighty  that  he  would  deign  still  to  watch  over  and  pre- 
serve our  lives,  rescue  us  from  the  hands  of  the  savages,  and  permit  us 
once  more  to  behold  a  Christian  land.  In  this  manner  were  the  greater 
part  of  our  Sundays  passed  at  Nootka;  and  I  felt  grateful  to  heaven, 
that  amidst  our  other  sufferings,  we  were  at  least  allowed  the  pleasure 
of  offering  up  our  devotions  unmolested;  for  Maquina,  on  my  explaining 
to  him,  as  well  as  was  in  my  power,  the  reason  of  our  thus  retiring  at 
this  time,  far  from  objecting,  readily  consented  to  it. 

In  July,  we  at  length  thought  that  the  hope  of  delivery  we  had  so 
long  anxiously  indulged,  was  on  the  point  of  being  grntiliod.  A  ship 
appeared  in  the  ofling;  but,  alas!  our  fond  hopes  vanished  almost  as 
soon  as  formed;  for,  instead  of  standing  in  for  the  shore,  she  passed  to 
the  northward  and  soon  disappeared. 

On  the  third  of  September,  the  whole  tribe  quitted  Nootka,  according 
tu  their  constant  practice,  in  order  to  pass  the  autumn  and  winter  at 
Tasiiecs  and  Cooptee,  the  latter  lying  about  thirty  miles  up  the  sound  in 
a  deep  bay,  the  navigation  of  which  is  very  dangerous  from  the  great 
number  of  reefs  and  rocks  with  which  it  abounds.  On  these  occasions, 
^;verything  is  taken  with  them,  even  the  planks  of  their  houses,  in  order 
to  cover  their  new  dwellings. 

Tashees  is  pleasantly  situated,  and  in  a  most  secure  position  from  the 
winter  storms,  in  a  small  vale  or  hollow,  on  the  south  shore,  at  the  foot 
of  a  mountain.  The  principal  object  in  coming  to  this  place,  is  the 
facility  it  affords  these  people  of  providing  their  winter  stock  of  provi- 
sions, which  consists  principally  of  salmon,  and  the  spawn  of  that  fish ; 
to  which  may  be  added  herring  and  sprats,  and  herring  spawn.  The 
salmon  are  taken  at  Tashees  principally  in  pots  or  wears.  This  pot 
or  wear  is  placed  at  the  foot  of  a  fall  or  rapid,  where  the  water  is  not 
very  deep,  and  the  fish,  driven  from  above  with  long  poles,  are  inter- 
cepted and  caught  in  the  wear,  from  whence  they  are  taken  into  the 
canoes.  In  this  manner,  I  have  seen  more  than  seven  hundred  salmon 
caught  in  the  space  of  fifteen  minutes.  I  have  also  sometimes  known  a 
few  of  the  striped  bass  taken  in  this  manner,  but  rarely. 

At  such  times,  there  is  great  feasting  and  merriment  among  them; 
the  women  and  female  slaves  being  busily  employed  in  cooking,  or  in 
curing,  the  fish  for  their  winter  stock;  which  is  done  by  cutting  off  the 
heads  and  tails,  splitting  them,  taking  out  the  backbone,  and  hanging 
them  up  in  their  houses  to  dry.  They  also  dry  the  halibut  and  cod,  but 
these,  instead  of  curing  whole,  they  cut  up  into  small  pieces  for  that 
purpose,  and  expose  to  the  sun.  Such  is  the  immense  quantity  of  these 
fish,  and  they  are  taken  with  such  facility,  that  I  have  known  upward  of 
twenty-five  hundred  brought  into  Maquina's  house  at  once,  and,  at  one 
of  their  great  feasts,  have  seen  one  hundred  or  more  cooked  in  one  of 
their  largest  tubs. 

I  was,  however,  very  apprehensive,  soon  after  our  arrival  at  this  place, 
that  I  should  be  deprived  of  the  satisfaction  of  keeping  my  journal,  as 
Maquina  one  day,  observing  me  writing  in  it,  inquired  of  me  what  I  was 
doing;  and,  when  I  endeavored  to  explain  it,  by  telling  him  that  I  was 
keeping  an  account  of  the  weather,  he  said  it  was  not  so,  and  that  I  was 
speaking  bad  about  him,  and  telling  how  he  had  taken  our  ship  and 
killed  the  crew,  so  as  to  inform  my  countrymen,  and  that  if  he  ever  saw 
26 


BXt. 


I 


403 


NARRATIVR  OF  A  8AIL0U  AMOMO  8AVA(JKS, 


mo  writing;  in  it  affain,  ho  would  throw  it  into  thn  firo.  I  wiih  inurh 
rejoiced  that  he  did  no  nioro  than  tliroaton,  and  bccanio  very  caiitiotiH 
afterward  not  to  let  him  ane  mo  write. 

Not  lonf^  after,  I  fmishcd  some  dapf^nrs  for  him,  which  I  poliHhod 
highly;  these  ploasod  him  much,  and  he  f^avo  mo  directioiiK  to  niuke  a 
cheetoolth.  in  which  I  succeeded  so  ftir  to  his  satisfaction,  that  ho  f(ave 
me  a  present  of  cloth  sufficient  to  make  mo  a  comphto  Hiiit  of  raiment, 
beside  other  thinjts.  Thompson,  also,  wlio  had  bncomo  ratlicr  more  of 
a  favorite  than  formerly,  since  ho  had  made  a  fine  sail  for  his  canor,  and 
somn  ii^arrnents  for  him  out  of  Kuropean  cloth,  alwut  this  time,  com- 
ploled  another,  which  was  thought  by  the  savages  a  most  superb  dress. 
This  was  a  kootnik,  or  mantle,  a  fathom  squaro,  made  entirely  of  Kiiro- 
poan  vPBt  patterns  of  the  gayest  colors.  These  were  sewed  together, 
in  a  manner  to  make  the  best  show,  and  bound  with  a  deep  trimming  of 
the  finest  otter  skin,  with  which  the  arm-holes  were  also  l)ordured  ; 
while  the  bottom  was  further  embellished  with  five  or  six  rows  of  gilt 
buttons,  placed  as  near  as  possible  to  each  other.  Nothing  could  exceed 
the  pride  of  Maquina  when  he  first  put  on  this  royal  rol)c,deconitnd,  like 
the  cont  of  Joseph,  with  all  the  colors  of  the  rainbow,  and  glittering 
with  the  buttons,  which,  as  he  strutted  about,  made  a  tinkling,  while  he 
repeatedly  exclaimed,  in  a  transport  of  exultation,  Klew  ahish  katsuk — 
Kick  kum  atack  Nootka. — A  fine  garment — Nootka  can't  make  him. 

The  king,  finding  that  I  was  desirous  of  learning  their  language,  was 
much  deliglited,  and  took  great  pleasure  in  conversing  with  me.  On 
one  of  those  occasions,  he  explained  to  me  his  reasons  for  cutting  off 
our  ship,  saying  that  he  bore  no  ill  will  to  my  countrymen,  but  that  he 
had  been  several  times  treated  very  ill  by  them.  The  first  injury  of 
which  he  had  cause  to  complain,  was  done  him  by  a  Captain  Tnwning- 
ton,  who  commanded  a  schooner  which  passed  a  winter  nt  Friendly 
Cove,  whore  he  was  well  treated  by  the  inhabitants.  This  man,  taking 
advantage  of  Maquina's  absence,  who  had  gone  to  the  Wickiiininish  to 
procure  a  wife,  armed  himself  and  crew,  and  entered  the  house  where 
there  were  none  but  women,  whom  he  throw  into  the  greatest  conster- 
nation, and,  searching  the  chests,  took  away  all  the  skins,  of  which  Ma- 
quina had  no  less  than  forty  of  the  best;  and  that,  about  the  same  time, 
four  of  their  chiefs  were  barbarously  killed  by  a  Captain  Martinez,  a 
Spaniard.  That,  soon  after,  Captain  Ilanna,  of  the  Sea-Otter,  in  conse- 
quence of  one  of  the  natives  having  stolen  a  chisel  from  the  carpenter, 
fired  upon  their  canoes,  which  were  along  side,  and  killed  upward  of 
twenty  of  the  natives,  of  whom  several  were  tyeea  or  chiefs;  and  that 
he  him-ielf,  being  on  board  the  vessel,  in  order  to  escape,  was  ol)liged  to 
leap  from  the  quarter-deck,  and  swim  for  a  long  way  under  water. 

These  injuries  had  excited  in  the  breast  of  Maquina,  an  ardent  desire 
of  revenge,  the  strongest  passion  of  the  savage  heart,  and  though  many 
years  had  elapsed  since  their  commission,  still  they  were  not  forgotten; 
and  the  want  of  a  favorable  opportunity  alono  prevented  him  from  sooner 
avenging  them.  Unfortunately  for  us,  the  long  wished  for  opportunity 
presented  itself  in  our  ship,  which  Maquina,  finding  not  guarded  with  the 
usual  vigilance  of  the  north-west  traders,  and  feeling  his  desire  of 
revenge  rekindled  by  the  insult  offered  by  Captain  Salter,  formed  h  plan 
of  attacking,  and,  on  his  return,  called  a  counsel  of  his  chiefs,  and  com- 
municated it  to  them,  acquainting  them  with  the  manner  in  which  he 
had  been  treated.  No  less  desirous  of  avenging  this  affront  ofl'ered 
their  king,  than  the  former  injuries,  they  readily  agreed  to  his  proposal, 


AUKS. 

firo.     I  wiiH  much 
eanio  very  caiilioiiH 

,  j»hich  I  poliHhod 
ocliomt  to  mukfl  a 
ction,  that  lie  Rave 
"H)  Huit  of  raiinont, 
lino  rullior  moio  of 
jl  for  hifl  caiioo,  and 
out  this  time,  «'.om- 

moflt  HUi)crh  dress. 
Ic  entirely  of  Kiiro- 
jre  sowed  toRetiior, 
a  deep  trimming  of 
ero   also  Iwrihjred  ; 

or  six  rows  of  gilt 

lolliinR  e.ould  oxeeod 

rohe,  decoriiled,  like 

inbow,  and  glittering 

a  tinkling,  while  he 
Klew  thish  haUuk— 
can't  make  him. 
I  their  language,  was 
ersing  with  mo.     On 
iasons  for  cutting  off 
intrymen,  hut  that  he 
The  first  injury  of 
y  a  Captain  Tawning- 
a  winter  nt  Friendly 
tg.     This  man,  taking 

0  the  Wickwninish  to 
ered  the  house  where 

the  greatest  conster- 
le  skins,  of  which  Ma- 
L,  about  the  same  time, 
a  Captain  Martinez,  a 
lie  Sea-Otter,  in  conse- 
lel  from  the  carpenter, 

and  killed  upward  ot 
!e»  or  chiefs;  ond  thai 

1  escape,  was  obliged  to 
way  under  water, 
inuina,  an  ardent  desire 
tieart,  and  though  many 
ley  were  not  forgotten ; 
ivented  him  from  sooner 
r  wished  for  opportunity 
ing  not  guarded  with  the 
1  feeling  his  desire  of 
lin  Salter,  formed  h  plan 
,1  of  his  chiefs,  and  com- 
the  manner  in  which  he 
ging  this  affront  offered 
ly  agreed  to  his  proposal, 


NARRATIVK  OF  A  SAfLOR  i^  no>fO  SAVAOKS. 


40.3 


which  wan  to  go  on  iionrd  without  ariiiM,  as  UHunI,  hut  undiu  (liir<<ri>nt 
pretexts,  in  gniiter  nuinhnrs,  and  wait  iiis  Hignal  lor  thu  inomont  of 
attackin}r  (heir  unsuHpecting  victims.  The  execution  of  this  Mthemo,  as 
the  reaiUtr  knows,  wos  unhappily  too  sti<      ssful. 

On  tlie  Ihirty-lirst  of  Doccinbor,  all  •<  tribe  (piitted  Tasheea  for 
CooptiM',  whither  Ihoy  go  to  pass  the  xi-<  iider  of  tli<>  winter,  and  com- 
plet(  ilioir  lisiiing,  taking  otfeverytiiing  wiili  them  in  the  Haniu  nianncr  as 
at  .N'ootka.  The  natives  now  began  to  take  the  herring  and  sprat  in  im- 
mnnx;  (juantitios,  with  some  salmon,  uitd  there  was  nothing  but  feasting 
from  tniirning  until  night. 

( *ii  tlid  twcnty-titlh  of  February,  wo  quitted  Cooptec,  and  n^tiirniid  to 
Noi)tlia.  Witii  much  joy  did  Thompson  and  myself  again  Hnd  ourselves 
in  a  place  where,  notwithstanding  the  melancholy  recollections  which  it 
excitcMl,  we  hoped  before  long  to  see  some  vessel  arrive  to  our  relief. 
Not  long  atler  our  return,  a  son  of  Maquina's  sister,  a  boy  about  eleven 
y*  ars  old,  who  had  been  for  some  time  declining,  died.  TootooscI',  bis 
futlier,  was  esteemed  the  first  warrior  of  the  tribe,  and  was  one  who  had 
been  peculiarly  active  in  the  destruction  of  our  ship,  having  killed  two 
uf  our  poor  comrades  whoso  names  were  Hall  and  Wood.  About  the 
time  of  our  removal  to  Tashucs,  while  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  highest 
health,  lie  was  suddenly  seized  with  i  fit  of  dt-lirium,  in  which  he  fan- 
cied that  lie  saw  the  ghosts  of  thor>e  two  men  constantly  standing  by 
him,  and  threatening  him,  so  that  he  would  take  no  food,  except  what 
was  forced  into  his  mouth. 

When  Maquina  was  first  informed  by  his  sister  of  the  strange  conduct 
of  her  husband,  he  immediately  went  to  his  house,  taking  us  with  him; 
suspecting  that  his  disease  liad  been  caused  by  us,  and  that  the  ghosts 
of  our  countrymen  had  been  called  thither  by  us,  to  torment  him.  We 
found  him  raving  about  Hall  and  Wood,  saying  that  they  were  pcuhak, 
that  is,  bad.  Maquina  then  placed  some  provision  before  him,  to  sec  if 
ho  would  eat.  On  perceiving  it,  ho  put  forth  his  hand  to  take  some,  but 
instantly  withdrew  it,  with  signs  of  horror,  saying  that  Hall  and  Wood 
wore  there,  and  would  not  let  him  eut.  Maquina  then,  pointing  to  us, 
asked  if  it  was  not  John  and  Thompson  who  troubled  him.  Wik,  he 
replied,  that  is,  no;  John  klushiah  —  Thompson  kituhiah  —  John  and 
Tiiompson  arc  both  good ;  then,  turning  to  me,  and  patting  me  on  the 
shoulder,  he  made  signs  to  nic  to  eat.  I  tried  to  persuade  him  that 
Hall  and  Wood  were  not  there,  and  that  none  were  near  him  but  our- 
selves: he  said,  I  know  very  well  you  do  not  see  them,  but  I  do.  At 
first,  Ma(|uina  endeavored  to  convince  him  that  he  saw  nothing,  and  to 
laugh  him  out  of  his  belief;  but,  finding  that  all  was  to  no  purpose,  he 
at  length  became  serious,  and  askud  me  if  I  had  ever  seen  any  one 
affected  in  this  manner,  and  what  was  the  matter  with  him.  I  gave  him 
to  understand,  pointing  to  his  head,  that  his  brain  was  injured,  and  that 
he  did  not  see  things  as  formerly.  Being  convinced  by  Tootoosch^H 
conduct,  that  we  had  no  agency  in  his  indisposition,  on  our  return  home, 
Maquina  asked  me  what  was  done  in  my  country  in  similar  cases.  I 
told  him  that  such  persons  were  closely  confined,  and  sometimes  tied 
up  and  whipped,  in  order  to  make  them  better.  After  pondering  for 
some  time,  he  said  that  he  should  be  glad  to  do  anything  to  relieve  him, 
and  that  he  should  be  whipped;  and  immediately  gave  orders  to  sumo  uf 
bis  men  to  go  to  Tootoosch's  house,  bind  him,  and  bring  him  to  his,  in 
order  to  undergo  the  operation.  Thompson  was  the  persoii  selected  to 
administer  this  remedy,  which  he  undertook  very  readily,  and  for  that. 


404 


NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 


purpose  pjovided  himself  with  a  good  number  of  spruce  branches,  with 
which  lie  whipped  him  most  severely,  laying  't  on  with  the  best  will  im- 
aginable, while  Tooloosch  displayed  the  greatest  rage,  kicking,  spitting, 
and  attempting  to  bite  all  who  came  near  him.  This  was  too  much  for 
Maquina,  wiio,  at  length,  imable  to  endure  it  longer,  ordered  Thompson 
to  desist,  and  Tootoosch  to  be  carried  back,  saying  that,  if  there  was  no 
other  way  of  curing  him  but  by  whipping,  he  must  remain  mad.  The 
application  of  the  whip  produced  no  beneficial  effect  on  Tootoosch,  for 
be  afterward  became  still  more  deranged;  in  his  fits  of  fury  sometimes 
seizing  a  club,  and  beating  his  slaves  in  a  most  dreadful  manner,  and 
striking  and  spitting  at  all  who  came  near  him,  until,  at  length,  his  wifoi 
no  longer  daring  to  remain  in  the  house  with  him,  came  with  her  son 
to  Maquina's. 

Early  in  June,  Tootoosch,  the  crazy  chief,  died.  As  soon  as  he  was 
dead,  the  body,  according  to  their  custom,  was  laid  out  on  a  plank,  hav* 
ing  the  head  bound  round  with  a  red  bark  fillet,  which  is,  with  them,  an 
emblem  of  mourning  and  sorrow.  Afltr  laying  some  time  in  this  man- 
ner, he  was  wrapped  in  an  otter  skin  robe,  and  three  fathoms  of  I-whaw 
being  put  about  his  neck,  he  was  placed  in  a  large  coffin,  or  box,  about 
three  feet  deep,  which  was  ornamented  on  the  outside  with  two  rows  of 
the  nmall  white  shells.  In  this,  the  most  valuable  articles  of  his  pro- 
perty were  placed  with  him,  among  which  were  no  less  than  twenty-four 
prime  sea-otter  skins.  The  place  of  burial  was  a  large  cavern  on  the 
side  of  a  hill,  at  a  little  distance  from  the  village,  in  which,  afler  depo- 
siting the  coflin  carefully,  all  the  attendants  repaired  to  Maquina^s  house, 
where  a  number  of  articles  belonging  to  the  deceased,  consisting  of 
blankets,  pieces  of  cloth,  etc.,  were  burned  by  a  person  appointed  by 
Maquina  for  that  purpose,  dressed  and  painted  in  the  highest  style,  with 
his  head  covered  witii  white  down,  who,  as  he  put  in  tlie  several  pieces, 
one  by  one,  poui^d  upon  them  a  quantity  of  oil  to  increase  the  flame,! 
in  the  intervals  between  making  a  speech  and  playing  off  a  variety  off 
buffoon  tricks,  and  the  whole  closed  with  a  feast  and  dance  from  Sat-| 
sat-snk-sis,  the  king's  son. 

The  man  who  performed  the  ceremony  of  burning,  on  this  occasion,| 
was  a  very  singular  character,  named  Kinneclimmeta.     He  was  held  ir 
high  estimation  by  the  king,  though  only  of  the  common  class,  probably 
from  his  talent  for  mimicry  and  buffoonry,  and  might  be  considered  as 
kind  of  king's  jester,  or  rather  as  combining  in  his  person  the  characte^ 
of  a  buffoon  with  that  of  master  of  ceremonies  and  public  orator  to  hiJ 
majesty,  as  he  was  the  one  who,  at  feasts,  always  regulated  the  place  of 
the  guests,  dcliveied  speeches  on  receiving  or  returning  visits,  besidj 
amusing  the  company  at  all  their  entertainments,  with  a  variety  of  mor 
key  pranks  and  antic  gestures,  which  appeared  to  these   savages  thl 
height  of  wit  and  humor,  but  would  be  considered  as  extremely  low  bl 
ihe  least  polished  people. 

This  man  Kinneclimmets,  was  particularly  odious  to  Thompson,  wh 
would  never  join  in  the  laugh  at  his  tricks,  and  when  he  began,  wou] 
almost  always  quit  the  house  with  a  very  surly  look,  and  an  exclamatic 
'^of,  cursed  fool!  which  Mat]uina,  who  thought  nothing  could  equal  tn 
■cleverness  of  his  Climmer-habbee,  used  to  remark  with  much  dissat| 
faction,  asking  me,  why  Thompson  never  laughed,  observing  that  I  mij 
have  had  a  very  guod  tempered  woman  irideed  for  my  mother,  as 
■iather  was  so  very  ill-natured  a  man.  Among  those  performances  tij 
gained  him  the  greatest  applause,  was  his  talent  of  eating  to  excess,  i 


lONG  SAVAGES. 

ber  of  spruce  branches,  with 
ig  i  on  with  the  best  will  im- 
catest  rage,  kicking,  spitting, 
lim     This  was  too  much  for 
it  longer,  ordered  Thompson 
t,  saying  that,  if  there  was  no 
he  must  remain  mad.     Ihe 
icial  effect  on  Tootoosch,  for 
in  his  fits  of  fury  sometimes 
a  most  dreadful  manner,  and 
him,  until,  at  length,  his  wife, 
with  him,  came  with  her  son 

ef,died.    As  soon  as  he  was 
was  laid  out  on  a  plank,  hav- 
'  fillet,  which  is,  with  them,  an 
laying  some  time  in  this  nian- 
,,  and  three  fathoms  of  I-whaw 
in  a  large  coffin,  or  box,  about 
n  the  outside  with  two  rows  of 
St  valuable  articles  of  his  pro- 
1  were  no  less  than  twenty-four 
ial  was  a  large  cavern  on  the 
e  village,  in  which,  after  depo- 
;s  repaired  to  Maquina's  house, 
to  the  deceased,  consisting  ot 
ned  by  a  person  appointed  by 
ainted  in  the  highest  style,  with 
as  he  put  in  the  several  pieces, 
V  of  oil  to  increase  the  Uame, 
ch  and  playing  off  a  variety  of 

th  a  feast  and  dance  from  bat- 

w  of  burning,  on  this  occasion, 
dnneclimmets.    He  was  held  in 
i;  of  the  common  class,  probably 
ry,  and  might  be  considered  as  a 
►iu^ng  in  his  person  the  character 
emonies  and  public  orator  to  his 
Its,  always  regulated  the  placc  of 
eiving  or  returning  visits,  beside 
tainments,  with  a  variety  of  mon- 
appeared  to  these   savages  the 
,  considered  as  extremely  low  by 

cularly  odious  to  Thompson,  who 
ricks,  and  when  he  began,  would 
jry  surly  look,  and  an  exclamation 
thought  nothing  could  equal  the 
ed  to  remark  with  much  dissatis- 
ver  laughed,  observing  that  I  must 
nan  iiideed  for  my  mother,  as  my 
Among  those  performances  that 
8  his  talent  of  eating  to  excess,  for 


NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 


406 


I  have  known  him  devour,  at  one  meal,  no  less  than  seventy-five  large 
herring;  and,  at  another  time,  when  a  great  feast  was  given  by  Maquina, 
•>c  undertook,  after  drinking  three  pints  of  oil  by  way  of  a  whet,  to  eat 
four  dried  salmon,  and  five  quarts  of  spawn,  mixed  up  with  a  gallon  of 
train  oil,  and  actually  succeeded  in  swallowing  the  greater  part  of  this 
mess,  until  his  stomach  became  so  overloaded,  as  to  discharge  its 
contents  in  the  dish. 

Our  situation  had  now  become  unpleasant  in  the  extreme.  The  sum- 
mer was  so  far  advanced,  that  we  nearly  despaired  of  a  ship  arriving  to 
our  relief;  and,  with  that  expectation,  almost  relinquished  the  hope  of 
ever  iiaving  it  in  our  power  to  quit  this  savage  land.  We  were  treated, 
too,  with  less  indulgence  than  before,  both  Thompson  and  myself  being 
obliged,  in  addition  to  our  other  employments,  to  perform  the  laborious 
task  of  cutting  and  collecting  fuel,  whicli  we  had  to  bring  on  our  shoul- 
ders from  nearly  three  miles  distant,  as  it  consisted  wholly  of  dry  trees, 
all  of  whicii  near  the  village  had  been  consumed.  Another  thing  which, 
to  me  in  particular,  proved  an  almost  constant  source  of  vexation  and 
disgust,  and  which  living  among  them  had  not  in  the  least  reconcilca  me 
to,  was  their  extreme  fiUhincss,,iiot  only  eating  fish,  especially  the  whale, 
when  in  a  state  of  offensive  putridity,  but,  while  at  their  meals,  of  mak- 
ing a  practice  of  taking  the  vermin  from  their  heads  or  clothes,  and 
eating  them,  by  turns  thrusting  their  fingers  into  their  hair,  and  into  the 
dishj^and  spreading  their  garments  over  the  tubs  in  which  the  provision 
was  cooking,  in  order  to  set  in  motion  their  inhabitants.  Fortunately  for 
Thompson,  he  regarded  this  much  less  than  myself;  and,  when  1  used 
to  point  out  to  him  any  instances  of  their  filthiness  in  this  respect,  he 
would  laugh  and  reply.  Never  mind,  John;  the  more  good  things,  the 
better.  1  must,  however,  do  Maquina  the  justice  to  state,  that  he  was 
much  neater,  both  in  his  person  and  eating,  than  were  the  others,  as  was 
likewise  his  queen,  ->wing,  no  doubt,  to  his  intercourse  with  foreigners, 
which  had  given  him  ideas  of  cleanliness,  for  I  never  S£iw  either  of 
them  eat  any  of  these  animals;  but,  on  the  contrary,  they  appeared  not 
much  to  relish  this  taste  in  others.  Their  garments,  also,  were  much 
cleaner,  Maquina  having  been  accustomed  to  give  his  away  when  they 
became  soiled,  until  after  he  discovered  that  Thompson  and  myself  kept 
ours  clean  by  washing  them,  when  he  used  to  make  Thompson  do  the 
same  for  him. 

In  the  latter  part  of  July,  Maquina  informed  me  that  he  was  going  to 
war  with  the  A-y-charts,  a  tribe  living  about  fifty  miles  to  the  south,  on 
account  of  some  controversy  that  had  arisen  the  preceding  summer,  and 
that  I  must  make  a  number  of  daggers  for  his  men,  and  cheetoolths  for 
his  chiefs,  which  having  completed,  he  wished  me  to  make  for  his  own 
use  a  weapon  of  quite  a  dift'erent  form,  in  order  to  dispatch  his  enemy 
by  one  blow  on  the  head — it  being  the  calculation  of  these  nations,  on 
going  to  war,  to  surprise  their  adversaries  wliile  asleep.  This  was  a 
steel  dagger,  or  more  properly  a  spike,  of  about  six  inches  long,  made 
very  sharp,  set  at  right  angles  in  an  iron  handle  fifteen  inches  long, 
terminating,  at  the  lower  end,  in  a  crook  or  turn,  so  as  to  prevent  its  being 
wrenched  from  the  hand,  and  at  the  upper  end,  in  a  round  knob  or  head, 
from  whence  the  spike  protruded.  This  instrument  I  polished  highly, 
and,  the  more  to  please  Maquina,  formed  on  the  back  of  the  knob  the 
resemblance  of  a  man's  head,  with  the  mouth  open,  substituting  for  eyes 
black  beads,  which  1  fastened  in  with  red  sealing-wax.  Tiiis  pleased 
liim  much,  and  was  greatly  admired  by  his  chiefs,  who  wanted  me  to 


V 


,„,  NAEKATIVE  OF  A  3iIIX)B  AMONG  8AVA0E9. 

™W,  Si™n.,  o„c.  fo,  .he-  b„t  Mglj. -;a  t  -fr  ji'.= 
for  himself  alono  th.s  weapon,  ^j^f "  ^"  ,'^^^^^^^  three  or  four  weeks 
'^[nedonwar,theymakeU  anmarmb^  ^  .^^^  ^,„, 

prior  to  the  expedition,  to  go  '«»<>  ;»*«' "J^  ^^  foot  with  bushes,  niter- 
They  wash  and  scrub  femsdv^s  f^om  head  to^^  ^.^^  ^^^^  ^,enUre\y 
mixed  with  briars,  so  that  their  bomes  •«  Thompson  and  myself 

covered  with  blood.  ^i-^SJ-J^,*^;';;?;"  soUdtous  tha?  we  should  bathe 
that  he  should  take  us  with  ^mi,  was  very  ^^  ^^^^  ^^        ^^ 

and  scrub  ourselves  in  the  f»™«  7/^^  ^f  the  'enemy  would  not  pierce 
S^U^^e^'^rr  gJeVlEtL  to  amuse  ourselves  m  th.s 

men  each.     Thompson  ^^nf,  "^y^j';.  ^^d  a  plenty  of  European  arms, 

strings  made  of  whale  smew.  jj^j^^    „iies,  a  river 

To  go  to  A-y-chart, ;«'«  ;«^«"£  V^l  anks  ^of  which  are  high  and 
about  the  size  "^  j^at  of  Tashce s,  the  .^  ^^  ^'^^  .y,'"^.^^' 

covered  with  wood.     At  m'^ln'g";'  „„„  the  shore,  on  a  steep  hill,  d.ffi- 
wliich  was  situated  on  the  west  bank-"earthe  st,      ,  ^^^^.^^^^  ^^  ^.^.^^^^ 

cult  of  access,  and  ««"  ^^^^^.^^^^^^^^^^^  and  built  in  the  same 

or  sixteen  houses,  smaller  than  those  at  ^-l^^^-         the  attack  was 

ttr^d\SKlfarptral^  Wawn,  as  he  said  that  was  the  time 

silence,  and.  go  ng  """"J.f^fe  °  Uves  asl  their  custom,  entered  the 
bered  up  the  hiU;  ''."^  "L*!'' al^fourtry  co",rade  and  myself  stationed 
several   huts,  creeping  on  al-tours,  iny  ^^  ^^^,^^^^^  ^^ 

ourselves  without,  to  intercept    hose  ^h"  «^o«  I  ^^^  ^^  ^^^^ 

come  to  the  aid  of  their  friends.  *  3«°;j'  ?„  j,  Thompson  would 
Ss  in  the  blood  of  -y  ^«  «eVarages";  t^^^  ^e  wa?  too  brave 

gladly  have  put  to  death  all  th^/J^j; ^^^  H^nng  entered  the  houses,  on 
I  think  of  attacking  a  !l««P'"g  «"2,  fs  he  seized  the  head  of  the 
the  war-whoop  b«.i"gg7",t-,„^Tll  proceeded  to  the  work  of.  death, 
chief,  and  gave  h.m  the  fafxl  b  ow,  aH  proc  ^^  ^^^^  resistance, 

The  A-y-charts,  being  thus  surprised,  w  ^^  ^^^^^^^^^^  „,,ke 

and,  with  the  «-<=«?;«";// ^^jj:;'' doners,  on  condition  of  becoming 
theirescape,  were  all  »^'»f '^' ^^^^^j^tJe  good  fortune  to  make  four  cap- 
slaves  to  their  captors.  I,  ^f  "'/J^ 'Jf^^a  me  to  consider  as  mine,  and 
lives,  whom  Maquina,  as  a  favor,  perm.uea  ^^^  Thompson,  who 

occasionally  employ  ^h^"^  '"  ^^^^^'J^h  t^  "ke  any  prisoners,  but  with 
thirsted  for  revenge,  he  *''^^^"°^'f^„p,oy  against  them,  succeeded 
his  cutlass,  the  only  ^^^ws  who  camr'o^attack  him,  an  act  w  uch 
in  killing  seven  f  «"*  «"7uVanuhia  and  the  chiefs,  who,  after  this, 
obtained  him  great  credit  ^'^h  ^^^  ^ve  him  the  appellation  of 

held  him  in  much  higher  est'mation,  ana  g  j^t,^„,^a  ^..nor  of 

Chehicl-mma-har,  it  being  the  name  of  a  very         ^^^^^^^^  ^^^j. 

their  nation  in  ancient  ^^!^''^'^XY/^'^^Z'o\A  and  infirm  of  either 


AGES. 

suffer  it,  reserving 
have  finally  dcler- 
three  or  four  weeks 
imes  a  day,  where 
with  bushes,  inter- 
ll  often  be  entirely 
mpson  and  myself 
hat  we  should  bathe 
ng  me  that  it  would 
ly  would  not  pierce 
le  ourselves  in  this 

g  from  ten  to  twenty 

I  with  cutlasses  and 
r  of  European  arms, 
with  a  few  bows  and 
pointed  with  copper, 
d  a  half  long,  with 

thirty  miles,  a  river 
which  are  high  and 
sight  of  the  village, 
;,  on  a  steep  hill,  diffi- 
;  consisted  of  fifteen 
nd  built  in  the  same 
tions,  the  attack  was 
said  that  was  the  tmio 

ded  with  the  greatest 

foe  in  the  rear,  clam- 

ir  custom,  entered  the 

and  myself  stationed 

attempt  to  escape,  or 

ossible,  not  to  stain  my 

ough  Thompson  would 

imtry,  he  was  too  brave 

entered  the  houses,  on 

eized  the  head  of  the 

to  the  work  of.  death. 

,le  to  make  resistance, 

so  fortunate  as  to  make 

II  condition  of  becommg 
tune  to  make  four  cap- 
[)  consider  as  mine,  and 
as  for  Thompson,  who 
any  prisoners,  but  with 
igainst  them,  succeeded 
tack  him,  an  act  which 
3  chiefs,  who,  after  this, 

him  the  appellation  of 
rv  celebrated  warrior  of 
re  the  constant  theme  of 
old  and  infirm  of  cither 
ople,  and  destroyed  the 


NARRATIVE  OP  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 


407 


buildings,  wo  re-embarked,  with  our  booty  in  our  canoes,  for  Nootka, 
whore  we  were  received  with  great  demonstrations  of  joy  by  the  women 
and  children,  accompanying  our  war-song  with  a  most  furious  drumming 
on  the  houses.  Repeated  applications  had  been  made  to  Maquina,  by 
a  number  of  kings  or  chiefs,  to  purchase  me,  espcciiiily  after  he  had 
shown  ihem  the  hariK)on  I  had  made  for  him,  which  he  took  much 
pride  in.  but  he  constantly  refused  to  part  with  me  on  any  terms. 

With  hearts  full  of  dejection,  and  almost  lost  to  hope,  no  ship  having 
appeared  off  Nootka  this  season,  did  my  companion  and  myself  accom- 
pany the  tribe,  on  their  removal  in  September,  to  Tashees;  relinquishing, 
in  copsequcnce,  for  six  months,  even  the  remotest  expectation  of  relief. 
Soon  after  our  establishment  there,  Maquina  informed  me  that  he  and 
his  chiefs  had  held  council,  both  before  and  after  quitting  Nootka,  in 
which  they  had  determined  that  I  must  marry  one  of  their  women,  urg- 
ing a  reason  to  induce  me  to  consent,  that,  as  there  was  now  no  proba- 
bility of  a  ship  coming  to  Nootka  to  release  me,  I  must  consider  myself 
as  destined  to  pass  the  remainder  of  my  life  with  them,  that  the  sooner 
I  conformed  to  their  customs  the  better,  and  that  a  wife  and  family  would 
render  me  more  contented  and  satisfied  with  their  mode  of  living.  I 
remonstrated  against  this  decision,  but  to  no  purpose,  for  he  told  me  that 
should  I  refuse,  both  Thompson  and  myself  would  be  put  to  death,  tell- 
ing  me,  however,  that  if  there  were  none  of  the  women  of  his  tribe 
that  pleayed  me,  he  would  go  with  me  to  some  of  the  other  tribes,  where 
he  would  purchase  for  me  such  a  one  as  I  should  select.  Reduced  to 
this  sad  extremity,  with  death  on  the  one  side,  and  matrimony  on  the 
other,  I  thought  proper  to  choose  what  appeared  to  me  the  least  of  the 
two  evils,  and  consented  to  be  married,  on  condition,  that;  as  1  did  not 
fancy  any  of  the  Nootka  women,  I  should  be  permitted  to  make  choice 
of  one  from  some  other  tribe. 

This  being  settled,  the  next  morning,  by  daylight.  Maquina,  with  about 
fifty  men,  in  two  canoes,  set  out  with  ine  for  A-i-tiz-zart,  taking  with 
him  a  quantity  of  cloth,  a  number  of  muskets,  sea-otter  skins,  etc.,  for 
the  purciiase  of  my  bride.  With  the  aid  of  our  paddles  and  sails, 
being  favored  with  a  fair  breeze,  we  arrived  some  time  before  sunset  at 
\he  village.  Our  arrival  excited  a  general  alarm,  m.  the  men  hastened 
to  the  shore,  armed  with  the  weapons  of  their  country,  making  many 
warlike  demonstrations,  and  displaying  much  zeal  and  activity.  We,  in 
the  meantime,  remained  quietly  seated  in  our  canoes,  where  we  remained 
for  about  half  an  hour,  when  the  messenger  of  the  chief,  dressed  in 
their  best  manner,  came  to  welcome  us,  and  invite  us  on  shore  to  cat. 
We  followed  him,  in  procession,  to  the  chief's  house,  Maquina  at  our 
head,  taking  care  to  leave  a  sufficient  number  in  the  boats  to  protect  the 
property.  When  we  came  to  the  house,  we  were  ushered  in  with  much 
ceremony,  and  our  respective  seats  pointed  out  to  us,  mine  being  next 
to  Maquina.  by  his  request. 

After  having  been  regaled  with  a  feast  of  herring  spawn  and  oil,  Ma- 
quina asked  me  if  I  saw  any  among  the  women  who  were  present  that 
I  liked.  1  immediately  pointed  out  to  him  a  young  girl  of  about  seven- 
teen, the  daughter  of  Upquesta,  the  chief,  who  was  sitting  near  him  by 
her  mother.  On  this,  Maquina,  making  a  sign  to  his  men,  arose,  and, 
taking  me  by  the  hand,  walked  into  the  middle  of  the  room,  and  sent 
off  two  of  his  men  to  bring  the  boxes  containing  the  presents  from  the 
canoes.  In  the  meantime,  Kinneclimmets,  the  master  of  ceremonies, 
made  himself  ready  for  the  part  he  was  to  act,  by  powdering  his  hair 


408  NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 

with  the  white  down.     When  the  chests  were  brought  in,  specimens  of 
The  seve  ifartSs  were  taken  out,  and  showed  by  our  men  one  of 
whom  3  up  a  musket,  another  a  skin,  a  third  a  p.ece  of  cloth,  etc. 
On  this    Kinneclimmcts  stepped  forward,  and,  addressing   the  ch.ef, 
Sformea  him  that  all  these  belonged  to  me,  ment.omng  the  number  of 
e"ch  kind,  and  that  they  were  offered  him  for  the   purchase   of   his 
daughter  i:u-"<ocA-ce-c*/«a,  as  a  wife  for  me.    As  he  said  this,   he  men 
who  leld  up  Se  various\rticie8,  walked  up  to  the  chief,  ai^d  with  a  very 
Ttem  and  morose  look,  the  complimentary  one  on  these  occasions,  threw 
S  at  hTfeet.     Immediatel?  on  which,  all  the  tribe,  both  men  and 
women  who  were  assembled  on  this  occasion,  set  up  a  cry  of,  Klack- 
k^yee,  rhat  i^  Thank  ye,  chief.     His  men  after  th.sc-emony,  having 
returned  to  their  places,  Maquina,  rose,  and  .n  a  ^P^^^^'.^J,™"/^^  jj^ 
half  an  hour,  said  much    n  my  praise  to  the  A-i-tiz-zart  chiti,  leiimg 
h?m  that  I  was  a   good  a  man  as  thems3lve8,  differing  from  them  only  in 
beTng  wh  t^that  I  was,  beside,  acquainted  with  many  things  of  which 
the?  were  ignorant;  thai  I  knew  how  to  make  daggers,  chee toolths,  and 
harpoons'  ^nd  was  k  very  valuable  persoii,  whom  he  ^vasdetei  mined  to 
keen  always  with  him:  praising  me,  at  the  same  time,  for  the  goodness 
ormv  tSer,  and  the  manner  in  which  I  had  conducted  since  I  had 
beenVrS^mtobserving  that  all  the  people  of  Nootka,  and  even  the 

''wten  hetrc'eased,  the  A-i-tiz-zart  chief  arose  amidst  the  ucclama^ 
tions  of  his  people,  and  began  with  setting  forth  the  rnauy  good  qualities 
and  accompUshLms  of  his  daughter,  that  he  loved  her  greatly,  and 
aa  she  was  his  only  one,  he  could  not  think  of  parting  with  her.     He 
Jnoke  in  this  manner  for  some  time,  but  finally  concluded  by  consenUng 
to  the  Dropised  union,  requesting  that  she  might  be  well  used  and  kindly 
reSedTvTer  husband.  VhenUpquesta  had  finished  his  speech,  he 
dTrected  hirpeopTe  to  carry  back  the%resents,  which  Maquina  had  given 
hi  n  to  n?e  Sher  with  two  young  male  slaves  to  assist  me  in  fishing. 
tesHftWav  ng7een  placed  before  me,  wer«,  by  Maqu.na's  men. 
Sr^n  board  the^anoes!^   After  this,  our  company  returned  to  lodge 
at  UpquestaC-xcept  a  few  whc  were  left  on  board  the  canoes  to  w^atch 
the  property      In  the  morning,  I  received  from  the  chief  his  daughter,- 
wYaTea^rnest  request  that  I  would  use  her  well,  which  I  promised 
hil;    when,  taking%eave  of  her  parents,  she  accompanied  me  with 
aoDarent  satisfaction  on  board  of  the  canoe. 

^At  about  five  in  the  morning,  we  reached  Tashees,  where  we  found 
all  the  inhabitants  collected  on  the  shore  to  receive  «/•  ^e  were  wel- 
con  dwilh  loud  shouts  of  joy,  and  exclamations  o  Wocash  and  ^,^ 
women,  taking  my  bride  under  their  charge,  conducted  her  to  Maquiids 
hou  e"to  be  kepi  with  them  for  ten  days;  it  being  a  universal  custom, 
as  iSi^uina  informed  me,  that  no  intorcourse  should  take  place  between 
the  new  married  pair  during  that  period. 

The  term  of  my  restriction  over,  Maquina  assigned  me,  as  an  apar  - 
ment  the  space  iJ  the  upper  part  of  his  house,  between  h.m  and  h  s 
dder  brother' whose  room  was  opposite.  Here  I  established  mysef 
wUh  my  family,  consisting  of  myself  and  wife,  Thompson,  and  the  little 
Sit.sa?sak-sis!  who  had  always  been  strongly  attached  to  nie  and  now 
solicited  his  fither  to  let  him  live  with  me,  to  which  he  consented.  Ih.s 
bov  was  handsome,  extremely  well  formed,  amiable  and  of  a  pleasant, 
snfirtlv  d^HposUion.  I  used  to  take  a  pleasure  in  decorating  h.m  with 
n^tbLtK  ear-jewels,  etc.,  which  I  made  for  h.m  of  copper,  and 


B 


iTAOES. 

it  in,  specimens  of 

our  men, one  of 

piece  of  cloth,  etc. 

ressing   tlio  chief, 

ug  the  number  of 

a   purchase  of   his 

said  this,  the  men 

ief,  ai<d  with  a  very 

se  occasions,  threw 

ibe,  both  men  and 

up  a  cry  of,  Klack- 

s  ceremony,  having 

eech  of  more  than 

iz-zart  chief,  telling 

g  from  them  only  in 

any  things  of  which 

srs,  cheetoolths,  and 

I  was  determined  to 

le,  for  the  goodness 

iducted  since  I  had 

ootka,  and  even  the 

amidst  the  acclama- 

mauy  good  qualities 

red  her  greatly,  and, 

irting  with  her.     He 

eluded  by  consenting 

well  used  aud  kindly 

ished  his  speech,  he 

:h  Maquina  had  given 

assist  me  in  fishing. 

',  by  Maquina's  men. 

ny  returned  to  lodge 

}  the  canoes  to  watch 

I  chief  his  daughter,* 

bU,  which  I  promised 

ccompanied  me  with 

ees,  where  we  found 
e  us.  Wo  were  wel- 
of  Wocash,  and  the 
:ted  her  to  Maquina's 
[  a  universal  custom, 
id  take  place  between 

ned  me,  as  an  apart- 
between  him  and  his 
I  established  myself 
ampson,  and  the  little 
:hed  to  me,  and  now 
h  he  consented.  This 
le,  and  of  »  plcuaunt, 
1  decorating  him  with 
r  him  of  copper,  and 


NARRATIVE  OP  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 


409 


ornamented  and  polislied  them  in  my  best  manner.  I  wns  aL-:o  very 
careful  to  keep  iiiin  free  from  vermin  of  every  kind,  washing  him  and 
combing  iiis  hair  every  day.  These  marks  of  attention  were  not  only 
very  plca.sing  to  the  child,  who  delighted  in  being  kept  nept  and  clean, 
as  well  ad  in  being  dressed  oflf  in  his  finery,  but  were  highly  gratifying 
both  to  Maciuina  and  his  queen,  who  used  to  express  much  satisfaction 
at  my  care  of  him. 

In  making  my  domestic  establishment,  I  determined,  as  far  as  possible, 
to  live  in  a  more  comfortable  and  cleanly  manner  than  the  others.  For 
this  purpose,  1  erected,  with  planks,  a  partition  about  throe  feet 
high,  between  mine  and  the  adjoining  rooms,  and  made  tiiree  bedsteads, 
of  the  same,  which  I  covered  with  boards,  for  my  family  to  sleep  on, 
which  I  found  much  more  comfortable  than  sleeping  on  the  lloor  amidEt 
the  dirt. 

Fortunately,  I  found  my  Indian  princess  both  amiable  and  intelligent, 
for  one  whose  limited  spiiere  of  observation  must  necessarily  give  rise 
to  but  a  few  ideas.  She  was  extremely  ready  to  agree  to  anything  that 
I  proposed  relative  to  our  mode  of  living,  was  very  attentive  in  keeping 
her  garments  and  person  neat  and  clean,  and  appeared,  in  every  respect, 
solicitous  to  please  me.  She  was,  as  I  have  said,  about  seventeen;  her 
person  was  small,  but  well  formed,  as  were  her  features;  her  complexion 
was,  without  exception,  fairer  than  any  of  the  women,  with  considerable 
color  in  her  cheeks;  her  hair  long,  black,  and  much  softer  than  is  usual 
with  them,  and  her  teeth  small,  even,  and  of  a  dazzling  whiteness,  while 
the  expression  of  her  countenance  indicated  sweetness  of  temper  and 
modesty.  She  would,  indeed,  have  been  considered  as  very  pretty  in 
any  country,  and,  excepting  Maquina^s  queen,  was  by  far  the  handsomest 
of  any  of  their  women. 

With  a  partner  possessing  so  many  attractions,  many  may  be  apt  to 
conclude,  that  I  must  have  found  myself  happy,  at  least  comparatively 
so;  but  far  otherwise  was  it  with  me — a  compulsory  marriage  with  the 
most  beautiful  and  accomplished  person  in  the  world,  can  never  prove  a 
source  of  real  happiness,  and,  in  my  situation,  I  could  not  but  view  this 
connection  as  a  chain  that  was  to  bind  me  down  to  this  savage  land,  and 
prevent  my  ever  again  seeing  a  civilized  country;  especially,  when,  in 
a  few  days  afler,  Maquina  informed  me  that  there  had  been  a  meeting 
of  his  chiefs,  in  which  it  was  determined  that,  as  I  had  married  one  of 
their  women,  I  must  be  considered  as  one  of  them,  and  conform  to  their 
customs;  and  that,  in  future,  neither  myself  nor  Thompson  should  wear 
our  European  clothes,  but  dress  in  Kutsaks  like  themselves.  This  order 
was  to  me  most  painful,  but  I  persuaded  Maquina,  at  length,  so  far  to 
relax  in  it  as  to  permit  me  to  wear  those  I  had  at  present,  which  were 
almost  worn  out,  and  not  to  compel  Thompson  to  change  his  dress, 
observing  that,  as  he  was  an  old  man,  such  a  change  would  cause  his 
death. 

Though,  in  some  respects,  my  situation  was  rendered  more  comfort- 
able since  my  marriage,  as  I  lived  in  a  more  cleanly  manner,  and  had 
my  food  better  and  more  neatly  cooked,  of  which,  beside,  I  had  always 
a  plenty,  my  slaves  gcneially  furnishing  nic,  and  Upquesta  never  laiiiug 
to  send  me  an  ample  supply  by  the  canoes  that  came  from  A-i-ti/-zart; 
still,  from  my  being  obliged,  at  this  season  of  the  year,  to  ciiauge  ray 
accustomed  clothing,  and  to  dress  like  the  natives,  with  only  a  piece  of 
cloth  about  two  yards  long,  thrown  loosely  around  me,  my  European 
clothes  having  been  for  some  time  entirely  worn  out,  I  suffered  more 


410  NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  8AVAOE9. 

than  I  can  express  fro.  f  cold  ^ecia^y  as  I  w. 

form  the  laborious  task  of  cuttmg  ai.d  brmg    g  ^.^^  ^  ^^^^j^^. 

rendered  still  more  oppressive  to  me,  from  rny^  ^^  ^^.^  ^.^,^  j„ 

rablo  part  of  the  «i"t«^  "^^'i:'"?;Vm«tUm  in  Jne  of  his  knees,  with 
consequence  of  an  attack  of  ^^e/heumat'sm^  m  ^^^^^^  ^^ 

which  he  suifered  for  more  han  four  months^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^.^^^  ^^ 

he  was  so  ill  as  to  be  unable  to  Jf^^^  '^^  '^""ers  at  Nootka,  but,  on  my 
February,  wo  returned  to  our  «",.\"S  spring,  being  now  almost 
part,  with  far  different  f  "^^^^""^/^'JLte  us  o^  »« 

in  despair  of  any  vessel  ""^'"g ^J/^'^'J'.etu^n,  as  preparatory  to  the 
depart  if  there  should.  Soon  aj^^  «"^  '^J^";  »  ^  number  of  har- 
whaling  season,  Maquina  "''d^^'^^^^l^^  .""^hlch  ih"d  completed,  with 
poons  for  hin.self  and  hjs  c^-eft,  severaUf  wh'jh  i  V      j„  ^j^^ 

L.e  lances,  when,  on  the  s.xteenthofMa^-^  IN  ^^^^^  ^^  ,^^^j^ 

a  violent  cholic,  caused,  »  F^^^^^l  'X»hTn„^  For  a  number  of  hours, 
from  the  cold  in  gomg  «['»ho"t  proper  dothmg  J        ^  ^^^  j  ^^ 

I  was  in  great  pa.n,  and  '^''P';^  «d  *o  ^^ ^  I  had  nothing  comfortmg 

so  weak  as  scarce  y  to  be  '^''l^,  °  «3' ^J,,    ^The  feebleness  in  which 

to  take,  nor  anything  to  '^""'^ '"  ^^'V^ft'^e,  the  de,ection  I  felt  at  the 

the  violent  attack  of  my  d'^^.'-f/.Jf  ,^^J  Je'Vant  of  warm  clothing  and 
almost  hopelessness  of  my  situa  on,  and  the  w         ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^ 

proper  nursing,  though  my  1"^  "''«'  ^everything  for  me  she  could, 
Lays  ready,  and  -^- ffSn'oedwhch^  Maquina  perceiving,  he 
still  kept  me  very  much  "'^'^P"?^''',.;."'  .^-.n.  n^y  wife,  and  that  was 
finally  told  me,  that,  if  I  did  not  >^ke  '.vrng  w  th  my       ,^,^.^     ^  j 

the  cause  of  my  bemg  so  sad  I  ""^^t  part  w.m  n  ^^  ^^^^ 

readily  accepted,  "-» ^^^^^^.tld  2  remoLn,  begging  n.o  that  I 
On  pavtmg  with  me,  she  d'scovereu  i  ,         ^^erc  was  no  one 

would  suffer  her  to  remam  until  I  had  recov^ea,  ^^^^  ^  ^^^^  ^^^ 

who  would  take  so  good  care  of  me  as  her  e»  ^^^^^^^^  ^^.^^^ 

t:;::^!^^^^^^^^  MrsoTn  V  better,  and  loff  he, 

two  slaves  to  take  care  of  ™*^-    ^^    .„_   i  ^^s  greatly  affected  with  the 
Though  I  rejoiced  at  her  departure,  Ij-^  g  «  J^  ^^^  f,,,  strongly 

simple  expressions  of  her  regard  ^J  J^^^^^^J^J^J^  toward  me,  had  dis- 
interested for  th.s  poor  g''-^' ;^^"' *"i  to  my  wishes;  and,  ha.l  it  not 
covered  so  much  mildness  ^fJ'^^^;^l^^J,Mo  obstacle  to  my  being 
been  that  1  considered  her  as  an  almost  '"^^P  f^j,  j^e  dcpriva- 

permitted  to  leave  the  country  I  shou  d,  no  dou  ,^^  ^  ^^^^^^^^^,  ^^^ 
tion  of  her  society  a  real  loss      Auer  ■  f  ^^  ^^  ^^^^^^ 

quina,  that,  as  I  had  parted  with  my  J^'^^'^y^^^Jbeen  accustomed  to 
ly  European  dress;  for,  otherwise  from  ^?}^^^X  consented,  and  I 

dress  like  them,  I  «l»«"Vnrtab  v  cfad  Cha^pe  of  c»«'hing,  but,  more 
once  more  became  cornfortaWy  clad      ^.^^  ,„„„e  of 

than  all,  the  hopes  which  I  now  began  to  inu  j  restored  me  to 

the  summer,  I  should  be  able  to  ^'^JP^^^^k'^if  "^^  ,g  harpoons  for  Ma- 
healtli,sofar,that     coidda^^^^^^^^^^  p^art  with  me, 

E:m;S\oCvSe  ll^-^f  with  a  good -^^^^  ,,,  ,„,„,,ed  of  our 
It  was  now  past  "ji^-summer,  and  he  hopes  we  ^^  ^^^^^  .^^  ^^^  ^^^^ 

ttTe;e^nrs:ltl^^:>S^^^^^^^^^^^  i-Unea  toventure  to 


J 


)n 


g' 


VTAOES. 

compelled  to  per- 
ro-wood,  which  was 
radc,  for  a  conside- 
lend  mo  his  aid,  in 
of  his  knees,  with 
ireo  weeks  of  which 
the  twentieth  of 
Nootka,  but,  on  my 
,  being  now  almost 
being  permitted  to 
preparatory  to  the 
good  number  of  har- 
had  completed,  with 
IS  taken  very  ill  with 
g  suffered  so  much 
>r  a  number  of  hours, 
its  leaving  me,  I  was 
nothing  comforting 
feebleness  in  which 
ejection  I  felt  at  the 
of  warm  clothing  and 
she  knew  how,  was 
t  for  me  siio  could, 
quina  perceiving,  he 
Tiy  wife,  and  that  was 
her.     This  proposal  I 
ler  back  to  her  father, 
in,  begging  mo  tliat  I 
,  as  there  was  no  one 
But  when  I  told  her 
i  ever  recover,  which, 
•  would  take  good  care 
he  took  an  affectionate 
jet  better,  and  loft  her 

•eatly  affected  with  the 
Id  not  but  feel  strongly 
ict  toward  me,  had  dis- 
'ishes;  and,  had  it  not 
lie  obstacle  to  my  being 
;,  have  felt  the  depriva- 
rture,  I  requested  Ma- 
d  permit  me  to  resume 
ing  been  accustomed  to 
IS  he  consented,  and  I 
of  clothing,  but,  more 
,  that,  in  the  course  of 
rt  time  restored  me  to 
akiug  harpoons  for  Ma- 
tiave  to  part  with  me, 

o  had  indulged  of  our 
3  had  heard  of  no  less 
5d  inclined  to  venture  to 


NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 


411 


Nootka.  The  destruction  of  the  Boston,  the  largest,  strongest,  and  best 
equipped  ship,  with  much  the  most  valuable  cargo,  of  any  tiiat  had  ever 
been  fitted  out  for  the  north-west  trade,  had  inispircd  the  commanders  of 
others  with  a  general  dread  of  coming  thither,  lest  they  should  siiare 
the  same  fate;  and,  though  in  the  letter  I  wrote  (imploring  those  who 
should  receive  them,  to  come  to  the  relief  of  two  unfortunate  Ciiristians 
who  were  suffering  among  heathen,)  I  stated  the  cause  of  the  Boston's 
capture,  and  that  there  was  not  the  least  danger  in  coming  to  Nootka, 
provided  they  would  follow  the  directions  I  laid  down;  still  I  felt  very 
little  encouragement  that  any  of  these  letters  would  come  to  hand,  when, 
on  the  morning  of  the  nineteenth  of  July,  a  day  that  will  be  ever  held 
by  me  in  grateful  remembrance  of  the  mercies  of  God,  while  I  was  em- 
ployed with  Thompson  in  forging  daggers  for  the  king,  my  ears  were 
saluted  with  the  joyful  sound  of  three  cannon,  and  the  cries  of  the 
inhabitants,  exclaiming,  Weena,  weena,  Mamethlee — that  is,  strangers, 
white  men. 

Soon  after,  several  of  our  people  came  running  into  the  house,  to 
inform  mc  that  a  vessel,  under  full  sail,  was  coming  into  the  harbor. 
Though  my  heart  bounded  with  joy,  I  repressed  my  feelings,  and, 
affecting  to  pay  no  attention  to  what  was  said,  told  Thompson  to  be  on 
his  guard,  and  not  betray  any  joy,  as  our  release,  and  perhaps  our  lives, 
depondod  on  our  conducting  ourselves  so  as  to  induce  the  natives  to 
suppose  we  were  not  very  anxious  to  leave  tiicm.  We  continued  our 
works  as  if  nothing  had  happened,  when,  in  a  few  minutes  after,  Ma- 
quina  came  in,  and,  seeing  us  at  work,  appeared  much  surprised,  and 
asked  mc  if  I  did  not  know  that  a  vessel  had  come.  I  answered,  in  a 
careless  manner,  that  it  was  nothing  to  mc.  How,  John,  said  he,  you 
no  glad  go  board.  I  replied  that  I  cared  very  little  about  it,  as  I  had 
become  reconciled  to  their  manner  of  living,  and  had  no  wish  to  go 
away.  lie  then  told  me  that  he  had  called  a  council  of  his  people 
respecting  us,  and  that  we  must  leave  off  work  and  be  present  at  it. 

The  men  having  assembled  at  Maquina's  house,  he  asked  them  what 
was  their  opinion  should  be  done  with  Thompson  and  myself,  now  a 
vessel  had  arrived,  and  whether  he  had  not  better  go  on  board  himself 
to  make  a  trade,  and  procure  such  articles  as  were  wanted.  Each  one 
of  the  tribe  who  wished,  gave  his  opinion.  Some  were  for  putting  us 
to  death,  and  pretending  to  the  strangers  that  a  different  nation  had  cut 
off  the  Boston;  while  others,  less  barbarous,  were  for  sending  us  fifteen 
or  twenty  miles  back  into  tiie  country  until  the  departure  of  the  vessel. 
Those,  however,  were  the  sentiments  of  the  common  people,  the  chiefs 
opposing  our  being  put  to  death,  or  injured,  and  several  of  them  were 
for  immediately  releasing  us;  but  this,  if  he  could  avoid  it,  by  no  means 
appeared  to  accord  with  Maquina's  wishes. 

With  regard,  however,  to  Maquina's  going  on  board  the  vessel,  which 
he  discovered  a  strong  inclination  to  do,  there  wap  but  one  opinion,  all 
remonstrating  against  it,  telling  him  that  the  captain  would  kill  him,  or 
keep  him  a  prisoner,  in  con.iequence  of  his  having  destroyed  our  ship. 
When  Maquina  had  heard  their  opinions,  he  told  them  that  he  was  not 
afraid  of  being  hurt  from  going  on  hoard  the  vessel,  but  that  he  would, 
however,  in  that  respect,  be  guided  by  John,  whom  he  had  always  found 
true.  He  then  turned  to  mc,  and  asked  me  if  I  thought  there  would  be 
any  danger  in  his  going  on  board.  I  answered,  that  I  was  not  surprised 
at  the  advice  his  people  had  given  him,  unacquainted  as  they  were  with 
the  manners  of  the  white  men,  and  judging  them  by  their  own;  but,  if 


,,.,  NAKUATIVE  OF  A  SMLOU  AMONG  8AVAGE3. 

,,; ...  uoon  wiu.  t„en. . .-  iLs^a;^;:;";:-^^^'':;^ 

,!,i,;kvcry.limrent;  ihat  ''«  i"'\  "^f  ,„! /caso./to  fear  tho  contrary 
,ivil  treauneut  from  thorn,  "«  J  »^^  '  '^h„?e  who  did  not  injure  ihcm; 
now,  as  they  never  attempted  to  harm  |hosc!  >  „,y  opinion,  w.th 

"mi   if  ho  wished  to  j?o  on  board,  he  '"'g^^y^.J^'^-.th  much  apparent 
c  iri.y.     Aftor  reflecting  a  f-v  momenU   he  s   d   w.  h^,^^  ^^^^.PP   ,  .__^ 

siilisfaction,  that,  if  I  would  «"%  ^ J^"^J  *"„j  myself  kindly  since  we 
aio.l  of  him,  that  he  h"d  treated  rhompsoaanUm^^  ^^  ^^^^^ 

Ld  been  with  I'im,  and  to  tjse  h  "^  we  U  he  wo^^,^t^.^^_  ^^^^  ^ 

bo  supposed  that  I  lelt  .^.'^'^^  3°^  "^^^J'Si  „y  hopes  of  escape,  1  was 
thai  tl  o  least  incaution  "?'ght  ann'h  '»'« ^"      y      »  ,  ^^  ^  „,t  er 

terms:—  Nootka,  J«Ij/  19»  *806. 

To  Cajjfflm  '  "/  "^"/'"^  .    ..  „  t' ^i-n  kinc  bv  the  name  of  Ma- 

S,>i.The  bearer  of  this  letter  .s  the  I»"l.an j^'^f  by  ^^^^^^^  ^f 

JL.     He   was  the  '-t-gator  o^  the   c^P^^^  °»^,  „f  ,,»,  „«,der  of 
Boston,  in  North  Amen.-a,  J«  "  ™,,^^^^^^  being  now  on  shore; 

twenty-nve  men  of  her  crew,  he  tY^^^eonfine  him  according  to  h.s 
^vho^eforo,I  hope  y«»,«''Vr   .,«   Ind  keepina  so  good  a  watch  over 
merits,  putting  in  your  ^eacl  \.g  'Js- Jind  kee^''^"^       I  shall  be  able  to 
l,i,n,  that  ho  cannot  escape  from  you.     »y  « 
obtain  our  release  in  the  course  ^l^^^^J^^^ 

of  the  Boston,  for  himself  and 
John  Thompson,  Sail-maker  of  sa^d  ship. 

,  have  been  asked  V.W  I  dared  to  wrU.  I;^^^;-^;^^ ^ES 
that,  from  my  long  ••\«''!«»^*' ro""Carmg  o^their  king  being  confined 
to  apprehend  from  their  ^"g^"^  ^"/^"'°^°  elease,  and  that  they  would 
while  they  knew  his  ^'f^^^f  £,T"hTe  men,  than  have   had    h.m 
sooner  have  given  up  five   hundred  wn  ^     ^ehension  I  felt  a 

injured.    This  w;ill  serve    »  expla m    he     tue  JV  ^^  ^^  „,^  i 

their  menaces  afterward;  /°^;f ''^"^^'^'^^Jdous  an  experiment. 

should  hardly  have  ventured  on  so  h'«'^'««"   ^  ^/^  explain  it  to  him. 

'on  my  g-ing  the  loiter  to  Macjuna,he^skedm      ^.^  1^^^ 

This  I  did,  line  by  line,  as  he  P^'^^ed  tnem  j    g^^^^d  ^1,^1  1  hud 

sense  very  diflorent  from  J^e  real,  g.v.ng  him  to  ^^  ^^  ^.^^^  ^  ^^^^ 
written  to  the  captain,  that,  as  he  had  be^nK  ^^^^^^  ^^^^^ 

takon  by  him,  that  it  was  "y^^^^^^f^  biscuit,  and  rum  he  wanted 
accordingly,  and  give  h.m  ^^^^^^^^^1';  "^'^  ^  significant  manner,  on 
When  I  had  finished,  placing  »"«  ^^^e  ;  ^"j,,,  a  look  that  seemed  to 
mv  name  at  the  bottom,  and  .^yj'"^  f  u^Jn,  you  no  lie?"  Never 
read  my  inmost  tlioughts,  he  said  toj"J;'  ;'"';°;^  .^ter  apprehensions 
du   I  undergo  such  a  scrutmy,  or  ever  expo   e^^^^^^  |4d  on  the 

than   I  felt  at  that  moment  w^ien  ^  j^J^'7J^,„t  on  mine,  or  sus- 
sli^^litest  thread,  and  the  least  mark  of  ernbarr  ^^^^^^^^^  ^^  j^^ 


lAVAGES. 

himself,  llicy  would 
Lpericnced  good  and 
111  to  fear  tlio  contrary 
[did  not  injure  thorn; 
t,  iu  my  opinion,  with 
with  much  apparent 
captr.in,  telling  iiim 
[yself  kindly  since  we 
go.  It  may  readily 
lination;  but,  knowing 
lopes  of  escape,  I  was 
]or  staying  as  a  matter 
10  wished  mo  to  write 
ith,  otiierwiso  I  could 
learly  in  the  following 

TKA,  JwZy  19,  1806. 

fig  by  the  name  of  Mr- 
of  the  ship  Boston,  of 
and  of  the  murder  of 
)rs  being  now  on  shore; 
B  him  according  to  his 
so  good  a  watch  over 
ng,  we  shall  bo  able  to 

•morer 

on,  for  himself  and 

il-maker  of  said  ship. 

1  manner:  my  answer  is, 
3, 1  knew  that  I  had  little 
eir  king  being  confined, 
lase,  and  that  they  would 
en,  than  have   had   him 

apprehension   I  felt  at 

as  liberty  was  to  me,  1 
1  experiment. 
I  mc  to  explain  it  to  him. 

with  his  linger,  but  in  a 
)  understand  that  1  had 
I  to  me  since  1  had  been 
captain  should  treat  him 
ait,  and  rum  he  wanted 
I  significant  manner,  on 
I  a  look  that  seemed  to 
n,  you  no  lie?"  Never 
ce  greater  apprehensions 
'  was  suspended  on  the 
jssment  on  mine,  or  sus- 
ly  have  rendered  my  life 
iorve  my  composure,  and 

Maquina  had,  since  my 
!  in  my  countenance  from 


NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  S.WAOES. 


413 


being  noticed,  and  I  replied,  with  considerable  promptitude,  looking  nt 
him  in  my  turn,  with  all  the  confidence  I  could  muster,  "  Why  do  you 
ask  mo  such  a  question,  Tyce?  Have  you  ever  known  me  to  lie?" 
"  No."  "  Then  how  can  you  suppose  1  should  tell  you  a  lie  now,  since 
I  have  never  done  it?"  As  I  was  speaking,  he  still  continued  looking 
at  mc,  with  the  same  piercing  eye.  but,  observing  nothing  to  excite  his 
suspicion,  ho  told  me  that  he  believed  what  I  said  was  true,  and  that 
he  would  go  on  board,  and  gave  orders  to  get  ready  his  canoe.  His 
chiefs  again  attempted  to  dissuade  him,  using  every  argument  for  tlint 
purpose,  while  his  wives  crowded  around  him,  begging  him  on  their 
knees  not  to  trust  himself  with  the  white  men.  Fortunately  for  my 
companion  and  myself,  so  strong  was  his  wish  of  going  on  board  the 
vessel,  that  he  was  deaf  to  their  solicitations,  and,  making  no  other  reply 
to  them,  than  "  John  no  lie,"  leil  the  house,  taking  four  prime  skins  witii 
him  as  a  present  to  the  captain. 

Scarcely  had  the  canoe  put  otT,  when  he  ordered  his  men  to  stop,  and, 
calling  to  me,  asked  me  if  I  did  not  want  to  go  on  board  with  him. 
Suspecting  this  as  a  question  merely  intended  to  ensnare  mo,  I  replied, 
that  I  had  no  wish  to  do  it,  not  having  any  desire  to  leave  thctn.  On  going 
on  board  the  brig,  Maquina  immediately  gave  his  present  of  skins  and 
my  letter  to  the  captain,  who,  on  reading  it,  asked  him  into  the  c-ihin, 
where  he  gave  him  some  biscuit  and  a  glass  of  rum,  at  the  same  lime 
privately  directing  his  mate  to  go  forward  and  return  with  five  or  six  of 
the  men  armed.  When  they  appeared,  the  captain  told  Maquina  that 
be  was  his  prisoner,  and  should  continue  so,  until  the  two  men,  whom 
he  knew  to  be  on  shore,  were  released,  at  the  same  time  ordering  him 
to  be  put  in  irons,  and  the  windows  secured,  whicii  was  instantly  done, 
and  a  couple  of  men  placed  as  a  guard  over  him.  Maquina  was  greatly 
surprised  and  terrified  at  this  reception;  he,  however,  made  no  attempt 
to  resist,  but  requested  the  captain  to  permit  one  of  his  men  to  come 
and  see  him.  One  of  them  was  accordingly  called,  and  Maquina  said 
something  to  him,  which  the  captain  did  not  understand,  but  supposed 
to  be  an  order  to  release  us,  when  tiie  man,  returning  to  the  canoe,  it 
was  paddled  off,  with  the  utmost  expedition,  to  the  shore  As  the  canoe 
approached,  the  inhabitants,  who  had  all  collected  upon  the  beach,  mani- 
fested some  uneasiness  at  not  seeing  their  king  on  board;  but  when,  on 
its  arrival,  they  were  told  that  the  captain  had  made  him  a  prisoner,  and 
that  John  had  spoken  bad  about  him  in  a  letter,  they  all.  both  men  and 
women,  set  up  a  loud  howl,  and  ran  backward  and  forward  upon  the 
shore,  like  so  many  lunatics,  scratching  their  faces,  and  tearing  the  hair 
in  handfuls  from  their  heads. 

After  they  had  beat  about  in  this  manner  for  some  time,  the  men  ran  to 
their  huts  for  their  weapons,  as  if  preparing  to  attack  an  invading  enemy; 
while  Maquina's  wives  and  the  rest  of  the  women  came  around  me, 
and,  throwing  themselves  on  their  knees,  begged  me  with  tears  to  spare 
his  life;  and  Sat-sat-sak-sis,  who  kept  constantly  with  me.  taking  me  by 
the  hand,  wept  bitterly,  and  joined  his  entreaties  to  theirs,  that  I  would 
not  let  the  white  men  kill  his  father.  I  told  them  not  to  afflict  them- 
selves, that  Maquina's  life  was  in  no  danger,  nor  would  the  least  harm 
be  done  to  him. 

The  men  were,  however,  extremely  exasperated  with  me,  more  j)ar- 
ticularly  the  common  people,  who  came  running,  in  the  most  furious 
manner,  toward  me,  brandishing  their  weapons,  and  threatening  to  cut 
me  in  pieces  no  bigger  than  their  thumb  nails,  while  others  declarcil 


NARRATIVK  OK  A  SAILOR  AMONfl  SAVAGES. 


T 


4.14.  PIAIllV/v. - 

Juny,  l.ow,-v.-r,  caused  >"«  '  «^  .'2\,.„  ,,i„,  wan  on  board  the 
^vouUl  not  davo  to  execute  tl'^'il  2  violent  conduct,  but  caun  to  me 
bri.r      Tbc  chiofrf  took  no  part  in  lt>i8  vio  ^'  treated,  and  if  the 

;',rin.,i.ircd  tbo  reanon  wby  ^^^'>"\""  J;\r„r  i  cy  wuu'.d  Bilenc.  the 
ca  tain'  inlendod  to  kill  lu,...  »  »f  if  ^^^  \=i„  M  I  them.  They  i.n- 
po'oplo,  «o  that  I  could  *;« '-"-^^[/X"  I  inibrmod  then,  that  the  cap- 
mediately  put  a  stop  to  the  "«  «^'  ^;"  '  „f  ,,i,  „,v„  accord,  and  only  tn 
tain,  in  confining  Ma.,u.na,  '\?;«  J^son  and  myself,  aa  he  well  knew  wo 
order  to  tnake  t'>«^"'/'^  .«^J"/i3irat.  tl.eir  king  would  roce.vc  no 
were  with  them,  and,  it  they  y^»  ''^  ^'^  }  ^  ,j  i,„  kept  a  prisoner.  As 
i„jnry,butl,ewel   treiUed;  otherwme,hewo"    ^^.^^^  ^..^^  and  began  to 

n/an/of  them  did  not  'M'P«a\;_^^^„  t^  1  to  them,  if  it  «  your 

repeat  their  murderous  \'"^«f  ^"f^^  ,"1, '  i  ^oro;  here  is  my  breast,  I 
wilh,  throwing  open  the  >'«"  «^"  ^^Vnak,,  „o  esistancc,  but,  unless 
an.  only  one  among  so  maiiy,  and  ^'^''^''^^'J^  ^^  ^\,^^  p„io,  pointing  to 
;'ou  wish  to  see  your  "  "«  '^"tlie's  o'tSg  at  him  with  bullets, 
ihe    yard-arm  of   the   brig,  itnd  tie   sa'«  »    ,  ^  ,n„gt  never  bo; 

y'u  lill  not  do  it.  Oh  -\ „^;\t,n'  h  t  tuei7best  plan  would  be  to 
Lt  what  must  we  do?  I  "l^^^"^^"',  J  captain  to  use  Ma.pima  we  1, 
send  Thompson  on  Iward,  to  'les''^  "'f  ^  rj,j  j  they  were  perfectly 
""i,  1  was'released,wliich  would  be  s^^^       oltard/but  he  objected. 


willing  to  do,  and  I  directed  *  "«""?'""  '"^i,  the  savages.     I  told  h.m 
laying  that  he  would  not  ««'^ve  me  alone  w  th  th  g^  .^^  ^^^  ^ 

him  safe  „  ,     .     ,  ^i,c  natives  what  they  intended  to 

When  I  saw  Thompson  off,  I  f  »^^*!  ^"^  "  ^.  tain  again,  in  another 
do  with  me.  They  f  ;\».X:  oL  on  horo  with  Maquina.  and  that 
letter,  and  tell  him  to  let  lV« J'^^^-J™;,  l^^^,^  «ame  time  Maquina  should 
I  should  be  veady  tojtj^mp  into  the  l^o^^^^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^    ,^^y  ,   j 

jump  on  shore.     1  told  them,  that  J  «  ^apia  ^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^^^  ^^ 

killed  my  shipmates,  would  never  trust  h  s  me  ^^^^^  numerous; 

fiar  the/ would  kill  them  too  a  hey  ^^^  .^^r  number  to  go  with  me 
but  that,  if  they  would  «ol«^  f^JJ  '^^\  °i„,a  desire  the  captain  to  send 
in  a  canoe,  when  we  came  within  ha. 1, 1  ^°  ^^  ,,!„,. 

Z  boat  with  Maquina,  to  receive  rne  .n  exch^ng  ,^^     ^^^^ 

Tills  appeared  to  ploasr,  l^^"'-"' J"  J'J  ^  concluded,  that  if  the  captam 
chiefs,  who,  from  -^at  words  I  o  erhca.d,  c^        ^^^^^^  ^^^^^  ^^^^^^^  j,, 
should  refuse  to  send  h.s  ^oat J'th  Maqu      .  ^^        proposal, 

no  difficulty  in  b"«g'"g  J"'?,^!^' t  men    «  convey  me.    Fortunately, 
and  selected  three  "f^^eir  stoutest  men  J^^^^^^i  T^%T^. 

^'tT..s  ,oing  into  tl^^ano^UuleJat^a^sal^^ 
bear  to  part  with  me,  asked  me,  v^«h  »^  ^"       i|„„t  let  his  father  come 
going  away  to  leave  him,  .f  the  w»"t«  J^"  ^^  ,,«  concerned,  for  that  no 
II  shore,  and  not  kill  h.m.     I  to^d  h.m  not  ^^  «>«       j^^^,,  i^ave  of  me, 
one  sho„y  injure  hUfathe.  when.^takmg  ^n^  ,„     His  father,  he  ra.  to 


and 
com 


,ho«ld  injutc  hi.  father,  »»'?». huf  men  hurt  h»  father,  he  lan  to 

;„^:i;>rs:r;««i''m^  s.Lce,.uh  the ..«»«, . 


AUES. 

tl  by  my  hcela.  All 
fult  convinced  thoy 
\f>  wat)  on  board  the 
:t,  but  cum-)  to  nic 
treated,  and  if  the 
y  would  silence  tiio 
to  tbein.     Tliey  iin- 
tliein  that  the  cap- 
accord,  and  only  in 
luH  ho  well  knew  wo 
nj»  would  rocoivo  no 
[kept  a  prisoner.    As 
this,  and  be){an  to 
)  thuin,  it'  it  ia  your 
here   is  tny  breast,  I 
sistance;  but,  unless 
hat  polo,  pointing  to 
at  him  with  bullets, 
that  must  never  bo; 
est  plan  would  be  to 
to  use  Macpiina  well, 
they  were  perfectly 
lard;  but  he  objected, 
savages.     I  told  him 
d  get  him  off,  I  could 
I  him,  immediately  on 
reciuesl  him  to  keep 
)  danger  while  ho  had 

what  they  intended  to 
tain  again,  in  another 
vith  Maquina,  and  that 
le  time  Maquina  should 
lo  knew  that  thoy  had 
so  near  the  shore,  for 
nuch  more  numerous; 
lumber  to  go  with  me 
jiro  the  captain  to  send 
)  for  him. 

whispering  among  the 
ded,  that  if  the  captain 
three  men  would  have 
agreed  to  my  proposal, 
jvey  mo.  Fortunately, 
armed,  and  suspecting 
the  pistols  that  I  had 

■sak-sis,  who  could  not 
r  simplicity,  since  I  was 
not  let  his  father  come 
concerned,  for  that  no 
fectionate  leave  of  me, 
urt  his  father,  he  ran  to 
,  with  the  assurances  I 


T 


NAKRATIVK  OK  A  HAILOU  AMONG  SAVA0K8. 


415 


had  given  him.  On  entering  the  cnnot^,  I  seated  myself  in  the  prow, 
facing  the  llireo  men,  iiaving  determined,  if  it  wus  priicticable,  from  tiiu 
moment  1  found  Maipiinn  wus  secured,  to  get  on  Ituard  the  vesHol  before 
he  was  released,  hoping,  by  that  means,  to  be  uniibled  to  obtain  tiie  resto- 
ration of  what  property  belonged  to  the  Boston  still  remaining  in  the 
possession  of  the  savages,  whicii,  I  thought,  if  it  could  be  done,  a  duty  lliut 
i  owed  to  the  owners.  As  wo  came  within  hail  of  the  brig,  they  at  once 
ceased  paddling,  when,  presenting  my  pistols  ut  them,  1  ordered  tliem 
instantly  to  go  on,  or  1  would  shoot  the  whole  of  them.  A  proceeding 
so  wholly  unexpected  threw  them  into  great  consternation,  and  resum- 
ing their  paddles,  in  a  few  moments,  to  my  inexpressible  delight,  1  once 
more  found  myself  along  side  of  a  Christian  ship,  a  happiness  whicii  1 
had  almost  despaired  of  ever  again  enjoying.  All  the  crew  crowded  to 
tho  side  to  see  me,  as  the  canoe  came  up,  and  manifested  much  joy  ut 
my  safety.  I  itnmediately  leapiul  on  board,  where  I  was  welcomed  by 
the  captain,  Samuel  Hill,  of  the  brig  Lydia  of  Boston,  who  congratulated 
mo  on  my  escape,  informing  me,  that  ho  had  received  my  letter  oH'  Kla- 
iz-zart,  from  the  chief  Mackeo  Ulatilla,  who  came  otT  himself  in  his 
canoe  to  deliver  it  to  him,  on  which  he  immediately  proceeded  hither  to 
aid  me.  1  returned  hitn  my  thanks,  in  the  best  manner  I  could,  for  his 
humanity,  though  I  hardly  knew  what  I  said,  such  was  the  agitated  state 
of  my  feelings  at  that  moment,  with  joy  for  my  escape,  thankfulness  to 
the  Supreme  Being,  who  hud  so  mercifully  preserved  me,  and  gratitude 
to  those  whom  he  had  rendered  instrumental  in  my  delivery,  that  1  have 
no  doubt,  that  what  with  my  strange  dress,  being  painted  with  red  and 
black  from  head  to  foot,  having  a  bear  skin  wrapped  around  me,  and  my 
long  hair,  which  I  was  not  allowed  to  cut,  fastened  on  the  top  of  my  head 
in  a  large  bunch,  with  a  sprig  of  green  spruce,  I  must  have  appeared 
more  like  one  deranged,  than  a  rational  creature;  as  Captain  Hill  al\er- 
ward  told  me,  that  he  never  saw  anything  in  the  form  of  man  look  so 
wild  as  I  did  when  I  first  came  on  board. 

The  captain  then  asked  me  into  tho  cabin,  where  I  found  Maquina  in 
irons,  with  a  guard  over  him.  Ho  looked  very  melancholy,  but,  on  see- 
ing me,  his  counten^ince  brightened  up,  and  he  expressed  his  pleasure 
with  the  welcome  of  '*  Wocash,  John;"  when,  taking  him  by  the  hand, 
I  asked  the  captain's  permission  to  take  off  his  irons,  assuring  him,  that 
as  I  was  with  him,  there  was  no  danger  of  his  being  tho  least  trouble- 
some. He  accordingly  consented,  and  I  felt  a  sincere  pleasure  in  free- 
ing from  fetters  a  man,  who,  though  he  had  caused  the  death  of  my  poor 
comrades,  had,  nevertheless,  always  proved  my  friend  and  protector,  and 
whom  I  had  requested  to  be  thus  treated  only  with  a  view  of  securing 
my  liberty.  Maquina  smiled,  and  appeared  much  pleased  at  this  mark 
of  attention  from  mo.  When  I  had  freed  the  king  from  his  irons.  Cap- 
tain Hill  wished  to  learn  the  particulars  of  our  capture,  observing  that  an 
account  of  the  destruction  of  the  ship  and  her  crew  had  been  received  at 
Boston  before  he  sailed,  but' that  nothing  more  was  known,  except  that 
two  of  the  men  were  living,  for  whose  rescue  the  owners  had  otTered  a 
liberal  reward;  and  that  he  had  been  able  to  get  nothing  out  of  the  old 
man,  whom  the  sailors  had  supplied  so  plentifully  with  grog,  as  to  bring 
him  too  much  by  the  head  to  give  any  information. 

I  gave  him  a  correct  statement  of  the  whole  proceeding,  together  with 
the  manner  in  which  my  life  and  that  of  my  comrade  had  been  pre- 
served. 'On  hearing  my  story,  he  was  greatly  irritated  against  Maquina, 
and  said  he  ought  to  be  killed.    I  observed,  that,  however  ill  he  might 


416 


NARUATIVK  OF  A  8A1L0U  AMONO  SAVAOES. 


havo  acted  in  taking;  our  Hhip,  yot  that  it  would,  perlia|)ii,  bo  wrong  to 
jud^o  an  uninformed  savngo  with  the  fiBino  nnverity  oh  a  t-ivilizcd  per- 
son, who  had  the  lij^ht  of  rnligion  and  the  laws  of  Hocioty  tu  f^uicio  him; 
that  Maquina^H  conduct  in  taking  our  ship  arose  from  an  insult  (hat  he 
thought  ho  had  received  from  Captain  Salter,  and  from  tho  unjustifiable 
conduct  of  some  masters  of  vessels  who  had  robbed  him,  and,  without 
provocation,  killed  a  number  of  his  people;  beside,  that  a  regard  for  the 
sat'tity  of  others  ought  to  prevent  his  being  put  to  death,  as  1  had  lived 
long  enough  with  these  people  to  know  that  revenge  of  an  injury  is  hold 
siicred  by  them,  and  that  they  would  not  fail  to  retaliate,  should  he  kill 
thoir  king,  on  tho  first  vessel  or  boat's  crow  that  should  give  them  an 
opportunity;  and  that,  though  he  might  consider  executing  him  as  but 
an  act  of  justice,  it  would  probably  cost  the  lives  of  many  Americans. 

The  captain  appeared  to  be  '.;onvinced  from  what  I  said  of  tiio  impolicy 
of  taking  Macpiina's  life,  and  said  that  he  would  leave  it  wholly  with  me 
whether  to  spare  or  kill  him.  as  he  was  resolved  to  incur  no  censure  in 
cither  case.  I  replied,  that  I  most  certainly  should  never  take  tho  life 
of  a  man  who  had  preserved  mine,  had  I  no  other  reason;  but,  as  there 
was  some  of  the  Boston's  property  still  remaining  on  shore,  I  considered 
it  a  duty  that  I  owed  to  those  who  were  interested  in  tiiat  ship,  to  try  to 
save  it  for  them,  and,  with  that  view,  I  thought  it  would  bo  well  to  keep 
him  on  board  until  it  was  given  up.  He  concurred  in  this  proposal,  say- 
ing, if  there  was  any  of  the  property  lei\,  it  most  certainly  ought  to 
be  got. 

During  this  conversation,  Maqnina  was  in  great  anxiety,  as  from  what 
English  ho  knew,  he  perfectly  comprehended  the  subject  of  our  delibe- 
ration, constantly  interrupting  mo  to  inquire  what  we  had  determined  to 
do  with  him;  what  the  captain  said;  if  his  life  would  be  spared;  and  if  1 
did  not  think  that  Thompson  would  kill  him.  I  pacified  him  as  well  as 
I  was  able,  by  telling  him  that  he  had  nothing  to  fear  from  the  captain, 
that  ho  would  not  bo  hurt,  and  that  if  Thompson  wished  to  kill  him, 
which  was  very  probable,  he  would  not  be  allosvnd  to  do  it.  lie  would 
then  remind  me  that  I  was  indebted  to  him  for  my  life,  and  that  I  ought  to 
do  by  him  as  he  had  done  by  me.  I  assured  him  that  such  was  my  in- 
tention, and  I  requested  him  to  remain  quiet,  and  not  to  alarm  himself, 
as  no  harm  was  intended  him.  But  I  found  it  extremely  difficult  to  con- 
vince him  of  this,  as  it  accorded  so  little  with  the  ideas  of  revenge 
entertained  by  them.  I  told  him,  however,  that  he  must  restore  all  the 
property  still  in  his  possession,  belonging  to  the  ship.  This  he  was  per- 
fectly ready  to  do,  happy  to  escape  on  such  terms;  but,  as  it  was  now 
past  five,  and  too  late  for  the  articles  to  be  collected  and  brought  off,  I 
told  him  that  he  must  content  himself  to  remain  on  board  with  me  that 
night,  and  in  the  morning  he  should  be  set  on  shore  as  soon  as  the 
things  were  delivered.  To  this  he  agreed,  on  condition  that  I  would 
remain  with  him  in  the  cabin.  I  then  went  on  deck,  and  the  canoe  that 
brought  me  having  been  sent  back,  I  hailed  the  inhabitants,  and  told 
them  that  their  king  had  agreed  to  stay  on  board  until  the  next  day,  when 
he  would  return;  but  that  no  canoes  must  attempt  to  come  near  the 
vessel  during  the  night,  as  they  would  be  fired  upon.  They  answered, 
Woho,  woho — very  well,  very  well,  I  then  returned  to  Maquina,  but  so 
great  were  his  terrors,  that  he  would  not  allow  me  to  sleep,  constantly 
disturbing  me  with  his  questions,  and  repeating,  "  John,  you  know  when 
you  was  alone,  and  more  than  five  hundred  men  were  your  enemies,  I 
was  your  friend,  and  prevented  them  from  putting  you  and  Thompson  Ui 


.VA0E8. 

criiapii,  bo  wrong  to 

f  OH  a  civili7.cd  per- 

ocioty  to  guicio  him; 

III  an  in8u!t  (hat  he 

oin  the  unjiiBtitiablc 

I'd  him,  and,  witliout 

tliat  a  rcfi^ard  for  the 

loath,  as  1  had  lived 

of  an  injury  is  hold 

liate,  should  hu  kill 

should  give  them  an 

xtscuting  him  as  but 

■  many  Americons. 

I  said  of  tiio  impolicy 

savo  it  wholly  with  me 

incur  no  censure  in 

d  never  take  tlie  life 

rcaflon;  but,  as  there 

HI  shore,  I  considered 

in  tliat  sliip,  to  try  to 

ivould  bo  well  to  keep 

d  in  this  proposal,  soy- 

ost  certainly  ought  to 

anxiety,  as  from  what 

subject  of  our  delibe- 

we  had  determined  to 
uld  bo  spared;  and  if  1 
lacified  him  as  well  as 
fear  from  the  captain, 
on  wished  to  kill  him, 
id  to  do  it.     lie  would 

life,  and  that  I  ought  to 
1  that  such  was  my  in- 
i  not  to  alarm  himself, 
tremely  diflficult  to  con- 
1  the  ideas  of  revenge 
he  must  restore  oil  the 
ship.  This  he  was  per- 
ms; but,  as  it  was  now 
cted  and  brought  off,  I 

on  board  with  me  that 
in  shore  as  soon  as  the 

condition  that  I  would 
leek,  and  the  canoe  that 
[he  inhabitants,  and  told 

until  the  next  day,  when 
tempt  to  come  near  the 

upon.  They  answered, 
irned  to  Maquina,  but  so 

me  to  sleep,  constantly 
,  "  John,  you  know  when 
on  were  your  enemies,  1 
ng  you  and  Thompson  to 


NARRATIVE  OF  A  8AIIX)R  AMOVO  HAVAOKS. 


417 


d<>iitli,  mid  n(i'%  I  nm  in  the  power  of  your  friondH,  you  oii){ht  In  do  tlir 
saiMo  by  till."  I  iiHHiirrd  him  tlint  ho  would  l><«  dt^tnini'd  on  buiird  n<i 
lon){i>r  llinn  tli<!  property  was  released,  and  that,  ns  soon  as  it  was  done, 
hf  would  1)1'  Hi't  at  [iln'rly, 

At  day-iiretik,  I  hnilcd  the  nativos,  and  told  thom  that  it  wsh  Muqiiina^H 
orilt'r  tli.'it  they  nhouid  bring  oD'  the  cannon  and  nnrhorH,  and  wlmtevcr 
rt'inaiiird  wtih  them  of  the  cargo  of  tho  ship.  This  they  set  about  doing 
Willi  the  iitinoHt  expedition,  transporting  the  cannon  and  anrhurH  by  Insb- 
iiig  K^ifcdicr  two  of  their  largest  canoes,  and  covering  them  with  planks; 
ntid,  II  the  courso  of  two  hours,  they  delivered  everything  on  board  that 
1  Coiild  riTollecl,  with  Thompson's  and  my  chest,  containing  tiie  papers 
of  tliii  ship,  I'tc. 

Wiicii  I'vorything  belonging  to  tho  ship  had  been  restored,  Mn<|uina 
wuH  periiiittcd  to  return  in  his  canoe,  which  had  been  sent  for  him,  with 
n  prcHcnt  of  what  skins  he  had  collected,  which  were  about  sixty,  for 
tlte  cuptiiin,  in  acknowledgment  of  his  having  spared  his  life  and  allowed 
him  to  depart  unhurt;  such  was  also  the  transport  he  felt,  when  Captain 
Hill  came  into  tho  cabin  and  told  him  that  he  was  at  liberty  to  go,  that 
he  threw  otf  his  mantle,  which  consisted  of  four  of  tho  very  best  skins, 
nnd  giivi!  it  to  him,  as  a  mark  of  his  gratitude;  in  return  for  which,  the 
rnptuin  presented  him  with  a  new  great-coat  and  hat,  with  which  he 
appi.'ared  much  delighted.  The  captain  then  desired  me  to  inroriii  him 
that  ho  should  return  to  that  part  of  the  coast  in  November,  and  that  he 
wished  him  <>  keep  what  skins  he  should  get,  which  he  would  buy  of 
him.  ThiH  Maijuina  promised,  saying  to  me  at  the  same  time,  "  John,  you 
know  I  shall  bo  tiion  ntTasheos;  but,  when  you  come,  make  };om,  (which 
means,  tire  a  gun,)  to  let  me  know,  and  I  will  come  down."  When  he 
came  to  tho  side  of  the  brig,  he  shook  me  cordially  by  the  hand,  and 
told  me  that  he  hoped  I  would  come  to  see  him  again  in  a  big  ship,  and 
bring  much  plenty  of  blankets,  biscuit,  mol.isses,  and  rum,  for  him  and 
his  son,  who  loved  me  a  great  deal,  and  that  he  would  keep  all  the  furs 
he  got  for  me,  observing,  at  the  same  time,  that  he  should  never  more 
take  n  letter  of  recommendation  from  any  one,  or  ever  trust  himself  on 
board  a  vessel  unless  I  was  there;  then,  grasping  both  my  hands,  with 
much  emotion,  while  the  tears  trickled  down  his  cheeks,  he  bade  me 
furr  well,  and  stepped  into  the  canoe,  which  immediately  paddled  hirn 
on  shore. 

The  brig  being  under  weigh,  immediately  on  Maquina's  quitting  us, 
we  proceeded  to  tho  northward,  constantly  keeping  the  shore  in  sight, 
and  touching  at  various  places  for  the  purpose  of  trading.  AAer  a 
period  of  nearly  four  months  from  our  leaving  Nootka,  we  returned  from 
the  northward  to  Columbia  river,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  masts, 
etc.,  for  our  brig,  which  had  suffered  considerably  in  her  spars  during  a 
gale  of  wind.  Here,  after  providing  ourselves  with  spars,  we  sailed  for 
iVootka,  where  we  arrived  in  the  latter  part  of  November.  Tho  tribe 
being  absent,  the  agreed  signal  waii  given,  by  firing  a  cannon,  and  in  a 
few  hours  after,  a  canoe  appeared,  which  landed  at  the  village,  and, 
putting  the  king  on  shore,  came  off  to  the  brig.  Inquiry  was  imme- 
diately made  by  Kinneclimmets,  who  was  one  of  the  three  men  in  the 
canoe,  if  John  was  there,  as  the  king  had  some  skins  to  sell  them  if  he 
was.  I  then  went  forward  and  invited  them  on  board,  with  which  they 
readily  complied,  telling  me  that  Maquina  had  a  number  of  skins  with 
him,  but  that  he  would  not  come  on  board  unless  I  would  go  on  shore 
for  him.  This  I  agreed  to,  provided  they  would  remain  in  the  brig  in^ 
27 


f 


418 


NARRATIVE  OF  A  SAILOR  AMONG  SAVAGES. 


the  meantime.  To  this  they  couscnted,  and  the  captain  taking  them  int 
the  cabin,  treated  them  with  bread  and  molasses.  I  tlien  went  on  shore  i 
the  canoe,  notwithstanding  the  remonstrances  of  Tiiompson  and  the  ca( 
tain,  wiio,  though  he  wanted  the  skins,  advised  me  by  no  means  to  pi 
myself  in  Maquina\s  power;  but  I  assured  him  that  I  had  no  fear  a 
long  as  those  men  were  on  board.  As  I  landed,  Maquina  came  up  an 
welcomed  me  with  much  joy:  on  inquiring  for  the  m»!n,  I  told  him  the 
they  were  to  remain  until  my  return.  "Ah,  John,'*  said  he,  '•  I  see  you  ar 
af(aid  to  trust  me;  but,  if  they  had  come  with  you,  I  should  not  hav 
hurt  you,  though  I  should  have  taken  good  care  not  to  let  you  go  o 
board  of  another  vessel.''  He  then  took  his  chest  of  skins,  and  ste^: 
ping  into  the  canoe,  I  paddled  him  along  side  of  the  brig,  where  he  wu 
received  and  treated  by  Captain  Hill  with  the  greatest  cordiality,  wh 
bought  of  him  his  skins.  He  left  us  much  pleased  with  his  receptior 
inquiring  of  me  how  many  moons  it  would  be  before  I  should  come  bac 
again  to  see  him  and  his  son;  saying  that  he  would  keep  all  his  fui 
for  me. 

As  soon  as  Maquina  had  quitted  us,  we  got  under  weigh  and  stoo 
again  to  the  nortliward.  We  had  a  prosperous  passage  to  China,  arri\ 
ing  at  Macao  in  Dccombor,  from  whence  the  brig  proceeded  to  Cantor 
There  I  had  tlic  good  fortune  to  meet  a  townsman  and  an  old  acquaini 
ance,  in  the  mate  of  an  EInglish  East-Indiaman,  named  John  Hil 
whose  fallicr,  a  wealthy  mcrciiant  in  Hull,  in  the  Baltic  trade,  was 
next  door  neighbor  to  mine.  Shortly  after  our  arrival,  the  captain  boin 
on  board  the  English  ship,  and  mentioning  his  having  had  the  good  foi 
tune  to  liberate  two  men  of  tlie  Boston's  crew  from  the  savages,  an 
that  one  of  them  was  named  Jewett,  my  former  acquaintance  immod 
ateiy  camn  on  board  the  brig  to  see  me.  I 

Words  can  ill  express  my  feelings  on  seeing  him.  Circumstanced  as 
was,  among  persons  who  were  entire  strangers  to  me,  to  meet  thus, 
a  foreign  land,  with  one  between  whom  and  myself  a  considerable  ini 
macy  had  subsisted,  was  a  pleasure  that  those  alone  who  bave  been  in 
similar  situation  can  properly  estimate.  He  appeared,  on  his  part,  i 
less  happy  to  see  me,  whom  he  supposed  to  be  dead,  as  the  account 
our  capture  hud  been  received  in  England  some  time  before  his  sailiii 
and  all  my  friends  supposed  me  to  have  been  murdered. 

He  supplied  me  with  a  new  suit  of  clothes  and  a  hat,  a  smuU  sum 
money  for  my  necessary  expenses,  and  a  number  of  little  articles  i 
sea-stores  on  my  voyage  to  America.  I  also  gave  him  a  letter  for  i 
father,  in  which  I  mentionetl  my  wonderful  preservation  and  esca| 
through  the  humanity  of  Captain  Hill,  with  whom  I  should  returnl 
Boston.  This  lettr^r  he  inclosed  to  his  father,  by  a  ship  that  was  jl 
sailing,  in  consequence  of  which  it  was  received  much  earlier  thaif 
otherwise  would  have  been. 

We  left  China,  in  February,  1807,  and  after  a  pleasant  voyage  of 
'hundred  and  fourteen  days,  arrived  at  Boston.     My  feelings  on  o| 
more  finding  myself  in  a  Christian  country,  among  a  people  spealj 
the  same  language  with  myself,  may  be  more  readily  conceived 
expressed.     In  the  post-office  in  that  place,  I  found  a  letter  for  me 
my  mother,  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  mine  from  China,  expresl 
the  great  joy  of  my  family  on  hearing  of  my  being  alive  and  well,  wf 
vthey  had  for  a  long  time  giveo  np  for  dead. 


■-■*■*-■■-■,,    f1irMf|H*».4  ^  ■--■!> '^ 


^MONG  SAVAGES. 

nd  the  captain  taking  them  into 
.lasses.  I  then  went  on  shore  in 
iices  of  Thompson  and  the  cap- 
Ivised  me  by  no  means  to  put 
red  him  that  I  had  no  fear  as 
landed,  Maquina  came  up  and 
nc  for  the  mon,  I  told  him  that 
,  John,'' said  he, '-I  Bee  you  are 

,e  with  you,  I  should  not  have 
good  care  not  to  let  you  go  on 
k  his  chest  of  skins,  and  step- 
r  side  of  the  brig,  where  he  was 
ith  the  greatest  cordiality,  who 
ich  pleased  with  his  reception, 
Id  be  before  I  should  come  back 
that  he  would  keep  all  his  furs 

we  got  under  weigh  and  stood 
spcroiis  passage  to  China,  arr.v- 

0  the  brifT  proceeded  to  Canton, 
t'townsm^  and  an  old  acquaint- 
ist-Indiuman,  named  John  llill, 
Hull,  in  the  Baltic  trade,  was  a 
fter  our  arrival,  tlie  captain  being 
linfi  his  having  had  the  good  for- 
iton's  crew  from  the  savages,  and 
my  former  acquaintance  immcdi- 

i'seeing  him.  Circumstanced  as  1 
strangers  to  me,  to  meet  thus,  m 
m  and  myself  a  considerable  inti- 
,at  those  alone  who  have  been  m  a 
e  He  appeared,  on  his  part,  no 
,8ed  to  be  dead,  as  the  account  ot 
rlaud  some  time  before  his  sailing, 
ive  been  murdered. 

clothes  and  a  hat,  a  small  sum  oi 

,nd  a  number  of  little  articles  for 

I  also  gave  him  a  letter  for  iny 

ronderful  preservation  and  escape, 

[ill,  with  whom  I  should  return  to 

his  father,  by  a  ship  that  was  jus 
was  received  much  earlier  than  it 

and  after  a  pleasant  voyage  of  one 

1  at  Boston.     My  feelings  on  once 
country,  among  a  people  .^P^akmg 

ay  be  more  readily  conceived  than 
/place,  I  found  a  letter  for  me  from 
•ipt  of  mine  from  China,  expressing 
ng  of  my  being  alive  and  well,  whom 
or  dead.     ; 


ADVENTURES 


or 


PHILIP    A  SHI  ON, 


or  IIAaRA0BU8BTTa,  WHO  WAS  TAKBf  BT  PIKATU,  nOAPlO  FBOM  TBKM,  AMD  DWBC 

rOR  BIZTUN  MONIBS 


IN  SOLITUDE  ON  A  DESOLATE  ISLAND. 


On  Friday,  the  fifteenth  of  June,  1 723,  after  being  out  some  time  in 
a  schooner  with  four  men  and  a  boy,  off  Cape  Sable,  I  stood  in  for  Fort 
Rossaway,  designing  to  lie  there  all  Sunday.  Having  arrived  about  four 
in  the  afternoon,  we  saw,  among  other  vessels  which  had  reached  the  port 
before  us,  a  brigantine  supposed  to  be  inward  bound  from  the  West 
Indies.  After  remaining  three  or  four  hours  at  anchor,  a  boat  from  the 
brigantine  came  along  side,  with  four  hands,  who  leaped  on  deck,  and 
suddenly  drawing  out  pistols,  and  brandishing  cutlasses,  demanded  the 
surrender  both  of  ourselves  and  our  vessel.  All  remonstrance  was  vain; 
nor,  indeed,  had  we  known  who  they  were  before  boarding  us,  could  we 
have  made  any  effectual  resistance,  being  only  five  men  and  a  boy,  and 
were  thus  under  the  necessity  of  submitting  at  discretion.  We  were  not 
single  in  misfortune,  as  thirteen  or  fourteen  fishing-vessels,  were,  in  like 
manner,  surprised  the  same  evening. 

When  carried  on  board  the  brigantine,  I  found  myself  in  the  hands 
of  Ned  Low,  an  infamous  pirate,  whose  vessel  had  two  great  guns,  four 
swivels,  and  about  forty-two  men.  I  was  strongly  urged  to  sign  the 
articles  of  agreement  among  the  pirates,  and  to  join  their  number,  which 
I  steadily  refused,  and  suffered  much  bad  usage  in  consequence.  At 
length  being  conducted,  along  with  five  of  the  prisoners,  to  the  quarter- 
deck. Low  came  up  to  us  with  pistols  in  his  hand,  and  loudly  demanded, 
"  Are  any  of  you  married  men?"  This  unexpected  question,  added  to 
the  sight  of  the  pistols,  struck  us  all  speechless;  we  were  alarmed  lest 
there  was  some  secret  meaning  in  his  words,  and  that  he  would  proceed 
to  extremities,  therefore  none  could  reply.  In  a  violent  passion  he 
cocked  a  pistol,  and  clapping  it  to  my  head,  cried  out,  "  You  dog,  why 
don't  you  answer  ?"  swearing  vehemently  at  the  same  time  that  he  would 
shoot  me  through  the  head.  I  was  sufficiently  terrified  by  his  threats  and 
fierceness,  but  rather  than  lose  my  life  in  so  trifling  a  matter,  I  ventured 
to  pronounce,  as  loud  as  I  durst  speak,  that  I  was  not  married.  Here- 
upon he  seemed  to  be  somewhat  pacified,  and  turned  away. 

It  appeared  that  Low  was  resolved  to  take  no  married  men  whatever, 
which  often  seemed  surprising  to  me  until  I  had  been  a  considerable 
time  with  him.  But  his  own  wife  had  died  lately  before  he  became  a 
pirate,  and  he  had  a  young  child  at  Boston,  for  whom  he  entertained  such 
tenderness,  on  every  lucid  bterval  from  drinking  and  reveling,  that,  on 
mentioning  it,  1  have  seen  him  sit  down  and  weep  plentifully.    Thus  I 

(419) 


..■■•^ii*iK*  <>.y*-'H*r*- 


iS'"' 


ADVENTURES  OF  PHILIP  ASHTON. 


l,.,ea,  that  ^reZn^^f^Z::^^^ 

finding  force  of  ""f  ^""i,  "  ^«S  tX  cr  mi  into  compliance  by  «ottmg 
suasion  instead  of  it.  J'^J"*^;^;"" their  spoils,  and  the  nches  which  1 
before  me  the  share  I  should  have 'n  m        f  importuned  me  to 

should  become  m«ter  of ;  and  a     the  Ume     ^g  j^^^  ^^^^.^ 

drink  along  with  them.    But  I  »*'"J°°/'  threatened  to  shoot  me  through 
whereupon  Low,  with  equal  f^J^^^^^^^^^^J^ed  mTrelease,  he  and  liis  people 
the  head ;  and  though  I  ^'^^^^'^  ^^.^  ons?in  their  books, 
wrote  my  name,  and  ^h"i\°f '";.  niP^.t^changed  the  privateer,  as  they 
On  the  nineteenth  of  June    he  P'ratcs  c      g  ^^  .^^  ^^  ^^  j,,^. 

called  their  vcsse  ,  and  ^n^/^  "^  Ven  put  all  the  prisoners,  whom 
head,  which  they  had  captured,  i  of  'he  brigantine,  and  sent  her  to 
they  designed  sending  ^om^,  on  board  ottj  8^^^^^^^^^,  ,„empt  for 
Boston,  which  induced  me  '""^^f^XT  he  refused  to  let  me  go  ;  thus 

liberty  but  though  I  ff^^^^yJ^J^^heS  captives,  excepting  myself 
I  saw  the  b"«antme  depart,  with  thej^io         I  ^     „^,d,  I  had  nearly 

and  seven  more.  Very  short  t^fj^^"*^  ^^  l^w  being  accidentally  left 
effected  my  escape  ;  for  a  dog  bebngmg^lo  Lo^^.  g^^  7^^'^ P"!! 
on  shore,  he  ordered  some  ban^in  ^^„'«  ^„^to  ^lehead,  rapidly  leaped 
two  young  men,  captives,  both  belonging  ^^  ^^^^^^        „g 

into  the  boat,  and  I,  considering  tbat  'f  1  «o"'«  «  «  ^^Mig  with  them. 
Sght  be  found  of  effecting  ^/^-X^fi^ttS  hold  of  my  shoulder, 
But  the  quarter-master,  <^''"«;*f"5?d„'otretura,  he  thought  I  was  privy 
drew  me  back.  As  the  young  "  f"  "'"^^f  J^^hs,  snapped  his  pistol,  on  my 
to  their  plot,  and,  with  the  most  ""^^^f  "f^j'^.^m  J^'fire,  however,  only 
denying  all  knowledge  of  it.     Jje   pis  ^.^^^  ^^a  as 

"ervldlo  enrage  him  the  "?«[« •^'^J^^SToverboard,  and  then  it  went  off. 
Often  it  missed  fire;  on  wh.d>  he  held^  over  ^^^^^^  ^^  .^  ^^^^  „,„„,, 
Russel  on  this  drew  his  '•■"^ja^^,  and  waa  an 

fury,  when  I  leaped  down  mto  »^^  .^f  J"«  p^^^^  pink,  laden  with 

Off  St.  Michael's,  the  pirates  to«k  a  la  geror^  p    ^^^  ^^^^y,^^ 

wheat,  coming  out  of  the  road;  and  being  a  gooa  ^  became 

7ourttn  guns',  transferred  J';,- -^SV^ee  islands,  called  Triangles 
necessary  tocareen  her, whence  tW n»ade     ^^^^      ^^  ^ 

lying  about  forty  leagues  to  ^« J';';'"""^  ^^  the  shrouds  and  yards,  that 
U^^e  pink,  Low  had  ordered  so  ^any  men  to  ^^^  ^^^  ^^^^^^.^^^  ,„^  ^, 

the  ports,  by  her  heeling,  got  "n^f^^r^".'.  *  ^^bin,  and  as  soon  as  he 
o;:r'sef.  he'and  the  <»«tJ  Tn' he  Sed^ut  of  t^^^ 
observed  the  water  gufbing  «,  h«  »«»P«%i^i,„^e  of  the  sea  repulsed  the 
doctor  attempted  to  follow  him.    ""j/f  Jbi^.     Low,  however,  contrived 
latter,  and  he  was  forced  back  into  the  caDm  '  .^d  his  life. 

to  thrust  his  arm  into  the  P«rt,«>d  dragging      ^^^^  ,„,„ed  out  of  the 
Meanwhile,  the  vessel  «>«)?'?     ^    -Tn   he  depth  of  about  six  fathoms. 

fiMing,  rising  a  little  out  of  the  sea  ,      j  ^  „eat  extremity;  for, 


w^,iiijiiiii,iu.';^**!'^ ''""■"""'' ''''''''"" 


s,  probably,  that 
livcrt  them  from 
D.     Tho  pirates 
egan  to  use  pcr- 
iance,  by  sotting 
e  riches  which  1 
iportuned  ine  to 
tlieir  proposals, 
shoot  me  through 
10  and  liis  people 
[>k8. 

privateer,  as  they 
»nging  to  Marble- 
prisoners,  whom 
e,  and  sent  her  to 
ssful   attempt  for 
to  let  me  go  ;  thus 
excepting  myself 
ted,  I  had  nearly 
a  accidentally  left 
t  off.     Thereupon 
ad,  rapidly  leaped 
Bt  on  shore,  means 
[o  along  with  them. 
Id  of  my  shoulder, 
ihought  I  was  privy 
,ed  his  pistol,  on  my 
fire,  however,  only 
limes  again,  and  as 
id  then  it  went  off. 
:k  me  in  tho  utmost 
yself.  . 

jse  pink,  laden  with 
lailer,  and  carrying 
It  afterward  became 
ds,  called  Triangles, 
,.     In  heaving  down 
uds  and  yards,  that 
sea  rushing  in,  she 
,  and  as  soon  as  he 
atern-port,  wliilc  the 
the  sea  repulsed  the 
r,  hov^ever,  contrived 
out,  saved  his  life- 
•el  turned  out  of  the 
of  about  six  fathoms, 
ists  somewhat  above 
tie  shrouds  and  yards, 
igain  resorted  to  the 

great  extremity ;  for, 
to  the  maintop-gallant 
;cupied  in  preserving 
» attempt  reaching  the 


ADVENTURES  OF  PHILIP  ASHTON. 


131 


buov  This  I  luckily  accomplished,  and,  as  it  was  large,  secured  myself 
there  until  the  boat  approached.  I  once  more  requested  the  people  to 
ake  mo  in,  but  they  still  refused,  as  the  boat  was  full.  I  was  uncertain 
whether  th.  v  designed  leaving  me  to  perish  in  this  situation;  however, 
the  boat  being  deeply  laden,  made  way  very  slowly,  and  one  of  my  com- 
rades, captured  at  the  same  time  with  myself,  calling  to  "e  to  forsake 
the  buoy  and  swim  toward  her,  I  assented,  and  reaching  the  boat,  he 
drew  me  on  board.  Two  men,  John  Bell,  and  Zana  Guordon,  were 
lost  in  tho  pink.  Though  the  schooner  in  company  was  very  near  at 
hand  her  people  were  employed  mending  their  sails  under  an  awning, 
ind  knew  nothing  of  the  accident  until  the  boat  full  of  men,  got  along 

^' The  pirates  having  thus  lost  their  principal  vessel,  and  the  greatest 
part  of  their  provisions  and  water,  were  reduced  to  great  extremities  for 
want  of  the  latter.  They  were  unable  to  get  a  supply  at  the  Tranglet, 
nor.  on  account  of  calms  and  currenU,  could  they  make  the  island  of 
Tobaeo  Thus  they  were  forced  to  stand  for  Grenada,  which  they 
reached,  after  being  on  short  allowance  for  sixteen  days  together 
Grenada  was  a  French  settlement,  and  Low,  on  arriving,  after  having 
sent  all  his  men,  except  a  sufficient  number  to  maneuver  the  vessel 
below,  said  he  was  from  Barbadoes;  that  he  had  lost  the  ^jer  on  board 
and  was  obliged  to  put  in  here  for  a  supply.  The  people  entertained 
no  suspicion  of  his  being  a  pirate,  but  afterward,  supposing  h.m  a  smug- 
oler,  thoujrht  it  a  good  opportunity  to  make  a  prize  of  his  vessel.  Next 
day/ therefore,  they  equi  Jfed  a  large  sloop  of  seventy  tons,  and  four  guns, 
with  about  thirty  hands,  as  sufficient  for  the  capture,  and  caine  along  side, 
^hile  Low  was  quite  unsuspicious  of  their  design.  But  th.«  being  evi- 
dently betrayed  by  their  number  and  actions,  he  quickly  called  ninety 
men  on  deck,  and,  having  eight  guns  mounted,  the  French  sloop  became 

*°Pr"oWded  with  these  two  vessels,  the  pirates  cruised  about  in  the  West 
Indies,  taking  seven  or  eight  prizes,  and  at  length  arrived  at  the  island 
of  Santa  Cruz,  where  they  captured  two  more.  While  lying  there,  Low 
thought  he  stood  in  need  of  a  medicine  chest,  and,  in  order  to  procure 
one,  sent  four  Frenchmen,  in  a  vessel  he  had  taken,  to  St.  Thomw  s, 
about  twelve  leagues  distant,  with  money  to  purchase  it;  prom^ing  them 
liberty,  and  the%eturn  of  all  their  vessels  for  the  service  But  he  de- 
clared, at  the  same  time,  if  it  proved  otherwise,  he  would  kill  the  rest  of 
the  men,  and  burn  the  vessels.  In  little  more  than  twenty-four  hours, 
the  Frenchmen  returned  with  the  object  of  their  mission,  and  Low 
punctually  performed  his  promise  by  restoring  the  vessel.  .  ,^ 

Having  sailed  for  the  Spanish  American  settlements,  the  pirates  de- 
scried two  large  ships,  about  half  way  between  Carthagena  and  Portobello, 
which  proved  to  be  the  Mermaid,  an  English  man-of-war,  and  a  Guineaman 
They  approached  in  chase  until  discovering  the  man-of-war's  great  range 
of  teeth;  when  they  immediately  put  about,  and  made  the  best  of  their 
way  otr.  The  man-of-war  then  commenced  the  pursuit,  and  gained  upon 
them  apace,  and  I  confess  that  my  terrors  were  now  equal  to  any  that  I 
had  previously  suffered;  for  I  concluded  that  we  should  ceramly  be  taken, 
and  I  should  no  less  certainly  be  hanged  for  company's  sake :  so  true  are 
the  words  of  Solomon,  "A  companion  of  fools  shall  be  destroyed.  But 
the  two  pirate  vessels  finding  themselves  outsailed,  separated,  and  I'ar- 
rineton  Spriggs,  who  commanded  the  schooner  in  which  I  was,  stood  in 
for  the  shore      The  Mermaid  observing  the  sloop  with  Low  himself  to 


ADVENTURES  OF  PHILIP  ASHTON. 


*^^  A^A  M  Rail   and  continued  gaining  still 

be  the  larger  of  the  »7' "^"^tr    buroie  o^^ 

more,  indeed  unt.l  her  shot  flew  over    bu,  ^^^^.^  ^^^  man-of-war 

Low  a  shoal,  which  he  .'^°"'°  P!;';^  hanaing  on  this  occasion.  Spnggs 
grounded.  Thus  the  P'"^«\37,eS  the  consequences  of  being 
Ld  one  of  his  chosen  «o™P»"'°"'i'fl*Jhe?r  pistols  beside  them  in  the 
captured  and  brought  to  J"«^'*=«Jj7„Xmper  of  liquor,  swore, 
interval,  and  pledging  a  ^^"^  "^^^^  ^^  and  bbw  out  each  other's 
Sr  ^SSdCSf thrshre,  they  Inade  PiCeroon  Bay,  and 

-ffi^^rfpXdtoasrn^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

leagues  to  leeward  of  the  '^I'^^'i  «*  f  «;*^;' '  Vhere  iere  now  twenty-two 
the^ottom  of  the  schooner  waj  ^  «»°«^^-  ^Jf ,  p,ot  to  overpower  our 
persons  on  board,  and  eight  of  us  engage    p,„posed   sailing  for  New 

masters,  and  make  our  f«."^''P«;  ^^Kere^Le  his  company;  and  we 
Lgland,in  q^^^*  of  provisions,  and  to  m^^^^^^^^        ^^^  .^^^^,  f,,,i 

d-qS  an-dSSd  tleeTto  ^e  -  them  under  the  hatches,  and 

%S;rs^  rSSs  SSiJ^^Sn»h 

had,  somehow  or  other,  got  '"Jf  "'f  «"^«^°  _ '^  „,ake  a  furious  declaration 
Lo^  on  the  voyage,  went  on  ^"/accounf  o?  his  information,  otherwise 
against  us.     But  Low  made  litUeaccoun  o    ^^^^      ^ 

it  might  have  been  fatal  ^°  "l^^^^'^Li^iming,  that  four  of  us  shou  d  go 
returned  raging  to  ^h«  «ch«>ner  excla uning,  ^^^^^  ^^^^ 

forward  to  be  shot,  and  to  ™« '"  P"3."  „,  for  designing  to  cut  us  off.' 
you  deserve  to  be  hanged  up  at  he  ya-^"  "™'  „\n  on  board;  but  I 

i  replied,  "  that  I  had  no  '"^f  b*  «°  "^T  go\^^^  quietly."  At  length 
should  be  glad  if  they  would  allow  me  ^^  ^^^^^  ,  ^^^      j 

this  flame  was  q^^n^h^d,  and,  through  meg  ^^  Honduras,  is  full 

destruction.     Roatan  harbor,  as  all  a^utjy  and  having 

of  small  islands,  which  pass  under  the  pene^ai^^^^^^^    J^^^^^^      ^^^^ 

got  in  here.  Low,  with  some  f  ^^f/^^'^^heTe  they  erected  huts,  and  con- 
^hich  they  called  Port  Royal  Key.  ^h^^^^"  different  vessels,  of  which 
tined  carousing,  drinking  and  hring,  wnue  i.ic 

they  now  had  V°^l^^^'°\^TJS''m2,  the  cooper,  with  six  hands, 

•        On  Saturday,  the  ninth  «f  f  ";^';'/;^^^^      and  coming  along  side  of 

in  the  long-boat,  was  going  a«*^«J«  J^.'J  „/,„      Seeing  him  hesitate,  I 

Se  schooner,  1  ^«q'^^''t?"*.^^^\irashore!  and  thought  it  hard  to  be 
urged  that  I  had  n-jver  h>therto  been  ashore,  a  ^    ^^  ^^^^.^^  ^^ 

L  closely  confined,  when  every  on2es.d«h^^^  requesV.ng  to  be  sent 
there  was  occasbn.  Low  had  before  to^d^  ,  ^.^^.^^^^^  ^^at  I  should 
awav  in  some  of  the  captured  ^esse^is  wnicn  jously  set  my 

go  home  when  he  did,  ^"^^^^Sl^^,*;^  /ituW  p"^  getonterra- 

b^tShin^rrTuraS^^^^^^^^ 

SrS  and  -solved  never  to  embark  a^^^^^^^^^      ^^.^^  ^^^^^  ^^    ,,, 

The  cooper  at  l^nK^'^^^'^.^'id  from  Roatan,  where  the  watering- 
chief  people,  were  on  a  different  island  irom  ,        ^^^  trowser8,u 

place  lay;   my  only  clothing  was  ^""^^S^"^^,  ^^yti^iug  else.     When 


led  gaining  still 
j)'s  crew  showed 
[the  man-of-war 
tasion.  Spriggu 
luences  of  ueing 
|ide  them  in  the 
jr,  swore,  if  they 
I  out  each  other's 
(eroon  Bay,  and 

it  seven  or  eight 
[Honduras,  where 
now  twenty-two 
:o  overpower  our 

sailing  for  New 
;ompany;  and  we 
d  indulged  freely 
r  the  hatches,  and 

privacy,  Spriggs 
ring  fallen  in  with 
urious  declaration 
mation,  otherwise 
iSpriggs,  however, 
ir  of  us  should  go 
You  dog,  Ashton, 
[ning  to  cut  us  off." 
an  on  board;  but  I 
lietly."     At  length 
of  God,  I  escaped 
f  Honduras,  is  full 
f  Keys;  and  having 
1  on  a  small  island, 
cted  huts,  and  cou- 
nt vessels,  of  which 

er,  with  six  hands, 
ming  along  side  of 
ing  him  hesitate.  I 
lought  it  hard  to  bo 
iberty  of  landing  as 
;questing  to  be  sent 
lissed,  that  I  should 
r  previously  set  my 
)ly  once  get  on  terra- 
i  account  it  a  happy 

while  Low,  and  his 
where  the  watering- 
)ck  and  trowsers,  u 
ything  else.  When 
:he  casks  out  of  the 
hen  taking  a  hearty 
ip  stones  and  shells : 


f-Mtimifmr  — 


I 


ADVENTURES  OF  PHILIP  ASHTON. 


423 


but  on  reaching  the  distance  of  a  musket-shot  from  the  party,  I  began  to 
withdraw  toward  the  skirts  of  the  woods.  In  answer  to  a  question  by  the 
cooper  of  wiiither  I  was  going?  I  replied,  '^  for  cocoanuts,  as  some  cocoa- 
trees  were  just  before  me;"  and  as  soon  as  I  was  out  of  sight  of  my 
companions,  I  took  to  my  heels,  running  as  fast  as  the  thickness  of 
the  bushes  and  my  naked  feet  would  admit.  Notwithstanding  I  had  got 
a  considerable  way  into  the  woods,  I  was  still  so  near  as  to  hear  the  voices 
of  tiie  party  if  they  spoke  loud,  and  I  lay  close  in  a  thicket  where  I  knew 
they  could  not  find  me. 

At\cr  my  comrades  had  filled  their  ca.sks,  and  were  about  to  depart, 
the  cooper  called  on  me  to  accompany  them;  however,  I  lay  snug  in  the 
thicket,  and  gave  him  no  answer,  though  his  words  were  plain  enough 
At  length,  after  hallooing  loudly,  I  could  hear  them  say  to  one  another, 
"The  dog  is  lost  in  the  woods,  and  cannot  find  the  way  out  again;"  then 
they  hallooed  once  more,  and  cried  "  he  lias  run  away  and  wont  come  to 
us;"  and  the  cooper  observed,  that,  had  ho  known  my  intention,  he  would 
not  have  brought  me  asliorc.  Satisfied  of  tlieir  inability  to  find  me  among 
the  trees  and  bushes,  the  cooper  at  last,  to  show  his  kindness,  exclaimed, 
"  If  you  do  not  come  away  presently,  I  shall  go  off  and  leave  you  alone." 
Nothing,  however,  could  induce  me  to  discover  myself;  and  my  comrades 
seeing  it  vain  to  wait  any  longer,  put  off  without  me. 

Tiius  I  was  left  on  a  desolate  island,  destitute  of  all  help,  and  remote 
from  tlie  track  of  navigators  ;  but,  compared  with  the  state  and  society  I 
had  quitted,  I  considered  tlie  wilderness  hospitable,  and  the  solitude 
interesting.  When  I  thought  the  whole  were  gone,  I  emerged  from  my 
thicket,  and  came  down  to  a  small  run  of  water,  about  a  mile  from  the 
place  where  our  casks  were  filled,  and  there  sat  down  to  observe  the 
proceedings  of  the  pirates.  To  my  great  joy,  in  five  days  their  vessels 
sailed,  and  I  saw  the  schooner  part  from  them  to  shape  a  different 
course. 

I  then  began  to  reflect  on  myself  and  my  present  condition:  I  was  on 
an  island  which  I  had  no  means  of  leaving;  I  knew  of  no  human  being 
within  many  miles  ;  my  clothing  was  scanty,  and  it  was  impossible  to 
procure  a  supply.  I  was  altogether  destitute  of  provision,  nor  could  tell 
how  my  life  was  to  be  supported.  This  melancholy  prospect  drew  a 
copious  flood  of  tears  from  my  eyes ;  but  as  it  had  pleased  God  to  grant 
my  wishes  in  being  liberated  from  those  whose  occupation  was  devising 
misciiief  agauist  their  neighbors,  I  resolved  to  account  every  hardship 
light.  Yet  Low  would  never  suffer  his  men  to  work  on  the  Sabbath, 
which  was  more  devoted  to  play;  and  I  have  even  seen  some  of  them  sit 
down  to  read  in  a  good  book. 

In  order  to  ascertain  how  I  was  to  live  in  time  to  come,  I  began  to 
range  over  the  island,  which  proved  ten  or  eleven  leagues  long,  and  lay 
in  about  sixteen  degrees  north  latitude.  But  I  soon  found  that  my  only 
companions  would  be  the  beasts  of  the  earth,  and  fowls  of  the  air;  for 
thoro  were  no  indications  of  any  habitations  on  the  island,  though  every 
now  and  then  I  found  some  shreds  of  earthenware  scattered  in  a  lime 
walk,  said  by  some  to  be  remains  of  Indians  formerly  dwelling  here. 
The  island  was  well  watered,  full  of  high  hills  and  deep  vallies. 
Numerous  fruit  trees,  such  as  figs,  vines,  and  cocoanuts  are  found  in  the 
latter;  and  I  found  a  kind  larger  than  an  orange,  oval-shaped,  of  a 
brownish  color  without,  and  red  within.  Though  many  of  these  had 
fallen  under  the  trees,  I  could  not  venture  to  take  them,  until  I  saw  the 
wild  hoga  feeding  with  safety,  and  then  I  found  them  very  delicious  fruit. 


f 


ADVENTURES  OF  PHIUP  ASHTON. 


T 


424  ***" 

Stores  of  provisionsabounded  here  though  I^^^^^^ 

but  the  fruit;  for  I  had  no  »'«'f«/;'™,ViSorn  animals ;  nor  had  I 

tortoise  on  turning  it,  or  weapons  w»«:««'7^^^^       jf  i  ^ore  successful, 
any  means  of  making  a  fire  to  cook  nnycaptu^reev^^^^^  .       ^^^^ 

Someiimes  1  entertained  thought*  °;J'8f;"8P';'f\„king  hogs  or  deer ; 
over  with  small  branches  «/ ^"^J' f«; J,^«  P^/'Sr  the  ^J^^^^^^  »  ^»» 

any  one  in  my  conditioii.  .„„„„  thn  aand  with  a  stick,  in  quest 

In  process  of  ti-«.;hile  poking  among  th    -nd  wit  ^^^  ^^ 

of  tortoise  eggs,  which  I  had  *>«"'' ^^•,?„  .._  .-nd,  I  found  nearly  a 
came  up  adhering  to  it;  and,  °Vr„To„renoLh  to  spoU.  Therefore, 
Lundrod  and  fifty,  which  had  "»*  i^'"^  J^X.P  of  palmetto,  which, 
taking  some,  I  ate  them,  ""^  strung  others  on  a  smp  oi  P  ,  ^^  ^^^^ 

being  hung  up  in  the  sun,  b^^''™^^'"^^^;"^^^  o  not  very  savo.y  food, 
they  were  more  palatable.  After  all,  }n«y  J^  ^  trees,  behoved  to  be 
.hough  one,  who  had  nothing  but  v'h'it  fell  from  Je  trees,  ^  ^^^^  ^^ 

take  to  tlie  water,  .ju,.pnt  islands  •  one,  about  twelve 

Many  serpents  are  on  this  and  the  ^•^J*'^^^"' '^^^''t  ^'ot  poisonous, 
or  fourteen  feet  long  is  as  "^^f  .."If/ .^f^^Xof  trees  covered  with 
When  lying  at  length,  they  look  »'k«  «lf J;"f^^^^^^^^^^^  The  first  time  I 
.hon  moss,  though  they  "^ru"^'''T„LVerverv  i^a  before  discovering  it 
saw  one  of  these  serpents,  I  had  ^PP^^^^'^'^fja  "enough  to  have  received 
10  bo  a  living  creature  ;  it  "P^^^^  ' ^J^Skll  e,ea"^Tsuch  annoyance, 
a  iiat,  and  breathed  on  me.  A  «™^"  ^'^^^  "^^^^forts,  his  life  would  be 
tUat  even  if  a  person  possessed  ^v^^^.Jj^^^^S^^^^^^^^^  small  quay, 

oppressive  to  him,  unless  for  the  possbimyoir^^^^^   g     dispersed  by  the 
destitute  of  wood  '^"d  Pushes  where  muHitude^  „Uhs,  without 

wind.     To  this  place,  then,  was  I  ««f  »«^^.^^^^^^^     ,-,„  ered  out,  I  know 
seeing  a  human  being.     One  ^ay  after  jnx»^herwa8^ 
„othow,voidof  occupationor  amusernem,exceptco^^^^^     g        ,^^  ^^^^^^ 

from  hill  to  hill,  and  from  '^^^^.^X^,^' ^Jegr^ets,  1  had  the  reflection 
Although  my  mind  was  o*^f  P'«J  .^^  ™'°„^hTlhad  no  hand  in  bringing 

tbat  1  was  lawfu  ly  ^^^^yf^^J^^^t^^^^^^^^^^  that  I  had  the  approbation 
misery  on  myself:  1  was  also  comioric  trusted  that  it  would 

and  consent  of  my  parents  m  f '"§ J^/Jo'  mvlde  for  my  return  to  my 
please  God,  in  his  own  time  ''"'^.^J^^YjbXS 
father's  house.  Therefore,  I  "•««°'rf  ^^^  ^"^^  p  Pfof  °he  island  to  another. 
It  was  my  daily  practice  to  ramble  f^°™  °°7;;  "^^^^^^  Here  I  built  a 
,h„„gl,  I  had  a  more  special  hom«  Jie^^  J«  by'd  y  and  the  heavy  de  vs 
hut  to  defend  me  against  the  heat  of  «>«  «"J  ^  i^j^'^  I  could  find  fallen 

by  night.     Taking  some  ^//''^'^.^^rahistriow  hanging  bough,  by 
f/omlhc  trees,lcontr.vedtofix    hem  against  a  low        SB     ^^^^  ^^^^ 

fastening  them  together  with  split  P^^"^*;^^, '^fJ^J  •,^,  that  I  could  get. 
,    whole  with  some  of  the  largest  and  most  smtaDie^  ^^^^  ^^^^^^^ 

Many  of  these  huts  -^  J^  ^^^ll.'h'avT^^^^^^^^^  -d  the 

lX"'o?  K^'Xlze,  Sh  both  the   heat  and  the  veim.n 


ADVENTURES  OF  PHILIP  ASHTON. 


425 


myself  of  nothing 
either  to  cut  up  a 
limaU;  nor  had  I 
were  successful, 
id  covering  them 
king  hogs  or  deer; 
urpose,  and  I  was 
ake  a  cavity  deep 
as  forced  to  rest 
^oad  provision  for 

th  a  stick,  in  quest 
sand,  part  of  one 

,  I  found  nearly  a 

spoil.  Therefore, 
jf  palmetto,  which, 
vhat  hard ;  so  that 
t  very  savopy  food, 
rees,  behoved  to  be 
)les  about  a  foot  or 

them,  so  that  tliere 
itof  my  observation, 
id  then  immediately 

;  one,  about  twelve 

but  not  poisonous. 

trees,  covered  with 
ion.  The  first  time  I 
before  discovering  it 
ugh  to  have  received 
,tes  such  annoyance, 
rts,  his  life  would  be 
r  to  some  small  quay, 
re  dispersed  by  the 
nine  months,  without 
lingered  out,  I  know 
ecting  food,  rambling 
ng  on  sky  and  water. 

1  had  the  reflection 
a  no  hand  in  bringing 
I  had  the  approbation 
rusted  that  it  would 
e  for  my  return  to  my 
ntly  to  my  misfortune, 
the  island  to  another, 
side.  Here  I  built  a 
r,  and  the  heavy  devs 
:h  I  could  find  fallen 
w  banging  bough,  by 

;  next  I  covered  the 
aves  that  I  could  got. 
srally  near  the  beach, 
tter  look-out,  and  the 
leat  and  the  vermin 


required.  But  the  insects  were  so  troublesome,  that  I  thought  of  en 
deavoring  to  get  over  to  some  of  the  adjacent  keys,  in  hopes  of  enjoyiu 
rest.  However,  I  was,  as  already  said,  a  very  indifierent  swimmer;  I  iiu< 
no  canon,  nor  any  means  of  making  one.  At  length,  having  got  a  piece 
of  bamboo,  which  is  hollow  like  a  reed,  and  light  as  cork,  I  ventured, 
after  frequent  trials  with  it  under  my  breast  and  arms,  to  put  ofl*  for  a 
small  key  about  a  gun-shot  distant,  which  I  reached  in  safety.  My  now 
place  of  refuge  was  only  about  three  or  four  hundred  feet  in  circuit,  lying 
very  low,  and  clear  of  woods  and  brush;  from  exposure  to  the  wind,  it 
was  quite  free  of  vermin,  and  I  seemed  to  have  got  into  a  new  world, 
where  I  lived  infinitely  more  at  ease.  Hither  I  retired,  therefore,  when 
the  heat  of  the  day  rendered  the  insect  tribe  most  obnoxious;  yet  I  was 
obliged  to  be  much  on  Roatan,  to  procure  food  and  water,  and  at  night 
on  account  of  ray  hut. 

When  swimming  back  and  forward  between  the  two  islands,  I  used  to 
bind  my  frock  and  trowscrs  about  my  head,  and  if  I  could  have  carried 
over  wood  and  leaves,  whereof  to  make  a  hut,  with  equal  facility,  I  should 
have  passed  more  of  my  time  on  the  smaller  one.  Yet  these  excursions 
were  not  unattended  with  danger.  Once,  I  remember,  when  passing 
from  th"  larger  island,  the  bamboo,  before  I  was  aware,  slipped  from 
under  me;  and  the  tide,  or  current,  set  down  so  strong,  that  it  was  with 
great  difficulty  I  could  reach  the  shore.  At  another  time,  when  swimming 
over  to  the  small  island,  a  shovel-nosed  shark,  which,  as  well  as  alligators, 
abound  in  those  scasj  struck  me  in  the  thigh,  just  as  my  foot  could  reach 
the  bottom,  and  grounded  itself,  from  the  shallowness  of  the  water,  as  I 
suppose,  so  that  its  mouth  could  not  get  round  toward  me.  The  blow  I 
felt  some  hours  after  making  the  shore.  By  repeated  practice,  I  at  length 
became  a  pretty  dextrous  swimmer,  and  amused  myself  by  passing  from 
one  island  to  another,  among  the  keys. 

I  sufiered  very  much  from  being  barefoot;  so  many  deep  wounds  were 
made  in  my  feet  frcm  traversing  the  woods,  where  the  ground  was 
covered  with  sticks  and  stones,  and  on  the  hot  beach,  over  sharp  broken 
shells,  that  I  was  scarce  able  to  walk  at  all.  Often,  when  treading  with 
all  possible  caution,  a  stone  or  shell  on  the  beach,  or  a  pointed  stick  in  the 
woods,  would  penetrate  the  old  wound,  and  the  extreme  anguish  would 
strike  me  down  as  suddenly  as  if  I  had  been  shot.  Then  I  would  remain, 
for  hours  together,  with  tears  gushing  from  my  eyes,  from  the  acuteness 
of  the  pain.  I  could  travel  no  more  than  absolute  necessity  compelled  me, 
in  quest  of  subsistence;  and  I  have  sat,  my  back  leaning  against  a  tree, 
looking  out  for  a  vessel  during  a  complete  day.  Once,  while  faint  from 
silch  injuries,  as  well  as  smarting  under  the  pain  of  them,  a  wild  boar 
rushed  toward  me.  I  knew  not  what  to  do,  for  I  had  not  strength  to  resist 
his  attack;  therefore,  as  he  drew  nearer,  I  caught  the  bough  of  a  tree, 
and  suspended  myself  by  means  of  it.  The  boar  tore  away  part  of  my 
ragged  trowsers  with  his  tusks,  and  then  left  me.  This,  I  think,  was  the 
only  time  that  I  was  attacked  by  any  wild  beast,  and  I  considered  myself 
to  have  had  a  very  great  deliverance. 

As  my  weakness  continued  to  increase,  I  often  fell  to  the  ground  in- 
sensible, and  then,  as  also  when  I  laid  myself  to  sleep,  I  thought  I  should 
never  awake  a^^ain,  or  rise  in  life.  Under  this  affliction  I  first  lost  count 
of  the  days  of  the  week;  I  could  not  distinguish  Sunday,  and,  as  my 
illness  became  more  aggravated,  I  became  ignorant  of  the  month  also. 
All  this  time  I  had  no  healing  balsam  for  my  feet,  nor  any  cordial  to  re- 
vive my  drooping  spirits.     My  utmost  efTorts  could  only  now  and  then 


«^  «ta»«  »*«•••-- 


ADVENTURKS  OF  PHILIP  ASHTON. 


ADVENTUK'"''' "*^         —  I  u  J 

mmMmmm 

of  wind  and  ram  arose,  m  wlucu  ^        ^ 

through  the  bleasing  of  UoO,      "  K 


Wjj|jiji,iji««M!^'' 


5,j-g5««geM«»^!»Li.'rft«*f«-*'  ,«*i?s»e*t 


gg*8W«S'^'»»8'-Vl'"'''^^* 


ADVENTURES  OF  PHIUP  A8HT0N. 


427 


or,  though  1  had 

ler,  my  altemptB 

rtivc.     The  raiua 

red   exceedingly. 

and  iiksomo  con- 

. ;  and  I  reflected, 

they  know  where 

jrospcct  of  death, 

ime. 

anoc  approaching, 

a.     I  kept  my  seat 

nd  knowing  that  I 

one.     Aa  tl»e  inan 

called  me  to  him, 

13  alone,  and  almost 

kc  of  mo  ;  my  garb 

wild  with  astonish- 

10  thoroughly;  but, 

J  mo  by  the  hand, 

nger  proved  to  be  a 

ears,  of  a  grave  and 

lame  I  never  knew, 

g  the  period  of  our 

•cnty-two  years  with 

lOugh  I  know  not  for 

ary,  bringing  his  dog, 

)ork,  along  with  him. 

,  the  island,  where  he 

he  was  always  ready 
!r  h<^  could,  though  he 
On  the  third  day  after 
I  his  canoe  among  the 
Id  hogs  and  deer,  and 
ts  were  somewhat  re- 
ch  I  now  enjoyed,  and 

of  my  feet,  precluded 
return  in  a  few  hours, 
f  any  danger  during  a 
ve  leagues  in  safety  in 
an  hour,  a  violent  gust 
ished,  as  I  never  heard 

n  almost  three  days,  1 
state,  as  I  had  been  re- 
I  was  myself  preserved 
id  I  was  left  in  better 
me,  for  now  I  had  about 
der,  tobacco,  tongs  and 
i  more  comfortable.  1 
at  this  time,  being  the 
ise,  and  have  a  delicate 
md  dressed  provisions, 
er  strength,  though  the 


doreness  of  my  foct  remained.  But  I  had,  beside,  the  advantage  of  being 
al)lo  now  and  tiien  to  catch  a  dish  of  crayfish,  which,  when  roasted, 
proved  ^o()(l  eating.  To  accomplish  this  I  made  up  a  small  bundle  of 
old  broken  slicks,  nearly  resembling  pitch-pine,  or  candle-wood,  and 
having  lis;hted  one  end,  waded  with  it  in  my  hand,  up  to  the  waist  in 
water,  'i'iie  cray-fish,  attracted  by  the  ligiit,  would  crawl  to  my  feet, 
and  lie  directly  under  it,  when,  by  means  of  a  forked  stick,  1  could  toss 
them  usiiore. 

Between  two  and  throe  months  after  the  time  of  losing  my  companion, 
I  found  a  small  canoe,  while  ranging  along  the  shore.  The  sight  of  it 
revived  my  regret  for  his  loss,  for  1  Judged  that  it  had  been  his  canoe  ; 
and,  from  being  washed  up  here,  a  certain  proof  of  his  having  been  lost 
in  the  tempest.  But,  on  examining  it  more  closely,  1  satisfied  myself  that 
it  was  one  which  i  had  never  seen  before.  Master  of  this  little  vessel, 
I  begun  to  tiiink  myself  admiral  of  the  neighl>oring  seas,  as  well  as  sole 
possessor  and  chief  commander  of  the  islands.  Profiting  by  its  use,  I 
could  transport  myself  to  the  places  of  retreat  more  conveniently  tiian  by 
my  former  expedient  of  swimming. 

In  process  of  time,  I  projected  an  excursion  to  some  of  the  larger  and 
more  distant  islands,  partly  to  learn  how  they  were  stored  or  inhabited, 
and  partly  for  the  sake  of  amusement. — Laying  in  a  small  stock  of  figs 
and  grapes,  therefore,  as  also  some  tortoise  to  eat,  and  carrying  my  im- 
plements for  tire,  I  put  off  to  steer  for  the  island  of  Bornacco,  which  is 
about  four  or  five  leagues  long,  and  situated  five  or  six  from  Roatan.  In 
the  course  of  tlie  voyage,  observing  a  sloop  at  the  cast  end  of  the  island, 
1  made  the  best  of  my  way  to  tlie  west,  designing  to  travel  down  by  land, 
both  because  a  point  of  rocks  ran  far  into  the  sea,  beyond  which  I  did 
not  care  to  venture  in  the  canoe,  as  was  necessary  to  come  ahead  of  the 
sloop,  and  because  I  wished  to  ascertain  something  concerning  her  people 
before  I  was  discovered.  Even  in  my  worst  circumstances,  I  never  could 
brook  the  thoughts  of  returningon  board  of  any  piratical  vessel,  and  resolved 
rather  to  live  and  die  in  my  present  situation.  Hauling  up  the  canoe,  and 
making  it  fust  as  well  as  I  was  able,  I  set  out  on  the  journey.  My  feet 
were  yet  in  such  a  state,  that  two  days,  and  the  best  part  of  two  nights 
were  occupied  in  it.  Sometimes  the  woods  and  bushes  were  so  thick 
that  it  was  necessary  to  crawl  half  a  mile  together  on  my  hands  and 
knees,  which  rendered  my  progress  very  slow.  When  within  a  mile  or 
two  of  the  place  where  I  supposed  the  sloop  might  be,  I  made  for  the 
water  side,  and  approached  the  sea  gradually,  that  I  might  not  too  soon 
disclose  myself  to  view;  however,  on  reaching  the  beach,  there  was  no 
appearance  of  the  sloop,  whence  I  judged  that  she  had  sailed  during  the 
time  spent  by  me  in  traveling.  Being  much  fatigued  with  the  journey, 
I  rested  myself  against  the  stump  of  a  tree,  with  my  face  toward  the  sea, 
where  sleep  overpowered  me.  But  I  had  not  slumbered  long  before  I 
was  suddenly  awakened  by  the  noise  of  firing. — Starting  up  in  affright,  I 
saw  nine  pirogues,  or  largo  canoes,  full  of  men,  firing  upon  me  from  the 
sea;  whence  I  soon  turned  about  and  ran  among  the  bushes  as  fast  as 
my  sore  feet  would  allow,  while  the  men,  who  were  Spaniards,  cried  after 
me,  "O  Englishman!  we  will  give  you  good  quarter."  However,  my 
astonishment  was  so  great,  and  I  was  so  suddenly  roused  from  my  sleep, 
that  I  had  no  self-command  to  listen  to  their  offers  of  quarter,  which,  it 
may  be,  at  another  time,  in  my  cooler  moments,  I  might  have  done. 
Thus  I  made  into  the  woods,  and  the  strangers  continued  firing  after  mo, 
to  the  number  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  bullets  at  least,  many  of  which 


ADVENTURES  OF  PHILIP  A8HT0N. 


^w*  t       ..  .wio      Hnvinff  caincd  an  ex- 

cut  .man  twlR-  off  the  buBhes  clojo  by  n,      ^e^  Ja  ^^  g  g 
tensive  thicket  beyond  reach  of  the  shot,     J         .^^^^  ^.,,e  departing, 
obBorviug,  by  the  sound  of  ^^eir  oars,  tna  i  ^^,^,,  j,, 

I  crept  out.  1  saw  the  «lo»P  ""^'^  „^"f„' „U  she  was  an  English  vessel 
\Sl  in  tow,  whid.  iS'^"",tCdiras  and  aken  there  by  the  Spaniards, 
which  had  been  at  the  Bay  of  Honduras  Y;^  ^^^^  ^^  nearly  surprised, 
Noxt  dav  1  returned  to  the  tree,  wnere  i  ^^^^^^^  ^  f„ot 

Afler  this  I  traveled  to  '<=,^°'«'\  "^  ^J^"   suffering  severely  from  the 
Island!  Vhich  I  reached  in  three  days,  but  suffenng  .J^^^^      ^^^ 

orenesrof  my  feet  and  the  scant.nes  of  ^rov  s.on^^^  ^^  ^.^  ^^ 

■o  nlentifully  stored  as  Roatan,  so  th«  o""  8  ^  j^^  j^gccts  were, 

esidence,!  had  difficulty  in  P'-"^'^^  TrSgthan  at  my  old  habitation, 
beside,  infinitely  more  numerous  ^"/^^""Xrexploring  the  island;  and 
K'circumstLces  deterred  -e^-    ,f«J^^^^^  j  p^t  off  for  Roaum, 

having  reached  the  canoe  J^^y^''^'^,''",^  ^ith  Bonacco,  and  arrived  at 
which  was  a  royal  palace  to  me  compared  w  ^^^  ^^ou 

night  in  safety.  Hero  I  lived,  '^'^'^^2^1181,  companion.-My  time  was 
:;^ven  month/,  after  losmg  mv  No  th  Bnti  hj  J^  ^^^^.^,,  ^„,„„g  .^c 
spent  in  the  usual  manner,  hunting  .,,«,„ 

islands.  .  ^hile  on  the  small  quay,  whither  I  o  ten 

Some  time  in  June,  1724,  ^^iie  o  ,  ^^^  ^^^  canoes 

retreated  to  be  free  from  the  a^^jy'^raTer,  they  observed  the  smoke  of 
making  for  the  harbor.     Appoachmg  nearer  tny  .^  ^^^^^^  ^^ 

TarL  which  I  had  kindled  and  ft  a  loss  ^okn^  Bonacco,  was  still 
les  tated  on  advancing.-Wha     had  exper.enc     ^^  ^^^^  ^ 

fresh  in  mv  own  memory,  arid  '«  *1  *? J^h^  quay,  not  above  a  hundred 
I  withdrew  to  rny/a"°«'iy'"f,,^j;wedover^to^  Roatan.  There  I  had 
yards  distant,  and  .''"'"^^'"^^jy^^nd  sufficient  accom.nodat.on  for  any 
places  of  safety  against  an  enemy,  anas 

-ordinary  number  ot  friends.  ^j^    g^a  to  Roatan,  the 

The 'people  in  the  «*"«««  l^^'^^tra^d  being  as  much   afraid  of 

passage  not  exceeding  a  gun-shot  over ,««  ^tutiously  toward  the 

Kates  as  I  was  of  Spaniards  approached  vy  ,      ^^^^eir 

Jhore      I  then  came  down  to  the  beach,  show  ng     y  ^^^^  j  resolved 

'conduct  led  me  to  think  that  th^'y  ^^'^^ei  shot  to  inquire  who  they 
Sre  being  exposed  to  the  danger  of  ^he.rs         ^^^^^  ^^^.j^ 

wire.  If  they  proved  such  a  I  J'd  n^J^J  ^^^  ,g  j  eould  be  lay  on 
But  before  I  spoke,  they,  a«  f"»  ^^  "^PPJ^^^m  whence  I  came?  to  which 
their  oars,  and  demanded  who  I  was,  ana  iro.  ^^^^  p.rates.' 

I  repUed,  that  « I  was  an  ^^ngl^hmaU' ^jf^jjf X  ^^^  ^^^^  beside  my- 
On  this  they  drew  somewhat  nearer,  mqu  ring  according 

TeV?  when^I  assured  tben>,.n  retu^^^^j^^^^^^.^^ns  to  them,  they  said 
to  my  original  purpose,  bavmg  put  simuar  4  ^^^^  encouraged  me 

IheThad  come  from  the  Bay  of  Hondujas^  J^  ,  ^ij  ^^^^.,^  ^ome 
o  bid  them  row  asho^^'^J'^lll  advancedno  meet.  But  he  started 
d^^stance,  and  one  man  landed,  ^h^m  I  advanc  ^^^^^^^  object  so  near 

back  at  Ihe  sight  of  a  poor  ^Jgyd,  w'W  Jo^lo^  ^^^  ,y  ,^     ^^"^.'itor^'t 

d°K^w1  Khe:res%r :«  hi;  comrades  were  struck  with 


"-  ■fcjaiiiMiiiij'ji'iJlilJ^j'lJIJ'.'J 


re 


ving  gained  an  cx- 
L'vcral  hours,  until 
da  were  departing, 
ing  away  with  the 
an  English  vessel 
by  the  Spaniards. 

0  nearly  surprised, 
trunk,  within  a  foot 
ness  of  God,  though 

western  end  of  the 
severely  from  the 
.  This  island  is  not 
ire  or  six  days  of  my 
and  the  insects  were, 

at  my  old  habitation, 
oring  the  island;  and 

1  put  off  for  Roatan, 
nacco,  and  arrived  at 
ving,  alone,  for  about 
anion.— My  time  was 
d  ranging  among  the 

quay,  whither  I  often 

cts.  I  saw  two  canoes 

)bserved  the  smoke  of 

what  it  meant,  they 

at  Bonacco,  was  still 
of  such  another  firing, 
,  not  above  a  hundred 
Roatan.  There  I  had 
accommodation  for  any 

the  sea  to  Roatan,  the 
ing  as  much   afraid  of 

cautiously  toward  the 
nyself  openly;  for  their 

pirates,  and  I  resolved 
ot,  to  inquire  who  they 
,  I  could  easily  retire. 
I  as  I  could  be,  lay  on 
uence  I  came?  to  which 
un  away  from  pirates.'' 
lo  was  there  beside  iny- 
alone.     Next,  according 
ions  to  them,  they  said 
r  words  encouraged  me 
rly  did,  though  at  some 
to  meet.     But  he  started 
miserable  object  so  near 
le  by  the  hand,  and  we 
nd  woAder,  and  I  from  a 
took  me  in  his  arms,  and 
mrades  were  struck  with 


\ 


ADVENTURES  OF  PHILIP  A8HT0N. 


429 


astonishment  at  my  appearance;  but  they  gladly  roceivod  mo,  and  I 
experienced  great  tenderness  from  tiiem. 

1  gave  the  strangers  a  brief  account  of  my  escape  from  Low,  and  my 
lonely  residence  for  sixteen  months,  all  excepting  three  days,  tlie  hard'- 
ships  I  hud  suffered,  and  the  dangers  to  whicli  I  had  been  exposed. 
They  stood  amazed  at  the  recital;  they  wondered  I  was  alive,  and  ex- 
pressed much  satisfaction  at  being  able  to  relieve  mo.  Observing  me  very 
weak  and  depressed,  they  gave  me  about  a  spoonful  of  rum  to  recruit 
my  fainting  spirits;  but  even  this  small  ({uantity,  from  my  long  disusn  of 
strong  liquors,  threw  me  into  violent  agitation,  and  produced  a  kind  of 
stupor,  which  at  last  ended  in  privation  of  sense.  Some  of  tlio  party 
perceiving  a  state  of  insensibility  come  on,  would  have  administered  more 
rum,  which  those  better  skilled  among  them  prevented;  and  after  lying  a 
short  tin:c  in  a  fit,  I  revived.  Then  I  ascertained,  that  the  strangers  were 
eighteen  .'n  number,  the  chief  of  them  named  John  Hope,  an  old  man, 
called  Father  Hope,  by  his  companions,  and  John  Ford,  and  all  belonging 
to  the  Bay  of  Honduras.  The  cause  of  their  coming  hither,  was  an  alarm 
fur  an  attack  from  the  sea,  by  the  Spaniards,  while  the  Indians  should 
make  a  descent  by  land,  and  cut  off  the  Bay;  thus  they  had  fled  for  safety. 
On  a  former  occasion,  the  two  persons  above  named,  had  for  the  like 
reason,  taken  shelter  among  these  islands,  and  lived  four  years  at  a  time  on 
a  small  one,  named  Barbarat,  about  two  leagues  from  Roatan.  There 
they  had  two  plantations,  as  they  called  them;  and  now  they  brought 
two  barrels  of  flour,  with  other  provisions,  fire-arms,  dogs  for  hunting, 
and  nets  for  tortoise;  and  also  an  Indian  woman  to  dress  their  provisions. 
Their  principal  residence  was  a  small  key,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  round, 
lying  near  to  Barbarat,  and  named  by  them  the  Castle  of  Comfort,  chiefly 
because  it  was  low  and  clear  of  woods  and  bushes,  so  that  the  free  cir- 
culation of  wind  could  drive  away  the  pestiferous  musquitoes  and  other 
insects.  From  hence  they  sent  to  the  surrounding  islands  for  wood, 
water  and  materials  to  build  two  houses,  such  as  they  were,  for  shelter. 

I  now  had  the  prospect  of  a  much  more  agreeable  life  than  what  I  had 
spent  during  the  sixteen  months  past;  for,  beside  having  company,  the 
strangers  treated  me  with  a  great  deal  of  civility  in  their  way;  they 
clothed  me,  and  gave  me  a  large  wrapping  gown  as  a  defense  against 
the  nightly  dews,  until  their  houses  were  erected;  and  there  was  plenty 
of  provisions.  Yet  after  all,  they  were  bad  society;  and  as  to  their  com- 
mon conversation,  ther<;  was  but  little  difference  between  them  and 
pirates.  However,  it  did  not  appear  that  they  were  now  engaged  in  any 
such  evil  design  as  rendered  it  unlawful  to  join  them,  or  be  found  in  their 
company.  In  process  of  time,  and  with  the  assi-stance  afforded  by  my 
companions,  I  gathered  so  much  strength  as  sometimes  to  be  able  to  hunt 
along  with  them.  The  islands  abounded  with  wild  hogs,  deer  and  tortoise ; 
and  different  ones  were  visited  in  quest  of  game.  This  was  brought 
home,  where,  instead  of  being  immediately  consumed,  it  was  hung  up  to 
dry,  in  smoke,  so  as  to  be  a  ready  supply  at  all  times.  I  now  considered 
myself  beyond  the  reach  of  danger  from  an  enemy,  for,  independent  of 
supposing  that  nothing  could  bring  any  one  here,  I  was  surrounded  by  a 
number  of  men  with  arms  constantly  in  their  hands.  Yet,  at  the  very 
time  that  I  thought  myself  most  secure,  I  was  very  near  again  falling 
into  the  hands  of  pirates. 

Six  or  seven  months  after  the  strangers  joined  me,  three  of  them,  along 
with  myself,  took  a  four-oared  canoe,  for  the  purpose  of  hunting  and  killing 
tortoise  on  Bonacco.    During  our  absence  the  rest  repaired  their  canoes, 


480 


ADVENTURES  OF  PniLlP  A8HT0K. 


.4 


and  prepared  to  go  over  to  tlie  Bay  or  llondiirnn,  to  examine  how  matters 
stood  tlicro,  ami  bring oil'thnir  remaining etVectn, incase  it  wcredanDcrous 
to  icKirii.  Uiit  before  thoy  had  departed,  wo  were  on  our  voyage  home- 
ward, having  a  full  load  of  |>ork  and  tortoise,  as  our  object  was  succeHsfuily 
accompliHht'd.  While  entering  tho  mouth  of  the  harbor,  in  a  moonlight 
evening,  wo  saw  a  great  flash,  and  heard  a  report  much  louder  than  that 
of  a  musket,  proceeding  from  a  largo  pirogue,  which  we  observed  near 
the  Castle  of  (/omfurt.  This  put  us  in  extreme  consternation,  and  we 
knew  not  what  to  consider;  but  in  a  minute  wn  heard  a  volley  of  eighteen 
or  twenty  small  arms,  discharged  toward  the  shore,  and  also  some  re- 
turned from  it.  Satiiified  that  the  enemy,  either  Spaniards  or  pirates, 
waH  attacking  our  people,  and  being  intercepted  from  them  by  pirogues 
lying  between  uh  and  the  shore,  we  thought  the  safest  plan  was  trying  to 
escape.  Therefore,  taking  down  our  little  mast  and  nail,  that  they  might 
not  betray  us,  we  rowed  out  of  the  harbor  as  fast  as  possible,  toward  an 
island  about  a  mile  and  a  half  distant,  to  retreat  undiscovered.  But  the 
enemy  cither  having  seen  us  befoi'e  lowering  our  sail,  or  heard  tho  noise 
of  the  oars,  followed  with  all  speed,  in  an  eight  or  ten  oared  pirogue. 
Observing  her  approach,  and  fast  gaining  on  us,  we  rowed  with  all  our 
miglit  to  make  the  nearest  shore.  However,  she  was  at  length  enabled 
to  discharge  a  swivel,  the  shot  from  which  passed  over  our  canoe. 
Nevertheless,  wc  contrived  to  reach  the  shore  before  being  completely 
within  the  range  of  small  arms,  which  our  pursuers  discharged  on  us 
while  landing. 

They  were  now  near  enough  to  cry  aloud  that  they  were  pirates,  and 
not  Spaniards,  and  that  wo  need  not  dread  them,  as  wc  should  get  good 
quarter;  thence  supposing  that  we  should  be  the  easier  induced  to  sur- 
render. Yet  nothing  could  have  been  said  to  discourage  me  more  from 
putting  myself  in  their  power;  I  had  the  utmost  dread  of  a  pirate,  and 
my  original  aversion  was  now  enhanced,  by  the  apprehension  of  being 
sacrificed  for  my  former  desertion.  Thus,  concluding  to  keep  as  clear  of 
them  as  I  could,  and  the  Honduras  Bay  men  liaving  no  great  inclination  to 
do  otherwise,  wo  made  the  best  of  our  way  to  tho  woods.  Our  pursuers 
carried  off  the  canoe,  with  all  its  contents,  resolving,  if  wo  would  not  go 
to  them,  to  deprive  us,  as  far  as  possible,  of  all  means  of  subsistence 
where  we  were.  But  it  gave  me,  who  had  known  both  want  ond  solitude, 
little  concern,  now  that  I  had  company,  and  there  were  arms  among  us  to 
procure  provision,  and  also  fire  wherewith  to  dress  it.  Our  assailants 
were  some  men  belonging  to  Spriggs,  my  former  commander,  who  had 
thrown  off  his  allegiance  to  Low,  and  set  up  for  himself  at  the  head  of  a 
gang  of  pirates,  with  a  good  ship  of  twenty-four  guns,  and  a  sloop  of 
twelve,  both  presently  lying  in  Roatan  harbor.  He  had  put  in  for  fresh 
water,  and  to  refit,  at  the  place  where  I  first  escaped;  and,  having  dis- 
covered my  companions  at  the  small  island  of  their  retreat,  sent  a  pirogue 
full  of  men  to  take  them.  Accordingly  they  carried  all  ashore,  as  also 
a  child  and  an  Indian  woman;  the  last  of  whom  they  shamefully  abused. 
They  killed  a  man  afler  landing,  and  throwing  him  into  one  of  the  canoes 
containing  tar,  set  it  on  fire,  and  burnt  his  body  in  it.  Then  they  carried 
the  people  on  board  of  their  vessels,  where  they  were  barbarously  treated. 
One  of  them  turned  pirate,  however,  and  told  the  others  that  John  Hope 
had  hid  many  things  in  the  woods;  therefore,  they  beat  him  unmercifully 
to  make  him  discloses  {iis  treasure,  which  they  carried  off  with  them. 

After  the  pirates'  had  kept  these  people  five  days  on  board  of  their 
veuelB,  they  gave  them  a  flit  of  five  or  lix  tons,  to  carry  them  to  the  Bay 


|cx»mino  how  mattera 

aao  it  wcrn  daiiseroua 

on  our  voyngo  homc- 

tjcct  waa  aucceHHfully 

|iarbor,  in  a  moonlight 

uch  loudor  than  that 

Ich  wo  obaorvcd  near 

onatornntion,  and  wc 

d  a  volley  of  eighteen 

R,  and  also  aomc  re- 

Spaniarda  or  pirates, 

otn  them  by  pirogues 

est  plan  was  trying  to 

d  nail,  that  they  might 

aH  possible,  toward  an 

idiscovercd.     But  the 

lail,  or  heard  the  noise 

or  ten  oared  pirogue. 

ve  rowed  with  all  our 

was  at  length  enabled 

ssed   over  our   canoe, 

foro  being  completely 

lers  discharged  on  us 

they  were  pirates,  and 
as  wo  should  get  good 
easier  induced  to  sur- 
couragc  me  more  from 
dread  of  a  pirate,  and 
apprehension  of  being 
ding  to  keep  as  clear  of 
g  no  great  inclination  to 
woods.  Our  pursuers 
ing,  if  wo  would  not  go 
1  means  of  subsistence 
both  want  and  solitude, 
were  arms  among  us  to 
ess  it.  Our  assailants 
r  commander,  who  had 
limself  at  the  head  of  a 
■  guns,  and  a  sloop  of 
le  had  put  in  for  fresh 
aped;  and,  having  dis- 
r  retreat,  sent  a  pirogue 
ried  all  ashore,  as  also 
hey  shamefully  abused. 
n  into  one  of  the  canoes 
it.  Then  they  carried 
ere  barbarously  treated, 
others  that  John  Hope 
'  beat  him  unmercifully 
Eirried  oiT  with  them, 
days  on  board  of  their 
)  carry  them  to  the  Bay 


ADVENTUUEa  OP  PHILIP  A8HT0N. 


431 


of  Honduras,  but  no  kind  of  provision  for  thn  voyage ;  and  further,  boforn 
diimissal,  compelled  them  to  swear  that  tiioy  would  not  roinn  near  mo 
and  my  party,  who  had  escaped  to  another  iMiand.  While  the  vessels 
rode  in  the  hnrlK>r,  we  k(>pt  a  good  look-out,  but  were  «xpos('<l  to  soinn 
diflicuities,  from  not  daring  (o  kindlo  a  lire  to  dress  our  victuals,  l<>st  our 
residence  should  bo  betrayed.  Tlius  we  lived  for  6vo  days,  on  raw 
proviriioiis, — As  soon  as  they  sailed,  however,  Hope,  little  regnrding  the 
oath  extorted  from  him,  came  and  informed  us  of  what  had  passed;  and 
1  could  not,  for  my  own  part,  be  HulHcicntly  grateful  to  Providence  for 
escaping  the  hands  of  the  pirates,  who  would  have  put  me  to  a  cruel 
death. 

Hope  and  all  his  people,  except  John  Symonds,  now  resolved  to  make 
their  way  to  the  Bay.  Hymonds,  wiio  had  a  negro,  wislicd  to  ntnain 
some  time  for  the  purpose  of  trading  witii  tiin  J.imaica  men  on  tin  nmin. 
But  thinking  my  best  chance  of  getting  to  New  Kiiglund  wns  tVoiii  the 
Bay  of  Honduras,  i  rcMiuested  Hope  to  take  ine  witli  iiiiii.  'I'Ik!  old  man, 
though  he  would  gladly  have  done  so,  advanced  many  olijtutions,  such 
as  thn  insufliciency  of  the  tlat  to  carry  ho  many  men  hcv(  nty  lengiies; 
that  tlioy  had  no  provisions  for  thi;  passage,  which  iiiiglit  Ix^  tcilious;  and 
the  tlat  was,  Ijcside,  ill  calculated  to  stand  the  sea;  n.s  also,  tiiat  it  was 
uncertain  how  matters  miglit  turn  out  at  the  Bay:  thus  he  tlionglit  it  better 
for  me  to  remain;  yet  rather  than  I  should  ho  in  solitude,  he  would  take  me 
in.  Symonds,  on  the  other  hand,  ur;.'c(l  rno  to  r<tay  and  hear  him  company, 
and  gave  several  reasons  why  I  should  more  likely  obtain  a  passage  from 
the  Jamaica  men  to  New  Kn^'land,  than  by  the  Bay  of  Honduras.  As 
this  seemed  a  fairer  prosp'.ct  of  reacliing  my  home,  wliicli  I  was  cx- 
trotnely  anxious  to  do,  I  assented;  and,  having  thanked  Ho[)e  and  his 
companions  for  their  civilities,  I  took  leave  of  them,  and  they  departed. 
Symonds  was  provided  with  a  canoe,  fire-arms,  and  two  dogs,  in  addition 
to  his  negro,  by  which  means  he  felt  confident  of  being  able  to  provide 
all  that  was  necessary  for  our  subsistence.  We  spent  two  or  three  months 
aflor  the  usual  manner,  ranging  from  island  to  island,  but  the  prevalence 
of  the  winter  rains  precluded  us  from  obtaining  more  game  than  wo 
required. 

Wiien  the  season  for  the  Jamaica  traders  approached,  Symonds  pro- 
posed repairing  to  some  other  island  to  obtain  a  quantity  of  tortoise  shell 
which  he  could  exchange  for  clothes  and  shoes;  and,  being  successful 
in  this  respect,  we  next  proceeded  to  Bonacco,  which  lies  near  the  main, 
that  we  might  thence  take  a  favorable  opportunity  to  run  over.  Having 
been  a  short  time  at  Bonacco,  a  furious  tempest  arose,  and  continued  for 
three  days,  when  we  saw  several  vessels  standing  in  for  the  harbor. 
The  largest  of  them  anchored  at  a  great  distance,  but  a  brigantine  came 
ovor  the  shoals  opposite  to  the  watering-place,  and  sent  her  boat  ashore 
▼ith  casks.  Recognizing  three  people  who  wore  in  the  boat,  by  their 
dress  and  appearance,  for  Englishmen,  I  concluded  they  were  friends, 
and  showed  myself  openly  on  the  beach  before  them.  They  ceased 
rowing  immediately  on  observing  me,  and,  after  answering  their  inquiries 
of  who  I  was,  I  put  the  same  questions,  saying  they  might  come  ashore 
with  safety.  They  did  so,  and  a  happy  meeting  it  was  for  me.  I  now 
found  that  the  vessels  were  a  fleet,  under  convoy  of  the  Diamond  man-of- 
war,  bound  for  Jamaica;  but  many  ships  had  parted  company  in  the  storm. 
Tne  Diamond  had  sent  in  the  brigantine  to  get  water  here,  as  the  sickneu 
of  her  crew  had  occasioned  a  great  consumption  of  that  necessary 
article. 


.    HI  IMMtll 


48S 


ADVENTURES  OF  PHILIP  ASHTON. 


Symonds,  who  had  kept  at  a  distance,  lest  the  three  men  might  hesitate 
to  come  ashore,  at  length  approached  to  participate  in  my  joy,  though,  at 
tlie  same  time,  testifying  considerable  reluctance  at  the  prospect  of  my 
leaving  him.  The  brigantine  was  commanded  by  Captain  Dove,  with 
whom  I  was  acquainted,  and  she  belonged  to  Salem,  within  three  miles 
of  my  father's  bouse.  Captain  Dove  not  only  treated  roe  with  great 
civility,  and  engaged  to  give  me  a  passage  home,  but  took  me  into  pay, 
having  lost  a  seaman,  whose  place  he  wanted  me  to  supply.  Next  day, 
the  Diamond  having  sent  her  long-boat  with  casks  for  water,  they  were 
filled ;  and  after  taking  leave  of  Symonds,  who  shod  tears  at  parting,  I  was 
carried  on  board  of  tlic  brigantine. 

Wc  sailed  along  with  the  Diamond,  which  was  bound  for  Jamaica,  on 
the  latter  end  of  March,  1726,  and  kept  company  until  the  first  of  April. 
By  the  providence  of  Heaven  wo  passed  safely  through  the  Gulf  of  Florida, 
and  reached  Salem  Harbor  on  the  first  of  May,  two  years,  ten  months  and 
fifteen  days  after  I  was  first  taken  by  pirates;  and  two  years  and  two 
months,  after  making  my  escape  from  them  on  Roatan  Island..  Thai 
same  evening  I  went  to  my  father's  house,  where  I  was  received  as  one 
risen  from  the  dead. 


li 


iiyjii)|j|i;u!.i.i.  j  l««tg  ^1  'nm  ,'>>■  V'i-f -l^t'.J^V'i'.' ,''  "a^s?yy^^-^.'i4i!^>K?'''*-- 


\ 


IHTON. 

three  men  might  hesitate 
pale  in  my  joy,  though,  at 
nee  at  the  prospect  of  my 
i  by  Captain  Dove,  with 
3alem,  within  three  miles 
ly  treated  roe  with  great 
ne,  but  took  me  into  pay, 
me  to  supply.  Next  day, 
casks  for  water,  they  were 
jhcd  tears  at  parting,  I  was 

1,09  bound  for  Jamaica,  on 
any  until  the  first  of  April, 
hrough  the  Gulf  of  Florida, 

two  vears,  ten  months  and 
s;  and  two  years  and  two 

I  on  Roatan  Island..  IM* 
here  I  was  received  as  one 


SHIFWBECK 


OF  THB 


FRENCH   FRIGATE  MEDUSA: 

THK  0FFICKE8.  WHO  8BARED  TH«  UNSPRAKABL.  MiatRlM  0»  A  EAFT  FULL  Or  HU  SAILOIS 
AND  PAaSKNOKES  WHO  WEEK  WCBDOBB  TO  TH*  NSOWBITT  Of 

FEEDING  UPON  THE  CORPSES  OF  THEIR  COMPANIONS. 


Early  on  the  morning  of  the  22d  of  June,  1816,  we  were  on  our  way 
to  the  boats  th.t  were  to  lonvey  us  on  board  the  Medusa  which  was  "dmg 
at  anchor  off  the  island  of  Aix,  on  the  western  coast  of  France  We  soon 
arrived  at  the  place  of  embarkation,  where  we  found  seme  of J>ur  felk* 
passengers,  who,  like  myself,  seemed  casting  a  last  look  to  heaven  while 
we  wefe  yet  on  the  French  soil.  When  we  got  on  board  we  found  our 
berths  not  provided  for  us,  consequently  were  obliged  to  ^«"»^"»  i°°'«- 
criminately  together  till  next  day.  Our  family,  which  consisted  of  nine 
persons,  was  placed  in  a  berth  near  the  main-deck.  As  the  wind  was 
still  contrary,  we  lay  at  anchor  for  several  days. 

On  the  17th  of  June,  at  four  in  the  morning,  we  set  sail,  as  did  the 
whole  expedition,  which  consisted  of  the  Medusa  frigate,  the  Loire  store- 
ship,  the  Argus  brig,  and   the  Echo  corvette.     The  wind   being  very 
faio  able,  we%oon  lost  sight  of  the  green  fields  of  I'Aums.     At  six  in 
1  c  morn  ng,  however,  the  island  of  Rhe  still  appeared  above  the  horizon. 
We^xed  our  eyes  upon  it  with  regret,  to  salute  for  the  last  time  our 
dear  country.     Now,  imagine  the  ship  borne  aloft,  ^"^  surrounded  by 
huge  mountains  of  water,  which  at  one  moment  tossed  it  in  the  air,  Mid 
at  Lother  plunged  it  into  the  profound  abyss.    The  waves,  "ised  by  a 
stormy  northwelt  breeze,  came  dashing  m  a  horrible  manner  against  the 
sides  of  our  ship.     I  know  not  whether  it  was  a  presentiment  of  the 
misfortune  which  menaced  us  that  had  made  me  pass  the  preceding  night 
in  the  most  cruel  inquietude.    In  my  agitation  I  sprung  upon  deck  and 
contemplated  with  horror  the  frigate  winging  its  vvay  upon  the  waters. 
The  winds  pressed  against  the  sails  with  great  violence,  strained  and 
whistled  among  the  cordage,  and  the  great  hulk  of  wood  seemed  to  split 
Tvery  time  the  surge  brokl  upon  its  sides. .  On  looking  a  httle  out  to  sea 
I  perceived,  at  no  great  distance  on  our  right,  all  the  other  ships  of  he 
expedition,  which  quieted  me  mn  h.    Toward  ten  in  the  "lonrning   he 
wind  changed ;  immediately  an  appa^iing  cry  was  heard,  concerning  whu-b 
the  passengers,  as  well  as  myself,  were  equally  ignorant.     The  who*^ 
crew  were  in  motion.    Some  climbed  the  rope  ladders,  and  seemed  to 
perch  on  the  extremities  of  the  yards;  others  mounted  to  the  highest  parts 
of  the  masts;  these  bellowing  and  pulling  certain  cordages  in  cadence ; 
those  crying,  swearing,  whistling,  and  filling  the  air  with  barbarous  and 
unknown  sounds.  The  officer  on  duty,  in  his  turn,  roared  out  these  words, 
starboard!  larboard!  hoist!  luff!  tack!  which  the  helmsmaB  repeated 
28  ^^^^ 


m 


484     SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 

in  the  same  tone.  All  this  hubbub,  however,  produced  its  effect:  the 
yards  were  turned  on  their  pivots,  the  sails  set,  the  cordage  t.gh  ened 
lad  the  unfortunate  sea-boys  having  received  their  lesson  descended  to 
the  deck.  Everything  remained  tranquil,  except  that  the  waves  still 
roared,  and  the  masts  continued  their  creaking  However,  the  smIs  were 
swelled,  the  winds  less  violent,  though  favorable,  and  the  manner,  while 
he  carolled  his  song,  aaid  he  had  a  noble  voyage.  .  „     p    ,  ^c 

On  the  28th  of  June,  at  six  in  the  morning,  we  discovered  the  Peak  of 
Teneriffe  toward  the  south,  the  summit  of  whose  cone  seemed  lost  among 
the  clouds.     We  were  then  distant  about  two  leagues,  which  we  made  m 
ess  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour.     At  ten  o'clock  we  brought  to  before  the 
own  of  St.  Croix.     Several  officers  got  leave  to  go  on  shore  to  procure 
refreshments.     While  these  gentlemen  were  away,  a  certain  passenger, 
mer^bel^^o?  the  self-instituted  Philanthropic  Society  of  Cape  Verd  sug- 
gested that  it  was  very  dangerous  to  remain  where  ««  were,  adding  that 
he  was  well  acquainted  with  the  country,  and  had  navigated  in  all  these 
latitudes.     M.  Le  Roy  Lachaumareys,  captain  of  the  Medusa,  believing 
the  pretended  knowledge  of  the  intriguing  Richefort,  gave  hiin  the  com- 
mand of  the  frigate.    Various  officers  of  the  navy  represented  to  the 
captain  how  shameful  it  was  to  put  such  confidence  in  a  stranger,  and 
that  they  would  never  obey  a  man  who  had  no  character  as  a  commander. 
The  captain  despised  these  wise  remonstrances ;  and,  using  his  authority, 
commanded  the  pilots  and  the  crew  to  obey  Richefort ;  saying  he  was  king, 
since  the  orders  of  the  king  were  that  they  should  obey  him.     Immedi- 
ately the  impostor,  desirous  of  displaying  his  great  skill  '".navigation 
made  them  change  the  route  for  no  purpose  but  that  of  showing  his  skdl 
in  maneuvering  a  ship.     Every  instant  he  changed  the  tack,  went,  came 
and  returned,  and  approached  the  very  reefs,  as  if  to  brave  them.     In 
short,  he  beal  about  so  much  that  the  sailors  at  length  refused  to  obey 
him,  saying  boldly  that  he  was  a  vile  impostor.     But  it  was  done.     The 
man  had  gained  the  confidence  of  Captain  Lachaumareys,  who,  ignorant 
of  navigation  himself,  was  doubtless  glad  to  get  some  one  to  undertake 
his  dut^     But  it  must  be  told,  that  this  blind  and  inept  confidence  was 
the  sole  cause  of  the  loss  of  the  Medusa  frigate,  as  well  as  of  all  the 
crimes  consequent  upon  it.  „  ,      .    j  u  .„ 

Toward  three  in  the  afternoon,  those  officers  who  had  gone  on  shore 
in  the  morning,  returned  on   board  loaded  with  vegetables,  fruits  and 
flowers      They  laughed  heartily  at  the  maneuvers  that  had  been  going 
on  during  their  absence,  which  doubtless  did  not  please  the  captain,  who 
flattered  himself  he  had  already  found  in  this  pilot  Richefort  a  good  and 
able  seaman;  such  were  his  wor(js.     At  four  m  the  afternoon  he  took  a 
southerly  direction.  M.  Richefort Vhen  beaming  with  exultation  for  having, 
as  he  said,  saved  the   Medusa  from   certain  shipwreck,  continued   to 
«ive  his  pernicious  counsels  to  Captain  Lachaumareys,  persuaded  him 
he  had  been  often  employed  to  explore  the.phores  of  Africa,  and  that  he 
was  perfectly  well  acquainted  with  the  Afguine  Bank.     On  the  1st  of 
July  we  recognized  Cape  Bojador,  and  then  saw  the  shores  of  Sahara. 
Toward  ten  in  the  morning  they  set  about  the  frivolous  ceremony  which 
the  sailors  have  invented  for  the  purpose  of  exacting  something  from  those 
passengers  who  have  never  crossed  the  line.     During  the  ceremony  the 
frigate   doubled   Cape   Barbaif,  hastening  to   ,ts ^ destruction.     Captam 
Lathaumareys  very  good  humoredly  presided  at  »»"«  «P««'«7'^.'iKS; 
while  his  dear  Richefort  promenaded  the  forecastle,  and  looked  with 
indifference  upon  a  shore  bristling  with  danger.     However  that  may  be. 


53-S»#*fea*^* 


r:£v:;sm^sem 


[EDUSA. 

ccd  its  cffoct:  the 
cordage  tightenod, 
3Son,  descended  to 
lat  the  waves  still 
2ver,  the  s'.iis  were 
the  mariner,  while 

overed  the  Peak  of 
seemed  lost  among 
,  which  we  made  in 
rought  to  before  the 
Dn  shore  to  procure 
,  certain  passenger, 
of  Cape  Verd,  sug- 
e  were,  adding  that 
ivigated  in  all  these 
1  Medusa,  believing 
,  gave  him  the  corn- 
represented  to  the 
3  in  a  stranger,  and 
ter  as  a  commander. 
,  using  his  authority, 
;  saying  he  was  king, 
obey  him.     Immedi- 
skill  in  navigation, 
of  showing  his  skill 
he  tack,  went,  came, 
to  brave  them.     In 
gth  refused  to  obey 
t  it  was  done.     The 
areys,  who,  ignorant 
le  one  to  undertake 
inept  confidence  was 
.3  well  as  of  all  the 

)  had  gone  on  shore 
egetables,  fruits  and 
that  had  been  going 
!ase  the  captain,  who 
lichefort  a  good  and 
!  afternoon  he  took  a 
exultation  for  having, 
wreck,  continued  to 
ireys,  persuaded  him 
)f  Africa,  and  that  he 
Jank.  On  the  1st  of 
the  shores  of  Sahara, 
lous  ceremony  which 
something  from  those 
ing  the  ceremony  the 
destruction.  Captain 
is  species  of  baptism, 
itle,  and  looked  with 
lowever  that  may  be. 


8HIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


435 


all  passed  on  well ;  nay,  it  may  be  even  said  that  the  farce  was  well  played 
otl".  But  the  route  whicii  we  pursued  soon  made  us  forget  the  sliort- 
livcd  happiness  we  had  experienced.  Every  one  began  to  observe  the 
sudden  change  which  liad  taken  place  in  the  color  of  the  sea,  as  we  ran 
upon  a  bank  in  shallow  water.  A  general  murmur  rose  among  tiie  pas- 
sengers and  officers  of  the  navy — they  were  far  from  partaking  in  the 
blind  confidence  of  the  captain. 

On  the  2d  of  July,  at  five  in  the  morning,  the  captain  was  persuaded 
that  a  large  cloud,  which  was  discovered  in  the  direction  of  Cape  Bianco, 
was  that  cape  itself.  After  this  pretended  discovery,  they  ought  to  have 
steered  to  the  west,  for  about  fifty  leagues,  to  have  gained  sea-room  to 
double  with  certainty  the  Arguin  bank ;  moreover,  they  ought  to  have 
conformed  to  the  instructions  which  the  Minister  of  Marine  had  given  to 
the  ships  which  set  out  for  Senegal.  The  other  part  of  the  expedition, 
from  having  followed  these  instructions,  arrived  in  safety  at  their  desti- 
nation. During  the  preceding  night  the  Echo,  which  had  hitherto  accom- 
panied the  Medusa,  made  several  signals,  but  being  replied  to  with  con- 
tempt abandoned  us.  Toward  ten  in  the  morning,  the  danger  which 
threatened  us  was  again  represented  to  the  captain,  and  he  was  strongly 
urged,  if  he  wished  to  avoid  the  Arguin  bank,  to  take  a  westerly  course  ; 
but  the  advice  was  again  neglected,  and  he  despised  the  predictions. 
One  of  the  officers  of  the  frigate,  from  having  wished  to  expose  the 
intriguing  Richefort,  was  put  under  arrest.  My  father,  who  had  already 
twice  made  the  voyage  to  Senegal,  and  who,  with  various  persons,  was 
persuaded  they  were  going  right  upon  the  bank,  also  made  his  observa- 
tions to  the  unfortunate  pilot.  His  advice  was  no  better  received  than 
that  of  others.  Richefort,  in  the  sweetest  tone,  replied.  "My  dear,  we 
know  our  business ;  attend  to  yours,  and  be  quiet.  I  have  already  twice 
passed  the  Arguin  bank:  I  have  sailed  upon  the  Red  Sea,  and  you  see  I 
am  not  drowned."  What  reply  could  be  made  to  such  a  preposterous 
speech?  My  father,  seeing  it  was  impossible  to  get  our  route  changed, 
resolved  to  trust  to  providence  to  free  us  from  our  danger,  and  descended 
to  our  cabin,  where  he  sought  to  dissipate  his  fears  in  the  oblivion  of 
sleep. 

At  noon,  on  the  2d  of  July,  soundings  were  taken.  M.  Maudet,  ensign 
of  the  watch,  was  convinced  we  were  upon  the  edge  of  the  Arguin  bank. 
The  captain  said  to  him,  as  well  as  to  every  one,  that  there  was  no  cause 
of  alarm.  In  the  meanwhile,  the  wind  blowing  with  great  violence, 
impelled  us  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  danger  which  menaced  us.  A  species 
of  stupor  overpowered  all  our  spirits,  and  every  one  preserved  a  mournful 
silence,  as  if  they  were  persuaded  we  would  soon  touch  the  bank.  The 
color  of  the  water  entirely  changed,  a  circumstance  even  remarked  by  the 
ladies.  About  three  in  the  afternoon,  a  universal  cry  was  heard  upon  deck. 
All  declared  they  saw  sand  rolling  among  the  ripples  of  the  sea.  The 
captain  in  an  instant  ordered  to  sound.  The  line  gave  eighteen  fathoms ; 
but  on  a  second  sounding  it  only  gave  six.  He  at  last  saw  his  error,  and 
hesitated  no  longer  on  changing  his  route,  but  it  was  too  late.  A  strong 
concussion  told  us  the  frigate  had  struck.  Terror  and  consternation  were 
instantly  depicted  on  every  face.  The  crew  stood  motionless ;  the  pas- 
sengers in  utter  despair.  In  the  midst  of  this  general  panic,  cries  of  ven- 
geance were  heard  against  the  principal  author  of  our  misfortunes,  wishing 
to  throw  him  overboard;  but  some  generous  persons  interposed,  and 
endeavored  to  calm  their  spirits  by  diverting  their  attention  to  the  means 
;>f  our  safety.    The  confusion  was  already  so  great,  that  M.  Poinsignon, 


I 


436 


SHIPWRECK  OP  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


commandant  of  a  troop,  struck  my  sister  Caroline  a  severe  blow,  doubt- 
less thinking  it  was  one  of  his  soldiers.  At  this  crisis  my  father  was 
buried  in  profound  sleep,  but  he  quickly  awoke,  the  cries  and  the  tumult 
upon  deck  having  informed  him  of  our  misfortunes.  He  poured  out  a 
thousand  reproaches  on  those  whose  ignorance  and  boasting  had  oeen  so 
disastrous  to  us.  However,  they  set  about  the  means  of  averting  our 
danger.  The  officers,  with  an  altered  voice,  issued  their  orders,  expecting 
every  moment  to  see  the  ship  go  in  pieces.  They  strove  to  lighten  her, 
but  the  sea  was  very  rough  and  the  current  strong.  Much  time  was  lost 
in  doing  nothing;  they  only  pursued  half  measures,  and  all  of  them 
unfortunately  failed. 

When  it  was  discovered  that  the  danger  of  the  Medusa  was  not  so 
great  as  was  at  first  supposed,  various  persons  proposed  to  transport  the 
troops  to  the  island  of  Arguin,  which  was  conjectured  to  be  not  far  from 
the  place  where  we  lay  aground.     Others  advised  to  take  us  all  succes- 
sively to  the  coast  of  the  Desert  of  Sahara  by  the  means  of  our  boats,  and 
with  provisions  sufficient  to  form  a  caravan,  to  reach  the  island,  of  St. 
Louis,  at  Senegal.     M.  Schmaltz,  the  governor,  suggested  the  making 
of  a  raft  of  sufficient  size  to  carry  two  hundred  men,  with  provisions: 
which  latter  plan  was  seconded  by  the  two  officers  of  the  frigate,  and  put 
in  execution.     The  fatal  raft  was  then  begun  to  be  constructed,  which 
would,  they  said,  carry  provisions  for  every  one.     Masts,  planks,  boards, 
and  cordage,  were  thrown  overboard.     Two  officers  were  charged  with 
the  framing  of  these  together.     Large  barrels  were  emptied  and  placed 
at  the  angles  of  the  machine,  and  the  workmen  were  taught  to  say  that 
the  passengers  would  be  in  greater  security  there,  and  more  at  their  ease, 
than  in  the  boats.     However,  as  it  was  forgotten  to  erect  rails,  every  one 
supposed,  and  with  reason,  that  those  who  had  given  the  plan  of  the  raft, 
had  no  design  of  embarking  upon  it  themselves.     When  it  was  completed, 
tiic  two  chief  officers  of  the  frigate  publicly  promised,  that  all  the  boats 
woulJ  tow  it  to  the  shores  of  the  Desert ;  and,  when  there,  stores  of 
provisions  and  firearms  would  be  given  us  to  form  a  caravan  to  take  us 
all  to  Senegal.     If  these  promises  had  been  fulfilled,  every  one  would 
have  been  saved,  and  humanity  would  not  now  have  had  to  deplore  the 
scenes  of  horror  consequent  on  the  wreck  of  the  Medusa!     On  the  third 
of  July  the  eilbrts  were  renewed  to  disengage  the  frigate,  but  without 
success.     Wo  then  prepared  to  quit  her.     The  sea  became  very  rough, 
and  the  wind  blew  with  great  violence.     Nothing  now  was  heard  but  the 
plaintive  and  confused  cries  of  a  multitude,  consisting  of  more  than  four 
hundred  persons,  who,  seeing  death  before  their  eyes,  deplored  their 
hard  fate  in  bitter  lamentations.     On  the  4th  there  was  a  glimpse  of  hope. 
At  the  hour  the  tide  flowed,  the  frigate,  being  considerably  lightened  by 
all  that  had  been  thrown  overboard,  was  found  nearly  afloat ;  and  it  is 
very  certain,  if  on  that  day  they  had  thrown  the  artillery  into  the  water, 
the  Medusa  would  have  been  saved ;  but  M.  Lachaumareys  said  he  could 
not  thus  sacrifice  the  king^s  cannon,  as  if  the  frigate  did  not  belong  to 
the  king  also.     However,  the  sea  ebbed,  and  the  ship  sinking  into  the 
sand  deeper  than  ever,  made  them  relinquish  that  on  which  depended  our 
last  ray  of  hope.     On  the  approach  of  night  the  fury  of  the  winds  redoubled, 
and  the  sea  became  very  rough.     The  frigate  then  received  some  tremen- 
dous concussions,  and  the  water  rushed  into  the  hold  in  the  most  terrific 
manner,  but  the  pumps  would  not  work.     We  had  now  no  alternative 
but  to  abandon  her  for  the  frail  boats,  which  any  single  wave  would 
overwhelm.     Frightful  gulfs  environed  us ;  mountains  of  water  raised 


£:agMljM».jifes-:SR.ty^^^featg7iy«8g*agg:^^ 


[EDU8A. 

ere  blow,  doubt- 
3  my  father  was 
B3  and  the  tumult 
tie  poured  out  a 
Bting  had  been  so 
i  of  averting  our 
orders,  expecting 
)ve  to  lighten  her, 
uch  time  was  lost 
,  and  all  of  them 

edusa  was  not  so 
d  to  transport  the 
to  be  not  far  from 
take  us  all  succes- 
is  of  our  boats,  and 
I  the  island,  of  St. 
Jested  the  making 
n,  with  provisions: 
the  frigate,  and  put 
constructed,  which 
ists,  planks,  boards, 

were  charged  with 
emptied  and  placed 
e  taught  to  say  that 
1  more  at  their  ease, 
rect  rails,  every  one 
the  plan  of  the  raft, 
en  it  was  completed, 
)d,  that  all  the  boats 
hen  there,  stores  of 
I  caravan  to  take  us 
ed,  every  one  would 
te  had  to  deplore  the 
Bdusa!    On  the  third 
I  frigate,  but  without 
I  became  very  rough, 
ow  was  heard  but  the 
ing  of  more  than  four 

eyes,  deplored  their 
irasa  glimpse  of  hope. 
)iderably  lightened  by 
early  afloat ;  and  it  is 
rtillery  into  the  water, 
umareys  said  he  could 
5ate  did  not  belong  to 

ship  sinking  into  the 
m  which  depended  our 
of  the  winds  redoubled, 
received  some  tremen- 
lold  in  the  most  terrific 
ad  now  no  alternative 
ny  single  wave  would 
.ntains  of  water  raised 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA.  437 

their  liquid  summits  in  the  distance.     How  were  we  to  escape  so  many 
dangers?     Whither  could  we  go?     What  hospitable  land  would  receive 

"Ylv  'fiuiier  pe\ceived  my  distress,  but  how  could  he  console  me?  What 
words  could  calm  my  fears,  and  place  mo  above  the  apprehension  of  those 
dangers  to  which  we  were  exposed?    How,  m  a  word,  could  I  assume  a 
serele  appearance,  when  friends,  parents  and  all  that  was  mos    dear  to 
me,  werJ,  in  all  human  probability,  on  the  very  verge  of  deftru^t  on? 
Alas!  my  fears  were  but  too  well  founded.     For  I  soon  perceived  that, 
altlioueh  we  were  the  only  ladies,  beside  the  Misses  Schmaltz,  who  formed 
a  partTthe  governor's  suite,  they  had  the  barbarity  of  mtending  our 
family  to  embark  upon  the  raft,  where  were  only  soldiers,  sailors,  planters 
of  Cape  Verd,  and  some  gene'rous  officers,  who  had  not  the  honor  (if  it 
could  be  accounted  one)  of  being  considered  among  the  jgnorant  confi- 
dants of  MM.  Schmaltz  and  Lachaumareys.     My  father,  indignant  at  a 
proceeding  so  indecorous,  swore  we  would  not  embark  upon  the  raft, 
and  that,  if  we  were  not  judged  worthy  of  a  p  ace  in  one  of  the  six  boats 
he  would  himself,  his  wife  and  children,  remain  on  board  the  wreck  of  the 
frigate.     The  tone  in  which  he  spoke  these  words  was  that  of  a  man 
efolute  to  avenge  any  insult  that  might  be  offered  to  hira.     The  governor 
of  Senegal,  doubtless  fearing  the  world  would  one  day  reproach  h.m  for 
his  inhumanity,  decided  we  should  have  a  place  in  one  of  the  boa^s^ 
This  having  in  some  measure  quieted  our  fears  concerning  our  unfortunate 
situation,  I  was  desirous  of  taking  some  repose,  but  the  uproar  among  the 
crew  was  so  great  I  could  not  obtain  it.  ~       ~  ,      -c 

Toward  midnight  a  passenger  came  to  inquire  of  my  father  if  we  were 
disposed  to  depart;  he  replied,  we  had  been  forbidden  to  go  yet.  However 
we  were  soon  convinced  that  a  great  part  of  the  crew  and  various  pas- 
sengers were  secretly  preparing  to  set  off  in  the  boats.  A  .conduct  so 
perfidious  could  not  fail  to  alarm  us,  especially  VlP^nrZied  bul 
those  so  eager  to  embark  unknown  to  us,  several  who  had  promised,  but 
a  little  while  before,  nut  to  go  without  us.  .     i    •    .    ♦!„ 

M  Schmaltz,  to  prevent  that  which  was  going  on  upon  deck,  instantly 
rose  to  endeavor  to  quiet  their  minds ;  but  the  soldiers  had  already  assumed 
a  threatening  attitude,  and  holding  cheap  the  words  ot  their  commander, 
swore  they  would  fire  upon  whosoever  attempted  to  depart  in  a  clandes- 
tine manner.     The  firmness  of  these  brave  men  produced  the  desired 
effect,  and  all  was  restored  to  order.     The  governor  returned  to  his  cabin, 
and  those  who  were  desirous  of  departing  furtively  were  confused  and 
covered  with  shame.    The  governor,  however,  was  'U  at  ease ;  and  as  he 
had  heard  very  distinctly  certain  energetic  words  which  had  been  addressed 
to  him,  he  judged  it  proper  to  assemble  a  council.     All  the  officers  and 
pas  engers\4g  collected,  M.  Schmaltz  there  solemnly  swore   before 
them  not  to  abandon  the  raft,  and  a  second  time  promised  that  al   the 
S  would  tow  it  to  the  shore  of  the  desert,  where  they  would  all  be 
formed  into  a  caravan.     I  confess  this  conduct  of  the  governor  greatly 
satisfied  every  member  of  our  family;  for  we  never  dreamed  he  would 
deceive  us,  nor  act  in  a  manner  contrary  to  what  he  had  promised. 

About  three  in  the  morning,  some  hours  after  the  meeting  of  the 
council,  a  terrible  noise  was  heard  in  the  powder-room;  it  wa^  the  helm 
which  was  broken.  All  who  were  sleeping  were  roused  by  it.  On  going 
Tdeck  every  one  was  more  and  more  convinced  that  the  frigate  was 
lost  beyond  all  recovery.  Alas!  the  wreck  was,  for  our  tam.ly  the  com- 
mencement of  a  horrible  series  of  misfortunes ;  the  two  chief  officers  then 


j^sggsr^iSS^i^SS^C* 


-pjHff*"*"***" 


438     SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 

.lecidpd  with  one  accord,  that  all  should  embark  at  six  in  the  inorning, 

^    l;.J„n  thfi  Shinto  the  mercy  of  the  waves.     After  this  decision 

i:ed"t°sc  ne    he'most  wSmsiLl,  and,  at  the  same  time,  the  rnost 

eKcholy  that  can  be  well  conceived.    To  have  a  more  distmc  u  ea  of 

leTthe  reader  transport  himself  in  imagination  to  the  midst  of  he  liquid 

iains  of  tie  ocean,  then  let  him  picture  to  himself  a  multitude  of  all  classes 

of  every  agertoss;d  about  at  the  mercy  of  the  waves  upon  a  dismasted 

;  sSr  fou'ndered,  and  half  submerged ;  let  ^.^  "ot  W^^^^^^^^^ 

thinking  beings,  with  the  certain  prospect  before  them  of  having  reached 

•'Srrted'tm'ihfresi  of  the  world  by  a  boundless  sea  and  having 
no  Place  of  refuge  but  the  wreck  of  a  grounded  vessel,  the  multitude 
"d'ressed  at  fi«'t  their  vows  to  Heaven  ""d  forge,  for  a  ™o-ent^  al 
•■arthlv  concerns.     Then,  suddenly  starting   Irom  their   lethargy,  tney 
hrKan  to  fook  after  their  ;ealth,  the  merchandise  they  had  .„  small  ven- 

rP8  utterly  regardless  of  the  elements  that  threatened  them.  1  he 
miser^S  Sg  of  the  gold  contained  in  his  coffers,  hastened  to  pu  it  into 
a  Dlace  of  safety,  either  by  sewing  it  into  the  lining  of  his  clothes,  or  by 
nittina  out  for  it  a  place  in  the  waistband  of  his  trowsers.     The  smuggler 

a  t^Sg  h  s  hai?at  not  being  able  to.  save  a  diest  of  contraband  ^vhch 
,P  had  secretly  got  on  board,  and  with  which  he  had  hoped  to  have 
<^'ined   tio  or  tifree   hundred   per   cent.     Another  selfish  to  excess 

Ta  w'rvTiuTble     Ship-boys  were  dLeovoring  Ihe  delicale  wme,  ««d 
in<Tiilf  lis      At  last  the  uproar  was  at  its  height,  the  soiaiers  no  |oiigci 


T^S^^^?** 


,.....»,»■,.  .ni..Mi.jii..5jii;j^i^.;',i,;;j^:g;^-r 


DUSA. 

in  the  morning, 
ler  this  decision 
time,  the  most 
|e  distinct  idea  of 
lidst  of  the  liquid 
|udeof  all  classes, 
ipon  a  dismasted 
I  forget  these  aro 
n  having  reached 

sea,  and  having 

lel,  the  multitude 

or  a  moment,  all 

ir   lethargy,  they 

had  in  small  ven- 

ined  them.     The 

;ned  to  put  It  into 

his  clothes,  or  by 

3.     The  smuggler 

contraband  which 

ad  hoped  to  have 

selfish   to   excess, 

amusing  himself 

opening  his  port- 

who   would  take 

ir  various  effects, 

with  them;  those 

away  every  thing 

lelicate  wines  and 

reserve.     Soldiers 

:hing  casks,  staving 

the  tumult  of  the 

hich  threatened  to 

soldiers  no  longer 

sir  brows  and  mut- 

e  whom  wine  had 

oleful  groans,  were 

part  of  the  military 
vered  with  a  large 
d  from  taking  their 
ed  to  be  powerfully 
frigate,  and  then, 
)ne  who  refused  to 
id  when  it  sunk  to 
irking  of  a  greater 
irrels  of  provisions 
his  manner  did  this 
1  upon  that  floating 
the  number  by  de- 
nt peaceably  away, 
i  should  have  been 
it  ten.  A  list  had 
place ;  but  this  wise 


?ss? 


im^m^f^ 


SHIPWRECK  OP  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


439 


precaution  being  disregarded,  every  one  pursued  the  plan  ho  deemed 
best  for  his  own  preservation.  The  precipitation  with  which  they  forced 
one  hundred  and  fitly  unfortunate  beings  upon  the  raft  was  such  that 
they  forgot  to  give  them  one  morsel  of  biscuit.  However,  they  threw 
toward  them  twenty-five  pounds  in  a  sack,  while  they  were  not  far  from 
the  frigate ;  but  it  fell  into  the  sea,  and  was  with  diflliculty  recovered. 

During  this  disaster,  the  governor  of  Senegal,  who  was  busied  in  the 
care  of  his  own  dear  self,  effeminately  descended  in  an  arm-chair  into 
the  barge,  where  were  already  various  large  chests,  all  kinds  of  provis- 
ions, his  dearest  friends,  his  daughter,  and  his  wife.  Afterward  the 
captain's  boat  received  twenty-seven  persons,  among  whom  were  twenty- 
five  sailors,  good  rowers.  The  shallop,  commanded  by  M.  Espiau,  took 
forty-five  passengers  and  put  off.  The  boat  called  the  Senegal  took 
twenty-five,  the  pinnace  thirty-three,  and  the  yawl,  the  smallest  of  all  the 
boats,  took  only  ten. 

Almost  all  the  officers,  the  passengers,  the  mariners,  and  supernume- 
raries, were  already  embarked — all  but  our  weeping  family,  who  still 
remained  on  the  boards  of  the  frigate  till  some  charitable  souls  would 
kindly  receive  us  into  a  boat.  Surprised  at  this  abandonment,  I  instantly 
felt  myself  roused,  and  calling  with  all  my  might  to  the  officers  of  the 
boat,  besought  them  to  take  our  unhappy  family  along  with  them.  Soon 
after,  the  barge,  in  which  were  the  governor  of  Senegal  and  all  his  family, 
approached  tlie  Medusa,  as  if  still  to  take  some  passengers,  for  there 
were  but  few  in  it.  I  made  a  motion  to  descend,  hoping  that  the  Misses 
Schmaltz,  wlio  had,  till  that  day,  taken  a  great  interest  in  our  family, 
would  allow  us  a  place  in  their  boat;  but  I  was  mistaken:  those  ladies, 
who  had  embarked  in  a  mysterious  incognito,  had  already  forgotten  us ; 
and  M.  Lachaumareys,  who  was  still  on  the  frigate,  positively  told  me 
they  would  not  embark  along  with  us.  Nevertheless  I  ought  to  tell,  what 
we  learned  afterward,  that  the  officer  who  commanded  the  pinnace  had 
received  orders  to  take  us  in,  but,  as  he  was  already  a  great  way  from 
the  frigate,  we  were  certain  he  had  abandoned  us.  My  father,  however, 
hailed  him,  but  he  persisted  on  his  way  to  gain  the  open  sea.  A  short 
while  «fterward  we  perceived  a  small  boat  upon  the  waves,  which  seemed 
desirous  to  approach  the  Medusa ;  it  was  the  yawl.  When  it  was  suf- 
ficiently near,  my  father  implored  the  sailors  who  were  in  it  to  take  us 
on  board,  and  carry  us  to  the  pinnace,  where  our  family  ought  to  be 
placed.  They  refused.  He  then  seized  a  firelock,  which  lay  by  chance 
upon  deck,  and  swore  he  would  kill  every  one  of  them  if  they  refused 
to  take  us  into  the  yawl,  adding  that  it  was  the  property  of  the  king,  and 
that  he  would  have  advantage  from  it  as  well  as  another.  The  sailors 
murmured,  but  durst  not  resist,  and  received  all  our  family,  which  consisted 
of  nine  persons,  viz:  four  children,  our  stepmother,  my  cousin,  my 
sister  Caroline,  my  father,  and  myself.  A  small  box,  filled  with  valuable 
papers,  which  we  wished  to  save,  some  clothes,  two  bottles  of  ratafia, 
which  we  had  endeavored  to  preserve  amid  our  misfortunes,  were  seized 
and  thrown  overboard  by  the  sailors  of  the  yawl,  who  told  us  we  would 
find  in  the  pinnace  everything  which  we  could  wish  for  our  voyage. 
We  had  then  only  the  clothes  which  covered  us,  never  thinking  of  dress- 
ing ourselves  in  two  suits ;  but  the  loss  which  affected  us  most  was  that 
of  several  manuscripts,  at  which  my  father  had  been  laboring  for  a  long 
while.  Our  trunks,  our  linen,  and  various  chests  of  merchandise  of  great 
value ;  in  a  word,  everything  we  possessed  was  left  in  the  Medusa. 
When  we  boarded  the  pinnace  the  officer  who  commanded  it  began 


i 


r 


440 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


excusing  himself  for  having  set  off  without  forewarning  us,  as  he  had  been 
ordered,  and  said  a  thousand  things  in  his  justification.  But,  without 
believing  half  of  his  fine  protestations,  we  felt  very  happy  in  having  over- 
taken him ;  for  it  is  most  certain  that  they  had  no  intention  of  encumber- 
ing  themsfilves  with  our  unfortunate  family.  I  say  encumber,  for  it  is 
evident  that  four  children,  one  of  whom  was  yet  at  the  breast,  were  very 
indiflferent  beings  to  people  who  were  actuated  by  a  selfishness  beyond  all 
parallel.  When  we  wore  seated  in  the  long-boat,  my  father  dismissed  the 
sailors  with  the  yawl,  telling  them  he  would  ever  gratefully  remember 
their  services.  They  speedily  departed,  but  little  satisfied  with  the  good 
action  they  had  done.  My  father  hearing  their  murmurs  and  the  abuse 
they  poured  out  against  us,  said,  loud  enough  for  all  in  the  boat  to  hear, 
"  We  are  not  surprised  sailors  are  destitute  of  shame,  when  their  officers 
blush  at  being  compelled  to  do  a  good  action."  The  commandant  of 
the  boat  feigned  not  to  understand  the  reproaches  conveyed  in  these 
words,  and  to  divert  our  minds  from  brooding  over  our  wrongs,  endeavored 
to  counterfeit  the  man  of  gallantry. 

All  the  boats  were  already  far  from  the  Medusa,  when  they  were  brought 
to,  to  form  a  chain  in  order  to  tow  the  rail.  The  barge,  in  which  was 
the  governor  of  Senegal,  took  the  first  tow,  then  all  the  other  boats  in 
succession  joined  themselves  to  that.  M.  Lachaumareys  embarked, 
although  there  yet  remained  upon  the  Medusa  more  than  sixty  persons. 
Then  the  brave  and  generous  M.  Espiau,  commander  of  the  shallop, 
quitted  the  line  of  boats,  and  returned  to  the  frigate,  with  the  intention 
of  saving  all  the  wretches  who  had  been  abandoned.  They  all  sprung 
into  the  shallop ;  but  as  it  was  very  much  overloaded,  seventeen  unfortu- 
nates preferred  remaining  on  board  rather  than  expose  themselves  as 
well  as  their  companions  to  certain  death.  But,  alas!  the  greater  part 
afterward  fell  victims  to  their  fears  or  their  devotion.  Fifly-two  days  after 
they  were  abandoned,  no  more  than  three  of  them  were  alive,  and  these 
looked  more  like  skeletons  than  men.  They  told  that  their  miserable 
companions  had  gone  afloat  upon  planks  and  hen-coops,  after  having 
waited  in  vain  forty-two  days  for  the  succor  which  had  been  promised 
them,  and  that  all  had  perished. 

The  shallop  carrying  with  difficulty  all  those  she  had  saved  from  the 
Medusa,  slowly  rejoined  the  line  of  boats  which  towed  the  raft.  M. 
Espiau  earnestly  besought  the  officers  of  the  other  boats  to  take  some  of 
ther  ilong  with  them;  but  they  refused,  alleging  to  the  generous  officer 
that  he  ought  to  keep  them  in  his  own  boat,  as  he  had  gone  for  them  him- 
self. M.  Espiau,  finding  it  impossible  to  keep  them  all  without  exposing 
them  to  the  utmost  peril,  steered  right  for  a  boat  which  I  will  not  name. 
Immediately  a  sailor  sprung  from  the  shallop  into  the  sea,  and  endeavored 
to  reach  it  by  swimming ;  and  when  he  was  about  to  enter  it,  an  officer, 
who  possessed  great  influence,  pushed  him  back,  and  drawing  his  sabre, 
threatened  to  cut  off  his  hands  if  he  again  made  the  attempt.  The  poor 
wretch  regained  the  shallop,  which  was  very  near  the  pinnace,  where 
we  were.  Various  friends  of  my  father  supplicated  M.  Laperere,  the 
officer  of  our  boat,  to  receive  him  on  board.  My  father  had  his  arms 
already  out  to  catch  him,  when  M.  Laperere  instantly  let  go  the  rope 
which  attached  us  to  the  other  boats,  and  tugged  off  with  all  his  force. 
At  the  same  instant  every  boat  imitated  the  execrable  example;  and 
wishing  to  shun  the  approach  of  the  shallop,  which  sought  for  assistance, 
stood  off  from  the  raft,  abandoning,  in  the  midst  of  the  ocean,  and  to  the 
fury  of  the  waves,  the  miserable  mortals  whom  they  had  sworn  to  land 


II   i-ftilJ-'p'-^-'-'--"-  •■  ■'—■-•■ »-i«"-..'»--.   ......m-K. 


lEDUSA. 

us,  as  he  had  been 
ion.     But,  without 
)py  in  having  ovor- 
Qtion  of  encumber- 
sncumber,  for  it  is 
e  breast,  were  very 
fishncBS  beyond  all 
ather  dismissed  the 
ratefuUy  remember 
jfied  with  the  good 
nurs  and  the  abuse 
in  the  boat  to  hear, 
when  their  officers 
he  commandant  of 
conveyed   in  these 
wrongs,  endeavored 

n  they  were  brought 
)arge,  in  which  was 
1  the  other  boats  in 
imareys   embarked, 

than  sixty  persons. 
,der  of  the  shallop, 
B,  with  the  intention 
1.  They  all  sprung 
,  seventeen  unfortu- 
cpose  themselves  aa 
las!  the  greater  part 

Fifty-two  days  after 
lere  alive,  and  these 
that  their  miserable 
-coops,  after  having 

had  been  promised 

had  saved  from  the 
towed  the  raft.  M. 
}oats  to  take  some  of 
>  the  generous  officer 
id  gone  for  them  him- 
i  all  without  exposing 
hich  I  will  not  name. 
B  sea,  and  endeavored 
to  enter  it,  an  officer, 
nd  drawing  his  sabre, 
e  attempt.  The  poor 
r  the  pinnace,  where 
ted  M.  Laperere,  the 

father  had  his  arms 
;antly  let  go  the  rope 
oflF  with  all  his  force, 
icrable  example;   and 

sought  for  assistance, 
'  the  ocean,  and  to  the 
ley  had  sworn  to  land 


t,  *«.w  tiSta«**a.«*i<«»*»»- 


,-.ldte>^»«yX 


.    4Ui-.'\l^,i~JiJv'V 


^\vt    gvvvuvvovi  cu,  vsii  "^aU/   c^votAxavixuv  a    VJeVsev. 


"  Joy  was  piufiul  upon  his  face  j  his  hauds  were  stretched  towards  the  sea  :  all  he  was  able  to  say  was — '  Saved  ! 

see  the'irig!'" — Page  4G7. 


■-«. 


.-^  -. 


*•" 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


441 


^m'»i 


Aii 


I—'  Saved ! 


on  tlio  sliurcs  of  the  dcsort.  Scarcely  Irad  thcao  cowards  l)rok('ii  tlioir 
oatli,  wlidii  wu  saw  the  French  flag  flying  upon  tho  raft.  Tho  conTidenco 
of  thiMo  uiifortniiato  persons  was  ao  groat,  that  wlicn  lliey  saw  the  first 
boat,  whicli  had  tho  tow,  removing  from  thorn,  they  all  cried  out,  Tlie 
rope  is  broken!  tho  rope  is  broken!  But  when  no  attention  was  paid  to 
their  observation,  they  instantly  perceived  tho  treachery  of  tho  wretches 
wiio  had  iert  tiiem  so  basely.  Then  cries  of  Vive  If  Hoi  arose  from  tht; 
rail,  as  if  the  poor  fellows  were  calling  to  their  father  for  assistance;  or 
as  if  they  had  been  persuaded  that,  at  tho  rallying  word,  the  otTicers  of 
tlie  boats  would  return,  and  not  abundtm  their  countrymen.  The  ofTicors 
repeated  the  cry  of  Vice  le  Koi,  without  a  doubt  to  insult  them ;  but 
more  particularly  M.  Lachaumarcys,  who,  assuming  a  martial  attitude, 
waved  his  hat  in  the  air.  Alas!  what  availed  these  false  professions? 
Frenchmen,  menaced  with  the  greatest  peril,  were  demanding  assistance 
witii  the  cries  of  Vine  Ic  Roi ;  yet  none  were  found  surticiently  generous, 
nor  sulFicicntly  B'rcnch,  to  go  to  aid  them.  After  a  silence  of  some 
minutes,  horrible  cries  were  heard ;  the  air  resounded  with  the  groans, 
the  lamentations,  the  imprecations  of  these  wretched  beings.  The  raft 
already  appeared  to  be  buried  under  tho  waves,  and  its  unfortunate  pas- 
sengers immersed.  The  fatal  machine  was  drifted  by  currents  far  behind 
the  wreck  of  the  frigate  ;  without  cable,  anchor,  mast,  sail,  oars,  in  a 
word,  without  the  smallest  means  of  enabling  them  to  save  themselves. 
Each  wave  that  struck  it  mado  them  stumble  in  heaps  on  ono  another. 
Their  feet  getting  entangled  among  the  cordage,  and  between  the  planks, 
bereaved  them  of  the  faculty  of  moving.  Maddened  by  these  misfortunes, 
suspended,  adrift  upon  tho  merciless  ocean,  they  were  soon  tortured  be- 
tween the  pieces  of  wood  which  formed  tho  scaflbld  on  which  they  floated 
The  bones  of  their  feet  and  their  legs  were  bruised  and  broken  every 
time  the  fury  of  the  waves  agitated  the  raft ;  their  flesh  covered  with 
contusions  and  hideous  wounds,  dissolved,  as  it  were,  in  the  briny  waves, 
while  the  roaring  flood  around  them  was  colored  witli  their  blood. 

As  the  raft,  when  it  was  abandoned,  was  nearly  two  leagues  from  the 
frigate,  it  was  impossible  these  unfortunate  persons  could  reach  it ;  they 
were  soon  after  far  out  at  sea.  These  victims  still  appeared  above  their 
floating  tomb ;  and,  stretching  out  their  supplicating  hands  toward  tho 
boats  which  fled  from  them,  seemed  yet  to  invoke,  for  the  last  time,  tho 
names  of  the  wretches  who  had  deceived  them.  My  father,  exasperated 
to  excess,  and  burstiaj|[  with  rage  ut  seeing  so  much  cowardice  and  inhu- 
manity among  the  oifrcers  of  the  boats,  began  to  regret  that  he  had  not 
accepted  the  place  which  had  been  assigned  for  us  upon  the  raft.  "At 
least,"  said  he,  "  we  would  have  died  with  the  brave,  or  wo  would  have 
returned  to  the  wreck  of  the  Medusa ;  and  not  have  had  the  disgrace 
of  saving  ourselves  with  cowards."  Although  this  produced  no  eflect 
upon  tho  officers,  it  proved  very  fatal  to  us  afterward;  for, on  our  arrival 
at  Senegal,  it  was  reported  to  the  governor ;  and,  very  probably,  was  the 
principal  cause  of  all  those  evils  and  vexations  which  we  endured  in 
that  colony. 

Let  us  now  turn  our  attention  to  the  several  situations  of  all  those  who 
were  endeavoring  to  save  themselves  in  the  different  boats,  as  well  as  to 
those  left  upon  the  wreck  of  the  Medusa.  We  have  already  seen  that 
the  frigate  was  half  sunk  when  it  was  deserted,  presenting  nothing  but  a 
hulk  and  a  wreck.  Nevertheless,  seventeen  still  remained  upon  it,  and  had 
food,  which,  although  damaged,  enabled  them  to  support  themselves  for 
a  considerable  time  ;  while  the  raft  was  abandoned  to  float  at  the  mercy 


p 
# 


,:-£t^B^ 


w.--(..*kiKi^.* 


■s4n 


s  1 
^  ] 


442  SIIIPWRROK  OF  TllK  FUKNCn  FRIOATK  MEDUSA.. 

of  the  wavrs,  upon  tho  v«.t  «.irfaco  of  tho  ocan.    Ono  Imn.lrnd  and  finy 
tlicZ  wo;..  nnUrked  upon  it,  sunk  to  tho  .lopth  o    at  >-;-";;- 
on  iU   foro-nart,  and  on  its  poop  unmorBcd  even  to  tho  muldK  .     Wlial 
^ktuais  tho    had  wore  soon  ion.urnod,  or  «poilod  by  tho  salt  wa  or ;  and 
Dor  aos  Bomc,  as  the  wavos  hurrird  thorn  aiony,  hocamo  ^Z^'J  , 
Lnstcrs  oTtho  dcop.     Two  only  of  all  tho  boats  which  loft  the  Modusa, 
Td  those  with  very  few  people  in  them,  were  prov.s.onnd  with  ovojy 
ZVX;    loo  struck  off  with  security  and  dispatch      But   ho  cond.- 
Jon  of  those  who  were  in  the  shallop  was  but  little  better  than  those 
UDon  the  raft;  their  great  distance  from  the  shore  gave  them  tho  most 
mdancholy   anticipations   of   the   future.      Their  worthy   commander, 
M   K  pi.u  !  had  no  other  hope  but  of  reaching  the  shore  as  soon  as  pos- 
Lo  '^Tl  0   other  boats  were   less  filled   with   people,  but   they  wore 
scar"  oly  bolter  provisioned;  and,  as  by  a  species  of  fatality,  tho  ,..nn>^e 
in  which  wore  our  family,  was  destitute  of  everylhmg.     Our  provisions 
oiThWu  d    f  a  ba"rol  of  biscuit  and  a  tiorco  of  water ;  and.  to  add  to  our 
miXrtunoH  tho  biscuit  being  soaked  in  the  sea,  it  was  almost  imposs  b  e 
rswrilw  one  morsel  of  it.'  Kach  passenger  in  our  boat  was  obliged  to 
I  ,r,ain  iFs  wretched  existence  with  a  glass  of  water,  which  he  culd  got 
o        m  ^a  da        To  tell  how  this  happened,  how  this  boat  was  so  poor  V 
^    ml  el  while  there  was  abundance  left  upon  tho  Medusa,  .s  far  beyond 

ower  But  it  is  at  least  certain  that  tho  greater  part  of  the  oft.cer 
cmn  nandin"  the  boats,  tho  shallop,  the  pinnace,  the  Senegal  boat,  and 
tC  aw  were  persuade<l,  when  they  quitted  the  frigate  that  l.oy  vvou  d 
not  Tudon  the'  raft,  but  that  all  the  expodit  on  wou  d  sa.  o^othor  o  I  e 
coast  of  Sahara;  that  when  there,  the  boats  would  ho  again  sent  to  the 
Medusa,  to  take  provisions,  arms,  and  those  who  wore  left  there;  but  .. 
annoars  the  chiefs  had  decided  otherwise.  ,     „    .      ,      .     r       „ «  .. 

'  After  abandoning  the  raft,  although  scaUered,  all  the  boats  formed  . 
littblloet,  and  followed  the  same  Toute.     All  who  were  sincere  hoped 
o  a  rive  the  same  day  at  the  coast  of  the  desert,  and  that  every  one  would 
let  on  shore    but  MM.  Schmaltz  and  Lachaumarcys  gave  or.  evs  U.  take 
fhe  route  fo;  Senegal.     This  sudden  change  in  the  resolutions  of  the 
chiefs  was   like   a  thunderbolt  to   the  otHcers  commanding  the  boats^ 
Havinc  nothing  on  board  but  what  was  barely  necessary  to  enable  us   o 
allav  the  crav"Ls  of  hunger  for  one  day,  wo  were  all  sensibly  affected 
S  o  her  l^atf,  which,  lile  ourselves,  hoped  to  have  goton  slmre  a     he 
nearest  point,  were  a  little  better  provisioned  than  Ave  woro ;  they  had  at 
Cst  a  Utt  0  wine,  which  supplied  the  place  of  othi^r  necessaries.     We 
ren  demanrdrome  from  tfm  explaining  --'i";;;'-;, ^ rSt^mis 
assist  us.  not  even  Captain  Lachaumareys,  who,  drinking  to  a  kept  tim 
tre  s  "uppoled  by  twS  sailors,  swore  he  had  not  one  drop  on  ''oard     Wo 

'"^Ve  will  now  turn  to  the  condition  of  those  on  the  rnft  when  the  boats 
left  them  o  themselves.  If  all  the  boats  had  continued  dragging  he  raft 
forwardT favored  as  we  were  by  the  breeze  from  the  sea,  we  w.>uld  have 
been  ableThavo  conducted  them  to  the  shore  ,n  less  than  two  days. 
£  an  inconceivable  fatality  caused  the  generous  plan  to  be  abandoned 
When  the  raft  had  lost  sight  of  the  boats,  a  spirit  oi  sedition  began  to 
man'etitsSf  in  furious  cr^s.    They  then  began  to  regard  one  another 


4    - 


^^ 


MP:DnsA. 

(no  luindrpjl  and  fifty 
of  at  least  tliroi'  fi'ct 
0  tho  middle.     What 
f  tho  nalt  water ;  nnd 
bncamo  food  for  the 
hirh  loft  the  Modtiaa, 
•ovisionod  with  evory 
iitch.     But  tlio  condi- 
tio bettor  than  those 
gave  them  the  !nost 
worthy   commnndor, 
ihorc  as  soon  as  po?- 
eoplo,  bnt  they  were 
f  fatality,  tho  i)inniicc, 
hing.     Our  provisions 
[•r ;  and.  to  add  to  our 
was  almost  imposHihle 
ur  boat  was  obligrd  to 
>r,  which  ho  cnuld  ffct 
this  boat  was  so  poorly 
Medusa,  is  far  bc-yond 
or  part  of  tlio  oflicors, 
llio  Senegal  boat,  and 
Vigate,  that  they  would 
uld  sail  togotlicr  to  the 
Id  bo  again  sent  to  the 
ivoro  loll  thorc  ;  but  it 

all  the  boats  formed  u 
ho  were  sincere  hoped 
id  that  every  one  would 
eys  gave  orders  to  take 
the  resolutions  of  the 
commanding  the  boats, 
cessary  to  enable  us  to 
c  all  sensibly  affected, 
lavo  got  on  shore  at  the 
y  Ave  wore  ;  they  had  at 
)ther  necessaries.     We 
tuation ;  but  none  would 
irinking  to  a  kept  mis- 
one  drop  on  board.    We 
e  governor  of  Senegal, 
ions  of  every  kind,  such 
jven  the  finest  liqueurs  ; 
ed  we  would  not  obtain 

tho  raft,  when  the  boats 
itinued  dragging  the  raft 

the  sea,  we  would  have 
e  in  less  than  two  days. 
19  plan  to  be  abandoned, 
pirit  of  sedition  began  to 
in  to  regard  one  another 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THK  FRHNCII  F   KJATK  MF.DU3A. 


lt.3 


with  fcroriouH  looks,  and  to  thirst  for  one  another's  flesh.  Sotno  one 
had  already  whispered  of  having  recourse  to  tliat  nmn^lrous  extremity, 
and  of  ronimeneing  with  tho  fattest  and  youngest.  A  proposition  .-to 
atrocious  filled  the  brave  ('aptain  Dupont  and  his  wortiiy  lieutenant,  M 
I/IIeurcnx,  with  horrcir ;  and  that  courage  which  had  so  often  supported 
them  in  the  field  of  glory,  now  fornook  th«!m.  Among  the  first  who  fell 
under  tlio  hatchets  of  the  assassins  was  a  young  woman  who  had  been 
seen  devouring  the  body  of  her  husband.  When  her  turn  was  come,  she 
sought  a  little  wine,  as  a  last  favor,  then  rose,  and  without  uttering  one 
word,  threw  herself  into  the  sea.  ('aptain  Dupont  being  proscribed  for 
having  refused  to  |)artake  of  the  sacrilegious  viands  on  whi(;h  the  monsters 
wore  feeding,  was  saved,  as  by  a  miracle,  from  tho  hands  of  the  butchers. 
Scarcely  had  they  seized  him  to  lead  him  to  the  slaughter,  when  a  large 
pole,  wiiich  ser'(!d  in  i)lace  of  a  mast,  fell  upon  his  body;  and  believing 
that  his  legs  were  broken,  tiioy  contented  themselves  by  throwing  him  into 
the  sc!a.  The  unfortunate  captain  plunged,  disappeared,  and  they  thought 
him  already  in  anothi!r  world. 

Provi(l(!nce,  howc^ver,  revived  the  strength  of  the  unfortunate  warrior. 
Ho  emergeil  under  tho  beams  of  the  raft,  and  clinging  with  all  his  might, 
holding  his  head  above  water,  ho  rr:mained  bcitween  two  enormous  pieces 
of  W(»od,  while  tiie  rest  of  his  body  was  hid  in  tho  sea.  After  more  than 
two  hours  of  sulVering,  Captain  Dupont  s|)i<ko  in  a  lovy  voice  to  his 
lieutenant,  who  by  chance  was  seated  near  tho  place  of  concealment. 
Dupont  was  instantly  drawn  frouj  the  water,  and  1/IIeureux  obtained 
for  iiis  unfortunate  comrade  again  a  place  upon  tho  raft.  Those  who 
had  been  so  inveterate  against  him,  touchc<l  at  what  Providence  had 
done  for  him  in  so  miraculous  a  manner,  decided,  with  one  accord,  to 
allow  him  entire  liberty  upon  the  raft. 

Tho  sixty  unfitrtunates  who  had  escaped  from  the  first  massacre,  were 
soon  reduced  to  fifty,  then  to  forty,  and  at  last  to  twenty-eight.  The 
least  nmrmur,  or  tho  smallest  complaint,  at  tho  moment  of  distributing 
tho  provisions,  was  a  crime  punished  with  immediate  death.  In  conse- 
quence of  such  a  regulation,  it  may  easily  be  presL.ned  the  raft  was  soon 
lightened.  In  the  meanwhile  the  wine  diminished  sensibly,  and  the 
half  rations  very  much  displeased  a  certain  chief  of  the  conspiracy.  On 
purpose  to  avoid  being  reduced  to  that  extremity,  tho  executive  power 
decided  it  was  much  wiser  to  drown  thirteen  people,  artd  to  get  full  rations, 
than  that  twenty-eight  should  have  half  rations.  After  the  last  catastrophe, 
the  chiefs  of  the  conspiracy,  fearful  doubtless  of  being  assassinated  in 
their  turn,  threw  all  the  arms  into  the  sea,  and  swore  an  inviolable 
friendship  with  the  heroes  which  the  hatchet  had  spared.  On  the  17th 
of  July,  in  the  morning,  Captain  Parnajon,  commandant  of  the  Argus 
brig,  still  found  fifteen  men  on  the  raft.  They  were  immediately  taken 
on  board,  and  conducted  to  Senegal. 

On  the  6th  of  July,  at  ten  in  the  morning,  one  hour  after  abandoning 
the  raft,  and  three  after  quitting  the  Medusa,  M.  Laperere,  the  ofllicer  of 
our  boat,  made  the  first  distribution  of  provisions.  Each  passenger  had 
a  small  glass  of  water  and  nearly  the  fourth  of  a  biscuit.  Each  drank  his 
allowance  of  water  at  one  draught,  but  it  was  found  impossible  to  swallow 
one  morsel  of  our  biscuit,  it  being  so  impregnated  with  sea-water.  It 
happened,  however,  that  some  was  not  quite  so  saturated.  Of  these  we 
ate  .1  small  portion,  and  put  back  the  remainder  for  a  future  day.  Our 
voyage  would  have  been  sufficiently  agreeable,  if  the  beams  of  the  sun 
had  not  been  so  fierce.     On  the  evening  we  perceived  the  shores  of  the 


444 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


deseit;  but  as  the  two  chiefs  (MM.  Schmaltz  and  Lachaumarcys)  wished 
to  go  right  to  Senegal,  notwithstanding  we  wore  still  ono  hundred  leagues 
from  it,  we  were  not  allowed  to  land.  Several  officers  remonstrated, 
both  on  account  of  our  want  of  provisions  and  the  crowded  condition  of 
the  boats  for  undertaking  so  dangerous  a  voyage.  Others  urged  witii 
equal  force,  that  it  would  be  dishonoring  the  French  name  if  we  were 
to  neglect  the  unfortunate  people  on  the  raf^,  and  insisted  we  should  be 
set  on  shore,  and  while  wo  waited  there,  three  boats  sliould  return  to 
look  after  the  raft,  and  three  to  the  wreck  of  the  frigate,  to  take  up  the 
seventeen  who  were  left  there,  as  well  as  a  sufficient  quantity  of  provis- 
ions to  enable  us  to  go  to  Senegal  by  the  way  of  Barbary.  But  MM. 
Schmaltz  and  Lachaumarcys,  whose  boats  were  sufficiently  well  provis- 
ioned, scouted  the  advice  of  their  subalterns,  and  ordered  them  to  cast 
anchor  till  the  following  morning.  They  were  obliged  to  obey  these 
orders,  and  to  relinquish  their  designs. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th  of  July,  at  five  o'clock,  all  the  boats  were 
under  way  on  the  route  to  Senegal.  The  boats  of  MM.  Schmaltz  and 
Lachaumarcys  took  the  lead  along  the  coast,  and  all  the  expedition 
followed.  About  eight,  several  sailors  in  our  boat,  with  threats,  demanded 
to  he  sot  on  shore ;  but  M.  Lapcrere,  not  acceding  to  their  requests, 
the  whole  were  about  to  revolt  and  seize  the  command ;  but  the  firmness 
of  this  officer  quelled  the  mutineers.  In  a  spring  which  he  made  to 
seize  a  firelock  which  a  sailor  persisted  in  keeping  in  his  possession,  he 
almost  tumbled  in  the  sea.  My  fatlicr  fortunately  was  near  him,  and  held 
him  by  his  clothes,  but  he  had  instantly  to  quit  him  for  fear  of  losing  his  hat, 
which  the  waves  were  floating  away.  A  short  while  after  this  slight 
accident,  the  shallop,  which  we  had  lost  sight  of  since  the  morning, 
appeared  desirous  of  rejoining  us.  We  plied  all  hands  to  avoid  her,  for 
we  were  afraid  of  one  another,  and  Lhought  that  that  boat,  encumbered 
with  so  many  people,  wished  to  board  us,  to  oblige  us  to  take  some  of 
its  passengers,  as  M.  Espiau  would  not  suffer  them  to  be  abandoned  like 
those  upon  the  raft.  That  officer  hailed  us  at  a  distance,  offering  to 
take  our  family  on  board,  adding,  he  was  anxious  to  take  about  sixty  peop 
to  the  desert.  The  officer  of  our  boat,  thinking  that  this  was  a  pretence, 
replied,  we  preferred  suffering  where  we  were.  It  even  appeared  to  us 
that  M.  Espiau  had  hid  some  of  his  people  under  the  benches  of  the 
sliailop.  But,  alas !  in  the  end  we  deeply  deplored  being  so  suspicious, 
and  of  having  so  outraged  the  devotion  of  the  most  generous  officer  of 
the  Medusa.  A  second  distribution  of  provisions  was  now  made ;  eac 
received  a  small  glass  of  water  and  about  the  eighth  part  of  a  biscuit 
Notwithstanding  our  meager  fare,  every  one  seemed  content,  in  the  per 
suasion  we  would  reach  Senegal  by  the  morrow.  But  how  vain  were  a 
our  hopes,  and  what  sufferings  had  we  yet  to  endure! 

At  half  past  seven  the  sky  was  overcast  with  stormy  clouds.  Th 
serenity  we  had  admired  a  little  while  before  entirely  disappeared,  an 
gave  place  to  the  most  gloomy  obscurity.  Suddenly  a  frightful  nois 
was  heard  from  the  west,  and  all  the  waves  of  the  sea  rushed  to  founde 
our  frail  bark.  A  fearful  silence  succeeded  to  the  general  constcrnatio[ 
Every  tongue  was  mute,  and  none  durst  communicate  to  his  neighbor  th 
horror  with  which  his  mind  was  impressed.  At  intervals  the  cries  of  . 
ciiildren  rent  our  hearts.  At  that  instant  a  weeping  and  agonized  moth< 
bared  her  breast  to  her  dying  child,  but  it  yielded  notiiing  to  appease  tl 
tiiirst  of  the  little  innocent  who  pressed  it  in  vain.  Having  full  before  oi 
eyes  the  prospect  of  inevitable   death,  we   gave   ourselves  up  to  oi 


.^^   ■i-',^it,X-« 


FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 

Iz  and  Lachaumareys)  wished 
[ore  still  ono  hundred  leagues 
[everal  officers  remonatrated, 
lud  the  crowded  condition  of 

voyage.  Others  urged  with 
the  French  name  if  we  were 
id,  and  insisted  we  should  he 
[three  boats  should  return  to 

of  the  frigate,  to  take  up  the 

sufficient  quantity  of  provis- 
way  of  Barbary.     But  MM. 

were  sufficiently  well  provis- 
fns,  and  ordered  them  to  cast 

were  obliged   to  obey  these 

ive  o'clock,  all  the  boats  were 
3  boats  of  MM.  Schmaltz  and 
coast,  and   all   the  expedition 
ur  boat,  with  threats,  demanded 
ot  acceding  to  their  requests, 
the  command ;  but  the  firmness 
n  a  spring  which  he  made  to 
1  keeping  in  his  possession,  he 
tunately  was  near  him,  and  held 
|uit  him  for  fear  of  losing  his  hat, 
A  short  while  after  this  slight 
St  sight  of  since  the  morning, 
plied  all  hands  to  avoid  her,  for 
ight  that  that  boat,  encumbered 
us,  to  oblige  us  to  take  some  of 
uffer  them  to  be  abandoned  like 
id  us  at  a  distance,  offering  to 
inxious  to  take  about  sixty  people 
linking  that  this  was  a  pretence, 
3  were.     It  even  appeared  to  us 
3ople  under  the  benches  of  the 
y  deplored  being  so  suspicious, 
of  the  most  generous  officer  of 
provisions  was  now  made ;  each 
)ut  the  eighth  part  of  a  biscuit, 
one  seemed  content,  in  the  per- 
morrow.     But  how  vain  were  all 
et  to  endure ! 

rcast  with  stormy  clouds.  The 
before  entirely  disappeared,  and 
ity.  Suddenly  a  frightful  noise 
ves  of  the  sea  rushed  to  founder 
ded  to  the  general  consternation, 
communicate  to  his  neighbor  the 
ed.  At  intervals  the  cries  of  ihe 
t  a  weeping  and  agonized  mother 
it  yielded  nothing  to  appease  the 
;  in  vain.  liavink'  full  before  our 
,  we   gave   ourselves  up  to  our 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRFyOH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


445 


unfortunate  condition,  and  addressed  our  prayers  to  Heaven.  The  winds 
growled  with  the  utmost  fury;  the  tempestuous  waves  arose  exasperated. 
In  their  terrific  encounter  a  mountain  of  water  was  precipitated  into  our 
boat,  carrying  away  one  of  the  sails  and  the  greater  part  of  the  effects 
which  the  sailors  had  saved  from  the  Medusa.  Our  bark  was  nearly 
sunk;  the  females  and  the  children  lay  rolling  in  its  bottom,  drinking  the 
waters  of  bitterness ;  and  their  cries,  mixed  with  the  roaring  of  the  waves 
and  the  furious  north  wind,  increased  the  horrors  of  the  scene. 

Every  soul  in  the  boat  was  seized  with  the  same  perturbation,  but  it 
manifested  itself  in  different  ways.  One  part  of  the  sailors  remained 
motionless,  in  a  bewildered  state ;  the  other  cheered  and  encouraged  one 
another ;  the  children,  locked  in  the  arms  of  their  parents,  wept  inces- 
santly. Some  demanded  drink,  vomiting  the  salt  water  which  choked 
them;  others,  in  short,  embraced  as  for  the  last  time,  entwining  their  arms  find 
vowing  to  die  together.  In  the  meanwhile  the  sea  became  rougher  and 
rougher.  Our  boat,  beset  on  all  sides  by  the  winds,  and  at  every  instant 
tossed  on  the  summit  of  mountains  of  water,  was  very  nearly  sunk,  in 
spite  of  our  every  effort  in  bailing  it  when  we  discovered  a  large  hole  in 
its  poop.  It  was  instantly  stuffed  with  everything  we  could  find:  old 
clothes,  sleeves  of  shirts,  shreds  of  coats,  shawls,  useless  bonnets,  every- 
thing was  employed,  and  secured  us  as  far  as  it  was  possible.  During 
the  space  of  six  hours  we  rowed,  suspended  alternately  between  hope 
and  fear,  between  life  and  death.  At  last,  toward  the  middle  of  the  night. 
Heaven,  which  had  seen  our  resignation,  commanded  the  floods  to  be 
still.  Instantly  the  sea  became  less  rough,  the  vail  which  covered  the 
sky  became  less  obscure,  the  stars  again  shone  out,  and  the  tempest 
seemed  to  withdraw.  A  general  exclamation  of  joy  and  thankfulness 
issued  at  one  instant  from  every  mouth. 

The  day  at  last,  the  day  so  much  desired,  entirely  restored  the  culiii ; 
but  it  brought  no  other  consolation.  During  the  night  the  currents,  the 
waves,  and  the  winds  had  taken  us  so  far  out  to  sea,  that  on  the  dawning 
of  the  7th  of  July  we  saw  nothing  but  sky  and  water,  without  knowing 
whither  to  direct  our  course ;  for  our  compass  had  been  broken  during 
the  tempest.  In  this  hopebss  condition  we  continued  to  steer  sometimes 
to  the  right  and  sometimes  to  the  left,  until  the  sun  arose,  and  at  last 
showed  us  the  east.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  July  we  again  saw 
the  shores  of  the  desert,  notwithstanding  we  were  yet  a  great  distance 
from  it.  The  sailors  renewed  their  murmurings,  wishing  to  get  on  shore, 
with  the  hope  cf  being  able  to  get  some  wholesome  plants  and  some  more 
palatable  water  than  that  of  the  sea;  but  as  we  were  afraid  of  the  Moors, 
their  request  was  opposed.  However,  M.  Laperere  proposed  to  take 
them  as  near  as  he  could  to  the  first  breakers  on  the  coast,  and  when 
there,  those  who  wished  to  go  on  shore  should  throw  themselves  into  the 
sea  and  swim  to  land.  Eleven  accepted  the  proposal ;  but  when  we  had 
reached  the  first  waves,  none  had  the  courage  to  brave  the  mountains  of  water 
which  rolled  between  them  and  the  beach.  Our  sailors  then  betook  them- 
selves to  their  benches  and  oars,  and  promised  to  be  more  quiet  for  the 
future.  A  short  while  after,  a  third  distribution  was  made  since  our 
departure  from  the  Medusa;  and  nothing  more  remained  than  four  pints 
of  water  and  one  half  dozen  biscuits.  What  steps  were  we  to  take  in 
this  cruel  situation?  Aci  ording  to  the  calculation  of  our  commanding 
officer,  we  could  arrive  at  Senegal  on  the  morrow.  Deceived  by  the 
false  account,  we  preferred  suffering  one  day  more,  rather  than  to  be 
taken  by  the  Moors  of  the  desert,  or  perish  among  the  breakers.    Wi' 


4'VJ 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


had  now  no  more  than  a  small  hnlf  glass  of  water  and  the  seventh  of  a 
biscuit.  I'iXposed  as  we  were  to  the  heat  of  the  sun,  which  darted  its  rays 
perpendicularly  '^.n  our  heads,  that  ration,  though  small,  would  have  been 
a  great  relief  to  us ;  but  the  distribution  was  delayed  to  the  morrow.  We 
were  tlien  obliged  to  drink  the  bitter  sea-water,  ill  as  it  was  calculated  to 
quench  our  thirst.  Must  I  tell  it?  thirst  had  so  withered  the  lungs  of  our 
sailors  that  they  drank  Salter  water  tiian  that  of  the  sea!  Our  numbers 
diminished  daily^  and  nothing  but  the  hope  of  arriving  at  the  colony  on 
tiie  following  day  sustained  our  frail  existence.  My  young  brothers  and 
sisters  wept  incessantly  for  water.  The  little  Laura,  aged  six  years,  lay 
dying  at  the  feet  of  her  mother.  Her  mournful  cries  so  moved  the  soul 
of  my  unfortunate  father,  that  he  was  on  the  eve  of  opening  a  vein  to 
quench  the  thirst  which  consumed  his  child;  but  a  wise  person  opposed 
his  design,  observing  that  all  the  blood  in  his  body  would  not  prolong  the 
life  of  his  infant  child  one  moment. 

The  freshgnesa  of  the  night-wind  procured  us  some  respite.  We  anchored 
pretty  near  to  the  shore,  and,  thougli  dying  of  famine,  each  got  a  tranquil 
sleep.  On  the  morning  of  the  8th  of  July,  at  break  of  day,  we  took  the 
route  of  Senegal.  A  short  while  after,  the  wind  fell,  and  we  Had  a  dead 
calm.  We  endeavored  to  row,  but  our  strength  was  exhausted.  A  fourth 
and  last  distribution  was  made,  and  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  our  last 
resources  were  consumed.  We  were  forty-two  people  who  had  to  feed 
upon  six  biscuits  and  ahont  four  pints  of  water,  with  no  hope  of  a  farther 
supply.  Then  came  the  moment  for  deciding  whether  we  were  to  perish 
among  the  breakers  which  defended  the  approach  to  the  shores  of  the 
desert,  or  to  die  of  famine  in  continuing  our  route.  The  majority  pre- 
ferred the  last  species  of  misery.  We  continued  our  progress  along  the 
shore,  painfully  pulling  our  oars.  Upon  the  beach  were  distinguished 
several  downs  of  white  sand,  and  some  small  trees.  We  were  thus  creeping 
along  the  coast,  observing  a  mournful  silence,  when  a  sailor  suddenly 
exclaimed,  "Behold  the  Moors!"  We  did,  in  fact,  see  various  indi- 
viduals upon  the  rising  ground,  walking  at  a  quick  pace,  and  whom  we 
took  to  be  the  Arabs  of  the  Desert.  As  we  were  very  near  the  shore, 
we  stood  farther  out  to  sea,  fearing  that  these  pretended  Moors,  or  Arabs, 
would  throw  themselves  into  the  f'"  swim  out,  and  take  us.  Some  hours 
afler,  we  observed  several  peop.  pon  the  eminence,  who  seemed  to 
make  signals  to  us.  We  examined  them  attenti-  ely,  and  soon  recognized 
them  to  be  our  companions  in  misfortune.  We  replied  to  them  by  attaching 
a  white  handkerchief  to  the  top  of  our  mast.  Then  we  resolved  to  land, 
at  the  risk  of  poiishing  among  the  breakers,  which  were  very  strong  toward 
the  shore,  although  the  sea  was  calm.  On  approaching  the  beach  we 
went  toward  the  right,  where  the  waves  seemed  less  agitated,  and  endea- 
vored to  reach  it,  with  the  hope  of  being  able  more  easily  to  land.  Scarcely 
had  we  directed  our  course  to  that  point,  when  we  perceived  a  great 
number  of  people  standing  near  to  a  little  wood  surrounding  the  sand- 
hills. We  recognized  them  to  be  the  passengers  of  that  boat,  who,  like 
ourselves,  were  deprived  of  provisions. 

The  helm  of  the  boat  was  again  given  to  the  old  pilot,  who  had  already 
so  happily  steered  us  through  the  dangers  of  the  storm.  He  instantly 
threw  into  the  sea  the  mast,  the  sails,  and  everything  that  could  impede 
our  proceedings.  When  we  came  to  the  first  landing  point,  several  of 
our  shipwrecked  companions,  who  had  reached  the  shore,  ran  and  hid 
themselves  behind  the  hills,  not  to  see  us  perish ;  others  made  signs  not 
to  approach  at  that  place ;  some  covered  their  eyes  with  theit  hands : 


:  MEDUSA. 

and  the  seventh  of  a 
which  darted  its  rays 
nail,  wonld  have  been 
1  to  the  morrow.     We 
18  it  was  calculated  to 
lered  the  lungs  of  our 
le  sea!    Our  numbers 
iving  at  the  colony  on 
ly  young  brothers  and 
ra,  aged  six  years,  lay 
ies  so  moved  the  soul 
I  of  opening  a  vein  to 
a  wise  person  opposed 
would  not  prolong  the 

« respite.  We  anchored 
ne,  each  got  a  tranquil 
ak  of  day,  we  took  the 
ell,  and  we  had  a  dead 
s  exhausted.  A  fourth 
ling  of  an  eye,  our  last 
eople  who  had  to  feed 
ith  no  hope  of  a  farther 
ether  we  were  to  perish 
:h  to  the  shores  of  the 
te.     The  majority  pre- 

our  progress  along  the 
ach  were  distinguished 

We  were  thus  creeping 
when  a  sailor  suddenly 

fact,  see  various  indi- 
ick  pace,  and  whom  we 
ire  very  near  the  shore, 
tended  Moors,  or  Arabs, 
id  take  us.  Some  hours 
linence,  who  seemed  to 
tjiy,  and  soon  recognized 
)lied  to  them  by  attaching 
hen  we  resolved  to  land, 
1  were  very  strong  toward 
preaching  the  beach  we 
less  agitated,  and  endea- 

easily  to  land.  Scarcely 
sn  we  perceived  a  great 
id  surrounding  the  sand- 
rs  of  that  boat,  who,  like 

old  pilot;  who  had  already 
the  storm.  He  instantly 
ything  that  could  impede 
landing  point,  several  of 
i  the  shore,  ran  and  hid 
ih ;  others  made  signs  not 
ir  eyes  with  their  hands: 


.  1-    JH.U.J..I 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUS.\. 


447 


others,  at  last  despising  the  danger,  precipitated  thoinsclvos  into  the 
waves  to  receive  us  into  their  arms.  We  then  saw  a  spectacle  that  made 
us  shudder.  We  had  already  doubled  two  ranges  of  breakers ;  but  tliose 
which  wc  had  still  to  cross  raised  their  foaming  waves  to  a  prodigious 
height,  tiien  sunk  with  a  hollow  and  monstrous  sound,  sweeping  along 
a  long  line  of  the  coast.  Our  boat,  sometimes  greatly  elevated,  and 
sometimes  ingulfed  between  the  waves,  seemed  now  given  up  to  utter 
ruin.  Bruised,  battered,  tossed  about  on  all  hands,  it  turned  of  itself, 
and  refused  to  obey  the  kind  hand  which  directed  it.  At  that  instant 
a  huge  wave  rusiied  from  the  open  sea  and  dashed  against  the  poop ;  the 
boat  plunged,  disappeared,  and  we  wore  all  among  the  waves.  Our 
sailors,  wiiose  strength  had  returned  at  the  presence  of  danger,  redoubled 
their  elForts,  uttering  mournful  sounds.  Our  bark  groaned,  the  oars 
were  broken  ;  it  was  thought  aground,  but  it  was  stranded ;  it  was  upon 
its  side.  The  last  sea  rushed  upon  us  with  the  impetuosity  of  a  torrent. 
We  were  up  to  tiie  neck  in  water  ;  the  bitter  sea-froth  choked  us.  The 
grapnel  was  tlirovvn  out.  The  sailors  threw  tliemsolves  into  the  sea  ; 
they  took  the  children  in  their  arms ;  returned,  and  took  us  upon  their 
shoulders  ;  and  I  found  myself  seated  upon  the  sand  on  tlio  shore,  by  tlie 
side  of  my  step-motiier,  my  brothers  and  sisters,  almost  dead.  Every 
one  was  upon  the  beach  except  my  father  and  some  sailors;  bu*  that  good 
man  arrived  at  last,  to  mingle  his  tears  with  those  of  his  family  and  friends. 

After  wo  had  a  little  recovered  from  the  fainting  and  fatigue  of  our 
getting  on  shore,  our  fellow-sufferers  told  us  they  had  landed  in  the 
forenoon,  and  had  cleared  the  breakers  by  the  strength  of  their  oars  and 
sails  ;  but  they  had  not  all  been  so  lucky  as  we  were.  One  unfortunate 
person,  too  desirous  of  getting  quickly  on  shore,  had  his  legs  broken  under 
the  shallop,  and  was  taken  and  laid  on  the  beach,  and  left  to  the  care  of 
Providence.  M.  Espiau,  commander  of  the  shallop,  reproached  us  foi 
having  doubted  him  when  he  wished  to  board  us  to  take  our  family  along 
with  him.  It  was  most  true  he  had  landed  sixty-three  people  that  day. 
A  short  while  after  our  refusal,  he  took  the  passengers  of  the  yawl,  who 
would  infallibly  have  perished  in  the  stormy  night  of  the  6th  and  7th. 
The  boat  named  the  Senegal,  commanded  by  M.  Maudet,  had  made  the 
sliore  at  the  same  time  with  M.  Espiau.  The  boats  of  MM.  Schmaltz 
and  Lachaumareys  were  the  only  ones  which  continued  the  route  for 
Senegal,  while  nine-tenths  of  the  Frenchmen  intrusted  to  these  gentlemen 
were  butchering  each  other  on  the  raft,  or  dying  of  hunger  on  the  burning 
sands  of  Sahara. 

About  seven  in  the  morning  a  caravan  was  formed  to  penetrate  into 
the  interior,  for  the  purpose  of  finding  some  fresh  water.  We  did  accor- 
dingly find  some  at  a  little  distance  'rom  the  sea,  by  digging  among  the 
sand.  Every  one  instantly  flocked  round  the  little  wells,  which  furnished 
enough  to  quench  our  thirst.  This  brackish  water  was  found  to  be 
delicious,  although  it  had  a  sulphurouu  taste :  its  color  was  that  of  whey. 
As  all  our  clothes  were  wet  and  in  tatters,  and  as  we  had  nothing  to 
change  them,  some  generous  officers  offered  theirs.  My  step-mother, 
my  cousin,  and  my  sister  were  dressed  in  them ;  for  myself,  I  preferred 
keeping  my  own.  We  remained  nearly  an  hour  beside  our  beneficient 
fountain,  then  took  the  route  for  Senegal;  that  is,  a  southerly  direction, 
for  we  did  not  know  exactly  where  that  country  lay.  It  was  agreed  thai 
the  females  and  children  should  walk  before  the  caravan,  that  they  miglil 
not  bo  left  behind.  The  sailors  voluntarily  carried  the  youngest  on  tlieir 
shoulders,  and  every  one  took  the  route  along  the  coast.    Notwithstanding 


n 


.itmrnt^mm*' 


448 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


it  was  nearly  seven  o'clock,  the  sand  was  quite  burning,  and  we  suffered 
severely,  walking  without  shoes,  having  lost  them  while  landing.  As 
soon  as  we  arrived  on  the  shore,  we  went  to  walk  on  the  wet  sand,  to 
cool  us  a  little.  Thus  we  traveled  during  all  the  night,  without  encoun- 
tering anything  but  shells,  which  wounded  our  feet. 

In  the  forenoon  of  the  next  day,  two  officers  of  marine  complained 
that  our  family  incommoded  the  progress  of  the  caravan.  It  is  true,  the 
females  and  the  children  could  not  walk  so  quickly  as  the  men.  We 
walked  as  fast  as  it  was  possible  for  us,  nevertheless  we  often  fell  behind, 
which  obliged  them  to  halt  till  we  came  up.  These  officers,  joined  with 
other  individuals,  considered  among  themselves  whether  they  would  wait 
for  us,  or  abandon  us  in  the  desert.  I  will  be  bold  to  say,  however,  that 
but  few  were  of  the  latter  opinion.  My  father  being  informed  of  what 
was  plotting  against  us,  stepped  up  to  the  chiefs  of  the  conspiracy  and 
reproached  them  in  the  bitterest  terms  for  their  selfishness  and  brutality. 
The  dispute  waxed  hot.  Those  who  were  desirous  of  leaving  us  drew 
their  swords,  and  my  father  put  his  hand  upon  a  poniard,  with  which  he 
had  provided  himself  on  quitting  the  frigate.  At  this  scene,  we  threw 
ourselves  in  between  them,  conjuring  him  rather  to  remain  in  the  desert 
with  his  family,  than  seek  the  assistance  of  those  who  were,  perhaps,  less 
humane  than  the  Moors  themselves.  Several  people  took  our  part,  par- 
ticularly M.  Bregnere,  captain  of  infantry,  who  quieted  the  dispute  by 
saying  to  his  soldiers,  "  My  friends,  you  are  Frenchnrfen,  and  I  have  the 
honor  of  being  your  commander ;  let  us  never  abandon  an  unfortunate 
family  in  the  desert,  so  long  as  we  are  able  to  be  j)f  use  to  them."  This 
brief,  but  energetic  speech,  caused  those  to  blush  who  wished  to  leave 
us.  All  then  joined  with  the  old  captain,  saying  they  would  not  leave 
us,  on  condition  we  would  walk  quicker.  M.  Bregnere  and  his  soldiers 
replied,  they  did  not  wish  to  impose  conditions  on  those  to  whom  they 
were  desirous  of  doing  a  favor;  and  the  unfortunate  family  of  Picard 
were  again  on  the  road  with  the  whole  caravan.  Some  time  after  this 
dispute  M.  Rogery,  member  of  the  Philanthropic  Society  of  Cape  Verd, 
secretly  left  the  caravan,  striking  into  the  middle  of  the  desert,  without 
knowing  very  well  what  he  sought.  That  intrepid  traveler  had  not  time 
to  find  that  after  which  he  searched ;  for,  a  few  days  after,  he  was  captured 
by  the  Moors,  and  taken  to  Senegal,  where  the  governor  paid  his  ransom. 

About  noon  hunger  was  felt  so  powerfully  among  us  that  it  was  agreed 
upon  to  go  to  the  small  hills  of  sand,  which  were  near  the  coast,  to  see 
if  any  herbs  could  be  found  fit  for  eating ;  but  we  only  got  poisonous 
plants,  among  which  were  various  kinds  of  euphorbium.  Convolvuluses 
of  a  bright  green  carpeted  the  downs ;  but  on  tasting  their  leaves  we 
found  them  as  bitter  as  gall.  The  caravan  rested  in  this  place,  while 
several  officers  went  farther  into  the  interior.  They  came  back  in  about 
an  hour,  loaded  with  wild  purslain,  which  they  distributed  to  each  of  us. 
Every  one  instantly  devoured  his  bunch  of  herbage  without  leaving  the 
sriiallesl  branch ;  but  as  our  hunger  was  far  from  being  satisfied  with  this 
small  allowance,  the  soldiers  and  sailors  betook  themselves  to  look  for 
more.  They  soon  brought  back  a  sufficient  quantity,  which  was  equally 
distributed,  and  devoured  upon  the  spot,  so  delicious  had  hunger  made 
that  food  to  us.  For  myself,  I  declared  I  never  ate  anything  with  so 
much  appetite  in  all  rny  life.  Water  was  also  found  in  this  place,  but  it 
was  of  an  abominable  taste.  After  this  truly  frugal  repast  we  continued 
our  route.  The  heat  was  insupportable  in  the  last  degree.  The  sands 
on  which  we  trod  were  burning ;  nevertheless,  several  of  us  walked  on 


MEDUSA. 

ling,  and  we  suffered 
while  landing.  As 
on  the  wet  sand,  to 

ight,  without  encoun- 

f  marine  complained 
avan.    It  is  true,  the 
dy  as  the  men.     We 
3  we  often  fell  behind, 
le  officers,  joined  with 
lether  they  would  wait 
1  to  say,  however,  that 
ing  informed  of  what 
of  the  conspiracy  and 
Ifishness  and  brutality. 
JUS  of  leaving  us  drew 
poniard,  with  which  he 
U  this  scene,  we  threw 
to  remain  in  the  desert 
who  were,  perhaps,  less 
ople  took  our  part,  par- 
quieted  the  dispute  by 
ichnfen,  and  I  have  the 
ibandon  an  unfortunate 
j)f  use  to  them."     This 
3h  who  wished  to  leave 
g  they  would  not  leave 
regnere  and  his  soldiers 
on  those  to  whom  they 
rtunate  family  of  Picard 
1.     Some  time  after  this 
c  Society  of  Cape  Verd, 
le  of  the  desert,  without 
)id  traveler  had  not  time 
Lys  after,  he  was  captured 
rovernor  paid  his  ransom, 
long  us  that  it  was  agreed 
•re  near  the  coast,  to  see 
it  we  only  got  poisonous 
horbium.     Convolvuluses 
n  tasting  their  leaves  we 
ested  in  this  place,  while 
They  came  back  in  about 
distributed  to  each  of  us. 
rbage  without  leaving  the 
m  being  satisfied  with  this 
ok  themselves  to  look  for 
uantity,  which  was  equally 
elicious  had  hunger  made 
3ver  ate  anything  with  so 
found  in  this  place,  but  it 
frugal  repast  we  continued 
le  last  degree.     The  sands 
9,  several  of  us  walked  on 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


449 


these  scorching  coals  without  shoes ;  and  the  females  had  nothing  but 
their  hair  for  a  cap.  When  we  reached  the  sea-shore  we  all  ran  and  lay 
down  among  the  waves.  After  remaining  there  some  time,  we  took  our 
route  along  the  west  beach.  On  our  journey  we  met  with  several  large 
crabs,  which  were  of  considerable  service  to  us.  Every  now  and  then 
we  endeavored  to  slake  our  thirst  by  sucking  their  crooked  claws.  About 
nine  at  night  we  halted  between  two  pretty  high  sand-hills.  After  a 
short  talk  concerning  our  misfortunes,  all  seemed  desirous  of  passing  the 
night  in  this  place,  notwithstanding  we  heard  on  every  side  the  roaring 
of  leopards.  We  deliberated  on  the  means  of  securing  ourselves,  but 
sleep  soon  put  an  end  to  our  fears.  Scarcely  had  we  slumbered  a  few 
hours  when  a  terrible  roaring  of  wild  beasts  awoke  us,  and  made  us  stand 
on  our  defense.  It  was  a  beautiful  moonlight  night,  and,  in  spite  of  my 
fears  and  the  horrible  aspect  of  the  place,  native  never  appeared  so 
sublime  to  me  before.  Instantly  something  was  announced  that  resembled 
a  lion.  This  information  was  listened  to  with  the  greatest  emotion.  Every 
one  being  desirous  of  verifying  the  truth,  fixed  upon  something  he  thought 
to  be  the  object;  one  believed  he  saw  the  long  teeth  of  the  king  of  the 
forest ;  another  was  convinced  his  mouth  was  already  open  to  devour  us ; 
several,  armed  with  muskets,  aimed  at  the  animal,  and  advancing  a  few 
steps,  discovered  the  pretended  lion  to  be  nothing  more  than  a  shrub 
fluctuating  in  the  breeze.  However,  the  bowlings  of  ferocious  beasts  had 
so  frightened  us,  being  yet  heard  at  intervals,  that  we  again  sought  the 
sea-shore,  on  purpose  to  continue  our  route  toward  the  south. 

Our  situation  had  been  thus  perilous  during  the  night;  nevertheless 
at  the  break  of  day  we  had  the  satisfaction  of  finding  none  missing. 
About  sunrise  we  held  a  little  to  the  east  to  get  farther  into  the  interior 
to  find  fresh  water,  and  lost  much  time  in  a  vain  search.  The  country 
which  we  now  traversed  was  a  little  less  arid  than  that  which  we  h&d 
passed  the  preceding  day.  The  hills,  the  valleys,  and  a  vast  plain  of 
sand  were  strewed  with  mimosa,  or  sensitive  plants,  presenting  to  our  sight 
a  scene  we  had  never  before  seen  in  the  desert.  The  country  is  bounded 
as  it  were  by  a  chain  of  mountains,  or  high  downs  of  sand,  in  the  direction 
of  north  and  south,  without  the  slightest  trace  of  cultivation. 

Toward  ten  in  the  morning  some  of  our  companions  were  desirous  of 
making  observations  in  the  interior,  and  they  did  not  go  in  vain.  They 
instantly  returned  and  told  us  they  had  seen  two  Arab  tents  upon  a  slight 
rising  ground.  We  instantly  directed  our  steps  thither.  We  had  to  pass 
great  downs  of  sand,  very  slippery,  and  arrived  in  a  large  plain,  streaked 
here  and  there  with  verdure ;  but  the  turf  was  so  hard  and  piercing  we 
could  scarcely  walk  over  it  without  wounding  our  feet-  Our  presence 
in  these  frightful  solitudes  put  to  flight  three  or  four  Moorish  shepherds,  who 
herded  a  small  flock  of  sheep  and  goats  in  an  oasis.  At  last  we  arrived 
at  the  tents  after  which  we  were  searching,  and  found  in  them  three 
Mooresses  and  two  little  children,  who  did  not  seem  in  the  least  frightened 
by  our  visit.  A  negro  servant,  belonging  to  an  officer  of  marine,  inter- 
preted between  us  and  the  good  women,  who,  when  th^y  had  heard  of 
our  misfortunes,  offered  us  millet  and  water  for  payment.  We  bought 
a  little  of  that  grain  at  the  rate  of  thirty  pence  a  handful ;  the  water  was 
got  for  three  francs  a  glass ;  it  was  very  good,  and  none  grudged  the 
money  it  cost.  As  a  glass  of  water,  with  a  handful  of  millet,  was  but  a 
poor  dinner  for  famished  people,  my  father  bought  two  kids,  which  they 
would  not  give  him  under  twenty  piasters.  We  immediately  killed  them, 
and  our  Mooressea  boiled  them  in  a  large  kettle.  While  our  repast  was 
29 


460 


SHIPWRECK  OP  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


preparing,  my  futhor,  who  could  not  afford  the  whole  of  the  expense,  got 
others  to  contribute  to  it;  but  an  old  officer  of  marine,  who  was  to  hav<> 
been  captain  of  the  port  of  Senegal,  was  the  only  person  who  refused, 
notwithstanding  he  had  about  him  nearly  three  thousand  francs,  which  he 
boasted  of  in  tiio  end.  Several  soldiers  and  sailors  had  seen  liim  count 
it  in  round  pieces  of  gold,  on  coming  ashore  on  the  desert,  and  reproaciied 
him  for  his  sordid  avarice ;  but  he  seemed  insensible  to  their  reproaches, 
nor  ate  the  less  of  his  portion  of  kid  with  his  companions  in  misfortune. 

When  about  to  resume  our  journey,  we  saw  several  Moors  approaching 
to  us  armed  with  lances.  Our  people  instantly  seized  their  armn,  and 
put  themselves  in  readiness  to  defend  us,  in  case  of  an  attack.  Two 
officers,  followed  by  several  soldiers  and  sailors,  with  our  interpreter, 
advanced  to  discover  their  intentions.  They  instantly  returned  with  the 
Moors,  who  said,  that,  far  from  wishing  to  do  us  harm,  they  had  come  to 
offer  us  their  assistance,  and  to  conduct  us  to  Senegal.  This  offer  being 
accepted  of  with  gratitude  by  all  of  us,  the  Moors,  of  wliom  we  had 
been  so  afraid,  became  our  protectors  and  friends,  verifying  the  old  proverb, 
there  are  good  people  everywhere!  As  the  camp  of  the  Motors  was  at 
some  considerable  distance  from  where  we  were,  we  set  off  all  together  to 
reach  it  before  night.  After  having  walked  about  two  leagues  through 
the  burning  sands,  we  found  ourselves  again  upon  the  shore.  Toward 
night  our  conductors  made  us  strike  again  into  the  interior,  saying  we. 
were  very  near  their  camp,  which  is  called,  in  their  language,  Berkelet. 
But  the  .short  distance  of  the  Moors  was  found  very  long  by  the  females 
and  the  children,  on  account  of  the  hills  of  sand  which  we  had  to  ascend  and 
descend  every  instant,  also  of  prickly  shrubs  over  which  we  were  frequently 
obliged  to  walk.  Those  who  were  barefooted  felt  most  severely,  at  this 
time,  the  want  oftheir  shoes.  I  myself  lost  among  the  bushes  various 
shreds  of  my  dress,  and  my  feet  and  legs  were  all  streaming  with  blood. 
At  length,  after  two  long  hours  of  walking  and  suffering,  we  arrived  at 
the  camp  of  that  tribe  to  which  belonged  our  Arab  conductors.  We  had 
scarcely  got  into  the  camp,  when  the  dogs,  the  children,  and  the  Moorish 
women  began  to  annoy  us.  Some  of  them  threw  sand  in  our  eyes,  others 
amused  themselves  by  snatching  at  our  hair,  on  pretence  of  wishing  to 
examine  it.  This  pinched  us,  that  spit  upon  us;  the  dogs  bit  our  legs, 
while  the  old  harpies  cut  the  buttons  from  the  officers'  coats,  or  endeavored 
to  take  away  the  lace.  Our  conductors,  however,  had  pity  on  us,  and 
chased  away  the  dogs  and  the  curious  crowd,  who  had  already  made  us 
suffer  as  much  as  the  thorns  which  had  torn  our  feet.  The  chiefs  of  the 
camp,  our  guides,  and  some  good  women,  at  last  set  about  getting  ua 
some  supper.  Water  in  abundance  was  given  us  without  payment,  and 
they  sold  us  fish  dried  in  the  sun,  and  some  bowlfuls  of  sour  milk,  all  al 
a  reasonable  price.      \ 

We  found  a  Moor  in  the  camp  who  had  previously  known  my  fathei 
in  Senegal,  and  who  spoke  a  little  French.  As  soon  as  he  recognized 
him,  he  cried,  "Tiens  toi,  Picard!  ni  a  pas  connaitre  moi  Amet?  (Hark 
ye,  Picard,  know  you  not  Amet?)  Wo  were  all  struck  with  astonishment 
at  these  French  words  coming  from  the  mouth  of  a  Moor.  My  father 
recollected  having  employed,  long  ago,  a  young  goldsmith  at  Senegal, 
and  discovering  the  Moor  Amet  to  bo  the  same  person,  shook  him  by  the 
hand.  After  that  good  fellow  had  been  made  acquainted  with  our  ship- 
wreck, and  to  what  extremities  our  unfortunate  family  had  been  reduced, 
he  could  not  refrain  from  tears.  Amet  was  not  satisfied  witli  deploring 
our  hard  fate ;  he  was  desirous  of  proving  that  he  was  generous  and 


E  MEDUSA- 

of  the  expense,  got 
,e,  who  was  to  have 
erson  who  rcluaoil, 
and  francs,  which  he 

had  seen  hhn  count 
isert,  and  reproached 
.  to  their  reproaches, 
inions  in  misfortune, 
al  Moors  approaching 
sized  their  arms,  and 
5  of  an  attack.     1  wo 
with  our  interpreter, 
ntJy  returned  with  the 
Lrm,  they  had  come  to 

„al  This  offer  bemg 
irs,  of  whom  wc  had 
rifyingthe  old  proverb, 

,  of  the  Moors  was  at 
e  set  off  all  together  to 
It  two  leagues  through 
n  the  shore.    Toward 
the  interior,  saymg  we. 
eir  language,  Bcrkekt. 
3ry  long  by  the  females 
ch  we  had  to  ascend  and 
-hich  we  were  frequently 
[t  most  severely,  at  this 
^ong  the  bushes  various 
lU  streaming  with  blood, 
suffering,  we  arrived  at 
lb  conductors.    We  had 
hildren,  and  the  Moorish 
r  sand  in  our  eyes,  others 
,  pretence  of  wishmg  to 
,;  the  dogs  bit  our  legs, 
c;rs' coats,  or  endeavored 
ver,  had  pity  on  us,  and 
vho  had  already  made  U9 
rfeet      The  chiefs  of  the 
last  set  about  getting  us 
us  without  payment,  and 
wlfuls  of  sour  milk,  all  at 

eviously  known  my  fathei 
As  soJn  as  he  recogn^- J 
.naitre  moi  Amct?  ^HarK 
11  struck  with  aston.shmen 

th  of  a  Moor.  My  father 
t  goldsmith  at  Senegal, 
e^efson,  shook  him  by  the 

,  acquaint«^  ^■'**^  °"?^'ifr 
.  family  had  been  reduced, 
;ot  Tatistied  with  deploring 
that  he  was  generous  and 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


451 


tiuinane,  and  instantly  distributed  among  us  a  largo  quantity  of  milk  and 
water,  free  of  any  charge.  Ho  also  raised  for  our  family  a  large  tent  of 
the  skins  of  camels,  cattle  and  sheep,  because  his  religion  would  not 
allow  liim  to  lodge  with  Christians  under  the  same  roof.  The  place 
appeared  very  dark,  and  the  obscurity  made  us  uneasy.  Amct  and  our 
conductors  lighted  a  large  fire  to  quiet  us  ;  and  at  last  bidding  us  good 
nigiit,  and  retiring  to  his  tent,  said :  "  Sleep  in  peace  ;  the  God  of  the 
Christians  is  also  the  God  of  the  Mussulmans.^' 

VVc  had  resolved  to  quit  this  truly  hospitable  place  early  in  the  morning, 
but,  during  the  night,  some  people,  who  had  probably  too  much  money, 
imagined  the  Moors  had  taken  us  to  their  camp  to  plunder  us.  They 
communicated  their  fears  to  others,  pretending  that  the  Moors,  who 
walked  up  and  down  among  their  flocks,  and  cried,  from  time  to  time,  to 
keep  away  the  ferocious  beasts,  had  already  given  the  signal  for  pursuing 
and  murdering  us.  Instantly  a  general  panic  seized  all  our  people,  and 
t"i^y  wished  to  set  off  forthwith.  My  father,  although  he  knew  well  the 
poitidy  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  desert,  endeavored  to  assure  them  we 
had  nothing  to  fear,  because  the  Arabs  were  too  much  frightened  by  the 
people  of  Senegal,  who  would  not  fail  to  avenge  us  if  we  were  insulted ; 
but  nothing  could  quiet  their  apprehensions,  and  we  had  to  take  the  route 
during  the  middle  of  the  night.  The  Moors  being  soon  acquainted  with 
our  fears,  made  us  all  kinds  of  protestations ;  and  seeing  wo  persisted  in 
quitting  the  camp,  offered  us  asses  to  carry  us  as  far  as  the  Senegal.  My 
father  was  able  to  hire  only  two  asses  for  the  whole  of  our  family  ;  and  as 
it  was  numerous,  my  sister  Caroline,  my  cousin  and  myself,  were  obliged 
to  crawl  along,  while  my  unfortunate  father  followed  in  the  suit  of  the 
caravan,  which,  in  truth,  went  much  quicker  than  we  did. 

A  short  distance  from  the  camp,  the  brave  and  compassiondte  Captain 
Begncre.  seeing  we  still  walked,  obliged  us  to  accept  of  the  ass  he  had 
hired  for  himself,  saying  he  would  not  ride  when  young  ladies,  exhausted 
with  fatigue,  followed  on  foot.  During  the  remainder  of  the  night  we 
traveled  in  a  manner  sufficiently  agreeable,  mounting  alternately  the  ass 
of  Captain  Begnere.  At  five  in  the  morning  of  the  11th  of  July  we 
regained  the  sea-shore.  Our  asses,  fatigued  with  the  long  journey  among 
the  sands,  ran  instantly  and  lay  down  among  the  breakers,  in  spite  of  our 
utmost  e.vertions  to  prevent  them.  This  caused  several  of  us  to  take  a 
bath  we  wished  not :  I  was  myself  held  under  one  of  the  asses  in  the 
water,  and  had  groat  difficulty  in  saving  one  of  my  young  brothers  who 
was  floating  away.  But,  in  the  end,  as  this  incident  had  no  unfortunate 
issue,  we  laughed,  and  continued  our  route,  some  on  foot,  and  some  on 
the  capricious  asses.  Toward  ten  o'clock,  perceiving  a  ship  out  at  sea, 
we  attached  a  white  handkerchief  to  the  muzzle  of  a  gun,  waving  it  in 
the  air,  and  soon  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  it  was  noticed.  Th^  ship 
having  approached  sufficiently  near  the  coast,  the  Moors  who  vvf  ro  with 
us  threw  themselves  into  the  sea  and  swam  to  it.  It  must  be  said  we  had 
wrongfully  supposed  that  these  people  had  a  design  against  us,  for  their 
di'votion  could  not  appear  greater  than  when  five  of  tliom  darted  through 
the  wfivps  to  endeavor  to  communicate  between  us  and  tlie  ship  ;  notwith- 
standing, it  was  still  a  good  quarter  of  a  league  distant  from  where  we 
stood  on  the  beach.  In  about  half  an  hour  we  saw  these  good  Moors 
returning,  making  float  before  them  three  small  barrels.  Arrived  on 
shore,  one  of  them  gave  a  lette-  to  M.  Bspiau  from  M.  Parnajon.  This 
gentleman  was  the  captain  of  tlie  Argus  brig,  sent  to  seek  after  the  raft, 
and  to  give  us  provisions.     This  letter  announced  a  small  barrel  of  biscuit,. 


I 


452 


SHIPWRECK  OP  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


a  tierce  of  wine,  a  half  tierce  of  brandy,  and  a  Dutch  cheese.  We  were 
very  desirous  of  testifying  our  gratitude  to  the  generous  commander  of 
the  brig,  but  he  instantly  set  out  and  left  us.  We  staved  the  barrels 
which  held  our  small  stock  of  provisions,  and  made  a  distribution.  Each 
of  ui  had  a  biscuit,  about  a  glass  pf  wine,  a  half  glass  of  brar.dy,  and  a 
small  morsel  of  cheese.  Each  drank  his  allowance  of  wine  at  one  gulp ; 
the  brandy  was  not  even  despised  by  the  ladies.  I  however  preferred 
quantity  to  quality,  and  exchanged  my  ration  of  brandy  for  that  of  wine. 
To  describe  our  joy,  while  taking  this  repast,  is  impossible.  Exposed  to 
the  fierce  rays  of  a  vertical  sun ;  exhausted  by  a  long  train  of  suti'ering ; 
deprived  for  a  long  while  of  the  use  of  any  kind  of  spiritous  liquors  ;  when 
our  portions  of  water,  wine  and  brandy,  mingled  in  our  stomachs,  we 
became  like  insane  people.  Life,  which  had  lately  been  a  great  burden, 
now  became  precious  to  us.  Foreheads,  lowering  and  sulky,  began  to 
unwrinkle ;  enemies  became  most  brotherly  ;  the  avaricious  endeavored 
to  forget  their  selfishness  and  cupidity ;  the  children  smiled  for  the  first 
time  since  our  shipwreck  ;  in  a  word,  every  one  seemed  to  be  born  again 
from  a  condition  melancholy  and  dejected. 

About  six  in  the  evening,  my  father,  finding  himself  extremely  fatigued, 
wished  to  rest  himself.  Wo  allowed  the  caravan  to  move  on,  while  my 
step-mother  and  myself  remained  near  him,  and  the  rest  of  the  family 
followed  with  their  asses.  We  all  three  fell  asleep.  When  we  awoke 
we  were  astonished  at  net  seeing  our  companions.  The  sun  was  sinking 
in  the  west.  We  saw  several  Moors  approaching  us,  mounted  on  camels  ; 
and  my  father  reproached  himself  for  having  slept  so  long.  Their  ap- 
pearance gave  us  great  uneasiness,  and  we  wished  much  to  escape  from 
thorn,  but  my  step-mother  and  myself  felt  quite  exhausted.  The  Moors, 
with  long  beards,  having  come  quite  close  to  us,  one  of  them  alighted 
and  addressed  us  in  the  following  words:  "  Be  comforted,  ladies  ;  under 
the  costume  of  an  Arab  you  see  an  Englishman,  who  is  desirous  of  serving 
you.  Having  heard  at  Senegal  that  Frenchmen  were  thrown  ashore  on 
these  deserts,  I  thought  my  presence  might  be  of  some  service  to  them, 
as  I  was  acquainted  with  .i^everal  of  the  princes  of  this  arid  country." 
Recovering  from  oor  fright,  we  rose  and  expressed  to  the  philanthropic 
Englishman  the  gratitude  we  felt.  Mr.  Carnet,  the  name  of  the  gen- 
erous Briton,  told  us  that  our  caravan,  which  he  had  met,  waited  for  us 
at  about  the  distance  of  two  leagues.  He  then  gave  us  some  biscuit,  which 
we  ate ;  and  we  then  set  off  together  to  join  our  companions.  Mr. 
Carnet  wished  us  to  mount  his  camels,  but  i.iy  step-mother  and  myself, 
being  unable  to  persuade  ourselves  we  could  3it  securely  on  their  hairy 
haunches,  continued  to  walk  on  the  moist  sand,  while  my  father,  Mr. 
Carnet,  and  the  Moors  who  accompanied  him,  proceeded  on  the  camels. 
At  last,  having  walked  about  an  hour,  we  rejoined  our  companions,  who 
had  found  several  wells  of  fresh  water.  It  was  resolved  to  pass  the  night 
in  thiu  place,  which  seemed  less  arid  than  any  we  saw  near  us. 

We  passed  a  very  good  night,  and  at  four  in  the  morning  continued 
our  route  along  the  shore.  At  noon,  the  heat  became  so  violent  that  even' 
the  Moors  themselves  bore  it  with  difficulty.  We  then  determined  on 
finding  some  shade  behind  the  high  mounds  of  sand  which  appeared  in 
the  interior  ;  but  how  were  we  to  reach  them?  The  sands  could  not  be 
hatter.  We  had  been  obliged  to  leave  our  asses  on  the  shore,  for  they 
would  neither  advance  nor  recede.  The  greater  part  of  us  had  neither 
shoes  nor  hats  ;  notwithstanding,  we  were  obliged  to  go  forward  almost 
a  long  league  to  find  a  little  shade.     The  heat  reflected  by  the  sands  of 


.;(a«  «•—.-»?-'.  -V 


IEDU8A. 

cheese.    We  were 

•0U8  commander  of 

staved  the  barrels 

distribution.    Each 

ass  of  brar.dy,  and  a 

of  wine  at  one  gulp ; 

however  preferred 

idy  for  that  of  wine. 

ossible.     Exposed  to 

ig  train  of  suftering ; 

iritous  liquors  ;  when 

in  our  stomachs,  we 

been  a  great  burden, 

t  and  sulky,  beg«"»  to 

ivaricious  endeavored 

en  smiled  for  the  first 

amed  to  be  born  again 

3lf  extremely  fatigued, 
to  move  on,  while  my 
the  rest  of  the  family 
jep.     When  we  awoke 
The  sun  was  sinking 
19,  mounted  on  camels  ; 
ipt  so  long.     Their  ap- 
d  much  to  escape  from 
xhausted.     The  Moors, 
J,  one  of  them  alighted 
;omforted,  ladies  ;  under 
ho  is  desirous  of  serving 
were  thrown  ashore  on 
[)f  some  service  to  thein, 
s  of  this  arid  country. 
3Sod  to  the  philanthropic 
t,  the  name  of  the  gen- 
B  had  met,  waited  for  us 
ive  ufl  some  biscuit,  which 
a  our  companions.     Mr. 
step-mother  and  myself, 
it  securely  on  their  hairy 
nd,  while  my  father,  Mr. 
proceeded  on  the  camels, 
led  our  companions,  who 
resolved  to  pass  the  night 
we  saw  near  us. 
in  the  morning  continued 
ecame  so  violent  that  even- 
We  then  determined  on 
if  sand  which  appeared  in 
The  sands  could  not  be 
ises  on  the  shore,  for  they 
Iter  part  of  us  had  neither 
[iged  to  go  forward  almost 
t  reflected  by  the  sands  of 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FREXOH  PBIOATE  MEDUSA. 


453 


tlie  desert  <;oiild  be  compared  to  nothing  but  the  mouth  of  an  oven  at  the 
moment  of  drawing  out  the  bread;  nevertheless,  we  endured  it,  but  not 
without  cursing  those  wfio  had  been  the  occasion  of  all  our  misfortunes. 
Arrived  behind  the  heights  for  which  we  searched,  we  stretched  ourselves 
under  the  mimosa  gum'roe,  (the  acacia  of  the  desert;)  several  broke  bran- 
cliuy  from  the  asclcpius  (swallow-wort)  and  made  themselves  a  shade. 
But,  wlicther  from  wunt  of  air,  or  the  heat  of  the  ground  on  which  wo 
were  seated,  we  vierf.  nearly  all  suffocated.  I  thought  my  last  hour  was 
come.  Already  my  eyes  saw  nothing  but  o  dark  cloud,  when  a  person 
by  tiio  name  of  Borner,  who  was  to  have  been  a  smith  at  Senegal,  gave 
me  a  Imot  containir.g  some  muddy  water,  which  ho  had  the  precaution 
to  keep.  I  seized  the  elastic  vase,  and  hastened  to  swallow  the  liquid  in 
large  draughts.  One  of  my  companions  equally  tormented  with  thirst, 
envious  of  the  pleasure  I  seemed  to  feel,  and  which  I  felt  eflcctually, 
seized  it  in  his  tu<  n,  but  it  availed  him  nothing,  the  water  which  remained 
was  so  disgusting,  that  ho  could  not  drink  it  and  spilled  it  on  the  ground. 
Captain  Begnere,  who  was  present,  judging  by  the  water  which  fell,  how 
loathsome  must  that  have  been  which  I  had  drank,  ofl'ered  mo  some 
crumbs  of  biscuit  which  he  had  kept  most  carefully  in  his  pocket.  I 
ciiewcd  that  mixture  of  bread,  dust,  and  tobacco,  but  I  could  not  swallow 
it,  and  gave  it,  all  masticated,  to  one  of  my  younger  brothers,  who  had 
fallen  from  inanition. 

We  were  r.bout  to  quit  this  furnace,  when  wo  saw  our  generous 
Englishman  approaching,  who  brought  us  provisions.  At  this  sight  I  felt  my 
strength  rcviv'3,  and  ceased  to  desire  death,  which  I  had  before  called  on, 
to  release  me  from  my  sufferings.  Several  Moors  accompanied  Mr. Garnet, 
and  every  ona  was  loaded.  On  their  arrival  we  had  water,  with  rice  and 
dried  fish  in  abundance.  Every  one  drank  his  allowance  of  water,  but 
had  not  ability  to  eat,  although  the  rice  was  excellent.  We  were  all 
anxious  to  return  to  the  sea,  that  we  might  bathe  ourselves,  and  the 
caravan  put  itself  on  the  road  to  the  breakers  of  Sahara.  Afler  an  hour's 
march  of  gieat  suffering,  we  regained  the  shore,  as  well  as  our  asses, 
which  were  lying  in  the  water.  We  rushed  among  the  waves,  and  after  a 
bath  of  half  an  hour,  we  reposed  ourselves  upon  the  beach.  My  cousin 
and  I  went  to  stretch  ourselves  upon  a  small  rising  ground,  where  we 
were  shaded  with  some  old  clothes  which  we  had  with  us.  My  cousin 
was  clad  in  an  officer's  uniform,  the  lace  of  which  strongly  attracted  the 
eyes  of  Mr.  Garnet's  Moors.  Scarcely  had  we  lain  down,  when  one  of 
them,  thinking  we  were  asleep,  came  to  endeavor  to  steal  it ;  but  seeing 
we  were  awake,  contented  himself  by  looking  at  us  very  steadfastly. 

Such  is  the  slight  incident  which  it  has  pleased  MM.  Gorreard  and 
Savigny  to  relate,  in  their  account  of  the  shipwreck  of  the  Medusa,  in  a 
totally  different  manner.  Believing,  doubtless,  to  make  it  more  interesting 
or  amusing,  they  say  that  one  of  the  Moors  who  were  our  guides,  either 
through  curiosity  or  a  stronger  sentiment,  approached  Miss  Picard  while 
asleep,  and,  afler  having  examined  her  form,  raised  the  covering  which 
concealed  her  bosom,  gazing  awhile  like  one  astonished ;  at  length  drew 
near,  but  durst  not  touch  her,  then,  afler  having  looked  a  long  while,  he 
replaced  the  covering,  and  returning  to  his  companions  related  in  a 
joyous  manner  what  he  had  seen.  Several  Frenchmen  having  observed 
the  proceedings  of  the  Moor,  told  M.  Picard,  who.  after  the  obliging  offers 
of  the  officers,  decided  in  clothing  the  rest  of  the  ladies  in  the  military 
dress,  on  purpose  to  prevent  their  being  annoyed  by  tiio  attentions  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  desert.     Mighty  well!  I  beg  pardon  of  MM.  Gorreard 


.F 


8HIFWRE0K  OF  THE  FKENCH  FRIOATE  MEDUSA, 
^^*  A  «f  iriith  in  all  this.     TIow  could 

l.ave  been  deceived.  north-weBt  wind  having  sprung  up,  and 

About  three  in  the  morning,  »  n°f";,  j^^  route,  our  generous  Eng.sh- 
,  little  refreshed  ««' ""^^^^r^^euJiig  u»  V^onl\oJ  At  four  o'clock 
,nan  again  taking  the  ^f  ^  «f  PJo«=";j^^^^^  ;„  the  distance.  We  all 
,he  sk?  became  overcast,  and  wo  h«ard  tn  ^^^^  ^^ 

expected  a  great  tempest,  «h.^'>  happ'^^        for  Mr.  Garnet,  who  came  to 
we  reached  the  spot  where  we  were  to  wa  ^^^  ^j^^^^^  ^^  ^ent 

us  with  a  bullock  ho  had  PV^^^^fl^w  „ur  suppcr      We  fixed  our  camp 

Uo  he  interior  to  seek  a  place  to  cook  ""^  ^'^  were  several  wells  or 

•  oside  a  small  wood  of  acacias    near    o  wh.c^  ^.^^^^^  ^^.^„^^^  ^.^  ,o 

cisterns  of  fresh  water,   .^"'f.  J*' ^  kindled,  and  each  was  occupied 
pieces,  and  distributed.  ,^larg'^  fire  wa«^J^^^^^^  notwUhstun- 

n  dressing  his  meal  .^^^'^'Vrsee'ng  every  one  seated  round  a  larjro 
ain.',  I  could  not  help  laughing  ^  «  2t  of  a  bayonet,  a  saber,  or  some 
fi  e"i;olding  his  piece  ««  beef  on  he  ^^^^'^^^J^^  ^he  different  faces 

at  once  laughable  and  »nP««'"g-    .^^  ^„o,g  my  mind,  sleep  overpowcvcd 
While  these  thoughts  were  passing  acr^^^^  ^y  p^,,t.on 

,„y  senses.     Being  '^"''^j!';^ '"  ^^^"Sr  liad  lent  me  for  walking  among 
ot- beef  in  the  shoes  wh.ch  an  "  "  s^nor  .  ^^^  strongly  of  tl>e 

he  thorns.     Although  it  was  a  1  ttle  burned,  a      ^^       ^^^ 
dish  in  which  it  was  conUined,  I  ate  a  goo     v        .^^    ff^,^^  to  exchange 
to  my  friend  the  sailor.    That  seaman,  seemg  1  was  •  .       ^  ^^^^^  ^.^ 
?,    Lat  for  some  which  he  had  i^^ff^^l  '^^^        .  ,„d  he  instantly 
I  grayed  him  to  give  "^-^^^^tr     My  thirst  was  so  great  that  I  drank 
went  and  fetched  some  in  his  f  ^^-    /^j^J^^^  repugnance. 
it  out  of  this  nasty  cap  without  the  ^"§"7     /„^aii,  took  the  route  for 

A  short  while  after,  every  one  aw^ke  and  ag  ^^^  ^^^^^ 

Senegal  at  an  early  hour      ^t  mne  o  dock  w  ,^^^  ^^  ^^^ 

nock  herded  by  y-y»g  ^7j?;hcr  an  ass  for  a  knife  which  he  had  seen 
of  them  offered  to  I'""!  ™y  ^7"  h"r  having  accepted  the  proposal,  the 
him  take  from  his  pocket  My  father  Ja  g^  ^J^^  ^^^  ^.^^^  g^^.g,,, 
Moor  left  his  companions  to  accornpany 

Ivom  which  we  were  y^^^-^^^^  X "orenoon  which  had  like  to  have 
There  happened  a  circumstance  in  .        ^he  steersman  of  the 

proved  troublesome,  but  it  ^»^f  ^^  °J' £  a  Moor  found  means  to  steal 
Medusa  was  sleeping  upon  the  ^'indovhen  ^^^  ^^^  ^^^.^^  „g 

his  saber.  The  Frenchman  awoke^^d^^^^^^  The  Arab,  seeing 

with  his  booty,  -^f «  "^"^P"r'"rPuronean,  returned,  fell  upon  his  knees, 
himself  followed  by  a  furious  European,  re  ^^^  stolen;  who, 

a  "laid  at  tlie  feet  of  ^he  steersman  the  sabre  wn  voluntarily 

";tis  turn,  touched  with  th-J"\j  ^^^^^^^^^^^       f,equ'ently  stopped  to  see 

aizs^\:^^  --£;^S'5e  ;;:Cted^  io^ 

-foftrtSiwXrhS"^^^^^^^^^^ 


r,>»-4..l'.ti;«>r-f^'^'*P*'  ■ 


,^;±i=™,^<^i;fl=s^^*«^'^^-"  =!?«i*SJ^^*^'^" 


^it^,tf--?7C5v^rAv''-^'^"''" 


MEDUSA. 

this.  How  could 
lurins  the  12th  of 
ipposin^  that  this 
I  inserted  in  their 
inform  thorn  they 

ng  sprung  up,  and 
•  generous  English- 
s.     At  four  o'clock 
)  diatanco.    We  all 
^lace.     Near  seven 
iarnet,  who  came  to 
the  shore,  we  went 
We  fixed  our  camp 
re  several  wells  or 
9d,  skinned,  cut  to 
I  each  was  occupied 

fever ;  notwlthstan- 
leated  round  a  larpe 
ict,  a  saber,  or  some 
1  the  different  faces, 

more  visible  by  the 
;s  and  the  roaring  of 
iresented  a  spectacle 

d,  sleep  overpowered 
it,  I  found  my  portion 
le  for  walking  among 
lelled  strongly  of  tlio 
'  it,  and  gave  ihe  rest 
11,  olfered  to  exchange 
il  in  a  small  tin  box. 
iny  ;  and  he  instantly 
so  great  that  I  drank 
ance. 

ia  took  the  route  tor 
upon  the  shore  a  large 
sold  us  milk,  and  one 
ife  which  he  had  seen 
pted  the  proposal,  the 
as  the  river  Senegal, 

which  had  like  to  have 
The  steersman  of  the 
ir  found  means  to  steal 
B  saw  the  thief  escaping 
iths.    The  Arab,  seeing 
d.  fell  upon  his  knees, 
ich  he  had  stolen ;  who, 
r  repentance,  voluntarily 
enuently  stopped  to  see 
led  its  route.     Suddenly 
lite  transported  with  joy, 
rising  ground,  discovered 


SHIP'     !EOK  OF  THE  FKENCH  FUIOATE  MKDUSA. 


455 


the  Senegal  at  no  great  distance  from  them.  Wo  Iiastened  our  march, 
and  for  the  first  timn  since  our  shipwreck,  a  smiling  picture  presented 
itself  to  our  view.  Wo  could  not  atiato  our  eyes  with  gazing  on  the 
beauties  of  this  place,  verdure  being  so  enchanting  to  the  sight,  especially 
atler  having  traveled  through  the  desert.  Before  reaching  tlie  river,  wu 
had  to  descend  a  little  hill  covered  with  thorny  bushes.  My  ass  stumbling, 
'threw  mo  into  the  midst  of  one,  and  I  tore  myself  in  several  places;  but 
was  easily  consoled,  when  1  at  length  found  myself  on  the  banks  of  a  river 
of  fresh  water.  Everyone  having  quenched  his  thirst,  we  stretched 
ourselves  under  the  shade  of  a  small  grove,  while  the  beneficent  Mr. 
Carnet  and  two  of  our  officers  set  forward  to  Senegal,  to  announce  our 
arrival,  and  to  get  us  boats. 

At  two  in  the  afternoon  we  saw  a  small  boat  beating  against  the  current 
of  the  stream  with  oars.  It  soon  reached  tiic  spot  where  we  were.  Two 
Europeans  landed,  saluted  our  caravan,  and  imjuired  for  my  father.  Ono 
of  them  said  he  came  on  the  part  of  MM.  Artigue  and  Laboure,  inhabi- 
tants of  Senegal,  to  offer  assistance  to  the  boats  which  were  getting  ready 
for  our  family ;  the  other  added,  that  he  had  not  waited  for  us  at  the 
island  of  St.  Louis,  knowing  too  well  what  would  be  our  noed.  They 
placed  before  us  large  baskets  containing  several  loaves,  cheese,  a  bottle 
of  Madeira,  a  bottle  of  filtered  water,  and  dresses  for  my  father.  Every 
one,  who,  during  our  journey,  had  taken  any  interest  iu  our  unfortunate 
family,  and  especially  the  brave  Captain  Begnere,  had  a  share  of  our 
provisions.  We  experienced  a  real  satisfaction  in  partaking  with  them, 
and  giving  them  this  small  mark  of  our  gratitude.  A  young  aspirant  of 
marine,  wiio  had  refused  us  a  glass  of  water  in  the  desert,  i)rcsscd  with 
hunger,  begged  of  us  some  bread ;  he  got  it,  also  a  small  glass  of  Madeira. 
It  was  four  o'clock  before  tiie  boats  of  the  government  arrived,  and  we 
all  embarked.  Biscuit  and  wine  were  found  in  each  of  them,  and  all 
were  refreshed. 

That  in  which  our  family  were  was  commanded  by  M.  Artigue,  captain 
of  the  port,  and  one  of  those  who  had  sent  us  provisions.  My  father  and 
he  embraced  as  two  old  friends  who  had  not  seen  one  another  for  eight 
years,  and  congratulated  themselves  tiiat  they  had  been  permitted  to  meet 
once  more  before  they  died. 

Immediately  the  town  of  St.  Louis  presented  itself  to  our  view.  At 
the  distance  its  appearance  is  fine ;  but  in  proportion  as  it  is  approached 
the  illusion  vanishes,  and  it  looks  as  it  really  is — dirty,  very  ill  built,  poor, 
and  filled  with  straw  huts  black  with  smoke.  At  six  in  the  evening  we 
arrived  at  the  port  of  St.  Louis.  It  would  be  in  vain  for  me  to  paint  the 
various  emotions  of  my  mind  at  that  delicious  moment.  I  am  bold  to 
say,  all  the  colony,  if  we  except  MM.  Schmaltz  and  Lachaumareys,  were 
at  the  port  to  receive  us  from  our  boats.  M.  Artigue  going  on  shore 
first  to  acquaint  the  English  governor  of  our  arrival,  met  him  coming  to 
us  on  horseback,  followed  by  our  generous  conductor,  Mr.  Carnet,  and 
several  superior  officers.  We  went  on  shore  carrying  our  brothers  and 
sisters  in  our  arms.  My  father  presented  us  to  the  English  governor, 
who  had  alighted ;  he  appeared  to  be  sensibly  affected  with  our  misfor- 
tunes, the  females  and  children  chiefly  exciting  his  commiseration.  And 
the  native  inhabitants  and  Europeans  tenderly  shook  the  hands  of  the 
unfortunate  people ;  the  negro  slaves  even  seemed  to  deplore  our  disas- 
trous fate. 


j 


.Mun,- 


^*" 


456 


Bini'VRECK  OF  THK  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


Tho  following  is  tho  Bubatnnco,  abridged  frnni  MM.  CorriMrl  and 
Savigiiy,  of  what  took  place  on  the  rail  during  thirtoua  days  before  th*) 
iiuflercrj   vciu  taken  uj^  by  tho  Aruus  brig. 

Ailer  the  boats  had  diaappoarcu,  the  constornation  became  nxtronto. 
All  tiio  horrors  of  thirst  and  famine  passed  before  our  imaginations ; 
busidu,  we  had  to  contend  with  a  treacherous  «1emont,  which  already 
covorcd  the  half  of  our  bodies.  The  deep  stupor  of  tho  soldiers  and 
sailors  instantly  changed  to  despair.  All  saw  their  inevitable  destination, 
and  expressed  by  their  moans  the  dark  tiioughts  which  brooded  in  th^ir 
minds.  Our  words  wore  at  first  unavailing  to  quiet  their  fears,  wtuch 
we  participjtl'';d  with  them,  but  which  a  greater  strength  of  mind  cnaMed 
uA  to  tlissembl' .  At  last,  an  unmoved  countenance  and  our  protlercd 
consolations  quitted  them  by  degrees,  but  could  not  cn'irely  dissipate 
the  terror  with  wh!  ti  they  were  seized. 

When  tranquillity  wtd  a  iittlo  restored,  wo  began  to  search  about  the 
rail  for  the  charts,  the  compass,  and  tho  anchor,  wiii-h  we  presumed 
had  been  placed  upon  it,  alter  what  we  had  been  told  at  tho  time  of 
quitting  the  frigate.  Those  things,  of  thu  first  importance,  had  not  been 
placed  upon  our  machine.  Above  all,  the  want  of  a  compass  tho  inout 
alarmed  us,  and  we  gave  vent  to  our  rage  and  vengeance.  M.  Coneard 
then  remembered  he  had  seen  one  in  the  hands  of  one  of  tlie  p.iicipal 
workmen  under  his  command;  he  spoke  to  tho  man,  who  replied,  '"Yes, 
yes,  I  have  it  with  mo.'^  This  information  transported  us  with  Jo),  and 
we  believed  that  our  safety  '>;  ended  upon  this  futile  resource ;  it  was 
about  the  size  of  a  crown-p!i!<*.e,  and  very  iu(;urrrct.  The  compass  was 
given  to  the  commander  of  th-  rofi,  but  an  acciJent  deprived  us  of  it  for- 
ever: it  fell,  and  disappeared  between  the  pieces  b!'  wood  which  formed 
our  machine.  We  had  kept  it  but  a  few  hours,  and,  after  its  loss,  had 
nothing  to  guide  us  but  the  rising  and  .-<otting  of  the  sun. 

We  had  all  gone  afloat  without  taking  any  food.  Hunger  beginning 
to  be  imperiously  felt,  we  mixed  our  paste  of  sea-biscuit  (which  had  fallen 
into  the  sea,  and  was  with  difficulty  recovered,)  with  a  little  wine,  and 
distributed  it  thus  prepared.  Such  was  our  first  meal,  and  tho  best  wo 
had  during  our  stay  upon  the  rafl. 

An  order,  according  to  our  numbers,  was  established  for  the  distribution 
of  our  miserable  provisions.  The  ration  of  wine  was  fixed  at  three  quar- 
ters a  day.  We  will  speak  no  more  of  the  biscuit,  it  having  been  entirely 
consumed  at  the  first  distribution.  The  day  passed  away  sufficiently 
tranquil.  Wo  talked  of  the  means  by  which  we  would  save  ourselves ; 
we  spoke  of  it  as  a  certain  circumstance,  which  reanimated  our  courage  ; 
and  wc  sustained  that  of  the  soldiers,  by  cherishing  in  them  the  hope  of 
being  able,  in  a  short  while,  to  revenge  themselves  on  those  who  had  so 
basely  abandoned  us.  This  hope  of  vengeance,  it  must  be  avowed,  equally 
animated  us  all ;  and  we  poured  out  a  thousand  imprecations  against 
those  who  had  left  us  a  prey  to  so  much  misery  and  danger. 

The  officer  who  commanded  the  raft  being  unable  to  move,  M.  Savigny 
took  upon  himself  the  duty  of  erecting  the  mast.  He  caused  thorn  to 
cut  in  two  one  of  the  poles  of  the  frigate's  masts,  and  fixed  it  with  tho 
rope  which  had  served  to  tow  us,  and  of  which  we  made  stays  and  shrouds. 
It  was  placed  on  the  anterior  third  of  the  raft.  We  put  up  for  a  sail  tho 
main-topgallant,  which  trimmed  very  well,but  vas  of  very  little  use,  except 
when  the  wind  served  from  behind;  and  to  keep  the  raft  in  this  course, 
wc  were  obliged  to  trim  the  sail  as  if  the  breeze  blew  athwart  us.  In  the 
evening,  our  hearts  and  our  prayers,  by  a  feeling  natural  to  the  unfortunate, 


'••SSt4iSi«#«»?»6-A«i9 


|»*^.'<!*ftB-iBi^fcitfi«s(giiiaitw8y'.a^  **-  ''■••'wr— —  ".— 


;  MEDUSA. 

MM.  Corrcail  and 
rtouii  (lays  before  thi) 

ion  bcc».nie  oxtroma. 
re  our  iina({ination8  ; 
sraont,  which  already 
r  of  the  soldiers  and 
inevitable  destinulion, 
hich  brooded  in  !h<ir 
iel  their  foara,  wiiirh 
ingth  of  mind  ena'iled 
CO  and  our  protlorod 
not  on' i  rely  disBipale 

n  to  search  about  the 
wn  fh  we  presumed 
[»  told  at  the  time  of 
lortance,  had  not  boon 
if  a  compass  the  moat 
Eieanco.  M.  Con  card 
f  one  of  the  piicipal 
n,  who  replied,  *•  Yes, 
orted  us  with  jo),  and 
utile  resource ;  it  was 
ct.  The  compass  was 
It  deprived  us  of  it  for- 
of  wood  which  formed 
and,  after  its  loss,  had 
ie  sun. 

id.  Hunger  beginning 
scuit  (which  had  fallen 
with  a  little  wine,  and 
meal,  and  the  best  wo 

shed  for  the  distribution 
was  fixed  at  three  quar- 
,  it  having  been  entirely 
assed  away  sufficiently 
I  would  save  ourselves ; 
eanimated  our  courage  ; 
ng  in  them  the  hope  of 
es  on  those  who  had  so 
must  be  avowed,  equally 
ad  imprecations  against 
and  danger. 

ble  to  move,  M.  Savigny 
It.  He  caused  them  to 
ts,  and  fixed  it  with  the 
made  stays  and  shrouds. 
We  put  up  for  a  sail  the 
1  of  very  little  use,  except 
J  the  raft  in  this  course, 
blew  athwart  us.  In  the 
tatural  to  the  unfortunate, 


''  i-f-mjmM'-fvW^'^'  '^'•'9»isv: 


..^... 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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1.0 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STMEET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872>4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


■mmsm^mmmsAm 


SHIPWRECK  OP  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


457 


were  turned  toward  Heaven.  Surrounded  by  inevitable  dangers,  we 
addressed  that  invisible  Being  who  has  established,  and  who  maintains 
the  order  of  the  universe.  Our  vows  were  fervent,  and  we  experienced 
from  our  prayers  the  cheering  influence  of  hope. 

One  consoling  thought  still  soothed  our  imagination.  We  persuaded 
ourselves  that  the  little  division  had  gone  to  the  isle  of  Arguin,  and  that, 
after  it  had  set  a  part  of  its  people  on  shore,  the  rest  would  return  to  our 
assistance ;  we  endeavored  to  impress  this  idea  on  our  soldiers  and  sailors, 
which  quieted  them.  The  night  came  without  our  hope  being  realized  ; 
the  wind  freshened,  and  the  sea  was  considerably  swelled.  M.  Savigny, 
seconded  by  some  people  who  still  preserved  their  presence  of  mind 
amid  the  disorder,  stretched  corda  across  the  raft,  by  which  the  men 
held,  and  were  better  able  to  resist  the  swell  of  the  sea;  some  were  even 
obliged  to  fasten  themselves.  In  the  middle  of  the  night  the  weather 
was  very  rough ;  huge  waves  burst  upon  us,  sometimes  overturning  us 
with  great  violence.  The  cries  of  the  men  mingled  with  the  roaring  of  the 
flood,  while  the  terrible  sea  raised  us  at  every  instant  from  the  raft,  and 
threatened  to  sweep  us  away.  This  scene  was  rendered  still  more  terrible  by 
the  horrors  inspired  by  the  darkness  of  the  night.  Suddenly  we  believed 
we  saw  fires  in  the  distance,  at  intervals.  We  had  the  precaution  to  hang 
at  the  top  of  the  mast,  the  gunpowder  and  pistols  which  we  had  brought 
from  the  frigate.  We  made  signals  by  burning  a  large  quantity  of  car- 
tridges ;  we  even  fired  some  pistols ;  but  it  seems  the  fire  we  saw  was 
nothing  but  an  error  of  vision,  or,  perhaps,  nothing  more  than  the  spark- 
ling of  the  waves. 

We  struggled  with  death  during  the  whole  of  the  night,  holding  firmly 
by  the  ropes,  which  were  made  very  secure.  Tossed  by  the  waves  from 
the  back  to  the  front,  and  from  the  front  to  the  back,  and  sonietimes 
precipitated  into  the  sea ;  floating  between  life  and  death,  mourning  our 
misfortunes,  certain  of  perishing;  we  disputed,  nevertheless,  the  remainder 
of  our  existence  with  that  cruel  element  which  threatened  to  ingulf  us. 
Such  was  our  condition  till  day-break.  At  every  instant  we  heard  the 
lamentable  cries  of  the  soldiers  and  sailors ;  they  prepared  for  death, 
bidding  farewell  to  one  another,  imploring  the  protection  of  Heaven,  and 
addressing  fervent  prayers  to  God.  Everyone  made  vows  to  him,  in 
spite  of  the  certainty  of  never  being  able  to  accomplish  them. 

Toward  seven  in  the  morning  the  sea  fell  a  little,  the  wind  blew  with 
less  fury ;  but  what  a  scene  presented  itself  to  our  view!  Ten  or  twelve 
unfortunates,  having  their  legs  fixed  in  the  openings  between  the  pieces 
of  the  raft,  had  perished  by  being  unable  to  disengage  themselves ;  several 
others  were  swept  away  by  the  violence  of  the  sea.  At  the  hour  of 
repast  we  took  the  numbers  anew  ;  we  had  lost  twenty  men.  We  will 
not  aflirm  that  this  was  the  exact  number  ;  for  we  perceived  some  soldiers 
who,  to  have  more  than  their  share,  took  rations  for  two,  and  even  three  ; 
we  were  so  huddled  together  that  we  found  it  absolutely  impossible  to 
prevent  this  abuse. 

In  the  midst  of  these  horrors  a  touching  scene  of  filial  piety  drew  our 
tears.  Two  young  men  raised  and  recognized  their  father,  who  had 
fallen,  and  was  lying,  insensible,  among  the  feet  of  the  people.  They 
believed  him,  at  first,  dead,  and  their  despair  was  expressed  in  the  most 
afllicting  manner.  It  was  perceivef^,  however,  that  he  still  breathed,  and 
every  assistance  was  rendered  for  his  recovery  in  our  power.  He  slowly 
revived,  and  was  restored  to  life,  and  to  the  prayers  of  his  sons,  who 
supported  him,  closely  folded  in  their  arms.     While  our  hearts  were 


l» 


^^_  ..ilii'' 


459  SHIFWBEOK  OF  THE  PRESCH  FBIOATE  MEDUSA. 

visions.  1  he  day  was  nn^  „„pnin<T  came,  and  no  boats  appeared, 
the  while  on  our  raft.  The  «^"''"8  „^ J"f '  „  "  spirit  of  insubordina- 
Despondency  began  to  seize  ""^  ™«°' ''"Vhe  "oice  of  the  officers  was 
tion'  manifested  itself  in  c^^  "^  ^^  in  t£e  skiwas  obscured  by  dark 
entirely  disregarded  Night  f^" '^P'^  ^'^^^^  ^^7  day,  had  blown  rather 
cloud.;  the  wind,  which,  during  the  whole  ot  the  aay 

comrades,  »ho  fell  upon  them  a.  "«'?'?»'«»•  J^Jto  calf  to  .lose 

';sur„;.rei.-;vsr,%srst 

%te::S  Kiirs,  frigMened  by  .he  presence  oM^^^^^^ 

danger,  doubted  no.  .!■«  ^'y  ^jf^.l^^'^^t^J''  L  t^  .m»^^  bj 

ss  s  i:;  isii?^£w£n<,  PC.™  ^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
f  Sot  .b^e^dTit^srturiHi'SF^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

their  brains,  already  weakened  ^'y  t*^^  P^'S"  the  voice  of  reason, 
food.  Thus  excited  these  men  '^^^^'"^.f^ft^^ir  companions  in  mis- 
They  wished  to  involve  in  one  ^7™°"  .^^"^.^li'J  f  ^^^^^  themselves 

fortune.     They  avowedly  expressed  ^*^«'r  mtent.on  oi  ir        „  ^^^ 

^oin  their  officers  wlu,,  they  sa^,  -f  ^^^  ^'«  ^  u^^-ocl  its  diftirent 
then  to  destroy  the  raft,  by  cutting  ine  rup  execution, 

p.rts.     Immediately  after  they  resolved  J"  P J  ^^^  .^i^Xarding-ax,  and 

s:-i?-tM«££H  --  -  rst 

Sef,  ^itKhicL  rertTreS^rlc^e;^^^^  the  first  victim:  a 

stroke  of  the  saber  terminated  his  «^j^f "««;      ^„,„„i,i  regiment.     Of  a 

This  man  was  an  Asiatic,  and  a  so  d.er  in  ^^^^'^'^^^-^o^g  „outh, 

colossal  stature,  short  hair,  a  "«f  «^!'^™^„^^^^^^^^^  ^At  first  he  placed 

tZ:  dSTp-:E     li."i'.Here°=Vrs„^c,„  cor  des.,uc,lo„ 
would  have  been  ccrtam.  ^^ristence    armed  and  united 

U.ore?.er;i.r.=  r »atVere-.1,o  raf.;  among  *. 


MEDUSA. 

Ivcnturcs,  wc  had 
I  baker  feared  not 
sr  having  bid  I'are- 
inds  of  our  people 
id ;   others  ships, 
»f  their  fallacious 
juillity  rei}»!ied  all 
)  boats  appeared, 
rit  of  insubordina- 
)f  the  officers  was 
3  obscured  by  dark 
,  had  blown  rather 
ich,  in  an  instant, 
3  sea,  were  hurried 
>  to  the  center,  the 
lere  almost  all  per- 
uously,  and  swept 
center  the  pressure 
the  weight  of  their 
officers  kept  by  the 
nt  to  call  to  those 
ivoid  the  wave  ;  for 
rly  a  perpendicular 
»w  themselves  upon 

of  almost  inevitable 
last  hour.     Firmly 
lir  last  moments  by 
)wer  to  oppose  this 
er  of  the  raft,  made 
:  each  a  pretty  large 
;a-water  rushed  into 
tiled  not  to  disorder 
danger  and  want  of 
he  voice  of  reason. 
■  companions  in  mis- 
f  freeing  themselves 
30  their  design,  and 
1  united  its  different 
r  plans  in  execution, 
h  a  boarding-ax,  and 
revolt.     We  stepped 
ho  was  armed  with  a 
ell  the  first  victim :  a 

nial  regiment.  Of  a 
an  enormous  mouth, 
:e.  At  first  he  placed 
V  of  his  fist,  knocked 
;  greatest  terror,  and 
such,  our  destruction 

3,  armed  and  united 
he  raft;  among  this 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


4.59 


number  were  some  subaltern  officers  and  many  passengers.  The  rebels 
drew  their  sabers,  and  those  who  had  none  armed  themselves  with  knives. 
They  advanced  in  a  determined  manner  upon  us ;  we  stood  on  our  defense  ; 
the  attack  commenced.  Animated  by  despair,  one  of  them  aimed  a  stroke 
at  an  officer ;  the  rebel  instantly  fell,  pierced  with  wounds.  This  firmness 
awed  them  for  an  instant,  but  diminished  nothing  of  their  rage.  They 
ceased  to  advance,  and  withdrew — presenting  to  us  a  front  bristling  with 
sabers  and  bayonets — to  the  back  part  of  tlic  raft,  to  execute  their  plan. 
Oue  of  them  feigned  to  rest  himself  on  the  small  railings  on  the  sides  of 
the  raft,  and  with  a  knife  began  cutting  the  cords.  Being  told  by  a  servant, 
one  of  us  sprang  upon  him.  A  soldier,  wishing  to  defend  him,  struck  at 
the  officer  with  his  knife,  which  only  pierced  his  coat ;  the  officer  wheeled 
round,  seized  his  adversary,  and  threw  both  him  and  his  comrade  into 
the  sea. 

There  had  been  as  yet  but  partial  affairs:  the  combat  now  became 
general.  Some  one  cried  to  lower  the  sail ;  a  crowd  of  infuriated  mortals 
threw  themselves  in  an  instant  upon  the  halyards,  and  shrouds,  and  cut 
them.  The  fall  of  the  mast  almost  broke  the  thigh  of  a  captain  of  infantry, 
who  fell  insensible.  He  was  seized  by  the  soldiers,  who  threw  him  into 
the  sea.  We  saved  him  and  placed  him  on  a  barrel,  whence  he  was 
taken  by  the  rebels,  who  wished  to  put  out  his  eyes  with  a  penknife. 
Exasjjerated  by  so  much  brutality,  we  no  longer  restrained  ourselves,  but 
rushed  in  upon  them,  and  charged  them  with  fury.  Sword  in  hand,  wc 
traversed  the  line  which  the  soldiers  formed,  and  many  paid  with  their 
lives  the  errors  of  their  revolt.  Various  passengers,  during  these  cruel 
moments,  evinced  the  greatest  courage  and  coolness. 

M.  Correard  fell  into  a  sort  of  swoon ;  but  hearing  at  every  instant  the 
cries.  To  arms!  with  us,  comrades;  toe  are  lost!  joined  with  the  groans 
and  imprecations  of  the  wounded  and  dying,  was  soon  roused  from  liis 
lethargy.  All  this  horrible  tumult  speedily  made  him  comprehend  how 
necessary  it  was  to  bo  upon  his  guard.  Armed  with  his  saber,  he  gathered 
together  some  of  his  workmen  on  the  front  of  the  raft,  and  there  charged 
them  to  hurt  no  one,  unless  they  were  attacked.  He  almost  always 
remained  with  them ;  and  several  times  they  had  to  defend  themselves 
against  the  rebels,  who,  swimming  round  to  the  point  of  the  raft,  placed 
M.  Correard  and  his  little  troop  between  two  dangers,  and  made  their 
position  very  difficult  to  defend.  At  every  instant  he  was  opposed  to  men 
armed  with  knives,  sabers,  and  bayonets.  Many  had  carabines,  which 
they  wielded  as  clubs.  Every  effort  was  made  to  stop  them,  by  holding 
them  off  at  the  point  of  their  swords ;  which,  in  spite  of  the  repugnance 
they  experienced  in  fighting  with  their  wretched  countrymen,  they  were 
compelled  to  use  without  mercy.  Many  of  the  mutineers  attacked  with 
fury,  and  they  were  obliged  to  repel  them  in  the  same  manner.  Some 
of  the  laborers  received  severe  wounds  in  this  action.  Their  commander 
could  show  a  great  number  received  in  the  different  campaigns.  At  last 
their  united  efforts  prevailed  in  dispersing  this  mass  who  had  attacked 
them  with  such  fury. 

During  this  combat,  M.  Correard  was  told  by  one  of  his  workmen  who 
remained  faithful,  that  one  of  their  comrades,  named  Dominique,  had 
gone  over  to  the  rebels,  and  that  they  had  seized  and  thrown  him  into  the 
sea.  Immediately  forgetting  the  fault  and  treason  of  this  man,  he  threw 
himself  in  at  the  place  whence  the  voice  of  the  wretch  was  heard  calling 
for  assistance,  seized  him  by  the  hair,  and  had  the  good  fortuue  to  restore 
him  on  board.     Dominique  had  got  several  saber  wounds  in  a  charge, 


m 


Wi 


i^O  SHIPWRECK  OF  THK  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 

one  of  which  had  laid  open  his  head      In  t^/JrrSre^ivrhfs 
out  the  wound,  wh.ch  «7'7^^„J;jy/;jf "  o,r  earo  recovered  the  wretch ; 
handUerchief  to  bind  and  s  op  th"  »>  «od^  ungrateful  Dominique,  forgetting 
but  when  he  had  collected  ^^'^^^^''ji^^j.'^f^^^Thad  rendered  him,  went 
at  once  his  duty  and  the  «'«""»  ^^'^^Jncss^^^^  Canity  did  no.  go  unre- 
aud  rejoined  the  rebels      So  •""^^^^''fj?"^  *  ^^u,  that  death  from  which 
venged  ;  and  soon  after  he  f^"^' '"  ^/^^fe  mgS  i"  ^U  probability,  have 
he  was  not  worthy  to  be  «'';^^3' ^"^^fhe  S  remained^mong  us. 
avoided,  if,  true  to  honor  '^"^  P;.^^''"^^^^'^;"  ,he  wounds  of  Dominique, 
Just  at  the  moment  wc  fi^'^^'^fj^^V^JTf  Jjfortunate  female  who  was 
another  voice  was  heard.     It  ^^^Jj'^.^l.^^^iJf^d  be'^T^      thrown  into  the 

with  us  on  the  raft,  .^"^.^^"'".t^^VJd  defended  her  with  courage.     M. 
soa,  as  well  as  her  husband,  who  "ad  detenaeu  ^.^^^  ^^.^^^ 

Correard,  in  despair  at  seemg  ♦r^^^^^jJ^^fS  ^d  "  la^      ropi,  which  he 
especially  the  woman's,  P'^^'^^.^'^^'^'f^J^^f  Vastened  rouJd  hi's  middle,  and 
found  on  the  front  of  ^^Vf '«^nto  the  sea  wag  again  so  fortunate  as  to 
throwing  himself  a  second  tune  into  the  sea  was    g       ^^_^^^^^^  ^^. 
save  the  ^voman,  who  mvoked,  w  th  ail  her  m  g    ,^^^  ^.^^       ^^^ 

Lady  of  Land.  Her  ^"^^''"f.'XJfStunates  upon  the  dead  bodies, 
workman,  Lavilette-  We  laid  these  ""'"'^^^^^^ 

supporting  their  bacCs  with  a  barrel,     la  a  short  wm  J  ^.^,^  ^^^ 

seiises.  The  first  tiling  the  woman  ^'^^7;  *°  ;;j,r  hi.^  her  liveliest 
name  of  the  person  who  saved  ^c^,  'n^'^^but  ill  expressed  her  feel- 
gratitude.  Finding,  dof  tless,  that  her  wo  a  ^  d  jnstantly  offered 
r„gs,sherecollectedshehad.nh  rpoc^e^a^^^^^^^^^  ^,^  ^^ 

i;;:j;i^aa-^sr^rs..^ 

repose.     The  man  and  w'f^'/f^J;*^^  both  together  into  a  stormy  sea, 

with  swords  and  bayonets,  ''"^  JJ^Xn  thev  found  themselves  in  one 

could  scarcely  credit  their  ^'^'''^IJ'^Z&^eoiL  Upper  Alps,  which 

another's  arms.     The  woman  wa«  \";)^;«  and  during  which  time  she 

place  she  had  left  twenly-^.^/J^JJ^^  ^,^^"^^J„^^^^^ 

Ld  followed  the  French  armies  in  the  campaigns  m       y,  (.^^^^„d, 

as  a  sutler.    "  Therefore  Fe^^'^e  JY /'J^'  ^^^^^  l^^  „ften  I  had  ven- 

.you  see  I  am  '^^f^'^'  ~;°,„dtaved  deSth  to  carry  assistance  to  our 
tured  upon  the  field  ot  battle,  ana  or"^^^"  ,  alwavs  let  them  have 

Sant  men!  Whether  they  had  ™°"f  J  "'i^^''^.^  Ky  poor  debtors ; 
r„y  goods.  Sometimes  a  ba«b  would  J^'P^'^^,^/^";, ™y  I,  ,hat  they 
but  after  the  victory,  others  ^vould  pay  me  dou  y         ^  ^^^^^  ^^ 

had  consumed  before  the  engagernent      A^us  1  ca  ^  ^^^^.^^^ 

their  victories."  Unfprtunate  ^7;j;i;^,Sey  expressed  so  vividly  that 
fate  awaited  her  among  "'  J^lv  enjoyed,  that  it  would  have  drawn 
happiness  whx!..  they,  alas!  so  shortly^npyea,  ^^^^^^ 

conjugal  affection.  j^j^^^  ^^g  suddenly  appeased, 


MEDUSA. 

darkness,  we  found 

ic  workmen  gave  his 

Bcovered  the  wretch ; 

)oininique,  forgetting 

1  rendered  him,  went 

anity  did  noi,  go  unre- 

lat  death  from  which 

all  probability,  have 

ined  among  us. 

ounds  of  Dominique, 

mate  female  who  was 

had  thrown  into  the 

•  with  courage.     M. 

1,  whose  pitiful  cries, 

large  rope,  which  he 

round  liis  middle,  and 

gain  so  fortunate  as  to 

I  the  assistance  of  our 

lame  time  by  the  head 

upon  the  dead  bodies, 

ile  they  recovered  their 

{uaint  herself  with  the 

ss  to  him  her  liveliest 

,  ill  expressed  her  feel- 

uff,and  instantly  offered 

1  the  gift,  but  unable  to 

served  him  for  three  or 

le  a  still  more  affecting 

len  they  had  sufficiently 

saved. 

id  above,  left  us  a  little 
t  a  little  before  stabbed 
jther  into  a  stormy  sea, 
und  themselves  in  one 
the  Upper  Alps,  which 
1  during  which  time  she 
in  Italy,  and  other  places, 
lid  she  to  M.  Correard, 
ew  how  often  I  had  ven- 

0  carry  assistance  to  our 

1  always  let  them  have 
me  of  my  poor  debtors ; 
le  or  triple  for  what  they 
:  came  in  for  a  share  of 
le  knew  what  a  horrible 
xpresscd  so  vividly  that 
that  it  would  have  drawn 
,t  horrible  moment  when 
I — when  we  were  obliged 

the  violence  of  the  men, 
le  to  attend  to  scenes  of 

s  was  suddenly  appeased, 
Several  threw  themselves 


SHIPWRECK  OP  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


461 


at  our  feet  and  implored  our  pardon,  which  wa.s  instantly  granted. 
Thinking  that  order  was  rc-established,  we  returned  to  our  station  on  the 
center  of  the  raft,  only  taking  the  precaution  of  keeping  our  arms.  We, 
however,  had  soon  to  prove  the  impossibility  of  counting  on  the  perma- 
nence of  any  iionest  sentiment  in  the  hearts  of  these  beings.  It  was  nearly 
midnight ;  and,  after  an  hour  of  apparent  tranquillity,  the  soldiers  rose 
afresh.  Thnir  mind  was  entirely  gone:  they  ran  upon  us  in  despair,  with 
knives  and  sabers  in  their  hands.  As  they  yet  had  all  their  physical 
strength,  and  beside  wore  armed,  we  were  obliged  again  to  stand  on  our 
defense.  Their  revolt  becartie  still  more  dangerous,  as,  in  their  delirium, 
they  wore  entirely  deaf  to  the  voice  of  reason.  They  attacked  us,  we 
charged  them  in  our  turn,  and  immediately  the  raft  was  strewed  with 
their  dead  bodies.  Those  of  our  adversaries  who  had  no  weapons,  endea- 
vored to  tear  us  with  their  sharp  teeth.  Many  of  us  were  cruelly  bitten. 
M.  Savigny  was  torn  on  the  legs  and  shoulder ;  lie  also  received  a  wound 
on  the  right  arm,  which  deprived  him  of  the  use  of  his  fourth  and  little 
finger  for  a  long  while.  Many  others  were  wounded ;  and  many  cuts 
were  found  in  our  clothes,  from  knives  and  sabers.  Some  short  while 
after,  in  a  fresh  attack  of  the  rebels.  Sub-lieutenant  Lozach  fell  into  their 
hands.  In  their  delirium  they  had  taken  him  for  Lieutenant  Danglas,  of 
whom  we  have  formerly  spoken,  and  who  had  abandoned  the  raft  at  the 
moment  when  we  were  quitting  the  frigate.  The  troop,  to  a  man,  eagerly 
sought  this  officer,  who  had  seen  little  service,  and  whom  they  reproached 
for  having  used  them  ill  during  the  time  they  garrisoned  the  Isle  of  Rhe. 
We  believed  this  officer  lost,  but  hearing  his  voice,  we  soon  found  it  still 
possible  to  save  him.  Immediately  a  number  of  our  men,  formed  them- 
selves into  small  platoons,  and  rushed  upon  the  insurgents  with  great 
impetuosity,  overturning  everyone  in  their  way,  and  retook  M.  Lozach, 
and  placed  him  on  the  center  of  the  raft.  Every  moment  the  soldiers 
demanded  he  shdUd  be  delivered  to  them,  designating  him  always  by  the 
name  of  Danglas.  We  endeavored  to  make  them  comprehend  their  mis- 
take, and  told  them  that  they  themselves  had  seen  the  person  for  whom 
they  sought,  retiirn  on  board  the  frigate.  They  were  insensible  to  every- 
thing we  said ;  everything  before  them  was  Danglas ;  they  saw  him  per- 
petually, and  furiously  and  unceasingly  demanded  his  head.  It  was  only 
by  force  of  arms  we  succeeded  in  repressing  their  rage  and  quieting  their 
cries  of  death. 

We  had  also  to  tremble  for  the  life  of  M.  Coudin.  Wounded  and 
fatigued  by  the  attacks  which  he  had  sustained  with  us,  and  in  which 
he  had  shown  a  courage  superior  to  everything,  he  was  resting  himself 
on  a  barrel,  holding  in  his  arms  a  young  sailor  boy  of  twelve  years  of  age, 
to  whom  he  had  attached  himself.  The  mutineers  seized  him,  with  his 
barrel,  and  threw  him  into  the  sea  with  the  boy,  whom  he  still  held  fast. 
In  spite  of  his  burden,  he  had  the  presence  of  mind  to  lay  hold  of  the 
raft,  and  to  save  himself  from  extreme  peril.  We  cannot  yet  comprehend 
how  a  handful  of  men  should  have  been  able  to  resist  such  a  number  so 
monstrously  insane.  We  are  sure  we  were  not  more  than  twenty  to 
combat  all  these  madmen.  Let  it  not,  however,  be  imagined  that  in  the 
midst  of  all  these  dangers  we  had  preserved  our  reason  entire.  Fear, 
anxiety,  and  the  most  cruel  privt^^'ons,  had  greatly  changed  our  intellectual 
faculties.  But  being  somewhat  less  insane  than  the  unfortunate  soldiers, 
we  energetically  opposed  their  determination  of  cutting  the  cords  of  the 
raft.  Permit  us  now  to  make  some  observations  concerning  the  different 
sensations  with  which  we  were  affected.     During  the  first  day,  M.  Griffin 


f  it;. 


m 


** 


4(})  SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 

euiircly  lost  his  aonsea.  Ho  threw  hi.nsolf  into  the  soa,  but  M.  SaviRny 
h"v  .  I  hi.n  with  his  own  hand..  His  wor.ls  worn  vn^uo  an.  "nconncc  ed. 
A  icond  ti.nc  he  threw  hinmclf  in,  but,  by  a  sort  ol  inst.nct,  kept  hold  of 
the  cross  nieces  of  the  raft,  and  was  again  saved.  .      ,     ,      .     .         .^. 

mfol  owing  is  what  M.  Savigny  experienced  .n  the  beginning  of  the 
night  soye^s  closed  in  spite  of  hin.self,  and  he  felt  a  general  drow- 

Sess      In  this  condition  the  most  delightful  visions  fl.tted  across  his 
magination.     He  saw  around  him  a  country  covered  with  |ho  most  beau- 
S  ilntations,  and  found  himself  in  the  midst  of  objects  del.ghtfu  to 
s  sonses.     Nevertheless,  he  reasoned  concerning  his  condition,  and  lelt 
hat  courage  alone  could  withdraw  him  from  this  species  of  non-existence. 
iS:  deman'deS  some  wine  from  the  master  gunner,  -J"  f  '»„  -„»>™; 
and  he  recovered  a  little  from  this  state  of  stupor.     If  the  unfortunates 
w"u>  were  assailed  with  these  primary  symptoms  had  not  «trengUi  to  jvith- 
Ttand  them,  their  death  was  certain.     Some  became  furious ;  others  threw 
themselves  into   the  sea,  bidding  farewell  to  their  comrades  with  the 
utZst  coolness.     Some  said-''Fear  nothing;  I  am  going  to  get  you 
aStance  and  will  return  in  a  short  while."     In  the  midst  of  this  general 
STes  some  fetches  were  seen  rushing  upon  their  companions,  sword 
rS  demanding  a  wing  of  a  chicken  and  some  bread,  to  appease  the 
hu  S^whiXcon^^^^  thelJ.;  others  asked  for  the  r  hammocks,  to  go 

?hc/slid,  beU^een  the  decks  of  the  frigate  to  take  a  httle  rcpose^^y 
beUeved  they  were  still  on  the  decks  of  the  Medusa,  surrounded  by 
The  same  objects  they  there  saw  daily.     Some  saw  ships,  and  cal  ed 
to  them   for  assistance,  or  a   fine   harbor,  in   the  d.s  anco  of  wh  ch 
was  an  elegant  city.     M.  Correard  thought  he  was  traveling  through  the 
LanSul  fields  of  Italy.     An  officer  said  to  him-"  I  recollect  we  have 
E    "n  alSeVby  tS  boats ;  but  fear  nothing      I  am  going  to  write  o 
the  covernor,  and  in  a  few  hours  we  shall  be  saved.'      M.  Correard 
eplifd  in  the'  same  tone,  and  as  if  he  had  been  m  h#rd.„a^  co^ 
_«  Have  you  a  pigeon  to  carry  your  orders  with  sucli  celerity  7        1  he 
cries  and  the  coSfSsion  soon  aroused  us  from  this  languor;  but  when 
franquUlity  was  s"  mewhat  restored,  we  again  fell  into  the  same  drowsy 
condUion      On  the  morrow  we  felt  as  if  we  had  awoke  from  a  painfu 
Sreamand  asked  our  companions  if,  during  their  «?ep,  they  had  not 
seen  combats  and  hear.l  cries  of  despair.     Some  replied  that  the  saine 
Jisions  had  continually  tormented  them,  and  that  they  were  exhausted 
with  fatigue      EveryoL  beleived  he  was  deceived  by  the  illusions  of  a 

'^^S  ttTdifferent  combats,  overcome  with  toil,  with  want  of  food 
and  sleep,  we  laid  ourselves  down  and  reposed  tdl  the  morrow  dawned 

'and  showed  us  the  horror  of  the  scene.  A  gJ-^^^^- -^'^^.f^/^S 
had  thrown  themselves  into  the  sea.  We  found  that  sixty  or  s'^ty-hve 
had  perished  during  the  night.  A  fourth  part  at  least,  we  supposed,  had 
downed  themselves  in  despair.  We  only  lost  two  of  our  number,  neither 
nf  im  were  ofticers.  The  deepest  dejection  was  painted  on  every  face ; 
eact  hS  ecoverek  himself,  cJuld  now  feel  the  horrors  of  hs  situation ; 
a^d  some  ofus,  shedding  tears  of  despair,  bitterly  deplored  the  r.gor  of 

""k^new  misfortune  was  now  revealed  to  us.  During  the  tumult,  the 
rebels  h-rdTrown  into  the  sea  two  barrels  of  wine,  and  the  only  two  casks 
of  water  which  we  had  upon  the  raft.  The  casks  of  wine  had  been 
conlumed  the  day  before,  U  only  one  was  left.  We  '^ere  more  than 
sScty^  number/and  we  were  obliged  to  put  ourselves  on  half-rations 


'E  MEDUSA. 

sea,  but  M.  Savipny 
Jiic  and  iinconnni-tcd. 
|in8tinut,  kept  liold  of 

tho  beginning  of  the 
felt  a  general  drow- 
ns flitted  across  his 
with  tho  most  boau- 
objects  delightful  to 
his  condition,  and  felt 
Icies  of  non-existence. 
,  who  got  it  for  hirn, 
If  the  unfortunates 
1  not  strength  to  with- 
furious ;  others  threw 
ir  comrades  with  the 
am  going  to  get  you 

0  midst  of  this  general 
eir  companions,  sword 
bread,  to  appease  the 
heir  hammocks,  to  go, 
a  little  repose.  Many 
edusa,  surrounded  by 
saw  ships,  and  called 
le  distance  of  which 
i  traveling  through  the 
-"I  recollect  we  have 

1  am  going  to  write  to 
saved."     M.  Correard 

hi^rdinary  condition 

such  celerity?"  The 
lis  languor ;  but  when 
I  into  the  same  drowsy 

awoke  from  a  painful 
ir  sleep,  they  had  not 

replied  that  the  same 
;  they  were  exhausted 
d  by  the  illusions  of  a 

toil,  with  want  of  food 
ill  the  morrow  dawned 
umber  in  their  delirum 

that  sixty  or  sixty-five 
east,  we  supposed,  had 
of  our  number,  neither 
I  painted  on  every  face ; 
liorrorsof  his  situation ; 

deplored  the  rigor  of 

)uring  the  tumult,  the 
and  the  only  two  casks 
sks  of  wine  had  been 
We  were  more  than 
rselres  on  half-rations 


SHIPWRECK  OP  THE  FRENCH  FHIOATE  MEDUS.\. 


-l(J3 


At  break  of  day  the  sea  calmod,  wliich  permitted  us  a^'ain  t':  nroct  our 
mast.  When  it  was  rctplaccd,  we  iniide  a  distribution  of  wine.  Tliu 
unhappy  soldiers  muriiuircd  and  biunit-d  us  fur  privations  whicii  we 
equally  endured  with  them.  Tlicy  fell  exhausted.  We  had  taken  notiiing 
for  forty-eiglit  hours,  and  we  had  been  obli;{ed  to  stru^'glo  continually 
against  a  strong  sea.  We  could,  like  them,  hardly  suppovt  ourselves; 
courage  alone  made  us  still  act.  We  resolved  to  employ  every  possible 
means  to  catch  fish,  and  collecting  all  the  hooks  and  eyes  from  tho  soldiers, 
made  fisli-iiook:<  of  them;  but  all  was  of  no  avail.  Tiie  currents  carried 
our  lines  under  the  rati,  where  they  got  entangled.  Wo  bent  a  bayonet 
to  catch  sharks ;  one  bit  at  it,  and  strnightcned  it,  and  wo  abandoned  our 
project.  Something  was  absolutely  necessary  to  sustain  our  rniseral)le 
existence,  and  we  tremble  with  horror  at  being  obliged  to  tell  that  of 
which  wo  made  use.  We  feel  our  pen  fall  from  our  hands;  a  mortal 
cold  congeals  all  our  members,  and  our  hair  bristles  erect  on  our  foreheads. 
Reader!  we  implore  you,  feel  not  indignant  toward  men  already  loaded 
with  misery.  Pity  their  condition,  and  shed  a  tear  of  sorrow  for  their 
deplorable  fate. 

The  wretches  whom  death  had  spared  during  the  disastrous  night  we 
have  described,  seized  upon  the  dead  bodies  with  which  the  raft  was 
covered,  cutting  them  up  by  slices,  which  some  even  instantly  devoured. 
Many  nevertheless  refrained.  Almost  all  the  officers  were  of  this  number. 
Seeing  that  this  monstrous  food  had  revived  the  strength  of  those  who 
had  used  it,  it  was  proposed  to  dry  it  to  make  it  a  little  more  palatable. 
Those  who  had  firmness  to  abstain  from  it,  took  an  additional  quantity  of 
wine.  We  endeavored  to  eat  shoulder-belts  and  cartouch-boxes,  and 
contrived  to  swallow  some  small  bits  of  them.  Some  ate  linen  ;  others, 
the  leathers  of  the  hats,  on  which  was  a  little  grease,  or  rather  dirt.  We 
had  recourse  to  many  expedients  to  prolong  our  miserable  oxistenco.  to 
recount  which  wtfWd  only  disgust  tho  heart  of  humanity. 

The  day  was  calm  and  beautiful.  A  ray  of  hope  beamed  for  a  moment 
to  quiet  our  agitation.  We  still  expected  to  see  the  boats,  or  some  ships, 
and  addressed  our  prayers  to  the  Eternal,  on  whom  we  placed  our  trust. 
The  half  of  our  men  were  extremely  feeble,  and  bore  upon  their  faces 
the  stamp  of  approaciiing  dissolution.  The  evening  arrived,  and  wo  found 
no  help.  The  darkness  of  the  third  night  augmented  our  fears,  but  the 
wind  was  still,  and  the  soa  less  agitated.  The  sun  of  the  fourth  morning 
since  our  departure  shone  upon  our  disaster,  and  showed  n"  ten  or  twelve 
of  our  companions  stretched  lifeless  upon  the  raft.  Th*  i^ht  struck  us 
most  forcibly,  as  it  told  us  we  would  be  soon  extended  ..  .  same  man- 
ner in  the  same  place.  We  gave  their  bodies  to  tho  s-.  •  for  a  grave, 
reserving  only  one  to  feed  those  who,  but  the  day  before,  had  held  his 
trembling  hands,  and  sworn  to  him  eternal  friendship.  This  day  was 
beautiful.  Our  souls,  anxious  for  more  delightful  sensations,  were  in 
harmony  with  the  aspect  of  the  heavens,  and  got  again  a  new  ray  of  hope. 
Toward  four  in  the  afternoon  an  unlooked  for  event  happened,  which 
gave  us  some  consolation.  A  shoal  of  flying-fish  passed  under  our  raft, 
and  as  there  was  an  infinite  number  of  openings  between  the  pieces  that 
composed  it,  the  fish  were  entangled  in  great  quantities.  We  threw  our- 
selves upon  them,  and  captured  a  considerable  number.  We  took  about 
two  hundred  and  put  them  in  an  empty  barrel ;  we  opened  them  as  wu 
caught  them,  and  took  out  what  is  called  their  milt.  This  food  seemed 
delicious ;  but  one  man  would  have  required  a  thousand.  Our  first  emo- 
tion was  to  give  God  renewed  thanks  for  this  unhoped  for  favor.     An 


tegWMn-  ■^.te.-na: 


464     SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 

ounce  of  gunpowder  ^l^:Z^yZ^'JS^:i!^^ 
in  the  sun  during  the  day,  which  was  very  ^^^^  of  dilficulty 

tinder  made  a»80  a  part  of  the  saj  parco^^^  ^^^^  ^  .^^ 

wo  set  fire  to  some  f'''8'"«°J\° Vlf  ' ed"t  the  bottom  of  it  several  wet 
in  the  side  of  an  empty  ^J^' ^" ^^7^  w o  et  our  fire ;  all  of  which  we 
things,  and  upon  th.s  k.nd  of  caffo^d.ng  wo  «^^^.  .^      ^^ 

placed  on  a  barrel,  that  the  »«*  ^"Vjj  ^ut  our  hunger  was  such, 
Some  fish  and  ate  them  ^'\»> ^.''^^^^aded  to  t  some  of  the  sacrilegious 
and  our  portion  so  small,  ^^fj^^^jt^  revolting.  This  some  of  the 
viands,  which  the  <^'>°*''"«  ;f"f '"lo^'^h  rd-S  we  continued  to  eat  it; 
officers  touched  for  the  first  »'«"«•  ./r7,„7ofmLing  a  fire  having  been 
but  we  could  no  longer  dress  it,  ^'^^'PfT'^.e  extinguished  it,  without 
entirely  lost;  the  barrel  ^av.np  caught  fie    we  ext^  g       ^^^^^^ 

being  able  to  preserve  *7»*^"8,*^/*  This  meal  gave  us  all  additional 
powder  and  tinder  were  entirely  done^     „ight  w^«  tol^'-^blc,  and  would 

itrength  to  support  o«r  fatigues^  niiized  by  a  new  massacre. 

have  been  happy,  had  i   not  Jee"  «'g^^'^f  J^^.^ed  a  plot  to  throw  u» 

Some  Sp'^"'"«^«^;*;*'^,";^:fhad  ^^^^^^^^^  that  they  were  very  near 

all  into  the  sea     The  negroes  haa  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^^^^^^  ^f 

the  shore,  and  ^hatO^hen  there,  ucy^wo  ^^^  sailors,  who  had 

without  danger  We  had  *"  ^^^^  *^  ""' "^  ^^1  conspirators.  The  first 
remained  faithful  to  V«' P«'f  "|J"i:l*',d  U^^^^  himself  behind 

signal  for  battle  was  given  ?^y  «^„^f  "'.".ten  of  the  crols  with  one  hand, 
the  mast,  holding  fiwt  by  it,  7>^«^f.  ^Xr  held  a  knife.  The  sailors 
invoking  the  name  of  GoJ,  and  with  the  ot^«'  J«^     ^^^^,„,  ^o  an  officer 

seized  him  and  threw  »?'™'"^«;'\;i^„tu  was  discovered,  armed  him- 
of  the  troops,  who  was  m  the  ploMceng^^^^^  ^^^^.^^^  ^^  ^j,, 

self  with  the  only  board.ng-ax  .^^^  ^"  ^^  J^^^'^ore  across  his  breast, 
front,  enveloped  himself  in  a  P'^^^^jf/JXtKea.  The  rebels  rushed 
and,  of  his  own  accord,  ^hrew  himself  into  the  sea^  commenced  ; 

forward  to  avenge  their  ^^""'^^^''^'^i;^^^^^^  raft  was  strewed 

both  sides  fought  with  desperate  fury .  i^"**  "nTv--  shed  by  n«ber  hands, 
with  dead  bodfes  and  blood,  which  shouWh^^^^^^^  demanding, 

and  in  another  cnuse     In  t^'s  tum«»^  we  heard  tn      ^^g^^.^  ^^^^^^ 
with  horrid  rage,  the  head  of  LieiUenant  mng  ^^.^^^^ 

unfortunate  sutler  was  again  ^^r^wn  mto  the  sea  ^^^^^^^^  ^^^ 

by  some  workmen,  saved  her,  to  prolong  lor  awni 
her  existence.  .  .,    ,      .  ^    -jy^  proofs  of  the  rarest 

In  this  terrible  night  Lavillette  f%'«^°^Vho  have  survived  the  sequel 
intrepidity.    Itwastohimandsomcoftho^e  who^^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^  J  ^^ 

of  our  misfortunes,  that  we  owed  ««;«^;7^„d  quiet  restored.     Having 
efforts,  the  rebels  were  once  ^o'e  repulsed^and  qu^  ^^^ 

escaped  this  new  danger,  ^^ ^^^f'^I^^^^f '  We  wefe  now  no  more 
at  length  dawned  upon  ««/P' Xuour  or  kve  of  our  faithful  sailors, 
than  thirty  in  number.    We  had  lost  ^^'^t  deplorable  condition.     The 
and  those  who  survived  7'\'Vjf  "Pf^JK^ 
sea-water  had  almost  entirely  f  *^f 'f  ^^^XXch,  irritated  by  the  salt 
we  were  covered  with  «>°t"«'"^"%'''^°"rn„  cries      About  twcity  of  us 
water,  extorted  from  us  the  ^^f*  P'^'^^^JVa^'^^^^^^^^  \lmost  all  our  fish 
only  ;ere  capable  "^  «7^^\"|  Jj^^^yT^^^^      in  four  days,  s^A 
were  exhausted;  we  had  ^^^^l^ZrhemevitMe.    Thus  came  the 
we,  nothing  will  be  !««' ^""^"^''^Vlhe  course  of  the  day  two  soldiers 
TargiaS  ttnl^Tar^el  Jf"l%  that  was  left,  piercing  it,  and 


MEDUSA. 

morning,  was  dried 
Btocl,  nun-flints,  and 
;ood  deal  of  difficulty 
ade  a  large  opening 
torn  of  it  BOtfcrnl  wet 
firo  ;  all  of  which  we 
iiish  it.     Wo  cooked 
ur  hunger  was  such, 
e  of  the  sacrilegious 
r.     This  some  of  the 
e  continued  to  cat  it ; 
ng  a  firo  having  been 
inguishcd  it,  without 
n  the  morrow.    The 
gave  us  all  additional 
tolerable,  and  would 
lew  massacre, 
led  a  plot  to  throw  U8 
t  they  were  very  near 
hem  to  traverse  Africa 
a ;  the  sailors,  who  had 
aspirators.     The  first 
lacing  himself  behind 
e  cross  with  one  hand, 
I  a  knife.     The  sailors 
,  servant  to  an  officer 
p..»covered,  armed  him- 
lade  his  retreat  to  the 
wore  across  his  breast, 
la.     The  rebels  rushed 
lict  again  commenced  ; 
le  fatal  raft  was  strewed 
CE  shed  by  other  hands, 
[hem  again  demanding, 
is!     In  this  assault  the 
I.     M.  Coudin,  assisted 
irhile  her  torments  and 

jive  proofs  of  the  rarest 
have  survived  the  sequel 
it  last,  after  unheard  of 
quiet  restored.     Having 
some  repose.    The  day 
We  were  now  no  more 
re  of  our  faithful  sailors, 
jlorable  condition.     The 
of  our  lower  extremities; 
iiich,  irritated  by  the  salt 
;s.     About  twenty  of  us 
ing.    Almost  all  our  fish 
Fwine:  in  four  days,  said 
ivitable.    Thus  came  the 
e  of  the  day  two  soldiers 
was  left,  piercing  it,  and 


BHIPWREOK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


465 


were  drinking  by  means  of  a  reed.  W'j  had  sworn  that  those  who  used 
■uch  means  should  be  punished  with  ueath ;  which  law  was  instantly  put 
in  execution,  and  the  two  transgressors  were  thrown  into  the  sea. 

The  same  day  saw  the  close  of  the  life  of  a  child  named  Leon,  aged 
twnlve  years.  He  died  like  a  lamp  which  ceases  to  burn  for  want  of 
alimnnt.  All  spoke  in  favor  of  this  young  and  amiable  creature,  who 
miritcd  a  better  fate.  His  angelic  form,  his  musical  voice,  the  interest 
of  an  age  so  tender,  increased  still  more  by  the  courage  he  had  shown 
and  the  services  he  had  performed,  for  he  had  already  made,  in  the  pre- 
ceding year,  a  campaign  in  the  East  Indies,  inspired  us  all  with  the  greatest 
pity  for  this  young  victim,  devoted  to  so  horrible  and  premature  a  death. 
Our  old  soldiers  and  all  our  people  in  general  did  everything  they  could 
to  prolong  his  existence,  but  all  was  in  vain.  Neither  the  wine  which 
they  gave  him  without  regret,  nor  all  the  means  they  employed,  could 
arrest  his  melancholy  doom,  and  he  expired  in  the  arms  of  M.  Coudin, 
who  had  not  ceased  to  give  him  the  most  unwearied  attention.  While 
he  had  strength  to  move  he  ran  incessantly  from  one  side  to  the  other, 
loudly  calling  for  his  mother,  for  water  and  food.  He  trod  indiscrimi- 
nately on  the  feet  and  legs  of  his  companions  in  misfortune,  who,  in  their 
turn,  uttered  sorrowful  cries,  but  these  were  very  rarely  accompanied 
with  menaces ;  they  pardoned  all  which  the  poor  boy  had  made  them 
suffer.  He  was  not  in  his  senses,  consequently  could  not  be  expected 
to  behave  as  if  he  had  the  use  of  his  reason. 

There  now  remained  but  twenty-seven  of  us.  Fifteen  of  that  number 
seemed  able  to  live  yet  some  days ;  the  rest,  covered  with  large  wounds, 
had  almost  entirely  lost  the  use  of  their  reason.  They  still,  however, 
shared  in  the  distributions,  and  would,  before  they  died,  consume  thirty 
or  forty  bottles  of  wine,  which  to  us  were  inestimable.  We  deliberated, 
that  by  putting  the  sick  on  half  allowance  was  but  putting  them  to  death 
by  halves ;  but  after  a  council,  at  which  presided  the  most  dreadful  despair, 
it  was  decided  they  should  be  thrown  into  the  sea.  This  means,  however 
repugnant;  however  horrible  it  appeared  to  us,  procured  the  survivors 
six  days'  wine.  But  after  the  decision  was  made,  who  durst  execute  it? 
The  habit  of  seeing  death  ready  to  devour  us ;  the  certainty  of  our  infal- 
lible  destruction  without  this  monstrous  expedient ;  all,  in  short,  had  har- 
dened our  hearts  to  every  feeling  but  that  of  self-preservation.  Three 
sailors  and  a  soldier  took  charge  of  this  cruel  business.  We  looked  aside 
and  shed  tears  of  blood  at  the  fate  of  these  unfortunates.  Among  them 
were  the  wretched  sutler  and  her  husband.  Both  had  been  grievously 
wounded  in  the  different  combats.  The  woman  had  a  thigh  broken 
between  the  beams  of  the  raft,  and  a  stroke  of  a  saber  bad  made  a  deep 
wound  in  the  head  of  her  husband.  Everything  announced  their  ap- 
proaching end.  We  consoled  ourselves  with  the  belief  that  our  cruel 
resolution  shortened  but  a  brief  space  the  term  of  their  existence.  Ye 
who  shudder  at  the  cry  of  outraged  humanity,  recollect  that  it  was  other 
men,  fellow-countrymen,  comrades,  who  had  placed  us  in  this  awful 
situation! 

This  horrible  expedient  saved  the  fifteen  who  remained :  for  when  we 
were  found  by  the  Argus  brig,  we  had  very  little  wine  left,  and  it  was 
the  ^ixth  day  after  the  cruel  sacrifice  we  have  described.  The  victims, 
we  repeat,  had  not  more  than  forty-eight  hours  to  live,  and  by  keeping 
them  on  the  raft  we  would  have  been  absolutely  destitute  of  the  means 
of  existence  two  days  before  we  were  found.  Weak  as  we  were,  we 
considered  it  as  a  certain  thing,  that  it  would  have  been  impossible  for 
30 


1? 


m 


ll 


l«i 


I 


iW 


SHIPVTREOK  OF  THE  FREKOH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 


UB  to  have  lived  only  twenty-four  hours  more,  without  taiting  iomo  food. 
After  this  cataatropho  wo  threw  our  arms  into  the  sea ;  they  inspirt.'d  us 
with  a  horror  we  could  not  overcome.  We  only  kept  one  nabur,  in  case 
we  had  to  cut  some  cordafjn  or  some  pieces  of  wood. 

A  new  event,  for  everything  wan  an  event  to  wretches  to  whom  the 
world  was  reduced  to  the  narrow  space  of  a  few  feet,  and  fur  whom  the 
winds  and  waves  contended  in  their  fury  as  they  floated  above  thu  abyss  ; 
an  event  happened  which  diverted  our  minds  from  the  horrors  of  our 
situation.  All  on  a  sudden  a  white  butterfly,  of  a  species  common  in 
France,  came  fluttering  above  our  heads  and  settled  on  our  sail.  The 
first  thought  this  little  creature  suggested  was  that  it  was  the  harbinger 
of  approaching  land,  and  we  clung  to  the  hope  with  a  delirium  of  joy. 
It  was  the  ninth  day  we  had  been  upon  the  raft ;  the  torments  of  hunger 
consumed  our  entrails ;  and  the  soldiers  and  sailors  already  devoured 
with  haggard  eyes  this  wretched  prey,  and  seemed  to  dispute  about  it. 
Others  looking  upon  it  as  a  messenger  from  Heaven,  declared  that  they 
took  it  under  their  protection,  and  would  suffer  none  to  do  it  harm.  It 
was  certain  we  could  not  be  far  from  land,  for  the  butterflies  continued  to 
come  on  the  following  days  and  flutter  about  our  sail.  Wo  had  also,  on 
the  same  day.  another  indication,  not  less  positive,  by  a  Gocland  which 
flew  around  our  raft.  This  second  visitor  left  us  not  a  doubt  that  we 
were  fast  approaching  the  African  soil,  and  we  persuaded  ourselves 
we  would  be  speedily  thrown  upon  the  coast  by  the  force  of  the  currents. 

This  same  day  a  new  care  employed  us.  Seeing  we  were  reduced  to 
so  small  a  number,  we  collected  all  the  little  strength  we  had  left,  detached 
some  planks  on  the  front  of  the  raft,  and,  with  some  pretty  long  pieces 
of  wood,  raised  on  the  center  a  kind  of  platform,  on  which  wc  reposed. 
All  the  effects  we  could  collect  were  placed  upon  it,  and  rendered  to 
make  it  less  hard ;  which  also  prevented  the  sea  from  passing  with  !<uch 
facility  through  the  spaces  between  the  different  planks;  but  the  waves 
came  across,  and  sometimes  covered  us  completely. 

On  this  new  theater  we  resolved  to  meet  death  in  a  manner  becoming 
Frenchmen,  and  with  perfect  resignation.  Our  time  was  almost  wholly 
spent  in  speaking  of  our  happy  country.  All  our  wishes,  our  last  prayers, 
were  for  the  prosperity  of  France.  Thus  passed  the  last  days  of  our 
abode  upon  the  raft.  Soon  after  our  abandonment,  we  bore  with  com- 
parative ease  the  immersions  during  the  nights,  which  are  very  cold  in 
these  countries;  but  latterly,  every  time  the  waves  washed  over  ua 
we  felt  a  most  painful  sensation,  and  we  uttered  plaintive  cries.  We 
employed  every  means  to  avoid  it.  Some  supported  their  heads  on  pieces 
of  wood,  and  made,  with  what  they  could  find,  a  sort  of  little  parapet  to 
screen  them  from  the  force  of  the  waves ;  others  sheltered  themselves 
behind  two  empty  casks.  But  these  means  were  very  insufficient ;  it  was 
only  when  the  sea  was  calm  that  it  did  not  break  over  us. 

An  ardent  thirst,  redoubled  in  the  day  by  the  beams  of  a  burning  sun, 
consumed  us.  An  officer  of  tlie  army  found  by  chance  a  small  lemon, 
and  it  may  be  easily  imagined  how  valuable  such  a  fruit  would  be  to 
him.  His  comrades,  in  spite  of  the  most  urgent  entreaties,  could  not  get 
a  bit  of  it  from  him.  Signs  of  rage  were  already  manifested,  and  had  he 
not  partly  listened  to  the  solicitations  of  those  around  him,  they  would 
have  taken  it  by  force,  and  he  would  have  perished  the  victim  of  his  own 
selfishness.  We  also  disputed  about  thirty  cloves  of  garlic  which  were 
found  in  the  bottom  of  a  sack.  These  disputes  were,  for  the  most  part, 
accompanied  with  violent  menaces,  and  if  they  had  been  prolonged,  we 


EDUSA. 

taking  Bome  food. 
;  they  inspiroJ  us 
one  sabor,  in  case 

tchcs  to  whom  the 
,  and  for  whom  the 
id  above  the  abyas  ; 
the  horrors  of  our 
jpocies  common  m 
1  on  our  sail,      i  he 
t  was  the  harbinger 
h  a  delirium  of  joy. 

torments  of  hunger 
■8  already  devoured 

to  dispute  about  it. 
,,  declared  that  they 
,e  to  do  it  harm.  « 
itterflies  continued  to 

il      We  had  also,  on 

by  a  Gooland  which 

not  a  doubt  thut  we 

persuaded  ourselves 

force  of  the  currents. 

B  we  were  reduced  to 

,  we  had  left,  detached 

m  pretty  long  pieces 

on  which  we  reposed. 

,n  it,  and  rendered  to 

•torn  passing  with  such 

planks;  but  the  waves 

ly. 
in  a  manner  becoming 

lime  was  almost  wholly 
wishes,  our  last  prayers, 
Bd  the  last  days  of  our 
lent,  we  bore  with  com- 
which  are  very  cold  in 
waves  washed  over  us 
Bd  plaintive  cries,  vve 
ted  their  heads  on  pieces 

a  sort  of  little  parapet  to 
5rs  sheltered  themselves 
B  very  insufficient ;  it  was 

ik  over  us. 
beams  of  a  burning  Bun, 

ay  chance  a  small  lemon, 
such  a  fruit  would  be  to 
,t  entreaties,  could  not  get 
dy  manifested,  and  had  he 
sVound  him,  they  would 
ahed  the  victim  of  his  own 
loves  of  garlic  which  were 
39  were,  for  the  most  part, 
,y  had  been  prolonged,  we 


SHIPWRECK  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUiiA. 


407 


might  have  come  to  the  last  oxtrnmities.  Threo  dayx  paxfird  in  inex* 
prcssihln  anguish.  Uo  miu-h  did  wo  drspiso  lift;,  tliat  many  of  iih  fttared 
not  to  batli(<  in  sight  of  the  sharks  which  surrounded  our  raft;  others 
placed  thiMiiHolvns  naked  upon  the  iVont  of  our  machine,  which  was 
under  water.  Those  o.xpediontii  diminiflhod  a  little  tiie  ardor  of  our 
tliirst.  On  the  16th,  reckoning  wo  wore  very  near  the  land,  eight  of 
the  must  determined  among  us  resolved  to  endeavor  to  gain  the  coast. 
Accordingly  a  second  raft,  of  smaller  dimensions,  was  formed  for  trans- 
porting  them  thither;  but  it  was  found  iusulficient,  and  they  at  length 
determined  to  await  death  in  their  present  situation.  Meanwhile  night 
came  on,  and  its  somber  vail  revived  in  our  minds  the  most  afflicting 
thought.**.  We  were  certain  there  were  not  above  a  dozen  or  fifteen 
bottli!H  of  wine  in  our  barrel.  Wo  began  to  have  an  invincible  disgust 
at  the  flesh  which  had  till  then  scarcely  supported  us;  and  we  may  say 
that  the  sight  of  it  inspired  us  with  feelings  of  horror,  doubtless  pro- 
duced by  the  idea  of  approaching  destruction.  On  the  morning  of  the 
17th  the  sun  appeared  free  from  clouds.  After  having  addressed  our 
prayers  to  the  Eternal,  we  divided  among  us  a  part  of  our  wine.  Each 
with  delight  was  taking  his  small  portion,  when  a  captain  of  infantry, 
casting  his  eyes  on  the  horizon,  perceived  a  ship,  and  announced  it  to 
us  by  an  exclamation  of  joy.  We  knew  it  to  be  a  brig,  but  it  was  at  a 
great  distance ;  we  could  only  distinguish  the  masts.  The  sight  of  this 
vessel  revived  in  us  emotions  difli<*ult  to  describe.  Each  believed  his 
deliverance  sure,  and  we  gave  a  thousand  thanks  to  God.  Fears,  how- 
ever, mingled  with  our  hopes.  We  straightened  some  hoops  of  casks, 
to  the  ends  of  which  we  fixed  handkerchiefs  of  different  colors.  A 
man,  with  our  united  assistance,  mounted  to  the  top  of  tiie  mast,  and 
waved  these  little  flags.  For  more  than  half  an  hour  we  were  tossed 
between  hope  and  fear.  Some  thought  the  vessel  grew  larger,  and 
others  wore  convinced  its  course  was  from  us.  These  last  were  the 
only  one^<  whose  eyes  were  not  blinded  by  hope,  for  the  ship  disappeared. 

From  this  delirium  of  joy  we  passed  to  that  of  despondency  and 
sorrow.  We  envied  the  fate  of  thosr  whom  we  had  seen  perish  at  our 
sides;  and  we  said  to  ourselves,  "  Wiien  we  shall  be  in  want  of  every- 
thing, and  when  our  strength  begins  to  forsake  us,  we  will  wrap  our- 
selves up  as  well  as  we  can,  and  will  stretch  ourselves  on  this  platform, 
the  witness  of  the  most  cruel  sufferings,  and  there  await  death  with 
resignation.^'  At  length,  to  calm  our  despair,  we  sought  for  consolation 
in  the  arms  of  sleep.  The  day  before  we  had  been  scorched  by  the 
beams  of  a  burning  >tun;  to-day^  to  avoid  the  fierceness  of  his  rays,  we 
made  a  tent  with  the  mainsail  of  the  frigate.  As  soon  as  it  was  finished, 
we  laid  ourselves  under  it;  thus  all  that  was  passing  without  was  hid 
from  our  eyes.  We  proposed  then  to  write  upon  a  plank  an  abridgment 
of  our  adventures,  and  to  add  our  names  at  the  bottom  of  the  recital, 
and  fix  it  to  the  upper  part  of  our  mast,  in  the  hope  that  it  would  reach 
the  government  and  our  families. 

After  having  passed  two  hours,  a  prey  to  the  most  cruel  reflections, 
the  iimster  gunner  of  tlie  frigate,  wishing  to  go  to  the  front  of  the  raft, 
went  out  from  below  the  tent.  Scarcely  had  he  put  out  his  head  when 
he  turned  to  us,  uttering  a  piercing  cry.  Joy  was  painted  upon  his 
face;  his  hands  were  stretched  toward  the  sea;  he  breathed  witii  diffi- 
culty. All  he  was  able  to  say  was:  Saved!  see  the  brig  upon  ua!  and 
in  fact  it  was  not  more  than  half  a  league  distant,  having  every  sail  set,, 
and  steering  right  upon  us.     We  rushed  from  our  tent;  even  those  whoni' 


4 


iii- 


468  8HIPWRK0K  OF  THE  FRENCH  FRIGATE  MEDUSA. 

enormous  wounds  in  their  ij^XuTth^^^^^^^^^ 
days,  dragged  themselves  to  ^he  l^ack  «  th«^^»'^^  J.  Ve  embraced 
ship  which  had  come  to  save  u,  f™m  cem  ^^         ^„d  tears 

one  another  with  a  transport  which  looked  mucn  pwvations. 

of  ioy  trickled  down  our  cheeks,  '"'t^^^^^^'^y.^^^,  to  make  signals  to 
Each^eized  handkerchiefs,  »' «°™XTu3  S^me  fell  oa  tbsi"  knees 
the  brig,  which  was  "PlJ^y  .\PP«»'';°^;^de„';e  for  this  miracu  ous  pre- 
and  fervently  returned  thanks  to  ^J^J^J^^^^^^^^        \,^  ^^w  at  the  top  of 

servation  of  their  l''««:.,^"'/yji°e  cried' "^^  >»  ^^^'^  ^  Frenchmen 
the  foremast  a  large  white  flag,  "^^  we  c„ed  ^  ^^^  ^rig  to  be 

we  will  owe  our  deliverance  J^«  2^°';^^  „*  We  were  terribly 
the  Argus;  it  wM  tl'*'^  »^»"»  ^  S^t  Cshe  did,  and  fresh  cries 
impatient  to  see  her  '««^  ^f^rS  came  and  lay  to  on  our  starboard, 
of  joy  arose  from  our  raft.    The  Argus  came  y  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^ 

abiut  a  half  pistol  shot  from  us  ^he  crew,  r«ig  P"^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^ 
on  the  shrouds,  announced  to  us,  by  the  w*vmg  oi  unfortunate 

the  pleasure  they  felt  at  coming  ^o  /he  a^^^^t«^ce^ot  ^^  ^ 
countrymen.    In  a  short  time  we  "*";  *".  •    .5^  .nj  some  others  who 
where  we  ^und  the  lieutenant  of  the^^^  ^^  ^^^,y  f,,,, 

had  been  wrecked  with  us.  ^o™P*^«'^J  ^^  j^  ^g,  We  found  some 
and  pity  drew  tears  from  every  py^J^^'^'^.Cv  had  prepared,  and  when 
excellent  broth  en  board  the  b"g;/hi«h  sJme  wine^and  this  restored 
they  had  perceived  us  they  udded  to  lissome  wme  ^^^^  ^^^^ 

our  neariy  exhausted  «»'«"«**»•«,  J/iji^w's^'^"  ^  *^'°*  ''"'""^'^ 
became  again  delirious.  An  ^^f.' "['^VJid  have  done  it  had  he 
into  the  sea  to  look  for  his  PO«^ket-book,  and  woum  n  f^^^^ied. 

not  been  prevented;  oJ^X^s'fTe Ir  g  wSeTovtr  us,  and  kindly 
The  commander  and  officers  o*/"^  ""f -,       death  by  saving  us  from 
anticipated  our  wants     J^^^J  ^^^^^P^^d^Jh^^^^^^^  The 

the  raft;  their  unremitted  care  '«^'^^«.?  ^'jju"  d  hij„self  for  his  indefati- 
Burgeon  of  the  ship,  M-  Renaud  distinguish^^^  .^  ^^ 

gable  zeal.     He  was  obliged  to  «P«°'*f «  ™^  „„  board  the  brig,  he 
lur  wounds;  and^ming  the  two  days  we  were  o^^^^^  ^^ 

bestowed  on  us  all  the  aid  of  his  '''\'^l^^^\  ^^g  ti^e  we  should  find 
which  merit  our  eternal  gratitude   , /"  jJ^V'.';^^^^  i„  the  most  cruel 

an  end  of  our  sufferings;  they  ^^i^'f^Vhare  l?vKrty^^        hours  or 
manner.    The  strongest  among  J  might^^^^^^  nved       y^^^g^^  ^^^  ^^^^ 

so  longer.     M.  ^orreard  felt  that  he  "^^^^^^  ^^^      „,  ,,id  that 

he  had,  however,  a  P'«««°J'r;JtouW  nTbe  buried  in  oblivion;  that 

ryCXeTerp^rdth';:^  SJS  shaken  their  constitutions. 


nM>».»>-»— r*»r* 


lEDUSA. 

confined  for  many 
njoy  a  sight  of  the 
Lh.    We  embraced 
madness,  and  tears 
St  cruel  pwvations. 
to  make  signals  to 
fell  Oil  thsiL  knees 
lis  miracuous  pre- 
e  saw  at  the  top  of 
then  to  Frenchmen 
lized  the  brig  to  be 
We  were  terribly 
did,  and  fresh  cries 
J  to  on  our  starboard, 
[  upon  the  deck  and 
heir  hands  and  hats, 
of  their  unfortunate 
)d  on  botrd  the  brig, 
\d  some  others  who 
inted  on  every  face, 
us.    We  found  some 
prepared,  and  when 
le,  and  thus  restored 
escaped,  when  some 
ihed  to  throw  himself 
have  done  it  had  he 
er  not  less  frenzied, 
d  over  us,  and  kindly 
iath  by  saving  us  from 
[le  spark  of  life.    The 
mself  for  his  indefati- 
>f  the  day  in  dressing 
an  board  the  brig,  he 
ention  and  gentleness 
IS  time  we  should  find 
days  in  the  most  cruel 
ed  forty-eight  hours  or 
the  course  of  the  day; 
e  saved.    He  said  that 
luried  in  oblivion ;  that 
I  to  tell  the  world  the 

eft  upon  the  memorable 
re  saved.  Five  of  that 
;d  at  at.  Louis.  Those 
ruel  sufferings  to  which 
their  constitutions. 


THE     STOBT 


or 


ROBERT    DRURY, 


A  aiium  BOT,  WHO  WAS  saiPWBsonD,  oaftoud  ard  bud  in  mMan 

riimaof  txam,  bt 


THE  SAVAGES  OP  MADAOASOAR. 


I  WAS  born  on  the  24th  of  July,  1687,  i)^  Crutched  Friars,  London, 
where  my  father  then  lived  ;  but  soon  after  he  removed  to  the  Old  Jewry, 
near  Cheapside,  where  he  kept,  for  several  years  afterward,  that  noted 
house  called  the  King's  Head,  a  famous  beefsteak  house  in  its  day,  and 
a  great  resort  of  merchants  and  othor  gentlemen.  Reared  in  London, 
and  often  about  the  Thames,  I  acquired  an  unconquerable  desire  to  go  to 
sea  ;  and  though  my  parents  did  everything  in  their  power  to  give  me  a 
good  education,  and  promised  to  push  me  on  in  the  world,  if  I  would 
abandon  this  notion,  I  persevered  in  my  obstinate  resolution.  Not  all  the 
entreaties  of  my  poor  dear  mother,  though  she  once  begged  me  on  her 
knees,  nor  the  persuasions  of  my  father,  or  any  other  friends,  could  make 
the  least  impression  on  me. 

When  they  found  their  endeavors  were  ineffectual,  they  formed  a  new 
Kcheme  to  wean  me  from  a  sea-life.  This  was  to  procure  me  a  short  voy- 
age, hoping  that  he  :nany  dangers  and  hardships  to  which  I  should  be 
exposed,  and  should  see  others  undergo,  would  deter  me  from  persever- 
ing in  that  course  of  life. 

As  willful  persons  never  want  woe,  such  was  my  obstinacy,  that  nothing 
would  content  mo  but  what  contributed  to  my  ruin;  and  Providence  justly 
frustrated  all  my  hopes,  by  indulging  me  in  the  choice  I  had  so  foolishly 
and  ungratefully  made,  in  direct  opposition  to  my  duty  to  my  affectionate 
parents.  When  it  was  proposed  that  I  should  take  a  short  voyage,  I  in- 
sisted that  nothing  but  a  voyage  to  the  East  Indies  would  please  me  ;  for 
no  other  reason  that  i  can  think  of,  than  that  I  had  a  cousin  in  the  East 
India  Company's  service  at  Calcutta.  It  was  accordingly  resolved  to 
gratify  this  whim.  My  father,  however,  showed  a  due  concern  for  my  com- 
fort and  welfare,  by  the  manner  in  which  he  fitted  me  out.  He  supplied 
me  plentifully  with  provisions,  clothes,  and  other  necessaries  for  the  voy- 
age ;  beside  which  I  had  a  cargo  to  trade  on,  to  the  value  of  a  hundred 
pounds,  which  was  a  large  trust  for  a  boy  of  not  yet  fourteen  years  of  age. 
I  went  as  a  passenger,  well  recommended  to  Captain  William  Younge, 
with  whom  my  passage,  and  the  freight  of  my  cargo,  were  agreed  for,  and 
we  soon  after  embarked. 

The  vessel  Captain  Younge  commanded  was  thj  Degrave,  of  700  tons 
burden,  and  carrying  62  guns.  She  was  a  regular  India  trader,  and, 
like  all  others  of  her  class,  required  to  be  well  armed  for  the  sake  of 
defense.     The  parting  with  my  mother  was  not  without  pain  ;  but  I  was 

(469) 


.ite- 


THE  STORT  OF  ROBERT  DRURY. 

Hd^vboy,  and  «oon  rT^'SSdS::^^^-::::^^!!; 
iown  'the  Thames  to  the  Nore,  and  passed  tnr^  outward-bound 

;uaryl9,1701.     Nothing  remark  We  occ^^^^^^        canaries,  and  arrived 

''  O^raSing  at  Calcutta,  ^^  ::^^S^lX:^^^ 
in  disposiag  of  my  go«d9 ;  but  the  capum  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^,^„,    ,„ 

from  bVmg  trustworthy,  took  charge  o^^^^^^  ^^  ,he  country, 

good  advantage,  taking  in  e^^f  J"«y"f  „„,  crew  by  fever  ;  and,  worst 
Vhilc  lying  at  this  port,  we  lost  many  ot  »";.  .j.^'on^^howas^ccond 
of  all,  atlength  Captain  Younge  also  c^.ed,U>av^g^^  disaster,  for  our  new 
mate,  to  take  charge  of  the  ship.    1  his  w  ^^^  g^  fo,  ,^  important 

comr^ander  was  an  '««/]'«"«"'''' V°5°aused  us  to  wait  a  considerable 
at  U8t.    Thenumber  of  deaths  on  board^causedu  ^^  .^  j 

Ume  to  recruit  the  ship's  company.  ^"""8  ;^,f  L  swimming  in  the 
rnfd  to  swim,  and  f-quentv  amused  myjelf  ^by  ^^^^  ^  ^^^^^  ^^.^ 
Hoogly      I  became  so  exceedingly  expen 

several  miles  up  or  d«w".  ^J®  7'7o_„„,   and  our  crew  greatly  renewed, 
Our  business  being  ^n'^^'^'^^Jtaritirg  on  board  120  hands,  some 
we  sailed  on  our  homeward  ^"y'^g^' JV^fgelf,  and  a  few  other.passen- 
:;them  Lascars,  ^-ide  two  wornen  and  myseU     ^^^  ^      , 

oerB      As  wc  were  going  down  the  "ver,  r  ^   ^^^  ^^^  g^t 

C  bu^  there  being  a  very  strong  t|dertturn^^^^^         .^^^^.^^^^      ,^.^^ 

off  ihe  next  high  water  -'f'-f^^jymlrtun'e  which  soon  after  over- 
accident  proved  tlie  cause  ot  the  sad  misio  '  ^  ^^  j^^^^  sprung  a 
took  us.  On  getting  ^^^^^^J^^^^'UTan  pumps  continually  at  woj^^ 
l.ak,  and  we  were  f  »!gf^.*;^  ,^JP«ring  condition,  every  man  taking  h»s 
Wo  were  two  mouths  in  this  distrbssing  ^    j^^  ^^  ^^^  the 

turn  at  tiie  severe  labor  of  P«";P'"S;^  ..^„''",U  ie'^  were'all  still  more 
Xnd  of  Mauritius  rismg  on  the  hX^^L  about  600  miles  to  the  east 
delighted  to  arrive  at  the  island   >^»''J^J'^f,  jr^he  Dutch,  who  treated 

ot-  Madagascar.  This  «"« jt  ^n^tVtS^g  L  ^''^  ^^"'"'"  ''''  '" 
us  with  great  kindness  and  1^"'"'^'''^^' °f '  Hlich  we  stowed  great  part 
:^r  posvev.  We  made  .^^^^  J^eshp;  "nd  discover  the  leak  In  this 
of  our  cargo,  in  order  tol'^Jl^"  ^^ 'operly  performed,  the  sailors  were 

Uie  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  .  j  jg  more  than  1  can 

The  infatuation  of  going  o  «ea  wrth  a  ^eaty  ,  ^^  ^^  ^^^^^  ^„ 

possibly  account  for.  ^^ftsTerTseverely  punished  for  it  When  we 
Z.  of  folly,  he  and  all  of  »«J«^«  Mauriti"«^the  leak  gained  on  us  more 
had  been  gone  a  few  daysfrom  he  Mauri    ^  ^^^^^  ^^  ^^^^  ^^ 

Snd  more,  and  it  was  with  f^f  ^J^","'^^^^^^  on  the  verge  of  destruction 
water.    Young  as  I  was,  I  saw  ^h"^*  J^®,,^;  _,,tting  myself  in  the  way  of 
Tni  now  repented  in  tears,  the  -".^.^"^^^f/Zi^l^^^^^^^     which  the  men 

C:-^^:^^^^  iu  were  spent  with 


jpped  pleasantly 
Downs  on  Fcb- 
■e  outward-bound 
Iries,  and  arrived 

twenty  days  from 
led  to  Mastapatan, 
Iplete  our  voyage 

Id  offered  to  assist 

ig  that  he  was  far 

sold  the  whole  to 

Is  of  the  country. 

fever ;  and,  worst 

m,  whowasfocond 

saster,  for  our  new 

t  for  so  important 

wait  a  considerable 

iriod  of  inaction,  I 

swimming  in  the 

that  I  could  swim 

w  greatly  renewed, 
d  120  hands,  some 
a  few  other,  passen- 
i  aground,  and  stuck 
r  round,  and  we  got 
,0    imagined.     This 
lich  soon  after  over- 
nd  to  have  sprung  a 
continually  at  work, 
every  man  taking  his 
rful  sight  to  see  the 
were  all  still  more 
100  miles  to  the  east 
e  Dutch,  who  treated 
ivith  whatever  was  in 
*e  stowed  great  part 
ler  the  leak.     In  this 
ned,  the  sailors  were 
less.     A  month  was 
f  of  good  fish,  turtle, 
ur  course  directly  for 

b1,  is  more  than  1  can 
captain  to  do  such  an 
ed  for  it.  When  we 
lak  gained  on  us  more 
could  be  kept  above 
I  verge  of  destruction, 
myself  in  the  way  of 
srtions  which  the  men 
Iced  incessantly  at  the 
I  pumped  and  bailed 
All  were  spent  with 


"iV'i'. 


AMONG  THE  BREAKERS. 


471 


fatigue,  and  despair  settled  on  every  countenance.  According  tn  our 
reckoning,  we  were  a  hundred  leagues  soutiiward  of  Madagascar ;  and  to 
lighten  the  ship,  several  guns,  and  much  of  the  heavy  goods,  were  iieuved 
overboard.  The  captain  was  for  continuing  our  course  to  tiie  Cape,  COO 
leagues  distant,  but  the  ship's  company  in  general  opposed  it,  being  of 
opinion  that  they  could  not  keep  her  above  water  long  enough,  and  were 
in  favor  of  running  to  Madagascar,  which  was  the  nearest  land. 

The  peril  we  were  in  did  not  admit  of  delay,  and,  by  urgent  persuasion, 
the  captain  ordered  'bout  ship,  and  put  back  for  Madagascar.  The  wind 
favoring  us,  the  water-logged  vessel  got  on  somewhat  better  in  its  new 
course,  and  on  the  third  day,  I  was  sent,  along  with  the  captain's  boy,  up 
to  the  mast-head  to  look  out  for  land,  since  nobody  else  could  be  so  well 
spared.  In  such  apparent  danger,  my  being  a  passenger  was  no  excuse. 
Accordingly  I  went  up,  and  sat  there  two  hours  and  a  half,  looking  across 
the  broad  ocean  for  the  much  desired  land.  At  length  a  speck  seemed 
to  rise  on  the  horizon,  and  I  asked  my  comrade  if  that  were  land ;  for  I 
feared  to  call  out,  and  inspire  men  in  such  desperate  circumstances  with 
groundless  hopes :  they  were  not,  I  .knew,  in  a  frame  of  mind  to  be  trifled 
with.  I  therefore  did  not  call  out  till  I  could  plainly  discover  a  white 
cliff,  and  a  smoke  at  a  distance  from  it,  whereupon  I  boldly  shouted, 
Land!  land! 

At  this  joyful  news  several  sailors  immediately  ran  up  the  shrouds,  and 
even  the  captain  himself,  to  make  his  observations.  One  among  them 
knew  the  land,  and  said  it  was  Port  Dauphine,  and  that  the  king  of  that 
part  of  the  island — all  the  people  being  negroes,  in  a  savage  state — was 
an  enemy  to  all  white  men,  and  treated  all  the  Europeans  who  fell  into 
his  hands  in  a  barbarous  manner.  This  king,  he  said,  was  called  Samuel, 
and  he  advised  us  by  all  means  to  avoid  landing  on  his  territories.  This 
information  put  us  into  the  utmost  confusion  and  despair,  and  proved 
indeed  our  ruin.  The  man  who  made  the  discouraging  report,  spoke  his 
real  sentiments ;  but  he  labored  under  a  mistake,  as  we  afterward  dis- 
covered. King  Samuel  had,  it  appears^  received  an  atfront  from  the  crew 
of  a  French  vessel,  and  he  ever  afterward  attacked  all  French  without 
mercy,  who  put  into  his  dominions  ;  he  had,  however,  no  animosity  against 
any  other  wliite  nation,  but  the  reverse ;  so  that,  had  We  put  in  there,  we 
had  at  least  saved  our  lives,  and  some  of  our  cargo.  Under  the  erroneous 
impression  made  by  the  sailor,  we  unfortunately  steered  westward  along 
tlie  coast,  to  see  if  a  proper  landing-place  could  be  found. 

Crawling  onward  in  this  wretched  condition,  we  kept  a  look-out  for 
some  safe  spot  to  run  the  vessel  aground.  Nothing  of  the  kind  was  to  be 
seen  ;  and  the  ship,  staggering  in  the  water,  threatened  every  instant  to 
be  swamped.  The  men  now  went  to  the  captain  and  asked  him  what  he 
proposed  to  do,  for  the  ship  could  swim  no  longer.  He  asked  them  if 
they  approved  of  his  running  the  vessel  on  shore  at  all  risks,  to  which 
they  ail  agreed,  crying  out,  "Anything  to  save  our  lives."  It  would 
have  been  of  great  importance  to  get  ashore  in  an  orderly  manner  ;  but 
this  could  not  be  done,  in  consequence  of  another  blunder  of  the  captain. 

We  had  lost  our  long-boat  and  pinnace  at  Bengal,  and  the  captain  not 
taking  the  trouble  to  replace  them,  we  had  but  one  small  boat  left.  In 
this  juncture,  an  attempt  was  made  to  ease  the  vessel  by  cutting  away  tlio 
masts,  and  throwing  everything  overboard,  hoping  she  would  drive  high 
on  the  beach.  This  failed,  and  now  our  only  chance  of  getting  through 
the  breakers  that  dashed  on  the  shore  was  by  the  small  boat,  and  a  raft 
made  with  some  planks  and  yards. 


i 


»>' 


472 


THE  STORY  OF  ROBERT  DRURY. 


While  engaged  making  the  raft,  some  of  the  natives,  who  were  fislung, 
saw  our  distress,  and  made  asmoke  to  guide  us  to  the  shore  ;  but  although 
this  looked  like  kindness,  we  entertained  a  poor  opinion  of  the  intentions 
of  the  savages.  The  raft  was  finished  that  night,  and  it  was  arranged  thai 
the  attempt  to  land  should  be  made  in  the  morning.  ,      „  ^ 

After  a  dismal  night,  day  dawned,  and  all  prepared  to  leave  the  ill-tated 
vfsacl.  The  first  thing  done  was  to  send  Mr.  Pratt,  our  chief  mate,  and 
four  men  in  the  boat,  with  a  long  rope  for  a  warp,  to  fasten  on  the  land. 
A  great  sea  constantly  runs  here  upon  the  rocks,  and  before  they  got  to 
land,  their  boat  was  staved  in  pieces;  however,  being  pretty  near  it,  by 
the  help  of  some  of  the  natives,  who  were  negroes,  they  saved  that  part 
of  the  boat  to  which  the  rope  was  fastened.  We  had  two  English  women 
on  board ;  one  of  them  would  not  venture  on  the  raft,  nor  would  the 
captain  ;  but  the  other  woman  and  about  forty  or  fifty  of  us  did:  I  stripped 
off  all  my  clothes,  but  took  two  purses  of  money,  and  a  silver  cup,  and 
tied  them  fast  round  my  middle.  We  hauled  by  the  rope  toward  the 
shore,  but  were  no  sooner  among  the  breakers,  than  the  first  sea  upset  the 
raft,  and  washed  us  off:  some  swum  to  the  raft  again,  but  were  soon 
washed  off;  and  though  the  woman  was  drowning  just  by  me,  yet  I  could 
not  save  her.  I  sunk  under  every  wave,  and  with  great  difficulty  got  on  shore, 
as  did  every  one  else  on  the  raft,  except  the  woman.  There  was  such  a 
surf  running,  and  the  sea  broke  so  high,  that  we  durst  not  venture  out 
with  the  raft  again,  which  the  captain  perceiving,  ordered  the  cable  to  be 
cut,  and  let  the  ship  drive  nearer  the  land,  where  she  soon  beat  to  pieces. 
The  captain  got  on  shore  with  his  father's  heart  in  his  hand,  which  ac- 
cording to  his  request  when  dying,  was  put  into  a  bottle,  m  order  to  be 
brought  to  England  and  buried  at  Dover. 

At  length  they  all  got  on  shore  on  pieces  of  the  ship,  planks,  etc.,  two 
men  only  excepted,  who  were  drowned,  and  the  woman  before  mentioned : 
the  other  woman  escaped,  though  she  was  so  full  of  water,  as  well  as 
bome  others,  that  we  were  obliged  to  roll  and  rub  them  well,  to  make 
tliem  disgorge  the  water:  we  laid  them  also  before  a  great  fire,  made  tor 
that  purpose,  and  in  a  little  time  they  revived.  We  were  in  all  above  one 
hundred  and  sixty,  including  the  Lascars. 

The  country  now  began  to  be  alarmed,  and  we  had  already  two  or  three 
hundred  negroes  flocking  round  us,  picking  up  several  pieces  of  silk  and 
fine  calicoes:  the  muslin  they  had  little  or  no  regard  for.  Our  goods 
were  driven  ashore  in  whole  bales ;  for  what  with  saltpetre  and  other 
things,  we  reckoned  there  might  be  300  tons  left,  after  all  that  was  thrown 
overboard  at  sundry  times  before. 

One  of  the  negroes  brought  an  ox  to  us,  and  intimated  by  signs  that  we 
sliould  kill  him  ;  but  we  made  signs  to  them  again  to  shoot  him  for  us,  we 
having  no  ammunition.  When  one  of  them  perceived  this,  he  lent  us  his 
gun,  ready  charged,  and  with  it  one  of  our  men  shot  the  bullock  dead  on 

the  spot.  .      .       »     1  •  1 

It  was  extremely  shocking  to  see  the  negroes  cut  the  beast,  skin  ana 
flesh  together,  then  toss  them  into  the  fire,  or  ashes,  as  it  happened,  and 
eat  them  half-roasted.  I  shuddered  for  fear  they  should  devour  us  in 
like  manner ;  for  they  seemed  to  me  to  be  a  kind  of  cannibals,  of  wliom 
I  had  heard  very  dreadful  stories:  everything,  in  short,  appeared  horrible 
to  nature,  and  excited  in  us  the  most  dismal  apprehensions. 

Being  very  much  at  the  mercy  of  the  barbarians,  into  whose  hands  we 
had  fallen,  they  used  no  ceremony  in  taking  possession  of  every  article 
that  had  belonged  to  the  ship.   While  some  were  busily  engaged  in  openmg 


BITTER  REGRETS. 


473 


who  were  fishing, 
lore  ;  but  although 
a  of  the  intentions 
was  arranged  that 

leave  the  ill-fated 
ir  chief  mate,  and 
asten  on  the  land, 
before  they  got  to 
;  pretty  near  it,  by 
ley  saved  that  part 
vo  English  women 
ift,  nor  would  the 
'  us  did :  I  stripped 
I  a  silver  cup,  and 
s  rope  toward  the 
3  first  sea  upset  the 
in,  but  were  soon 
by  me,  yet  I  could 
Sculty  got  on  shore, 
There  was  such  a 
rst  not  venture  out 
red  the  cable  to  be 
oon  beat  to  pieces, 
is  hand,  which  ac- 
ttle,  in  order  to  be 

p,  planks,  etc.,  two 
1  before  mentioned: 
[  water,  as  well  as 
hem  well,  to  make 
great  fire,  made  for 
ire  in  all  above  one 

ilready  two  or  three 
1  pieces  of  silk  and 
rd  for.  Our  goods 
saltpetre  and  other 
all  that  was  thrown 

ted  by  signs  that  we 
shoot  him  for  us,  we 
1  this,  he  lent  us  his 
the  bullock  dead  on 

the  beast,  skin  and 
as  it  happened,  and 
ihould  devour  us  in 
cannibals,  of  whom 
rt,  appeared  horrible 
nsions. 

nto  whose  hands  we 
sion  of  every  article 
^  engaged  in  opening 


our  bales,  and  taking  what  tlioy  likod  best,  1  observed  that  several  of  them 
regarded  tlie  iron  tlioy  found  much  more  than  all  those  goods  we  usually 
look  on  as  valuable,  and  took  great  pains  to  break  all  sucli  pieces  of 
timber  as  liad  iron  in  them.  I  broke  open  my  chest,  and  took  out  only 
one  suit  of  clothes,  leaving  the  rest  to  those  who  had  most  mind  for  them. 

Our  shipwreck  had  been  conducted  with  so  little  regard  to  future  pro- 
ceedings, or  even  the  preservation  of  our  Uvea  against  the  attacks  of  the 
natives,  tliat  the  whole  company  were  now  exposed  to  any  fresh  misery 
that  might  ensue.  As  I  was  a  mere  boy,  and  had  no  right  to  advise  on*; 
way  or  another,  I  necessarily  submitted  to  the  decision  of  others.  Our 
captain,  whose  rashness  and  folly  had  Caused  all  our  disasters,  proved 
equally  incompetent  in  this  new  posture  of  affairs.  He  could  give  no 
directions ;  and  two  days  and  nights  were  spent  very  miserably  on  the 
shore,  without  coming  to  any  resolution,  or  knowing  what  to  do. 

On  the  third  evening,  about  nine  o'clock,  we  heard  a  man  call  out 
Hollo!  at  a  great  distance,  like  an  Englishman,  who,  being  immediately 
answered,  came  nearer,  and  asked  who  we  were.     Having  given  him  the 
required  information,  ho  sat  down  with  us  by  our  fire,  and  told  us  the 
object  of  his  visit.     He  was  one  of  the  crew  of  an  English  vessel,  com- 
manded by  Captain  Drummond,  a  Scotchman,  which  had  been  two  months 
before  wrecked  on  the  island,  and  the  captain  and  crew,  including  a 
Captain  Steward,  were  now  detained  by  the  king  of  this  part  of  the  country, 
and  would  gladly  make  their  escape.     He,  our  visitant,  whose  name  was 
Sam,  had  been  deputed  by  the  king  to  bring  information  as  to  who  we 
were,  and  what  we  wanted.     Sam  further  gave  us  an  idea  of  the  condition 
of  things  in  Madagascar.     The  whole  island,  he  said,  which  \yas  as  large 
as  Great  Britain,  was  altogether  inhabited  by  negroes,  forming  a  great 
many  petty  kingdoms,  which  were  almost  continually  at  war  with  each 
other.     All  were  much  on  a  level  as  to  barbarism,  but  they  were  generally 
acquainted  with  the  ose  of  firearms  and  gunpowder,  which,  with  other 
articles,  they  got  from  English,  Dutch,  and  other  traders,  in  exchange 
principally  for  slaves.     The  capturing  of  slaves,  in  order  to  carry  on  this 
trade,  was  a  main  cause  of  the  numerous  wars  between  the  different  kings 
and  chiefs.     The  only  king  who  possessed  the  inclination  to  help  dis- 
tressed English  sailors  was  king  Samuel,  a  man  who  had  once  been  in 
Europe,  and  acquired  some  civilized  habits  ;  and  although  he  had  a  great 
enmity  to  the  French,  he  would  have  succored  us  had  we  put  into  Port 
Dauphine.     Sam  having  made  an  end  of  his  story,  to  which  everybody 
listened  with  the  utmost  attention,  we  parted,  and  went  with  heavy  hearts 
to  our  respective  quarters,  which  were  under  the  bushes.     It  was  very 
late,  and  we  endeavored  to  repose  ourselves  as  well  as  we  could.     The 
pieces  of  muslin  served  us  to  spread  on  the  gvound  for  beds  ;  but  as  for 
my  own  part,  I  could  not  close  my  eyes  to  rest.     I  now  began  to  reflect 
on  my  formei  obstinacy  and  perverseness.     The  thought  of  my  tender 
mother's  begging  me  on  her  knees  not  to  go  to  sea,  gave  me  the  most 
distracting  torture.     I  could  now  see  my  error,  and  repent,  but  who  could 
I  blame  but  myself?     Here  were  many  poor  men,  who  had  no  other  way 
to  live,  but  I  was  reduced  to  no  such  necessity:  I  ran  headlong  into 
misery,  and  severely  felt  the  effects  of  it.     Tears  I  shed  in  plenty,  but 
could  not  with  any  justice  complain  of  fate  or  Providence,  for  my  punish- 
ment was  but  the  natural  result  of  my  own  ill  conduct.     We  were  all  ujt 
by  daylight,  and  most  of  my  fellow-sufferers  got  as  little  rest  as  1 ;  for  the 
man's  relation  had  made  us  give  over  all  hopes  of  relief,  and  nothing  but 
sorrow,  distress,  and  despair,  appeared  in  all  its  dismal  forms  in  each  man's 


i 


y    4 


1:^ 


'.!>'^S«=^'*^,A!,,«S~.^.r^ 


THE  STORY  OF  ROBERT  DRUHY 


474 

f„.,  according  u.l»  a,..™.  »n..i.^^^^^^^^^^ 

nor  ammunition,  the  want  ol  *'"'?""'"•  throuKl.  llml  luutof 

"Xr-o..  ccic^w  i.  *.  .ft.™.™,  .^e  ar:ut"r::ir»i 

two  hundred  negroes.     * '^«y°;°3'"    grmod  with  lances.     As  soon 

should  seize  them  by  force,  but  ^J^«y  .^JJ^^J^^^r  in  a  body,  with  our 
as  we  saw  them  approaching  us,  we  all  stood  together  m  y,      ^^^^^ 

captain  at  the  head  of  us.    ^h^n  t^^^  j^J^  J^in^^^^^^^  came  up  to 

him  who  was  our  captam.     As  soon  js  h«  ^^  J^^^^^^,,,  Salamougcr, 

sentcd  to  our  captain ;  and  gave  "«;  "^P^.^^  ^i^^j  ^h"  potatoes.  The 
to  dress  our  victuals  m.  We  'T^^^'J^ y./J^JJ  to  the  cottag  where 
king  stayed  two  hours  with  us,  before  ^«  -^^j  «jj°^^^^^  Lut  our 

he  proposed  to  lodge  that  mghtanJ  „etoW  the  caplain  he  was  heartily 
ship,  and  the  manner  of  her  being  lost.  "«"»"'  ^  thing  but  a  com- 
sJyforhismisfortune^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  J,  dishonest 

phment;  for,a8  Ifound^a^^^^^^^  and  his  whole  nation  were 

than  most  of  the  other  Kings  on  "'  ,u '„g„ved  from  our  wreck, 

clothed  for  many  years  out  of  the  effect  they  «^v«d  Irom  ^  ^^ 

The  next  morning  he  paid  us  ano^h"  3^'  J^°  '^l{^  town,  and  there 
expected  we  should  prepare  to  go  »J«"S7;?^^^^  '^i.e^  wc  might 

we^hould  remain  till  some  sbps  «^»-';^/«-  ^^^^^^^^^^^  be  a  mire 

return  to  our  own  country.     1  he  capiain  s  j        «  ,      Upon  this 

artifice,  told  San.  to  say  that  he  -"J^^j^J  "^"^^^^^^^^^^^  time.     As  soon 

the  king  departed,  and  gave  us  no  ["«»«'  Jj^j^^  j  ;„  ^  very  pathetic 
as  he  was  gone,  the  captam  called  "«  -^^^^f^^^^'^^;^  equality  with  the 
speech,  addressed  us  as  f«>»»«^« -"  ^^^f,  ^^J^  and  m\  life  is  as  little 
meanest  man  here  present;  ""yf^^V^^/J'!*/"  command,  but  to  consult 

to  be  regarded  ;  I  do  not  P;^«^«°^' *^f^i°;^?„'°thTr™^^  «•»"«'- 

with  you  what  s  most  exped  enUo  be  don^  m  the  p       .    ^^^^  ^i  ^^ 

tion  of  our  affairs.     However,  said  he,  1  am  nappy  ^jgfortune  is  not 

own  life  and  liberty  are  l°«».  J^j^^^^f^S  'hlver^^^^    my  course  to 
any  ways  chargeable  on  rne,  for  I  would  r  Jther  na         F      ^^^  J       ^^^^^ 
the'  Cape  of  Good  Hope  in  a  l^^^y  «hi^^^^^^^^^  m  .  ^^  ^  j  ^    ^^^^^^ 

uosly  opposed  it;  for  death  '"jy  y^°J*/,V«ows^w«"l^  have  ended  ;  but 
and  prospective  condition.  In  dej'^'"";"""^  gh^n  yet  undergo?  (At 
now,  who  can  tell  the  troubles  ^^  J^'^JJ  7e„tSn,  said  he,^e  have 
this  the  tears  stood  m  his  eyes.)     Cor^sider,gent^em^^,^  ^^^  ^  ^^^^ 

neither  arms  nor  ammunition  wherew^h  to  detenao  j^j^^^^^jry 

endeavored  to  prevail  on  the  king  to  give  us^^  ^J^^^  y„„^ 

to  a  seaport,  but  in  va^n.  Think  »»  «'  t"«:  '  ^^  j  ^,„  ^cady  to  comply 
safety  as  well  as  you  can:  be  but  ^^  °°^  "'jf'^  ^'^^  ufe,  I  set  no  value 
with 'anything  you  would  hav«  me  do_As  fo^^^^  ^^  >  j  j^^^^ 

upon  it;  it  would  not  now  be  worth  Pjesemjg  ,„  ^^^^er 

£SrrnfnUd™rSf:dvis?=^^^^       ao  anything  without 
your  concurrence. 


j,i#f,.-iltV^-'^'^^'^^^vp^'^<^^ 


.^,~s^.«w™«-^««i-»--««*«'^*«^''=^"^^^^^ 


^-.,lia-.«<!-te*rn!r>r^»**^'***'*''*"  ■'" 


lived  neither  arms 
i'or  nearly  one 
tough  thiit  |)nrt  of 
Iwitlial  to  defend 

down  with  about 

th  them,  lest  wc 

lances.     As  soon 

a  body,  with  our 

cd  Sam  and  asked 

Id,  he  came  up  to 

Inner,  Salanionger, 

mg,  Your  servant, 

ing  informed  him 

ing.     His  majesty 

)f  toake,(a  kind  of 

,  all  which  he  pre- 

three  earthen  pots 

le  potatoes.     The 

the  cottage  where 

luestions  about  our 

tain  he  was  heartily 

nothing  but  a  com- 

itish  and  dishonest 

whole  nation  were 

om  our  wreck. 

n  he  told  us.that  he 

his  town,  and  there 

ide,  when  we  might 

y  this  to  be  a  mere 

roposal.     Upon  this 

that  time.     As  soon 

id  in  a  very  pathetic 

n  equality  with  the 

d  my  life  is  as  little 

nand,  but  to  consult 

jsent  unhappy  situa- 

this,  that  though  my 

lis  misfortune  is  not 

ept  on  my  course  to 

ere  ;  but  you  stren- 

erred  to  our  present 

iild  have  ended  ;  but 

yet  undergo?     (At 

;n,  said  he,  we  have 

urselves,  and  I  have 

through  his  country 

d  consult  your  own 

am  ready  to  comply 

n  life,  I  set  no  value 

ibr  the  hoi)es  I  have 

ist  return  an  answer 

do  anything  without 


"1' 


PLUNDERKD  BY  THE  NATIVES. 


475 


Wo  went  together  and  consulted,  as  the  captain  advised,  and  came  soon 
to  an  agreement,  for  the  matter  in  debate  lay  witiiin  a  small  compass 
The  king  had  refused  to  give  us  leave  to  go  to  a  seaport,  and  we  had  no 
arms  to  tight  and  force  our  way,  if  we  could  have  found  it.  We  therefore 
determined  to  go  cpuetly  up  the  country  with  the  king,  to  his  place  of 
residence,  where  wo  were  in  hopes  of  seeing  and  conversing  with  Captain 
Drummond,  Captain  Steward,  and  the  other  people,  who,  being  gallant 
and  courageous  men,  and  by  this  time  somewiiat  accpiaintcd  with  tlie 
natives,  might  probably  be  capable  of  giving  us  some  proper  and  season- 
able advice. 

Next  morning  the  king  paid  the  captain  a  visit ;  they  saluted  each  other 
in  the  usual  manner,  and  sat  down  together  upon  the  sand,  while  we  all 
stood  round  them.  Soon  after,  the  king  ordered  Sam  to  ask  the  captain 
if  he  was  ready  to  go,  for  it  would  be  best  to  walk  in  the  cool  of  the  morning, 
and  rest  at  noon.  The  captain  observed  that  he  did  not  ask  whether  he 
was  inclined  to  go  or  not,  as  might  reasonably  have  been  expected,  since 
he  pretended  to  give  him  time  to  consider  of  it,  but  peremptorily  asked 
if  he  was  ready  to  go.  The  captain  answered  that  wc  were.  At  this  the 
king  seemed  fully  satisfied,  and  ordered  Sam  to  tell  us  he  would  breakfast 
first,  and  advised  us  to  do  so  too,  that  we  might  bo  the  better  enabled  to 
perform  our  journey.  We  had  little  satisfaction,  however,  in  eating  and 
drinking,  especially  since  the  hour  was  come  in  which  wc  were  obliged 
to  leave  the  seaside ;  and  it  galled  us  severely  to  think  how  we  were 
forced  up  the  country,  like  a  flock  of  sheep,  at  the  pleasure  of  a  parcel  of 
barbarous  negro(^s,  without  any  power  to  make  terms  for  ourselves  like 
men.  The  king  having  sent,  the  word  was  given  to  march.  I  was  ready 
in  an  instant,  for  I  carried  nothing  with  me  but  what  I  brought  ashore  ; 
but  many  of  our  people  took  pieces  of  silk  and  fine  calico.  We  assembled 
together,  and  went  to  the  place  where  the  king's  tent  was  pitched.  We 
were  no  sooner  come  than  he  was  for  marching.  Wo  left  the  sea  wit!i 
heavy  hearts,  looking  very  wishfully  back  as  long  as  we  could  discern  it ; 
and  as  often  as  we  did,  we  observed  the  negroes  hard  at  work  breaking 
up  our  bales,  and  enriching  themselves  with  the  plunder  of  our  goods. 
In  short,  they  were  so  busy,  that  but  few  went  back  with  the  king.  Our 
people  were  but  ill  disposed  for  traveling,  since  everybody  was  tired  with 
working  and  want  of  rest.  Many  were  lamed  with  hurts  received  in 
getting  on  shore ;  some  were  also  without  shoes,  and  most  of  us  had  but 
bad  ones.  Then,  again,  the  country  near  the  seaside,  and  some  few 
miles  further,  is  full  of  short  underwood  and  thorny  shrubs,  which  tore 
our  clothes  to  rags;  for  the  path  was  very  narrow,  and,  before  this  accident, 
but  little  frequented ;  the  ground  also  was  sandy,  so  that  when  the  sun 
was  advanced  pretty  high,  it  scorched  our  feet  to  that  degree  that  we  were 
scarcely  able  to  walk. 

About  noon  we  came  to  one  of  their  small,  mean  villages,  consisting  of 
about  eight  or  ten  houses,  or  rather  huts  ;  for  they  were  not  above  six  or 
seven  feet  high,  and  about  eight  or  nine  feet  in  length,  and  their  doors 
not  above  three  or  four  feet  high.  Our  people  crept  into  these  hovels  to 
rest,  and  to  see  what  they  could  meet  with  to  refresh  themselves.  Some 
found  honey,  others  milk,  and  others  beef;  for  the  king  had  given  us  free 
permission  to  take  what  eatables  soever  came  to  hand.  The  inhabitants 
were  all  absent,  the  men  at  the  seaside  taking  advantage  of  the  wreck, 
and  the  women  and  children  fled  into  the  woods  at  our  approach.  We 
passed  several  of  these  poor  villages,  but  saw  few  of  the  people.  Here 
we  reposed  till  the  heat  was  abated,  when  we  made  ourselves  but  a  poor 


■■:rf':-'^r,v.tr^-!S,^ 


THE  STORY  OF  ROBERT  DRUUY. 


476 

<»mp,„».io„  b,  robbing  .bem  of  U,.i,  .ri«e.,  while  .be,  .0.0  ."ichtog 
themelvos  with  our  ioo»>  vduJile  ""■""""'V^-  ,„j  ;„  „  „„,.  ,i,„„  Mine 
In  ,h„  cool  of  .1,0  nr'roTd     A.  we  »o  "'now  L»  niilo,  from  .ho 

tho  country  could  afford.  villaHes,  where  we  killed  a 

At  night  we  came  to  another  of  ^f  se  »im«  Jiuag    ,  ^^^ 

l.uUockfand  got  a  feV'^f 'Tn'.ne  bufwha  Sey  brought  from  a  great 
vory  thick  and  °<"ty,they  havmg  none  but  what  Uiey         g  ^^,^j,,,i,e8,  or 

distance,  out  of  holes  and  pits  m  ^^^^^^f,'';"/;!.  however,  it  served 
U..g  tubs,  which  hold  about  four^orh^g  ^;  , 

our  purpose,  for  at  that  time  ^o  wcr  j  ^j^^  j^^^^^ 

ourselves  on  the  «-""^-J^^,\t?froubTcaSt,  without  any  bread, 
niommg  by  daylight.  ."^^^^J  J^f  "*  3' °  ^s  full  of  sand:  however,  eatmg 
or  roots,  in  the  place  of  it,  and  our  meat  was  ^uu  o  ^^^.^ 

and  drinking  was  the  least  ot  our  concern  a^  tforr^ith  this^difference 
day  much  after  the  same  mariner  >^s  the  on«  Ja  Jssed  intho  woods, 
only,  that  those  who  wanted  shoes  were  sadly  ""assea  inui 

"'S'n  the  third  day  of  o-^-^^^^Ser^f  hi  tTforme^,  having 
were  obliged  to  walk  ™"«^»»  t^;  Um^to  do  t  in  for  we  were  ordered 
more  ground  to  traverse,  and  less  time  to  Jo  '  "» '  '         ^  ^es  in 

to  be  at  the  king's  town  before  sunset  J  "^^l^^^^^^^^^J^^^  at 
this  day's  journey :  the  loss  f '^-iSfe'L'trme  had  I  kept  it ;  but 
that  time,  for  it  would  have  been  ot  little  s";";^!^^  j^     j^ad  presented  me 

^Z  at:trmlt  of  hrS:l^L^^a\7eftrre"mtber  herfwas  no  small 

^^s  rS^^^^^^out  m^^^^:  n^i,t ; 

reckon  we  might  travel  «'*»«« '^  ""^  ««^^J^  f^u"  ™'e^  to  hl;e  been  planted 
wood,  secured  with  trees  all  round,  which  seem  to  na  v  ^^^^^ 

there' when  very  young:  they  g/^^^J^JJ  ^^^^^ JJem     The  outworks  are 
together,  that  a  small  dog  cannot  pass  bttweentne^^^^  ^^^ 

likewise  armed  with  l«ge,  strong  thornn  so  U^athere^^  ^^ 

through,  or  climbing  o'"/'*^™; ,  TJ^^^ Xeast.    Oneof  these  is  to  the 
Sl:rJiTe"rrnrS«^«dtZ'„ho.e  1,  .bou.  .  .lie  in 

"''Srerwe^n.ene„..rJo«™eyW^^^^^^^^^^ 
inform  the  king  of  our  "rivid.     We  were  oraer  ^^  ^^^j^ 

for  our  reception:  our  «=^P»7' j^fj;  PJ  J/^  ou,  people  brought  with 
ordering  all  our  baggage,  "^^^^^eVtela^d  three  or^our  Lascars  to 
them,  to  be  lodged  under  a  tamarind  g««'  "^"^^'^^  ^^^hed  in  order  by 
look  after  them.    The  king  soon  «ent  for  us ,  ana  we  ^^^^^^ 

fours.  He  was  sitting  °^\™^*' ^^f^'l^Jia  on  °h  8  shJulder,  and  a  brace 
the  door  of  his  paJace,  with  a  8"°  ]3°t1nlen  sat  in  the  ^ame  manner 
of  pistols  lying  by  his  side  ;  ^'b J'Jf^d  k^ns^^^^^^^^  ,„d  lances  ;  the 

on\he  ground,  on  each  hand  f  ]"™' J'J^f  J^^^^  a  semicircle  ; 
natives  joined  them  on  both  ^  fes,  and  J9™«"  /  ^^  ^^^^^,^  There 
most  of  these  were  likewise  furjhed  with  g  ^^^  ^^  ^^  ^^ 

were  mats  spread  from  one  end  «f  j^%Pf  J^J^bly  assumed  a  circular 


^*«^^*^-,W^*?^^S'^r^S^-^^ 


v?i'-tf?^y*!^-'*^'^'' 


ly  were  enriching 

la  little  time  came 
lie  miles  from  the 
lud  to  marclt  at  our 
^8ions,  and  Ictl  his 
wantud,  and  what 

Iwhoro  we  killed  n 

The  water  was 

lught  from  a  great 

It  in  calabashes,  or 

[however,  it  served 

)U8.     Wo  reposed 

and  rose  the  noxi 

without  any  bread, 

d:  however,  eating 

We  passed  this 

irith  this  difference 

in  the  woods. 

urney's  end.     We 

two  former,  having 

r  we  were  ordered 

ne  of  my  purses  in 

importance  to  mu  at 

e  had  I  kept  it ;  but 

•  had  presented  me 

er  her,  was  no  small 

1  the  seaside ;  for  I 
iay.  It  stands  in  a 
have  been  planted 
d  tall,  and  so  close 
The  outworks  aie 
tere  is  no  breaking 
i  passages,  or  gates, 
)ne  of  these  is  to  the 
le  is  about  a  mile  in 

,  while  Sam  went  to 
vait  till  he  was  ready 
best  form  he  could, 
}eople  brought  with 
3  or  four  Lascars  to 
marched  in  order  by 
open  air,  just  before 
houlder,  and  a  brace 
;  in  the  same  manner 
uns  and  lances  ;  the 
jether  a  semicircle ; 
and  lances.  There 
le  other  for  us  to  sit 
y  assumed  a  circular 
thus  in  arms,  till  Sam 


BOLD  ATTEMPT  FOR  LIBERTY. 


477 


informed  us  that  they  never  go  from  one  house  to  another  without  them.  As 
soon  as  we  were  seated,  the  king  (by  Sam)  assured  the  captain  he  was 
welcome,  and  sent  for  ten   calabashes  of  toake;    six  ho   gave  to  our 

Eoople,  throe  to  his  own,  and  one  ho  reserved  for  our  captain  and  hitiiHclf. 
Ic  also  sent  for  Captain  Drummond,  Captain  Steward,  and  the  rest  of 
their  company.  Captain  Younge  arose  to  salute  them ;  and  aAor  the 
usual  compliments  were  passed,  the  captains  sat  down  together.  The 
king  or<lorud  a  servant  to  pour  out  some  toake  into  a  clean  earthen  cup, 
which  he  kept  for  his  own  use,  and  drank  it  up  without  drinking  to  any- 
body, but  ordered  some  more  to  be  poured  out  for  our  captain  in  another 
cup;  but  as  it  was  dirty,  he  refused  it:  the  king  asked  Sam  the  reason 
of  it,  who  told  him  the  truth,  so  ho  sent  a  man  immediately  to  wash  it. 
The  captain,  indeed,  expected  to  be  served  out  of  the  king^s  cup,  but 
Sam  informed  him  that  neither  black  nor  white  nor  even  his  wives  or 
children,  over  drank  out  of  his  cup ;  and  this  is  the  general  custom  of 
the  country. 

When  I  saw  the  servant  returning  with  the  rup  our  captain  had  refused, 
I  took  out  my  silver  one  and  presented  it  to  him.  After  we  had  all  drank 
out  of  it,  the  king  wished  to  see  it,  and  was  so  wonderfully  pleased  with 
it,  that  he  desired  to  keep  it;  but  the  captain  informed  him  that  it  was 
none  of  his,  but  belonged  to  a  lad  who  was  behind  him.  I  called  to  Sam, 
and  desired  him  to  acquaint  the  king,  that  since  so  many  people  had  drank 
out  of  it,  I  humbly  conceived  it  could  not  be  fit  for  his  use.  At  this  he 
and  the  people  round  him  laughed  heartily.  He  ordered  me  to  stand  up, 
that  he  might  see  me;  however,  I  saved  my  cup  this  time.  Night  drawing 
on,  he  withdrew,  ordering  us  a  bullock  for  our  supper.  Notwithstanding 
his  courteous  reception  of  us,  he  would  not  trust  us  all  to  lie  within  the 
gates  of  the  town.  Our  captain,  Mr.  Pratt,  our  chief  mate,  Mr.  Berabo, 
our  second  mate,  and  myself,  were  the  only  persons  who  were  so  far  in- 
dulged. We  had  a  hutch  ordered  us  next  to  that  of  Captain  Drummond 
and  his  companions ;  but  the  rest  of  the  people  lay  without  the  gates 
under  the  trees.     In  this  manner  we  lived  for  some  few  days. 

Every  morning  we  went,  as  was  expected,  in  a  body  to  visit  the  king ; 
but  one  morning  he  ordered  Sam  to  inform  us  that  he  had  an  inveterate 
enemy  to  the  westward,  who  had  hitherto  proved  too  powerful  for  him, 
but  since  his  gods  had  been  so  indulgent  as  to  send  some  white  men  into 
his  dominions,  he  would  embrace  so  favorable  an  opportunity  once  more 
to  try  his  strength  with  our  assistance.  But  in  the  meantime  he  should 
be  obliged  to  distribute  us  among  his  sons,  who  lived  at  distant  towns,  ni>t 
only  for  the  convenience  of  providing  for  such  a  number  of  us,  (there  nut 
being  room  enough  in  this  town,)  but  tc  ease  himself  of  a  charge  which 
was  too  great  and  burdensome  for  him  to  support  alone.  He  also  sent  to 
me  this  night  to  beg  the  silver  cup  before  mentioned,  with  which  request 
(knowing  it  was  in  his  power  to  take  it  by  force,  if  he  thought  fit,)  I  readily 
complied.  This  unexpected  separation  was  a  terrible  blow  to  us,  and  we 
returned  to  our  cottages  with  heavy  hearts,  well  knowing  if  we  could  not 
find  out  some  way  to  prevent  it,  there  were  no  hopes  of  ever  getting  off 
the  island. 

Hereupon  the  three  captains,  namely,  Drummond,  Steward,  and 
Younge,  with  some  of  the  chief  of  our  people,  entered  immediately  into 
a  consultation  about  what  was  proper  to  be  done  in  this  emergency,  and 
to  make  some  bold  attempt  for  our  lives  and  liberty.  Captain  Drummond, 
as  I  heard  afterward,  was  the  person  who  proposed  to  take  the  king 
prisoner,  and  by  that  means  to  make  tlieir  own  terms  with  the  natives. 


i 


:.**cfE?^-*^'i-i'fl»-*?,*L',.f  .i,''^*  •*'r**' "  —-r*-^- 


478 


THE  tiTORY  OF  ROnKIlT  DUURY. 


1 


Now  Captain  Drnmmon.l  and  HOtn*-  ollinrs  wcro  men  of  cxpcncnro  and 
umrnunL  roHoh.tion:  our  captain,  indocljia.!  rouran^  .nouKh,  bu  ho 
Tai  to"  yo,  nJ,^  Howovcr,  ti.o  propoHition  was  universally  a,,prov«.»  of, 
r,  I  time  and  manner  of  the  execution  wa.  fixed.  I  was  too  voung 
,  .  d  .  ed  s  one  of  the  council,  therefore  I  Hhall  not  pretend  to  relate 
hat  roaHouH  were  produced  either  for  or  aRamst  the  proposal  I  observed 
i'an  ain  Younge  and  Mr.  Bembo  to  talk  with  great  earnestness,  but  n 
wh  "s,  an  1  with  the  utmost  precaution.  As  1  was  then  a  stranger  to 
tha  e Sn  I  slept  sound,  till  I  was  roused  in  the  morn.ng  by  a  great  and 
sudden  noie  in  the  town  occasioned  by  the  plot  be.ng  pu  m  cxecut  on. 
Our  .eon"e  wont  as  usual  betimes  in  the  morning  to  pay  their  compliments 
2  ho  king  and  while  some  of  them  were  at  the  prince's  house,  the 
4S  wi^'givon  b"y  one  of  Captain  Drummond's  ,„en  firing  a  pistol,  at 
which  the  king  was  seized,  and  his  son  at  the  same  time. 

This  instantly  alarmed  the  whole  town:  I  started  up  without  my  shoea, 
boinrf"gir..<d   at  the   sudden   outcry.    Not   knowing  what  was   the 
n3r,  uEo  ng  the  negroes  flocking  out  of  the  to^' »  ^"-l  ^'^'T  S 
Si  I  was  taken  notice  of  by  one  of  our  men,  who  called  mo  back ;  and  I 
wis\^  much  amazed  as  thJ  natives  to  see  the  king  his  consort,  and  one 
of  hiTsons,  with  their  hands  tied  behind  thein,  under  the  guard  of  our 
people      They  presently  rifled  the  king's  '"anson-house,  and  every  o  her 
C  where  they  could  find  any  agreeable  plunder      We  happened  to 
find  about  thirty  small  arms,  a  small  quantity  of  powder  and  shot,  and  a 
few  lances      The  natives,  as  I  observed  before,  ran  out  of  the  town,  but 
hlv  did  i?  with  no  other  view  than  to  procure  assistance  ;  for  they  soon 
Irmed  the  country,  and  returned  with  great  numbers  from  all  the  adjacent 
mwnstand  immedii'ely  besieged  us.     They  fired  in  upon  us,  and  wounded 
onTof  our  men  in  the  groin,  on  which  Captain  Younge  ordered  Sam  to 
Jell  the  k"ng  if  "hey  fired  any  more,  they  would  kill  him  that  very  moment. 
TLking"hiy  their  resolution,  called  to  his  men,  and  desired  them 
tn  dpsist  if  thev  had  a  mind  to  save  his  life. 

Sat  empt!  indeed,  was  bold  and  hazardous,  and  sorne,  perhaps,  may 
censure  ta/i'Hminal.'  I  shall  not  say  much  in  i^  df.f««««=  '?"»  «"f,'=« 
J  have  come  to  years  of  maturity,  I  cannot  forbear  reflecting  that  if  nature, 
even  in  a  Christian  country,  will  rebel  against  principle,  what  w.  1  it  not 
So  for  life  and  liberty,  under  the  tyranny  and  oppression  of  a  barbarous 
and  savage  nation?  Be  this  as  it  may,  we  put  ourselves  in  a  posture  of 
defense  and  marched  out  of  the  town  ;  six  men  under  arms  marched  m 
fhe  front  an^n  the  body,  where  the  king  was,  six  went  armed  before 
him  li'^rbehind;  thr'e'e  before  his  Hon,  and  three  behind ;  and  s.x 
brought  up  the  rear,  in  which  were  the  Lascars.  Captain  Younge,  out 
of  compas^sion!  would  have  released  the  queen,  and  let  her  go  wherever 
she  oleased,  but  she  would  not  abandon  her  husband. 

We  had  not  gone  above  four  miles  on  our  march,  before  our  wounded 
companion  fainted,  and  not  being  able  to  carry  him  off,  we  were  forced  to 
lea"e  S  by  the  side  of  a  pond  of  water,  where,  as  I  was  afterward  m- 
fomed  The/soon  put  him  oStof  pain,  by  striking  their  lances  >nto  severjd 
parts  of  his  body.  Having  marched  about  two  or  three  miles  farther,  we 
ffout  of  the  wJods,  and  found  ourselves  in  a  spacious,  open  plain,  where 
SL  c^ild  see  all  around  us,  and  soon  found  that  our  «»«»'««  7J«  J?^ 
onlv  near,  but  numerous,  and  threatened  immediately  to  attack  us.  We 
?^L  toward  them,  our  amed  men  being  in  t^e  front,  «.t^.  he  king  bound 
before  them.  Sam  was  ordered  at  the  same  time  to  tf»hm»  that  our 
design  was  not  to  hurt  either  him  or  his  son,  nor  to  carry  them  mto  their 


•TriseLt«»3«ser!* 


nxporionco  and 

fiioti^li,  hut  he 

Inlly  approvod  of, 

1 1  wan  too  voung 

J  pretend  to  relate 

■KKsal.    I  observed 

Irnestiiesfl,  but  in 

then  a  stronger  to 

Itig  by  a  great  and 

^piit  in  execution. 

their  conipliincnts 

[incogs  house,  the 

firing  a  pistol,  at 

B. 

without  my  shoes, 

ng  what  was   the 

,  I  ran  witlvthem, 

d  mo  back ;  and  I 

i  consort,  and  one 

the  guard  of  our 

c,  and  every  other 

We  happened  to 

)r  and  siiot,  and  a 

it  of  the  town,  but 

ce  ;  for  they  soon 

om  all  the  adjacent 

>n  us,  and  wounded 

ge  ordered  Sam  to 

I  that  very  moment. 

and  desired  them 

ome,  perhaps,  may 
iefense:  but  since 
;ting  that  if  nature, 
lie,  what  will  it  not 
ion  of  a  barbarous 
ves  in  a  posture  of 
r  arms  marched  in 
'ent  armed  before 
3  behind  ;  and  six 
ptain  Younge,  out 
t  her  go  wherever 

sfore  our  wounded 
we  were  forced  to 
was  afterward  in- 
lances  into  several 
3  miles  farther,  we 
,  open  plain,  where 
enemies  were  not 
to  attack  us.  We 
nth  the  king  bound 
I  tell  him  that  our 
rry  them  into  their 


CAPTURE  OF  THK  KINO. 


479 


"  T-i*5*T*!V'Ti  .^r?.«r?  • 


enemies^  country,  but  only  to  d<!tuin  thorn  as  hostages  for  our  sutegiiaril 
while  wo  passed  throii^'h  his  (loininions;  and  that  nn  soon  wo  came  to  tlie 
borders  of  Port  Daiiphiin*,  >vn  would  let  tlicin  ^o  again,  and  give  tliom 
back  the  arms  and  aniniuiiition  we  iiad  takt.-n  front  tiiuin;  but  if  tiio  least 
violence  was  otfered  to  us,  wo  should  sucritiuo  them  both ;  and  this  wo 
desired  him  to  tell  his  people. 

Hereupon  he  called  one  of  his  generals  to  him,  assuring  him  that  bo 
should  receive  no  harm.  Accordingly  he  letl  his  gun  and  lunce  behind 
him,  and  came  to  us,  where  he  was  informed,  hotli  by  us  and  the  king, 
uf  our  resolution ;  upon  which  he  told  us  there  should  not  bo  a  gun  tired 
while  we  preserved  the  king  alive,  and  gave  him  civil  treatment. 

This  parley  being  over,  wo  continued  our  inarch  through  the  plain  till 
near  evening ;  many  of  us  without  shoos,  as  well  as  myself,  and  somo 
aick,  which  obliged  us  to  take  up  our  quarters  sooner  than  wo  would 
otherwise  have  done;  so  that  every  one  was  almost  faint,  and  glad  of  rest. 
The  king  ordered  Ham  to  tell  us  that  an  o\  should  bo  sent  to  us  forthwith. 
Wo  mado  a  trench  like  a  ring,  in  tho  midst  whereof  wo  planted  the  black 
king  and  his  son:  our  captain  and  some  few  others  wore  appointed  as  a 
guard  over  thom :  our  armed  men  wore  divided  into  four  parties,  in  order 
to  secure  us  in  the  best  manner  they  could.  We  had  just  finished  our 
camp,  when  the  officer  who  had  been  with  us  before,  and  three  other 
men,  brought  us  a  bullock.  Ho  brought  likewise  somo  roasted  meat  in 
his  hand,  and  a  horn  of  water  for  the  king;  so  wo  loosed  our  royal  prison- 
ers' hands,  that  they  might  feed  themselves.  They  ate  some  small  matter, 
and  gave  the  remainder  to  Captain  Younge. 

While  we  were  employed  in  killing  the  ox,  we  desired  tho  king  to  send 
some  of  his  people  into  the  woods  for  somo  fuel  to  dress  it,  which  he 
readily  did ;  and  they  soon  brought  us  sufKcient  for  our  purpose.  But 
all  this  time  wo  wanted  water,  and  complained  thereof  to  the  king,  who 
assured  us  that  there  was  none  to  be  got  near  that  place  by  several  miles, 
and  that  what  small  quantity  was  given  him  in  the  horn,  was  taken  from 
that  very  pond  where  wo  left  the  wounded  man,  which  could  not  be  less 
than  ten  miles  distant.  This  very  much  disheartened  us ;  for  we  were 
parched  with  thirst,  which  was  the  more  increased  by  the  fatigue  of  our 
long  march  and  the  heat  of  the  country.  However,  there  was  no  help 
for  us,  and  patience  was  the  only  remedy.  When  the  king  and  his  son 
had  supped,  we  bound  their  hands  before  them,  that  they  might  sleep  as 
easy  as  they  could ;  so,  after  we  had  cut  up  our  bullock,  and  divided  it 
amongst  us,  we  broiled  and  ate  it,  though  with  but  little  satisfaction,  for 
want  of  water ;  and  when  we  had  made  as  good  a  supper  as  our  unhappy 
circumstances  would  well  admit  of,  we  also  used  our  best  endeavors  to 
repose  ourselves.  The  three  captains,  however,  agreed  to  watch  alter- 
nately, and  divided  our  people  into  three  parties  for  that  purpose.  The 
king  entreated  his  wife  to  go  home  and  comfort  his  children,  but  more 
particularly  recommended  his  beloved  daughter  to  her  caro.  She  went 
at  his  request,  but  shed  tears  when  departing,  as  did  also  the  king  and 
his  son.  Such  of  us  as  were  not  on  the  watch  lay  down  ;  but  we  had  a 
wretched  night;  for  the  ground  was  stony,  and  there  was  but  little  grass; 
and,  what  was  still  a  greater  affliction,  we  were  excessively  dry,  and  had 
nothing  to  quench  our  thirst. 

At  dawn  of  day  we  arose,  which  was  the  second  day  of  our  travel,  and 
the  better  to  support  ourselves  under  the  fatigue  of  it,  we  ate  part  of  tlie 
remains  of  our  beef;  but  it  was  a  miserable  repast,  as  we  had  nothing  to 
drink.    However,  we  put  ourselves  in  the  same  order  as  we  had  done 


480 


THK  STORY  OF  ROBERT  DRURV. 


the  day  before,  and  wnnt  forward.  The  native*  percoivinff  us  in  motion, 
moved  too,  hut  kept  at  a  greater  diitance,  and  went  into  our  conip  a(\or 
we  had  quitted  it,  to  see  what  they  could  find  ;  and  their  labor  wan  not 
altogether  lout,  for  many  of  our  people  thought  proper  to  leave  half  thone 
India  goodn  they  had  brought  out  of  the  town  behind  them,  that  they 
might  travel  with  leas  fatigue.  We  walked  with  more  ease  half  thin  day 
than  we  did  the  day  before,  it  proving  cloudy  weather,  and  cool.  About 
noon,  the  general  who  had  been  with  us  before  came  with  aome  roanted 
moat  and  a  horn  of  water  for  the  king  and  his  son :  as  we  did  not  loosen 
their  hands,  we  were  forced  to  feed  them.  The  general  ordered  Ham  to 
UHk  the  captains  if  thoy  would  release  the  king  for  six  guns.  I  perceived 
there  was  a  debate  between  them  and  Mr.  Bembo;  some  thinking  the 
si.x  guns  would  be  of  great  service  to  us,  especially  as  we  should  still  have 
the  king^s  son :  others  wore  of  opinion  that  it  would  bo  more  for  our  safety 
to  keep  the  king:  however,  it  was  agreed  at  last  that  he  should  be  dis- 
missed. Wo  informed  the  general,  that  if  thoy  would  give  us  six  very 
good  guns,  and  promise  on  their  honor  not  to  follow  us,  but  return  with 
their  king,  wo  would  let  him  go  ;  and  that  as  soon  as  we  came  to  the 
rivor  Manderra,  which  divided  his  dominions  from  those  of  Port  Dauphine, 
we  would  release  the  king's  son,  and  leave  all  their  arms  behind  us. 

The  general  was  startled  at  this  unexpected  condescension  of  our 
people,  and  dispatched  one  of  his  attendants  to  the  king's  other  sons,  who 
were  not  far  oft'  with  their  army,  to  acquaint  them  with  our  proposal;  and 
in  half  an  hour's  time,  returned  to  us  with  six  of  the  best  guns.  They 
made  the  more  haste,  lost  our  minds  should  alter :  we  kop'.  them  no  longer 
in  suspense  than  while  we  took  tbn  guns  to  pieces,  to  see  whether  they 
were  in  good  condition  or  not;  and  finding  them  better  than  we  could 
reasonably  have  expected  in  such  a  country,  we  released  their  king,  and 
sent  him  away  with  the  general.  He  took  his  leave  of  the  prince,  and 
wont  directly  to  the  army.  Wo  were  so  near  as  to  see  the  ceremony  of 
liis  meeting  with  his  sons,  who  fell  down  and  embraced  his  knees,  and, 
with  all  the  earnestness  'maginable,  shed  tears  for  joy.  After  they  had 
kissed  and  licked  his  knees  and  legs  for  about  five  or  six  minutes,  they 
arose  to  give  his  head  officers  on  opportunity  of  paying  the  like  homage; 
and  after  them,  some  others  of  an  inferior  station,  who  in  general  expressed 
a  most  sincere  and  passionate  affection  to  his  person,  and  showed  all  the 
demonstrations  of  joy  imaginable  on  account  of  his  return.  This  cere- 
monial being  over,  they  all  hallooed  and  fired  their  guns,  as  a  public 
testimony  of  their  joy  and  satisfaction. 

We  now  walked  away  on  our  toilsome  march,  still  retaining  the  prince 
a  prisoner  as  a  hostage.  In  the  course  of  the  day  we  were  disconcerted 
to  observe  that  a  crowd  still  hung  on  our  rear,  and  that  this  party  came  to 
a  pause  when  we  encamped  for  the  night.  Our  sufferings  were  at  this 
point  considerably  increased.  We  could  find  neither  victuals  nor  water, 
and  were  so  parched  with  thirst,  that  we  crawled  on  the  ground  to  lick 
the  dew ;  and  this  was  all  the  refreshment  we  could  then  meet  with. 

On  the  third  day  of  our  march  we  rose  early,  and  put  forward  as  well 
as  we  could.  The  negroes,  who  strictly  observed  our  motions,  were  as 
ready  as  we ;  but  we  placed  our  armed  men  in  the  front,  determined  to 
make  a  bold  push  for  it  if  they  attempted  to  obstruct  our  passage.  They 
divided,  and  let  us  proceed  without  molestation ;  and  though  we  traveled 
all  the  morning,  yet  we  met  with  nothing  remarkable,  till  we  arrived  at  a 
little  round  hill,  whereon  there  stood  a  prodigious  large  tub,  about  six  feet 
high,  which  held  near  a  hundred  gallons,  and  was  full  of  toake.    Our 


.  «-.»^,..*f-*...<,*,.«.5r-v.^:,6^,-s,(qjx,-r-weOT^  ■-.rin^^'^.-.-r-rtiK'-'J^ 


inff  118  ill  motion. 

o  our  caiiip  aOor 

eir  labor  wqh  not 

loavn  liiilf  thoHR 

them,  that  they 

ease  half  thin  day 

and  cool.     About 

with  Roino  roBNtnd 

ve  did  not  loosen 

ordered  8am  to 

una.     I  perceived 

ome  thinking  the 

should  atil!  have 

nore  for  our  safety 

le  should  be  dia- 

givo  us  six  very 

H,  hut  return  with 

8  we  came  to  the 

of  Port  Dauphine, 

ns  behind  us. 

desccnsion  of  our 

:*8  other  sons,  who 

our  proposal;  and 

best  guns.     They 

op',  them  no  longer 

>  see  whether  they 

tter  than  we  could 

sed  their  king,  and 

of  the  prince,  and 

0  the  ceremony  of 
;ed  his  knees,  and, 
y.  After  they  had 
r  six  minutes,  they 
ig  the  like  homage; 

1  general  expressed 
and  showed  all  the 
eturn.    This  cere- 
guns,  as  a  public 

retaining  the  prince 
I  were  disconcerted 
It  this  party  came  to 
ferings  were  at  this 
victuals  nor  water, 
the  ground  to  lick 
hen  meet  with, 
put  forward  as  well 
ur  motions,  were  as 
front,  determined  to 
}ur  passage.  They 
though  we  traveled 
,  till  we  arrived  at  a 
;e  tub,  about  six  feet 
full  of  toake.    Our 


ItFI'EASE  OF  THB  KINO. 


481 


piioplo  were  going  immodiateiy  to  drain  it  dry ;  but  Bam  threw  it  down, 
and  spilt  all  the  liquor,  unking  us,  wi  ti  f  <il>  warmth,  if  wo  were  so  blind 
wi  not  to  see  the  plot  that  wM  laid  tor  uu.  i^'structioii ;  for  it  was  planted 
there  to  tempt  ua  w  drink,  with  no  wthcr  intention  than  to  poiaon  ua  all, 
or,  at  leoat,  to  intoxicate  ms  to  that  dt^ffTtit'  ihat  thuy  might  raacuo  their  prince 
without  opiKMition,  and  oMurdor  us  at  their  f>knaure. 

While  we  were  reflecting  on  'his  extraoraiu«ry  Ktion,  the  general  and 
two  or  three  more  came  up  to  uu.  and  asked  Sam  whaf  '^fsason  he  could 
otter  for  spilling  the  toake;  to  which  he  made  no  regular  reply,  but  bid 
liim  bo  gone  about  his  buaineu.  The  general  desired  to  speak  witli  th** 
young  prince;  and  after  a  little  discourse  witli  him>  directed  Ham  to  ac- 
<|uuint  Captain  Youngo,  that  if  he  should  think  fit  to  release  the  prince, 
they  would  give  him  uree  of  the  head  men  of  the  country  in  exchanj^e. 
Under  the  delusive  idea  that  they  followed  us  only  on  accouotof  the  priiui'. 
ind  that,  if  we  should  release  him,  they  would  all  return  back,  our  cajitain 
complied  with  the  goneraPs  proposition,  and,  in  a  short  time,  three  men 
were  delivered  in  exchange  for  the  prince. 

All  arrangements  for  securing  the  three  new  hostages  being  inude,  wo 
proceeded  pu  our  journey  as  well  as  men  could  without  provisionH,  and 
were  too  soon  convinod  of  Captain  Younge's  mistake  ;  for  the  negroid, 
iuatead  of  retiring,  approached  nearer,  and  some  inarched  before  um,  no 
thiit  we  expected  every  minute  they  would  attof-k  us.  We  had  a  youwfi 
iiid  in  our  company,  who  lost  his  leg  in  Bengal.  Notwithstanding  he  wuk 
well  recovered,  and  supplied  witli  a  wooden  one  well  fitted,  yet  it  cannot 
bi!  imagined  that  he  should  be  able  to  keep  up  with  us:  for,  being  now 
surprised  by  their  surrounding  us,  we  doubled  our  pace,  and,  iu  short, 
wore  obliged  to  leave  this  poor  lad  behind  us.  We  saw  the  barbarians 
come  up  with  him,  take  off  his  wooden  leg,  and  first  insult  him;  then  they 
thrust  their  lances  into  his  body,  and  left  hiiu  wallowing  in  his  blood. 
Being  eyewitnesses  of  this  act.of  inhumanity,  and  apprehensive  of  the  like 
treatment,  we  hurrie4  on  a^  fast  as  our  feeble  lin^bs  would  carry  us  till  sun- 
set, when  we  came  to  a  large  tamarind  tree,  the  leaves  whereof,  as  they 
were  sour,  wo  chewed,  to  moisten  our  mouths.  The  fruit  itself  was  not 
then  in  season. 

The  three  negroes  whom  we  had  taken  as  hostages,  observing  what  had 
passed,  and  thinking  their  lives  in  danger,  called  to  Sam  and  the  captains, 
und  told  them  they  had  fi  scheme  to  propose,  which  would  be  for  the  safety 
of  us  all ;  which  was  tliis,  that  as  soon  as  it  was  dark,  we  should  keep 
marching  on,  as  silently  as  possible,  all  night.  The  captains  approved  of 
this  proposal,  and  ordered  none  of  us  to  sleep,  but  to  be  ready  as  soon  as 
the  watchword  was  given.  This  was  very  grievous,  considering  how  tired 
we  were  the  day  before ;  but  we  submitted  cheerfully  to  anything  that 
gave  us  hopes  of  escaping  from  the  violent  hands  of  those  bloodthirsty 
barbarians.  As  soon  as  it  was  dark  enough  to  conceal  our  fliglit,  we 
assembled  together,  and  took  a  considerable  quantity  of  muslins  and 
calicoes  and  nung  them  upon  the  bushes,  that  the  spies,  who  we  knew 
watched  us,  might  not  anywise  mistrust  our  sudden  removal. 

We  walked  off  accordingly  undiscovered  by  them.  Captain  Druminond, 
however,  being  taken  so  iU  that  he  could  not  walk  at  all,  none  of  us  being 
strong  enough  to  carry  him,  we  resolved  to  make  the  three  negroes  per- 
form that  office  by  turns.  After  we  had  thus  traveled  most  part  of  the 
night,  we  came  to  a  thicket  among  some  cotton  trees,  where  the  man  who 
had  the  charge  of  Captain  Oruromond  threw  him  upon  the  ground,  ran 
awHy  into  the  wood,  and  we  never  ww  him  more.  Upon  this  wo  had  a 
81 


^ 


482 


THE  8T0RT  OP  ROBERT  DRURY. 


inoro  watchful  eye  over  the  other  two,  and  led  him  whoso  turn  it  was  to 
cwry  the  captain  with  a  rope  about  his  neck. 

Vfeak  as  wc  were,  wo  traveled  a  great  many  miles  that  night,  and  were 
glad  when  the  day  broke  upon  us ;  for  the  negroes  had  told  us  before, 
Uiat  if  we  wa/lked  hard  all  night,  we  should  bo  at  Manderra  river  betimes 
in  the  morning.  And  their  information  was  correct ;  for  as  soun  as  v/e 
came  to  a  little  hill,  the  sun  then  just  rising,  we  had  a  prospect  of  the 
river,  though  at  a  considerrble  distance ;  however,  the  hopes  we  hud  of 
coming  to  it  in  a  short  time,  and  of  getting  water  to  quench  our  tliirst, 
gave  us  no  small  pleasure,  and  our  spirits  began  to  revive  at  the  very 
sight  of  it.  It  was  some  comfort,  likewise,  to  think  that  the  king^s  dominions 
extended  no  farther,  notwithstanding  there  were  no  inhabitants  to  protect 
us  within  several  miles  on  the  other  side.  Some  of  our  people  who  were 
more  tired  than  the  rest,  took  liberty  to  sit  down  to  refresh  themselves,  as 
taking  it  for  granted  that  the  negro  army  would  never  come  in  sight  of 
us  again. 

But  this  vain  notion  of  being  safe  and  secure  too  quickly  vanished ;  for 
as  soon  as  they  missed  us  in  the  morning,  they  pursued  us  like  so  many 
beagles,  and  before  we  got  within  a  mile  of  Manderra  river,  overtook  us. 
Thereupon  they  began  to  butcher  our  men  then  resting  under  the  trees, 
striking  their  lances  into  their  sides  and  throats.  Though  I  was  one  of 
those  wlio  could  not  travel  well,  yet  there  were  twenty  behind  me :  the 
woman  whose  life  was  preserved  in  our  ship  was  next  to  me.  I,  seeing 
them  V'll  cLr  people  in  this  barbarous  manner,  threw  off  my  coat  and 
waistcoat,  and  trusted  to  my  heels ;  for  the  foremost  of  our  people  having 
passed  the  river,  and  I  not  being  far  off,  took  courage  ;  but  hearing  the 
report  of  a  gun,  I  looked  back,  and  saw  the  poor  woman  fall,  and  the 
negroes  sticking  their  lances  in  her  sides.  My  turn  was  next,  for  the 
same  negroes  pursued  me,  and  before  I  reached  the  brink  of  the  river, 
they  fired  a  gun  at  me,  but  I  jumped  in.  Our  men  who  had  got  safe  over 
made  a  stand,  in  order  to  defend  those  who  were  behind  ;  and  notwith- 
standing the  negroes  followed  me  so  close,  I  could  not  refrain  from 
drinking  two  or  three  times. 

Those  who  had  got  over  now  marched  forward,  and  I  kept  up  with 
them  as  well  as  I  could.  We  had  a  wood  to  pass  through,  and  the  negroes, 
as  soon  as  they  saw  us  quit  the  ba.iks,  immediately  crossed  and  pursued 
us.  They  got  into  the  woods,  and,  firing  behind  the  trees  every  now  and 
then,  they  killed  three  or  four  of  our  men.  We  had  not  traveled  above 
two  miles  in  this  wood,  before  we  came  to  a  large,  sandy  plain,  to  which 
we  could  see  no  end ;  and  here  they  determined  to  stop  our  progress, 
since,  if  we  went  much  farther,  we  should  be  within  hearing  of  king 
SamuePs  subjects,  who  were  their  mortal  enemies,  and  would  readily 
assist  us.  They  divided  themselves,  therefore,  into  several  bodies,  in 
order  to  break  in  upon  us  on  all  sides ;  and  we,  being  apprised  of  their 
designs,  were  resolved  to  sell  our  lives  and  liberties  as  dear  as  possible. 
Hereupon  our  captains  put  us  in  as  good  a  posture  of  defense  as  they 
could,  and  divided  the  men  who  bore  arms  into  four  classes ;  one  under 
the  command  of  each  of  our  three  captains,  and  the  other  under  Mr. 
John  Bembo:  such  as  had  no  arms,  or  were  disabled,  were  covered  in  a 
little  valley,  and  with  them  were  the  two  negro  hostages. 

Wo  had  not  above  thirty-six  firearms  among  us  all,  and  not  many  more 
persons  fit  to  fight,  so  that  wc  were  a  poor  handful  to  withstand  an  army 
of  two  or  three  thousand.  When  they  found  we  made  a  stand,  they  did 
so  too,  and  according  to  their  wonted  manner,  where  it  could  be  done, 


1 


/hose  turn  it  was  to 

hat  night,  and  were 
had  told  us  before, 
iderra  river  betimes 
;  for  as  soun  &a  vie 
d  a  prospect  of  the 
>e  hopes  we  hud  of 
quench  our  tiiirst, 
t  revive  at  the  very 
Lhe  king^s  dominions 
ihabitants  to  protect 
ur  people  who  were 
fresh  themselves,  as 
'er  come  in  sight  of 

uickly  vanished ;  for 
ued  us  like  so  many 
•a  river,  overtook  us. 
ting  under  the  trees, 
rhough  I  was  one  of 
enty  behind  me :  the 
xt  to  me.     I,  seeing 
rew  off  my  coat  and 
of  our  people  having 
ge  ;  but  hearing  the 
woman  fall,  and  the 
rn  was  next,  for  the 
le  brink  of  the  river, 
who  had  got  safe  over 
lehind;  and  notwith- 
uld  not  refrain  from 

I,  and  I  kept  up  with 
)ugh,  and  the  negroes, 
crossed  and  pursued 
trees  every  now  and 
ad  not  traveled  above 
sandy  plain,  to  which 
to  stop  our  progress, 
ithin  hearing  of  king 
es,  and  would  readily 
nto  several  bodies,  in 
eing  apprised  of  their 
3S  as  dear  as  possible, 
re  of  defense  as  they 
ur  classes ;  one  under 
.  the  other  under  Mr. 
led,  were  covered  in  a 
stages. 

all,  and  not  many  more 
i\  to  withstand  an  army 
made  a  stand,  they  did 
lere  it  could  be  done, 


BATTLE  WITH  THE  NATIVES. 


483 


three  or  four  of  them  in  a  place  threw  up  the  .sand  before  them,  and  being 
also  beneath  us,  we  could  see  only  their  heads.  'J'luir  sliot  How  very 
fast  over  us,  and  we  kept  them  in  play  from  noon  till  six  in  the  cveiunc, 
by  which  time  all  our  ammunition  was  spent.  Those  of  us  who  had  money 
made  slugs  of  it;  our  next  shift  was  to  take  the  middle  screws  out  of  oui 
guns,  and  charge  our  pieces  with  them.  When  we  liad  used  all  these 
means,  we  knew  not  what  to  do  further:  now  we  began  to  reflect  on  tliose 
wiio  advised  us  to  deliver  up  first  the  king,  and  aflerward  his  son,  since 
the  keeping  of  them  would  have  been  our  principal  safeguard.  The  two 
negroes  in  our  custody  expected  no  doubt  every  minute  to  be  killed,  as 
very  justly  they  might;  but  as  their  death  would  be  of  no  service  to  us 
we  did  them  no  injury.  * 

At  length  it  was  unanimously  agreed  that  Dudey  and  her  husband  should 
be  sent  to  the  enemy  with  a  flag  of  truce,  not  only  to  prolong  the  time, 
but  to  know  what  they  further  wanted  ;  so  we  tied  a  piece  of  red  silk  to 
a  lance,  and  sent  them  away.  They  kept  firing  at  us  all  this  time,  not 
knowing  wliat  we  meant  by  not  returning  it.  They  shot  at  tiiose  who 
earned  the  flag;  but  perceiving  that  they  were  not  armed,  the  prince 
ordered  them  to  cease.  Dudey  was  interpreter,  and  told  them  that  our 
captain  was  inclined  to  make  peace  with  them,  and  to  deliver  up  the  two 
hostages,  with  the  guns  and  ammunition  we  took  with  us,  as  soon  as  we 
were  advanced  a  little  further  into  the  country.  They  said  they  would 
suffer  us  to  go  in  the  morning,  in  case  we  would  deliver  up  our  arms  and 
ti\e  men,  but  not  that  evening,  because  it  was  dark.  Their  true  reason 
was  this:  they  knew,  if  we  got  away  that  night,  we  should  send  some  of 
King  faamuel  s  people,  who  were  their  bitter  enemies,  to  be  revenged  on 
tljem  lor  the  ill-treatment  we  had  met  with. 

With  the  vain  idea  of  appeasing  them,  it  was  resolved  that  ne.\t  morning 
we  should  give  up  our  arms.  Captain  Drurainond  and  some  of  his  friends, 
however,  protesting  against  the  folly  which  the  party  were  about  to  commit. 
Morning  dawned,  after  a  dismal  night,  bringing  with  it  a  day  of  sorrow. 
As  soon  as  we  could  see,  we  missed  Captain  Drummond,  Captain  Steward, 
Mr.  Bembo,  Dudey,  and  her  husband,  and  four  or  five  more,  who  deserted 
in  the  night,  without  communicating  tlieir  intentions  to  us.     Now  we 
plainly  saw  destruction  before  us,  and  the  end  of  this  miserable  journey, 
which,  after  so  bold  an  attempt,  we  undertook  for  the  preservation  of  our 
lives  and  liberty:  and  a  tragical  one  it  was;  for  no  sooner  was  it  broad 
daylight  than  the  negroes  came  up  to  us,  and  the  prince  had  a  short  con- 
terence  with  Sam.     Captain  Younge  asked  him  the  purport  of  their 
discourse ;   he  answered,  they  wanted  to  know  what  was  become  of 
Captain  Drummond  and  the  rest.     The  words  were  no  sooner  out  of  his 
mouth  than  one  of  the  princes  took  hold  of  me,  and  delivered  me  to  one 
ot  his  attendants.     There  were  three  or  four  lads  like  myself,  and  much 
about  my  age,  who  were  seized  at  the  same  time,  and  delivered  to  their 
people  in  the  same  manner,  who  bound  our  hands  with  cords. 

There  now  ensued  a  scene  of  horrid  butchery,  every  one  of  our  unfor- 
tnnate  company,  including  Captain  Younge,  being  killed  on  the  spot, 
lhe  ^dies-  ere  next  stripped  of  their  clothing,  and  every  article  car- 
ried ofl  as  spoil.  Little  time  was  consumed  in  this  tragical  affair;  for 
the  savages  expected  that  the  subjecte  of  King  Samuel,  roused  by  Captain 
Drummond,  would  soon  be  down  upon  them;  and  I  afterward  learned 
tliat  such  a  friendly  force  actually  came  soon  after  our  departure.  In  the 
attack  which  had  been  made  on  us,  Sam  contrived  to  escape,  and  returned 
wiUi  the  negroes;  whether  he  was  ever  sincere  in  his  friendship  for  us,  is 


I 


THE  STORY  OF  RODERT  DRURY. 

worst  enemies.  .  „.u„.l  ««va2e,  and  was  led  away  like  a  caii 

I  was  now  the  captive  of  a  naked  "'''g*;^^^^;      ^hat  should  be  my 
to  th^  shambles,  galled  with  cords,  and  mrt  kn        g^^^^^  ^^^ 

7li^:ZS^^^^^:^  -^en  was  now  to  return  home  with 
^re  way  we  went,  I  w.  ^^ked  t£'t^^^ 

of  our  men,  which  lay  ex^sed  «"f;  *^«X  S  of  ''"'"'*''  *"'''"^.^''* 
Jhe  river  ^e  had  crossed,  I  «'«.«°/j'^^w  sSrcely  stand  on  my  legs- 
no  sustenance  for  three  days,  ^h^^^j^  to^cern  fir  me,  yet  he  would 
Though  my  master  expressed  some  little  co  ^.^  ^^p 

lot  bfit  till  he  was  past  the  "'«':  »^2ke"'fire!  and  now  1  was  in  hopes 
rrthe  first  commodious  place  and  make  ^"Z.  '         ^^g  had  carried  beef 
of  some  Agreeable  refreshment,  for  somo  of  J^s  ««J  .^  .^  ^^^  ^^^^ 
on  their  backs  for  that  purpose      though    hey  ^^^^^^.^^  ^^  ^^ 

°.i.  thP  hide,  and  dressed  and  ate  it  "*"/"';.  .u'ght  this  contempt- 
::lm  and  gave  it  to  me  in  the  -me  mann-  y  1 1  though^  ,^„,hed-the 

•ble  foid-and  what  ^  beggar  m  England  wou  ^^  ^^^^^^  here  nbout  an 

the^    wf  n"t  with  throe  or  fo«r  men  whom  my  mas  -^^  ^^ 

Sec  my  master  came  to  ™;  a"f  g-^  ">[  ,\Xut  a  pouni,  without  any 
r«t  out  as  much  as  1  thought  proper.  J"^      ,  .  ignorance,  and  so 

;:tonhc  hide,  which  he  perce^vm^.^^^^^^^^^^  ,,,^^g 

rut  a  slice  with  the  hide,  and  dresseu  u .  »  ^^^^  ^^g,^  each 

thankfulness,  not  daring  to  refuse  '»■  ^^"/„ffo,  ,,i.nself  to  lie  on:  my 
m^  pulled  as  much  g^ass  as  was  sufiici^nt  to^  i  then  reposed 

Sdian,  however,  provided  enojih  for  hunscu  a  ^^.^  ^  ^ 

Sf  accordingly,  and  he  »'^y#  ^^  '   ^'m  aU  nighl  long.     I  had  very 
S    hatIwasforccdtoturnm£backonh.maU     g  .^^^  ^^^  ^^^, 

ittle'relfor  the  f-^^tm  sfeera-oon- I  closed  m^^^ 
before  me,  and  made  me  start  trom  »'«  V  ^  marched  on  till 

*'"  At  break  of  day  we  ""^^'-^^^^'f^iaSy  trees  near  a  pond  of  water 
-  JTn  when  we  baited  among  some  snauy  ^usy  u\ 

X'etme  employed  tl-m«c've» 'U j.mdling  a  fi^e^  otli  ^^  ^.^^^  ^ 

Sng  "P  -^"d  "l"^"  iT^SonobslrTed  one  of  them  pulling  outot  the 
what  they  were  doing,  but  I «??°  "^'^^^  ^„  a  yam,  having  seen  many 
pound  a' long  white  ^^ ''^^J  Sshed^hemselves  with  a  suffic^n 
S  them  at  Bengal.    Jh^J/^J"  ^"^Jd,  without  any  cultivation.     Some 
.quantity.     I  perceived  they  grew  wiia^  ^.^  ^^  g^,^^,,  .nehes 

Sthem^ere  -ghteen  mche^long  at ^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^  ^.j^,  ,  7°^  Cv 


„._»j.:iu„,-S^g,jr<tS;!;S(t-.'i;'iS5i./iJ*' 


'••vSr-^! 


»«^1r«ls?rw5«.fc•i^saa,; 


,  ,-^  «>-,,;■■,  ■,%:-' ii.jBfjy'y  ■ 


lad  been  our  own 

id  away  like  a  calf 
vhat  shouW  be  my 
nner,  and  won  we 

or  proprietor,  as  I 
some  conseiiuencc, 

return  home  with 

he  mangled  bodies 
When  we  reached 
ictuals,  having  had 
stand  on  my  legs. 
at  me,  yet  he  would 
!d  his  people  to  stop 
now  I  was  in  hopes 
nts  had  carried  beef 
t  in  two  long  pieces, 
I,  according  to  their 
jought  this  contempt- 
»t  have  touched — the 
rested  here  about  an 
giis  to  know  if  I  could 
•avcled  the  remainder 
ey  walked  but  slowly, 

d  for  our  lodging,  and 
master  had  sent  out  a 
(cks,  one  of  which  my 
id  his  people,  and  the 
sbanded,  and  all  were 
their  own  habitations, 
intimating  that  1  might 
it  a  pound,  without  any 

0  my  ignorance, and  so 
lich  1  ate  with  seeming 
supper  was  over,  each 
himself  to  lie  on:  my 
ind  me :  I  then  reposed 

black  skin  smelled  so 
night  long.  I  had  very 
icrod  friends  was  ever 

1  as  I  closed  my  eyes, 
repast,  marched  on  till 

near  a  pond  of  water, 
re,  others  were  busy  In 
lid  not  at  first  conceive 
■  them  pulling  out  of  the 
yam,  having  seen  many 
nselves  with  a  sufficient 

any  cuhivation.  Some 
,bout  six  or  seven  inches 
m,  which  I  roasted,  and 
ad  with  my  beef.    They 


REDUCED  TO  SLAVERY. 


486 


are  very  agreeable  to  the  taste,  as  well  as  wholesome  food.  We  arrived 
that  evening  at  a  small  town,  which  we  no  sooner  entered,  than  the  women 
and  children  flocked  round  about  me,  pinched  me,  struck  me  on  the  back 
with  their  fists,  and  showed  several  other  tokens  of  their  derision  and 
contempt,  at  which  I  could  not  forbear  weeping,  as  it  was  not  in  my  power 
to  express  my  feelings  any  other  way ;  but  when  my  guardian  observed 
it,  he  came  to  my  assistance,  and  freed  me  from  my  persecutors.  All 
the  houses  that  were  empty  were  taken  up  by  my  master,  his  brother, 
and  other  head  men,  so  that  my  guardian  and  I  lay  exposed  to  the  open 
air.  'The  ill  treatment  I  met  witli  from  the  women  and  children  put  a 
thousand  distracting  thoughts  into  my  head:  sometimes  I  imagined 
that  I  might  bo  preserved  alive  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  be  carried 
to  the  king  and  his  son,  who  would,  in  all  probability,  be  fired  with 
resentment  at  oui  late  seizing  of  them,  and  making  them  prisoners; 
then  again  I  tiiought,  that,  to  gratify  their  pleasure  and  revenge,  they 
would  order  me  to  be  put  to  death  before  their  faces,  by  slow  degrees, 
and  the  most  exquisite  torments.  Sucli  melancholy  reflections  as  these 
so  disordered  me,  that  when  once,  through  weariness,  I  fell  into  a  slum- 
ber, 1  had  a  dream  which  so  terrified  me,  that  1  started  upright,  and 
trembled  in  every  joint ;  in  short,  I  could  not  get  one  wink  of  sleep  all 
the  night  long. 

When  it  was  broad  daylight  we  marched  homeward — for  now  I  must 
call  it  so — and  in  three  or  four  hours'  time  we  arrived  at  a  considerable 
town,  with  three  or  four  tamarind  trees  before  it.  One  of  the  negroes 
carried  a  large  shell,  which,  when  he  blew,  sounded  like  a  postboy's  horn 
This  brought  the  women  to  a  spacious  house  in  the  middle  of  the  town, 
about  twelve  feet  high,  which  I  soon  perceived  was  my  master's.  No 
sooner  had  ho  seated  himself  at  the  door,  than  his  wife  came  out,  ciawling 
on  her  hands  and  knees  till  she  came  to  him,  and  then  licked  his  feet ; 
and  when  she  had  thus  testified  her  duty  and  respects,  his  mother  paid 
iiiin  the  like  compliment ;  and  all  the  women  in  the  town  saluted  their 
husbands  in  the  same  manner ;  then  each  man  went  to  his  respective 
habitation,  my  master's  brother  only  excepted,  who,  though  lie  had  a 
house,  had  no  wife  to  receive  him,  and  so  he  stayed  bcliind. 

My  mistress  intimated  by  her  motions  that  she  would  have  me  go  in 
and  sit  down.  Much  serious  discourse  passed  between  my  master  and  her; 
and  though  I  knew  nothing  of  what  they  said,  yet,  by  her  looking  so 
earnestly  at  me  while  he  was  talking,  I  conjectured  he  was  relating  to 
her  our  tragical  tale,  and  I  perceived  that  the  tears  frequently  stood  in 
her  eyes.  This  conference  over,  she  ordered  some  carravances  to  be 
boiled  for  our  dinner — a  kind  of  pulse  much  like  our  gray  peas :  she  gave 
me  some,  but  as  they  had  been  boiled  in  dirty  water,  I  could  not  eat  them. 
She,  perceiving  1  did  not  like  them,  strained  them  ofl'  the  water,  and  put 
some  milk  to  them,  and  afler  that  I  made  a  tolerable  meal  of  them.  She 
gave  me  not  only  a  mat  to  lie  down  upon,  but  likewise  a  piece  of  calico, 
about  two  yards  in  length,  to  cover  me.  She  intimated  that  she  wanted 
to  know  my  name,  which  I  told  her  was  Robin.  Having  received  so  much 
civility  from  my  mistress,  I  began  to  be  much  better  satisfied  than  I  was 
at  first,  and  then  laid  me  down  and  slept,  without  any  fear  or  concern, 
about  four  hours,  as  near  as  I  could  guess  by  the  sun.  Wiicn  I  waked, 
my  mistress  called  me  by  my  name,  and  gave  me  some  milk  to  drink. 
She  talked  for  some  considerable  time  to  me,  but  I  could  not  understand 
one  word  she  said.  My  master  was  all  this  time  with  his  brother  at  the 
door,  regaling  themselves  with  toake. 


i 
4 


r^  'no'^Ly^f*^'.*  ^ 


486 


THE  STORY  OF  ROBERT  DRURY. 


Through  the  kindness  of  my  mistress,  who  had  herself  been  taken  cap- 
tive, and  brought  as  a  slave  to  my  master's  cainp,  I  was  less  harshly  treated 
than  any  of  the  other  slaves  in  the  establishment  of  whom  there  were 
UDward  of  two  hundred.  Perhaps,  also,  I  was  mdebted  to  my  want  of 
Kfy'trength  for  not  being  put  to  excessive  labor  Nevertheless  my 
fote  was  molt  distressing  anl  hopeless.  At  night  I  slept  m  a  hut  w.thout 
anv  furniture,  and  my  clothes  being  taken  from  me,  the  oii.y  covering 
wWch  I  wore  was  a  piece  of  cloth  round  the  middle,  like  that  worn  by  ah 
the  people  in  the  country.  Thus  stripped  of  my  apparel,  wid  almort 
entirely  naked,  I  was  a  miserable  looking  object ;  but  i  fluffered  less  frorn 
Zcold  than  heat.  The  sun  beat  on  my  tody,  bi.stermg  the  skm,  a^d 
covering  it  with  freckles,  while  I  was  exposed  at  tne  "ame  tune  to  the  bites 
and  stings  of  insects,  of  which  there  is  a  vast  vauety  m  Madagascar. 

I  was  first  tried  by  my  master  as  a  laborer  to  hoe  the  weeds  m  the 
fields  of  carravances ;  but  being  awkward  at  that  kmd  of  r:°'yj»f.  J'l^ 
to  attend  on  the  cattle,  drive  them  to  water,  and  see  that  they  did  not 
break  in?o  any  of  the  pl^tations.  Beside  thi-,  I  was  obliged  to  drag  home 
ere^y  night  aU  of  water  for  the  use  of  the  iumily,  there  being  no  water 
near  my  master's  house.  In  my  employment  as  a  neat-herd,  I  had  the 
society  of  other  boys,  also  attendants  on  their  master's  cattle,  and  from 
these  companions,  who  were  natives  of  the  country,  as  well  "J^n^^otb^r  ' 
I  picked  up  a  knowledge  of  the  language,  and  was  soon  able  to  speak  it 

so  as  to  be  understood.  ,    ,         .  »„.  j„„„r«nri 

Atter  being  some  months  in  this  kind  of  service,  my  master  departnd, 
with  a  numerous  band  of  followers,  on  a  warlike  expedition.  He  was  ab- 
sent for  more  than  a  fortnight,  and,  at  his  return,  made  a  triumphant  entry 
into  the  town,  amidst  the  firing  of  guns  and  blowing  of  horns  After 
Mevarrow,  came  his  brother  Sambo  and  the  attendants,  followed  by  the 
cattle  which  had  been  taken  from  the  enemy  ;  the  prisoners  of  war,  now 
become  slaves,  brought  up  the  rear.  The  great  man,  my  master,  having 
halted,  and  seated  himself  in  front  of  his  house,  h^  consort,  attended  by 
the  women  of  the  neighborhood,  came  as  usual  and  licked  his  feet. 

Durina  this  ceremonial  my  master,  casting  his  eyes  around,  saw  mo 
at  a  dist^cc,  and  called  me  to  him.  I  approached  him  in  a  manner  con- 
sidered respectful,  with  ray  hands  lifted  up, as  m  a  praying  posture;  but 
did  not  kneel  down,  as  all  the  others  did,  having  a  conscientious  reluctance 
to  perform  such  an  act.  Whereupon  my  brutal  owner  flew  into  a  rage, 
and  reproached  me  for  not  paying  him  the  same  respect  as  his  wite, 
mother,  and  others  about  him.  However,  I  peremptorily  refused,  and  told 
him  I  would  obey  all  his  lawful  commands,  and  do  whatever  work  he 
thought  proper  to  employ  me  in,  but  this  act  of  divine  homage  I  could 

°^On  thiX^feTl  into  a  violent  passion,  upbraided  me  with  being  ungrateful, 
and  insensible  of  his  saving  me  from  being  killed  among  my  countrymen, 
and  urged,  moreover,  that  I  was  his  slave,  etc.;  but  notwithstanding  alL 
this,  I  ^iU  continued  resolute  and  firm  to  my  purpose.  Whereupon  he 
arose  from  his  seat,  and,  with  his  lance,  made  a  stroke  at  me  with  all  his 
might;  but  his  brother,  by  a  sudden  push  on  one  side,  prevented  the 
mifchief  he  intended.  He  was  going  to  repeat  his  blow,  bu  his  brother 
interposed,  and  entreated  him  to  excuse  me;  but  he  abso  utely,  and  in  the 
warmest  terms,  refused  to  forgive  me  unless  1  would  lick  his  feet.  His 
brother  begged  he  would  give  him  a  little  time  to  talk  with  me  in  private, 
which  he  did;  and  after  he  had  told  me  the  danger  of  not  doing  it,  and 
that,  in  submitting  to  it,  I  did  no  more  than  what  many  great  princes  were 


v;!5?-Kr5'*^"'W*''*-K;?S?i'r':5 


l^^^-^-i^^^^^T^'^-'X?-^^' 


fr^^^'^^^^-^i^S^^. 


If  been  taken  cap- 
ess  harshly  treated 
whom  there  were 
d  to  my  want  of 
Nevertheless,  my 
)t  in  a  hut  without 
the  oiiiy  covering 
le  that  worn  by  all 
parel,  and  almost 
suffered  less  from 
ring  the  skin,  and 
16  time  to  the  bites 
Madagascar, 
the  weeds  in  the 
if  work,  I  was  made 
that  they  did  not 
)ligcd  to  drag  home 
ere  being  no  water 
eat-herd,  I  had  the 
•'a  cattle,  and  from 
well  as  from  others, 
>on  able  to  speak  it 

jy  master  departed, 
lition.  He  was  ab- 
a  triumphant  entry 
ig  of  horns.  After 
nts,  followed  by  the 
isonera  of  war,  now 
,  my  master,  having 
;on8ort,  attended  by 
eked  his  feet, 
es  around,  saw  mo 
Im  in  a  manner  con- 
raying  posture ;  but 
cientious  reluctance 
ler  flew  into  a  rage, 
respect  as  his  wife, 
ily  refused,  and  told 
I  whatever  work  he 
ine  homage  I  could 

ith  being  ungrateful, 
jng  my  countrymen, 

notwithstanding  alL^ 
3e.  Whereupon  he 
ce  at  me  with  all  his 
side,  prevented  the 
low,  but  his  brother 
ibsolutely,  and  in  the 
1  lick  his  feet.  His 
It  with  me  in  private, 

of  not  doing  it,  and 
y  great  princes  were 


ESCAPE. 


487 


obliged  to  do  when  taken  prisoners,  I  found  at  length  it  was  prudence  to 
comply ;  so  I  went  in,  askod  pardon,  nnd  performed  the  ceremony  as 
others  had  done  before  mo.  He  told  me  he  readily  forgave  me,  but  would 
make  me  sensible  I  was  a  slave.  I  did  not  much  regard  his  menaces;  for, 
as  I  had  no  prospect  of  ever  returning  to  England,  I  set  but  little  value 
on  my  life.  The  next  day  I  incurred  his  displeasure  again,  and  never 
expected  to  escape  from  feeling  the  weight  of  his  resentment. 

My  master  then  performed  the  ceremony  of  thanksgiving  to  God  for 
his  happy  deliverance  from  all  the  hazards  of  war,  and  for  the  success 
of  his  arms;  which  is  done  by  some  silly  adoration  before  a  kind  of 
household  altar,  accompanied  with  ridiculous  ceremonies.  Having  per> 
formed  his  devotions,  my  master  would  have  me  do  the  same ;  but  this 
I  also  firmly  refused,  and  he  was  now  more  savage  than  ever.  Taking 
hold  of  me  by  one  hand,  and  with  his  lance  in  the  other,  he  threatened 
instantly  to  sacrifice  me.  I  expected  nothing  but  death,  and  waited  every 
moment  in  an  agony  for  the  mortal  blow.  Sambo,  at  this  crisis,  again 
humanely  interfered,  along  with  many  others,  all  using  their  utmost  en- 
deavors to  persuade  him  against  so  rash  an  action;  but  to  no  purpose;  till 
his  brother  at  last  very  warmly  told  him  he  would  that  minute  depart,  and 
see  his  face  no  more,  if  he  offered  to  be  guilty  of  such  an  act  of  inhumanity; 
and  rose  up  to  be  gone  accordingly.  When  my  master  saw  his  brother 
waa  going  in  good  earnest,  he  called  him  back,  and  promised  to  spare  my 
life,  but  assured  him  he  would  punish  me  very  severely  for  my  contempt 
of  his  orders.  Sambo  told  him  he  should  submit  that  to  his  own  discretion; 
all  he  begged  of  him  was,  not  to  kill  me.  Upon  this,  by  a  secret  sign, 
he  advised  me  to  kneel  down  and  lick  hia  feet,  which  I  readily  complied 
with,  and  asked  his  pardon.  When  I  got  up,  I  kneeled  down  to  Dean  Sambo 
of  my  own  accord,  and  licked  his  feet,  as  a  testimony  of  my  gratitude  and 
respect  for  thus  saving  my  life  a  seco k!  time. 

As  soon  as  this  storm  was  blown  over,  I  was  remanded  to  my  former 
post  of  cow-kf  cper.  I  had  a  great  deal  of  trouble  sometimes  with  these 
cattle,  for  they  are  very  unruly ;  and  notwithstanding  they  are  larger 
beasts  than  any  I  ever  saw  elsewhere  of  the  kind,  they  are  so  nimble,  that 
they  will  leap  over  high  fences  like  a  greyhound.  They  have  an  excres- 
cence between  their  shoulders,  somewhat  like  that  of  camels,  all  fat  and 
flesh,  some  of  which  will  weigh  about  three  or  fourscore  pounds.  They 
are  also  beautifully  colored :  some  are  streaked  like  a  tiger,  others,  like 
a  leopard,  are  marked  with  various  spots.  Here  are,  likewise,  some  sheep, 
with  large  heavy  tails,  like  Turkish  sheep— not  woolly  as  ours,  but  more 
like  a  goat ;  and  also  a  small  number  of  goats,  resembling  those  of  other 
countries.  There  are,  beside,  plenty  of  hogs  in  the  country,  and  immense 
swarms  of  bees.  These  bees  produce  a  vast  abundance  of  honey,  from 
which  the  natives  make  their  drink  called  toake. 

[What  with  cow-herding,  gathering  honey,  helping  to  build  huts  with 
wood  and  clay,  and  going  sometimes,  greatly  against  his  will,  on  warlike 
or  cattle-stealing  expeditions,  beside  doing  much  thankless  drudgery  of  a 
miscellaneous  kind,  Drury  informs  us  that  twelve  years  were  consumed^ 
Often  in  his  hut,  in  the  silence  of  night,  he  thought  of  his  father,  mother, 
and  friends  in  England,  and  wept  when  he  reflected  on  the  hopelessness 
of  his  lot.  He,  however,  felt  more  than  he  could  well  express,  even  by 
tears.  Twelve  years  of  slavery  had  changed  him  in  a  remarkable  manner. 
He  had  forgotten  his  own  language,  and  could  no  longer  converse  in 
English.  The  words  stuck  half-expressed  on  his  tongue.  From  being 
a  handsome  English  boy,  he  had  grown  to  be  a  brown-akinned  savage. 


'^, 


tr. 


488 


THE  STORY  OP  ROBERT  DRURY. 


His  feelings  liad  been  changed  as  well  as  his  person ;  and  in  some  o(  his 
habits  he  was  little  superior  to  the  lower  animals.  Yet,  as  has  been  said, 
he  sometimes  wept,  and  never  forgot  his  home.  The  recollection  of  his 
mother's  tenderness  could  not  be  obliterated  from  his  memory.  It  auv- 
vived  all  llie  horrors  of  his  hapless  condition,  and  stimulated  him  to  attempt 
his  escape  from  an  odious  bondage. 

He  pondered  long  on  tiie  means  of  absconding  ;  and,  at  length,  by  the 
friendly  aid  of  a  fellow-servant,  he  took  to  flight.  His  plan  was  in  the 
first  place,  to  reach  the  territory  of  a  chief,  called  AflTerrer,  friendly  to  the 
whites,  before  his  absence  <vas  discovered ;  and  although  this  required 
great  dexterity  and  toil,  he  effected  the  journey.  Still,  he  was  scarcely 
safe.  His  enraged  master  sent  messengers  to  request  that  he  should  be 
delivered  up  as  a  runaway  slave,  and  poor  Drury  trembled  for  the  result. 
Afferrer  appeared  to  be  shocked  at  the  proposal.  He  said  that  the  idea 
of  making  a  white  man  a  slave  was  ridiculous,  and  that  the  refugee  should 
remain  with  him  as  long  as  he  pleased,  or  go  wherever  bethought  proper. 
The'  men  were  therefore  obliged  to  return  disconcerted,  and  Drury  was 
in  the  meantime  secure.  In  this  new  home  he  was  certainly  not  compel- 
led to  work  as  a  slave,  but  neither  was  he  altogether  a  freeman.  The 
chief  with  whom  he  had  ttiken  refuge  was  pretty  constantly  at  war,  and 
his  object  was  to  make  use  of  him  in  his  expeditions.  Constrained  to 
appea.  satisfied,  Drury  lived  with  Afferrer  two  months,  going  with  him  on 
two  excursions  against  his  enemies.  As  this,  however,  was  an  employ- 
ment not  at  all  to  the  mind  of  the  refugee,  he  took  an  opportunity  of  once 
more  escaping.     We  continue  the  narrative  chiefly  in  his  own  language.] 

With  a  bundle  of  dried  meat,  which  I  had  contrived  to  conceal,  I  set 
off  on  my  journey,  walking  briskly  all  night,  and  keeping  in  a  south-easterly 
direction,  with  the  hope  of  reaching  Port  Dauphinc.  A  great  river,  called 
the  Oneghaloyhe,  issuing  in  St.  Augustine'fr  bay,  I  was  told  had  to  be 
crossed  on  the  journey.  In  the  morning  I  saw  certain  mountains  that 
had  been  mentioned  to  me ;  by  this  I  perceived  I  had  made  considerable 
progress,  and  therefore  would  not  conceal  myself,  as  at  first  I  proposed, 
but  proceeded  on  my  journey,  looking  sharply  about  me,  in  taae  of  any 
lurking  enemy.  With  little  to  fear,  I  went  merrily  on,  singing  Madagas- 
car songs,  for  I  had  forgotten  all  my  English  ones.  The  bellowing  of  the 
wild  cattle  would  now  and  then  make  me  start,  imagining  they  were  my 

fursuers.  When  I  come  to  a  pleasant  brook,  I  baited  there,  and  at  sunset 
looked  out  for  a  covert  in  a  thicket  to  lie  in ;  but  I  could  not  find  one 
near  at  hand,  so  I  was  contented  to  repose  myself  in  the  open  plain, 
pulling  up  a  sufficient  quantity  of  grass  for  a  bed  and  a  pillow,  and  making 
a  small  fire  to  warm  my  beef.  I  did  not  think  proper  to  make  a  great  one, 
lest  it  should  be  discerned  at  a  distance,  for  in  the  aflernoon  I  observed 
some  fires  to  the  eastward  of  the  (nountain.  I  was  disturbed  in  my  sleep 
by  night-walkers,  whom  I  imagined  were  my  pursuers,  and  accordingly  1 
took  up  my  lances  in  order  to  defend  myseli ;  but  when  I  was  thoroughly 
awake,  I  found  they  were  only  some  cattle  that  snorted  at  the  smell  of  my 
fire,  and  ran  away  much  more  afraid  of  me  than  I  was  of  them. 

The  second  day,  in  the  morning,  I  stayed  till  the  sun  appeared 
before  I  moved  forward,  that  I  might  not  be  deceived  in  my  cours<i. 
Nothing  remarkable  happened  this  day.  I  looked  out  early  this  evening 
for  a  lodging,  the  clouds  gathering  very  black  and  aoon  found  a  large 
thick  tree,  where  I  kindled  a  fire,  warmed  some  meat,  and  hung  u])  the 
remainder,  to  keep  it  as  dry  as  I  could,  for  I  hud  nothing  else  that  could 
be  injured  by  the  rain.    At  length  it  poured  down,  as  I  expected,  in  a 


V:!(if<s!^ii^)lis0Sgt!l!:^lgimi>Smsaflts7&'^sfm 


;.aa>zSSi-ri--'j}fii:-y:.iT^ 


id  in  some  o(  his 
18  lias  been  said, 
(collection  of  hia 
nemory.  It  bup- 
ed  him  to  attempt 

at  length,  by  the 
plan  was  in  the 
er,  friendly  to  the 
jgh  this  required 
,  he  was  scarcely 
that  he  should  be 
led  for  the  result, 
said  that  the  idea 
he  refugee  should 
he  thought  proper, 
id,  and  Drury  was 
tainly  not  compel- 
a  freeman.     The 
stantly  at  war,  and 
i.     Constrained  to 
,  going  with  him  on 
•r,  was  an  employ- 
apportunity  of  once 
lis  own  language.] 
sd  to  conceal,  I  set 
g  in  a  south-easterly 
A.  great  river,  called 
was  told  had  to  be 
ain  mountains  that 
made  considerable 
i  at  first  I  proposed, 
me,  in  fease  of  any 
n,  singing  Madagas- 
rhe  bellowing  of  the 
[ining  they  were  my 
there,  and  at  sunset 
[  could  not  find  one 
f  in  the  open  plain, 
&  pillow,  and  making 
to  make  a  great  one, 
afternoon  I  observed 
listurbed  in  my  sleep 
irs,  and  accordingly  1 
hen  I  was  thoroughly 
ted  at  the  smell  of  my 
ras  of  them. 
1  the    sun   appeared 
;eived  in  my  cour86. 
out  early  this  evening 
d  doon  found  a  large 
leat,  and  hung  up  the 
othing  else  that  could 
n,  as  I  expected,  in  a 


ADVENTURES  BY  THE  WAY. 

violent  manner,  attended  with  thunder  and  lightning.  It  soon  pen;.ti  iitcil 
my  roof;  iiowovcr,  I  crowded  myself  up  togetiier,  with  my  lieud  on  my 
knees,  my  iiaiids  between  my  legs,  and  my  little  body-covering  over  my 
ears.  The  rain  ran  down  like  a  flood,  but,  as  it  was  warm,  1  «liil  nut  -•*,. 
much  regard  it.  In  three  or  four  hours  it  was  fair  weather  again,  ami  I 
laid  me  down  and  took  a  comfortable  nap. 

Tiie  next  morning  I  dried  my  beef  at  a  fire,  which  I  made  for  that  pur- 
pose, for  it  was  the  third  day  after  it  was  killed;  but  I  was  very  careful 
of  it,  not  knowing  how  to  kill  more  at  that  lime;  so  I  put  it  up  in  clean 
grass,  and  marched  forward.  The  mountains  over  which  I  was  to  pass 
seemed  very  high,  craggy,  and  thick  with  wood,  and  no  path  nor  opening 
could  I  find.  It  looked  dismal  enough,  but  I  was  determined  to  run  all 
hazards.  Tlioso  mountains  seemed  to  me  to  traverse  the  island,  and 
appeared,  as  we  call  it  at  sea,  like  double  land— one  hill  beliind  another. 
I  saw  nothing  ail  this  day  but  a  few  wild  cattle,  and  now  and  then  a  wild 
dog.     The  weather  was  fair,  and  I  slept  sound  all  this  night. 

The  fourth  day  I  walked  till  noon,  at  which  time  I  baited;  my  beef  was 
now  but  very  indiflerent.  In  the  afternoon,  as  I  was  walking,  I  saw  about 
a  dozen  men  before  me;  upon  this  I  skulked  in  a  bush,  peeping  to  observe 
whetlier  they  had  discovered  me  ;  but  I  was  soon  out  of  my  pain,  for  they 
were  surrounding  some  cattle,  a  good  way  to  the  westward,  on  a  hill.  I 
was  likewise  on  another  hill,  so  that  I  could  see  them  throw  their  lances, 
and  kill  three  beeves,  which  I  wfc  well  assured  were  more  than  they  could 
carry  away  with  them  at  once.  I  stayed  where  I  was,  proposing,  when  they 
were  gone,  to  have  some  beef.  To  work  they  fell  immediately,  cutting 
up  the  beasts,  and  each  man  made  up  his  burden,  hanging  the  remainder 
up  in  a  tree,  that  the  wild  dogs  might  not  get  it,  and  went  home  to  the 
eastward.  As  soon  as  they  were  gone,  and  I  had  looked  well  about  me, 
I  threw  away  my  bad  meat,  made  up  to,  the  tree,  and  took  as  much  as  I 
could  well  carry.  Away  I  marched  with  my  booty  toward  the  mountains, 
not  daring  to  rest,  lest  they  should  return  and  discover  me.  In  less  than 
an  hour  I  reached  the  foot  of  the  hills  in  the  thick  woods,  and  finding  no 
path,  nor  track  of  men,  nor  any  hopes  of  any,  not  knowing  what  to  do,  I 
determined  to  go  through  all ;  but  as  I  happened  on  a  run  of  water,  I  took 
up  my  quarters  near  it,  made  a  fire,  cut  some  wooden  spits,  and  roasted 
my  beef,     t  kept  my  fire  burning  all  night,  lest  the  foxe^  should  come 

and  attack  me.  .  ■  j-      >»     -iu 

The  next  morning  I  made  up  my  package  with  grass,  binding  it  with 
the  bark  of  trees,  and  moved  forward  up  the  hill.  My  burden  was  now 
much  lighter.  In  an  hour,  though  I  could  find  no  path  but  what  some 
swine  had  made,  I  got  to  the  top  of  it.  I  climbed  a  high  tree  to  take  a 
survey;  but  could  discover  no  entrance,  nothing  but  hills  and  vales,  one 
beyond  another ;  a  cragged,  dismal  desert  was  all  that  presented  itself  to 
my  view.  I  would  have  descpn^dd,  had  I  not  been  in  danger  of  being 
seen  by  the  hunters;  beside,  I  cbuld  not  tell  which  way  to  look,  whether 
east  or  west,  for  the  proper  pass  ;  so  setting  a  lance  up  on  end,  I  turned 
the  way  it  fell,  though  I  imagined  it  was  due  north,  or  rather  somewhat 
to  the  eastward.  However,  superstition  prevailed  where  reason  was  nowise 
concerned,  for  I  was  as  likely  to  be  right  one  way  as  another ;  and  m  case 
I  went  to  the  northward,  so  long  as  I  knew  it,  I  must  go  as  often  as  I  could 
to  the  westward,  as  sailors  are  forced  to  do,  run  their  latitude  first,  and 
their  longitude  afterward.  I  went  down  this  hill,  and  up  another,  which 
was  about  an  hour's  walk;  but  when  I  came  to  descend  this,  it  was  right 
up  and  down.     Without  due  thought,  I  threw  down  my  lances,  hatch,  t, 


■_'j.  j^r^i-^  *isadl»  cat-c'-s--_.V??it'ja-' 


490 


THE  STORY  OF  ROBERT  DRURY. 


and  burden,  thinking  to  descend  by  a  very  tall  tree,  whose  top  branches 
reached  close  to  the  brow;  but  I  could  not  do  it.  However,  I  made  ropes 
of  the  bark  of  a  tree,  and  fixing  them  to  the  strongest  branches,  I  slid 
down,  I  dare  say,  no  less  than  thirty  feet,  rather  tlian  I  would  lose  my 
lances  and  other  materials.  I  passed  over  a  fine  spring  and  run  of  water 
in  the  vale.  Though  the  hill  on  the  other  side  was  a  craggy,  stcop  ruck, 
I  found  a  way  to  ascend  it;  and  on  the  top,  climbed  another  to  take  my 
view ;  but  had  the  same  dismal  prospect.  Here  I  dug  faungidge,  it  being 
sunset,  and  seeing  a  hole  in  a  large  rock,  I  had  thoughts  of  taking  up  my 
lodging  there;  but  peeping  in,  on  a  sudden  I  heard  such  an  outcry,  which, 
with  the  echo  in  the  rock,  made  so  confused  a  noise,  that  1  knew  not 
what  it  could  be.  My  fears  prevailed,  and  I  imagined  it  might  be  pursuers, 
for  it  drew  nearer  and  nearer ;  so,  setting  my  back  to  a  tree,  with  a  lance 
in  each  hand,  I  waited  for  the  murderers,  when  instantly  came  squeaking 
toward  me  a  herd  of  wild  swine,  which  ran  away  more  terrified  than  my- 
self. Afler  I  was  well  recovered  from  my  fright  I  made  two  fires,  for 
fear  of  the  foxes,  and  then  laid  me  down  on  my  stony  bed,  for  hero  was 
no  grass. 

The  next  morning,  which  was  the  sixth  day,  I  made  a  hearty  menl  on 
roots  and  beef,  and,  the  hill  extending  north  and  south,  I  went  straight 
on  till  it  declined  gradually  into  a  valley,  in  which  was  a  small  river  that 
ran  westward.  By  the  time  I  arrived  at  the  top  of  the  next  hill  it  drew 
toward  evening,  for  I  was  not  much  lessihan  two  hours  in  ascending  it; 
and  yet,  considering  my  burden,  though  it  was  not  very  heavy  now,  I 
went  at  a  good  pace.  As  I  was  looking  out  for  a  commodious  lodging — 
that  is  to  say,  a  place  with  the  fewest  stones  in  it — I  discovered  a  swarm 
of  bees ;  this  was  a  joyful  sight,  for  it  was  food  that  would  not  spoil  with 
keeping.     I  soon  cut  down  a  tree,  and  smoked  them  out. 

I  made  such  a  hearty  meal  this  night  of  honey  and  beef,  that  I  slept 
too  sound,  insomuch  that  I  was  waked  with  a  severe  mortification  fur  my 
thoughtless  security.  A  fox  caught  hold  of  my  heel,  and  would  have 
dragged  me  along ;  whereupon  I  started,  and  catching  up  a  firebrand, 

Save  him  such  a  blow  as  staggered  him ;  but  as  soon  as  he  recovered  he 
ew  at  my  face.  By  this  time  I  was  upon  my  feet,  and  recovered  one 
of  my  lances,  with  which  I  prevented  him  from  ever  assaulting  me  more; 
but  his  hideous  howling  brought  more  about  him.  I  saw  three,  whose 
eyes  sparkled  like  diamonds:  however, they  kept  at  a  distance;  for,  with 
some  light,  dry  wood,  that  lay  near  me,  I  made  a  blaze  directly,  in  order 
to  keep  a  flame  all  night ;  but  did  not  wake  to  renew  it,  as  I  ought  to 
have  done ;  so  that  both  my  fires  being  almost  reduced  to  ashes,  one  of 
them  boldly  ventured  between  them ;  and  it  was  very  happy  for  me  that 
he  did  not  seize  upon  my  throat,  for  when  men  have  negligently  slept 
where  they  haunt,  I  have  known  them  meet  with  sucl.  a  mischance. 
Afler  I  had  made  up  my  fires,  and  put  my  enemies  to  flight,  I  examined 
my  heel,  and  found  two  large  holes  on  each  side  where  his  teeth  had 
entered.  I  bound  it  up  in  tiie  best  manner  I  could,  and  making  a  great 
fire,  threw  the  fox  upon  it  by  way  of  resentment.  I  had  not  that  pleasure 
in  eating  my  breakfast  this  morning  I  had  in  my  last  night's  supper; 
beside,  my  beef  was  now  « little  too  tender ;  however,  as  I  had  honey 
enough  for  a  week,  and  here  were  good  roots  in  plenty,  I  did  not  concern 
myself  much  about  it. 

I  walked  on  the  seventh  day,  and  though  I  favored  my  lame  foot  ai 
much  as  I  could,  yet  I  rested  but  once  all  day.  This  way  happened  to 
be  plain  and  easy.    At  evening  I  came  to  a  place  where  '  y  several  bodiet 


■^iSiV^VS^.'&Ssitm9.mm'^--fii-'^'^>tl^:':!Sfr 


1 


>80  top  branches 

irer,  i  made  ropes 
branches,  I  slid 
1 1  would  lose  my 

and  run  of  water 
[aggy,  steep  rock. 

lother  to  take  my 

tungidge,  it  being 
[s  of  taking  up  my 

an  outcry,  which, 
that  1  know  not 

light  be  pursucTB, 

tree,  with  a  lance 
ly  came  squeaking 

terrified  than  my- 
ade  two  fires,  for 

bed,  for  bore  was 

e  a  hearty  meal  on 
ith,  I  went  straight 
s  a  small  river  that 
je  next  hill  it  drew 
urs  in  ascending  it ; 
very  heavy  now,  I 
imodious  lodging — 
discovered  a  swarm 
vould  not  spoil  with 

)Ut. 

nd  beef,  that  I  slept 
mortification  for  my 
el,  and  would  have 
ling  up  a  firebrand, 
\  as  he  recovered  he 
,  and  recovered  one 
assaulting  me  more; 

I  saw  three,  whose 
a  distance ;  for,  with 
aze  directly,  in  order 
mew  it,  as  I  ought  to 
iced  to  ashes,  one  of 
ry  happy  for  me  that 
ave  negligently  slept 
I  sue'.,  a  mischance, 
to  flight,  I  examined 
where  his  teeth  had 
,  and  making  a  great 
had  not  that  pleasure 

last  night's  supper; 
3ver,  as  I  had  honey 
nty,  I  did  not  concern 

red  my  lame  foot  ai 
[lis  way  happened  to 
ere  '  y  several  bodiei 


END  OF  TROUBLES. 


4{)1 


of  trees  which  wore  dead  and  dry.  Thinking  this,  therefore,  a  proper 
lodging,  I  made  four  very  large  fires,  sat  mo  down  to  supper,  and  aftrr- 
ward  vnnturc<i  to  go  to  sleep  with  all  those  fires  round  niu.  But  my  heel 
now  became  so  painful,  and  was  swelled  to  that  degree,  that  I  could  nut 
go  forward  the  next  day;  but  as  there  was  faungidge  enough  within 
twenty  or  thirty  yards  of  me,  I  dug  up  several,  and  determined  to  continue 
here  till  my  foot  grew  better.  My  beef  was  soon  gone,  but  faungidge 
was  both  meat  and  drink  to  me.  I  saved  part  of  my  beef-fat  to  dress  my 
heel  with,  which,  as  I  gave  it  six  days'  rest,  took  down  all  the  swelling 
During  this  time  I  made  such  large  fires  every  night,  that,  could  they 
have  been  seen,  were  like  those  of  an  army.  I  had  not  far  to  go  for  wood, 
or  anything  else  that  I  wanted,  or  at  least  that  I  could  anywise  expect  in 
such  a  place. 

Proceeding  on  my  journey,  and  exposed,  day  after  day,  to  accidents, 
fatigue,  and  often  hunger,  I  at  length,  on  the  morning  of  the  twenty-third 
day,  had  the  joyful  sight  of  the  Oncghaloyhe,  a  river  as  broad  as  the 
Thames  at  London.  All  day  I  spent  in  contriving  how  I  should  cross  so 
broad  a  stream  without  a  canoe,  and  lay  down  at  night  still  uncertain 
what  I  should  do.  In  the  morning  I  thought  of  looking  out  for  some  old 
trees,  or  branches  that  were  fallen  ;  and  in  a  short  time  I  met  with  several 
that  were  fit  for  my  purpose — not  only  great  arms,  but  trunks  of  trees 
broken  oflf  by  tempests:  these  I  dragged  to  the  river-side.  In  the  next 
place,  I  made  it  my  business  to  find  out  a  creeper,  which  is  as  large  as  a 
withy,  but,  twining  round  trees,  is  very  pliant.  I  lopped  off  the  super- 
fluous branches  from  six  long  and  thick  arms  of  trees,  and  placing  three  at 
bottom  and  three  at  top,  I  bound  them  together,  making  what  we  call  in 
the  East  Indies  a  catamarran.  I  built  it  afloat  in  the  water,  for  otherwise 
I  could  not  have  launched  it,  and  moored  it  to  a  lance,  which  I  stuck  in 
the  shore  for  that  purpose.  I  then  fixed  my  package,  in  order  to  preserve 
it  as  dry  as  I  possibly  could,  as  also  my  hatchet  and  my  other  lance ;  after 
that  I  made  a  paddle  to  row  with.  Then  I  pulled  up  my  lance,  and  ke]>t 
it  in  my  hand  to  defend  myself  against  the  alligators,  in  case  any  of  them 
should  assault  me;  for  I  was  informed  they  were  very  numerous  and  very 
fierce  here.  It  blew  a  fresh  gale  at  west  against  the  stream,  which  in 
the  middle  made  a  sea,  and  gave  me  no  small  concern;  for  I  was  in  great 
danger  of  being  overset,  and  becoming  a  prey  to  the  alligators.  It  pleased 
God,  however,  to  protect  me,  and  I  landed  safely  on  the  other  shore. 
This  being  a  pretty  good  day's  work,  I  determined  not  to  go  much  further 
that  evening  before  I  took  up  my  lodging. 

[Traveling  in  the  manner  he  describes,  Drury  had  at  length  the  good 
fortune  to  fall  in  with  different  tribes  friendly  to  the  English,  among  whom 
he  lived  for  some  time,  but  still  watched  by  his  jealous  entertainers.  The 
great  man  with  whom  he  latterly  lived  was  named  Rer  Moume,  and  by 
him  ho  was  kept  two  years  and  a  half,  during  which  an  incident  occurred 
that  led  to  his  removal  from  the  island.  The  court  of  Rer  Moume  being 
visited  by  a  person  named  William  Thornbury,  connected  with  the  trade 
carried  on  upon  the  coast,  Drury  endeavored  to  interest  him  in  his  behalf; 
nor  was  he  unsuccessful.  After  a  lapse  of  many  months,  two  ships  ar- 
rived at  a  place  called  Yong-Owl  to  trade.]  This  (continues  Drury)  I 
was  overjoyed  to  hear,  and  flattered  myself  that  William  Thornbury  had 
not  forgotten  me.  They  stayed  there  for  several  days,  and  slaves  were  sent 
to  be  sold,  and  guns  and  other  goods  were  returned  for  them.  I  was 
at  a  loss  how  to  break  my  mind  to  Rer  Moume,  hoping  he  would  say 
something  to  me  of  his  own  accord ;  but  as  I  was  sitting  with  him  one 


-  — ^•il'V^lri 


^^2  THE  STORY  OF  ROBERT  DRURY. 

fvcninctwomen  camo  in  with  a  baHkct  of  palmetto  loaves  sewed  up,  and 

Icliverod  it  to  the  ,.ri..co,  wl.o  opened  it,  and,  finding  a  letter,  asked  the 

me  .what  tlH  V  meant  l.y  «ivinH  ilim  that.     The  captain,  they  aa.d.  Rave  it 

UHfir       u  white  ina'  but"we  thought  proper  to  let  you  see  it  first. 

Rer  Moumo  now  handc.l  me  the  packet,  which,  to  my  great  surprise   con- 

ainod  a  letter  tVo.n  Captain  William  Macket,  directed  To  Robert  Drvry 

on  the  island  of  Madagascar.     I  opened  it,  and  the  contents  were  to  the 

follosviuK  effect -.-"That  he  had  a  letter  on  board  from  my  lather  with 

full  nst?uc  ions,  as  well  from  him  as  his  owners,  to  purchase  my  liberty, 

le   i  tcosrwhat  it  would;  and  in  case  1  could  not  possibly  come  down 

myserf"to  Tend  hU  word  the  reason  of  it,  and  what  measures  he  should 

'"^ReXmLTorceived thatmycountenance changed  w^^^^^ 
the  letter"  and  fsked  me  what  was  the  matter.     I  told  him  that  the  captain 
desirc^l  to  speak  with  me,  and  that  my  father  had  sent  for  mo  home,  an 
hoped  he  would  be  pleased  to  give  his  consent.     IIow  do  you  know  all 
his  tsaysThe  princes  can  you  conjure  ?     Then,  turning  to  the  messengers, 
ilaveyo^u,  pray,  heard  anything  like  this?     Yes,  said  they,  it  .8  all  Uie  dis- 
course at  the  seaside,  that  Robin's  futlu  r  sent  both  these  ships  for  him 
Rtr  Moumetook  the  letter,  and  turning  it  over  and    ..er  said  he  had 
heard  oTs^ch  methods  of  conveying  intelligence  to  one  ""other  but  never 
actually  saw  it  before,  and  could  not  conceive  what  way  -i  -ould  be  done 
wTthouI  conjuration.     I  endeavored  to  demonstrate  to  him,  as  well  as 
roudhowTe  learnt  in  our  infancy  the  characters  first,  and  then  we  put 
Trn  tolXr      But,  says  he,  I  presume  you  have  ,io  inclination  to  leave 
u,  now  since  you  1  ve  here  so  much  at  your  ease?     You  have  several 
catt"e  alid  a  slave,  and  if  you  shall  want  more,  you  shall  have  them      These 
Xrs  I  of  course  put  aside,  and  besought  him  to  let  me  go.     I  said  that 
f  ho  thouXt  prope   to  demand  any  consideration  of  the  captain  for  njy 

e  dom  Usho'uJbe  paid.     Rer  Mo.mc  ^^^^f [/'l^Vfrienr wouS 
go,  he  should  take  nothing  for  my  relt  ..e;  b"*  that  »f  »/ J^^^^^^^ 
nmlce  him  a  oresent  of  a  good  gun,  ho  should  accept  ot  the  tavor,  and 
c  UNt  ilfiu  re.nembrance  of  me.     This  generous  answer  gave  me 
S     h  iov  that  I  immediately  kneeled  down  and  hcked  his  feet  with  the 

.       nnP.r  tv  Tiustlv  thinking  I  could  never  sufficiently  express  my 
Sude      H?wo^^^^^^^^^  instantly,  but  did  in  a  day  or  two 

gratituae.     "«  wo"'"    messencers  to  be  taken  care  of  in  the  meantime. 
''^'Srt;  uf  were  my  fSIs  whl  I  at  length  departed,  and  came  in 

•  1 1  nf  C  seaTit    with  the  huts  which  had  been  erected  for  trading 
sight  of  the  seacoast    «"»"'«"         ^     j^       ^^^    «,  factory,  as  I  may 

::ii?irXmi,l':t:r^oftt  Drake,  ^^^^^^^^^ 

Snglishf  an?  for  several  days  I  was  frequently  puzzled  for  words  to 

"Fa  IV :"da";s  afteT'this,  Drury  was  taken  on  board  of  their  vessel,  which 
[A  lew  "fys  a»^^  "'    '  '.     .  >      1^^  been  absent  from  his  native 

Sher  and  mler*!  grief  for  his  loss  having  for  years  preyed  upon  their 
spirits.]         [  '   ■      -*'••'!"'-  ^'';'-   '_/"■''    '    "■       /'     '' '       ; 


68  sowed  up«  and 
Icttor,  nskod  the 
,  thoy  Haid,  gave  it 
:t  yoii  SCO  it  first, 
■cat  Hiirprise,  con- 
To  Robert  Orury, 
ntcnts  were  to  the 
II  my  lather,  with 
rchaso  my  liberty, 
Bsibly  come  down 
oasurcs  ho  should 

^hile  I  was  reading 
im  that  the  captaiu 
for  mo  home,  and 
^  do  you  know  all 
to  the  messengers, 
ey,  it  is  all  tlie  dis- 
pose ships  for  him. 
I -er,  said  ho  had 
:  z'nother,but  never 
ay  n  ''•.ould  bo  done 
}  him,  as  well  as  1 
st,  tnd  then  we  put 
inclination  to  leave 
You  have  several 
have  them.     These 
me  go.     I  said  that 
the  captoin  for  my 
that  if  I  wished  to 
f  my  friends  would 
pt  of  the  favor,  and 
us  answer  gave  me 
3d  his  feet  with  the 
ficiently  express  my 
did  in  a  day  or  two 
jf  in  the  meantime, 
iparted,  and  came  in 
erected  for  trading 
or  factory,  as  I  may 
ptain  Macket's  ship, 
a  wild  man ;  and  in 
lin,  ho  told  him  the 
;ould  speak  but  little 
uzzlcd  for  words  to 

[)f  their  vessel,  which 
isent  from  his  native 
Ben  spent  in  captivity, 
e  of  the  death  of  his 
rs  preyed  upon  their 


INCIDENTS 


n  ma 


LIFE  OF  A   YANKEE   SAILOR. 


M  DRAILID  IT  WILLIAM  KITimi  III  Ul 


FORTY  YEARS  AT  SEA. 


I  WAS  bom  in  Danville,  Maine,  A.D.  1781,  and  spent  the  time  of  my 
youth  to  the  age  of  seventeen,  much  in  the  manner  of  other  children. 
While  young,  the  peculiar  cast  of  my  mind  vra»  displayed  by  the  plea- 
sure which  I  felt  in  listening  to  stories  of  the  sea,  in  reading  accounts 
of  distant  countries,  and  probably  the  earnest  desire  which  I  had  ot  see- 
ing and  knowing  all  these  things,  influenced  me  in  my  course. 

Being  by  trade  a  carpenter,  I  one  day  went  to  Bath  to  purchase  some 
tools.    While  rambling  about  the  wharves  to  see  the  shipping,  I  was 
accosted  by  a  geptleman,  who  proved  to  be  the  captain  of  a  new  brig, 
just  from  Liverpool.    He  inquired  of  me  if  I  would  like  to  take  a  trip  to 
sea      Not  feeling  much  inclined  to  drop  my  former  occupation  for  ano- 
ther upon  so  short  notice,  I  answered  in  the  negative.    Not  satisfied  with 
this  answer,  he  continued  his  persuasions,  peppering  them  occasionally 
with  fine  stories  of  a  seafaring  life— many  of  which  I  found  quite  the 
reverse  in  subsequent  years— and  in  conclusion  offered  mc  ten  dollars 
to  go  to  Boston  by  the  run.     As  money  was  then  a  cash  article  with  mo, 
this  argument  was  not  to  be  withstood;  I  therefore  closed  the  bargain, 
went  on  board,  and,  all  things  being  ready,  we  set  sail  June  16th,  1799. 
And  the  next  day,  at  ten  o'clock,  a.  m.,  we  were  in  Boston  harbor.     1  his 
was  my  first  trip,  and  little  did  I,  a  thoughtless  boy,  think  that  it  would 
lead  to  such  a  result.    I  was  then  paid  off,  and  was  immediately  offered 
one  dollar  per  day,  to  stay  and  cook  for  the  crew,  while  discharging  the 
cargo,  which  I  accepted,  and  remained  here  eight  days,  at  the  end  of 
which  I  found  myself  the  possessor  of  eighteen  dollars,  which  1  had 
earned  in  less  than  ten  days.    The  next  morning,  as  I  was  proceeding 
leisurely  along,  at  the  head  of  Long  Wharf,  fingering  my  change,  and 
thinking  how  I  might  expend  it  to  the  best  advantage,  I  was  aroused 
from  my  reveries  by  a  call  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  street.    Turning 
my  head,  I  beheld  an  old  tar,  leaning  against  a  grog-shop  for  his  main- 
•tay,  who,  on  looking  up,  roared  out  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  "Hello, 
shipmate,  heave  to."    Upon  this,  I  crossed  the  street,  and  asked  him 
what  he  wanted.     After  some  palaver,  he  asked  me  if  I  wanted  to  ship. 
I  answered  that  I  had  not  thought  of  it.    In  return,  he  stated  that  wages 
were  good,  and  that  I  could  not  do  better  than  to  take  a  trip  to  the  West 
Indies,  in  the  brig  Daniel  and  Mary,  of  Newburyport.    The  desire  of 
seeing  these  picturesque  islands,  and  of  visiting  that  land  which  first 
ffreeted  the  eyes  of  the  immortal  Columbus,  atonce  overpowered  my  doubts, 
and  I  answered  that  I  would  go,  provided  I  could  get  wages  to  suit  me. 


i 

I 


»^-*ifc-»i^.c^'»4if<«'>i  m/m  fifcn  om^ 


404 


ADVKNTURES  OP  A  YANKJSK  SAILOR. 


Hu  now  took  ino  to  tlio  counting-houBO  of  the  owners,  and  introduced 
mu  to  tliH  cnptniii  in  tlio  following  words:  "Horo  is  a  fine  chubby  fellow 
for  you,  who  thinks  lio  should  like  to  tako  a  trip  to  the  land  of  sharks, 
uud  ht)  lookM  liko  a  right  chap.** 

"  What  do  you  ask  a  month,  my  ladf "  said  the  captain. 

I  told  him  I  did  not  know  how  much  I  could  oarn. 

"  Wtill,'*  said  ho,  "  Perkins,**  (which  was  my  conductor*s  name,)  "  I 
will  leave  it  to  you,  if  the  young  man  is  willing.**  To  which  I  readdy 
assented.  AAer  eyeing  me  closely,  fore  and  aft,  ho  said  thnt  I  could 
earn  eighteen  dollars. 

''  Will  you  go  for  that?**  the  captain  asked. 

I  replied  in  the  affirmative,  and  having  pocketed  a  month*s  pay  in 
advance,  signed  the  shipping  papers  of  tho  brig  Daniel  and  Mary,  New- 
buryport,  of  tho  firm  of  Sweet  and  Parley,  and  bound  to  the  Wert 
Indies. 

You  may  be  assured  that  I  was  well  satisfied  with  this  turn  in  my 
affairs :  eighteen  dollars,  and  an  opportunity  to  see  tho  world,  being 
much  more  satisfactory  than  nine  dollars  per  month,  which  was  all  that 
I  could  command  as  a  carpenter.  After  having  dispatched  a  letter  lo 
my  parents,  informing  them  where  I  was,  and  what  were  my  intentions, 
I  proceeded  to  Uy  in  a  stock  of  summer  clothing,  a  trunk,  bed,  blankota, 
and  other  necessary  articles,  and  then  went  on  board,  iu  company  with 
the  captain,  whose  name  was  McFarly.  The  brig  was  then  lying  at  an- 
chor, well  up  the  south  side  of  Long  Wharf,  with  no  soul  on  board.  The 
captain  having  unlocked  the  cabin,  told  me  to  put  my  trunk  in  there,  the 
floor  of  which  was  completely  covered  with  the  8hip*8  stores,  such  m 
rum,  molasses,  tea,  coffee,  etc.  He  then  directed  me  to  make  up  my 
berth  in  the  steerage,  and,  having  struck  a  light,  went  on  shore,  and  left 
me  to^x  things  as  T could.  After  I  had  made  arrangements,  as  I  thought, 
satisfactory  to  the  captain,  I  resolved  to  satisfy  myself,  and  helped  myself 
to  bread,  cheese,  and  other  eatables,  not  forgetting  a  glass  of  '«nap-eye,* 
to  wash  it  down  with.  My  external  and  internal  condition  having  been 
thus  duly  considered,  I  hrd  nothing  to  do  but  meditate  upon  the  "change 
that  had  come  o*er  the  spirit  of  my  dreams,**  in  the  short  space  of  ten 
days. 

Nothing  worthy  of  notice  occurred,  until  our  arrival  at  Port-au-Prince, 
July  26th.  The  Island  of  St.  Domingo— now  Hayti — was  at  this  time 
convulsed  by  civil  commotions.  It  was  but  a  short  period  after  the  mas- 
sacre of  the  whites,  the  horrors  of  which  are  too  well  known  to  be 
recapitulated.  A  war  of  extermination  raged  between  the  blacks  and 
mulattoes,  the  former  occupying  the  north  side  of  the  Island,  and  the 
latter  the  south  side.  An  embargo  had  been  laid  upon  the  porta  occu- 
pied by  the  blacks,  in  order  to  starve  them  into  submission;  and  this  had 
just  been  taken  off. 

While  lading  here,  I  had  frequent  opportunities  of  seeing  the  barbarity 
of  the  blacks  toward  their  prisoners.  Fears  were  entertained  that  the  mu- 
lattoes would  attack  the  city  of  Port-au-Prince,  therefore  we  lay  at  anchor 
a  short  distance  from  the  shore,  with  the  stem  warped  in  and  moored. 
Beyond  us,  lay  an  old  French  frigate,  converted  into  a  prison-ship,  which 
received  a  body  of  prisoners  every  day.  When  this  prison  became 
crowded,  they  were  taken  out,  the  oath  of  allegiance  administered  to 
such  as  would  receive  it,  and  the  remainder  were  shot.  Being  on  shore 
one  morning,  I  witnessed  the  execution  of  ten  in  this  manner.  A  few 
days  after,  several  were  executed  in  a  different  way.    A  lighter  was 


ADVKNTURE8  OP  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 


4U5 


and  introduced 

chubby  fellow 

land  of  shurlu, 


or's  name,)  "I 

hich  1  readily 

aid  that  I  could 


month's  pay  in 
and  Mary,  New- 
nd  tu  the  VVeit 

this  turn  in  my 

ho  world,  being 

ich  was  alt  that 

ichod  a  letter  lo 

re  my  intention!) 

ik.  bed,  blankets, 

iu  company  with 

then  lyiuK  at  an- 

1  on  board.    The 

runk  in  there,  the 

's  stores,  such  u 

I  to  make  up  my 

on  shore^  and  left 

lonts,  08  I  thought, 

ind  helped  myself 

laas  of  ««iop-ey«,' 

ition  having  been 

upon  the  '<chaoge 

hort  space  of  ten 

at  Port-au-Prince, 
—was  at  this  time 
riod  after  the  maa- 
well  known  to  be 
en  the  blacks  and 
he  Island,  and  the 
)n  the  porta  occu- 
ssion ;  and  this  had 

leeing  the  barbarity 
rtainod  that  the  mu- 
re we  lay  at  anchor 
ed  in  and  moored. 
1  prison-ship,  which 
this  prison  became 
ce  administered  to 
[>t.  Being  on  shore 
is  manner.  A  few 
my.    A  lighter  was 


hove  out,  end  in  old  twenty-four  |ioundor  hoisted  out  over  the  side, 
about  five  feet  above  the  wale,  to  which  eighteen  or  twenty  victiiiiM  wtire 
triced,  when  the  tacklo  was  cut,  and  the  gun  ttimbled  into  tho  iiia,  (lriit{- 
giiir  with  it  the  unfortunate  prisoners.  This  took  place  imini'iliiilnly 
but  u  our  brig,  and  the  water  wos  so  clear  that  [  could  see  the  iiiiHeriibUi 
h«<'>^>4  laying  upon  the  Imttoin.  Having  ut  length  completed  our  cargo, 
witu'ti  consisted  of  coflco  and  sugar,  we  set  sail  in  company  with  Mtncrai 
other  vessels,  under  convoy  of  the  United  Hiatus  frigate  WaHJiiii^'tou; 
and  September  16,  arrived  at  Boston,  after  a  passage  of  twenty-one  ilays. 

I  then  bought  me  a  suit  of  clothes,  and  resolved  to  act  the  geutleuiiin; 
but  found  the  buHinosa  duller  than  I  liad  sup|K)Med — moreover,  I  found 
that  there  still  reigned  in  my  breast  the  same  ardent  desire  of  seeing  the 
world.  I  therefore,  in  a  few  days,  shipped  on  board  thu  Essex,  lM>und 
on  a  whaling  voyage  to  the  South  Sea.  The  crew  was  shipped  on  dhnrcH, 
with  fifty  dollars  paid  in  advance,  and  consisted  of  forty  handi).  About 
the  last  of  October,  1799,  all  things  being  ready,  we  put  to  sea,  with  a 
fair  wind,  and  flattering  proi  poets  of  a  fine  voyage.  Our  captain  was 
Joseph  Kilby,  a  fine,  gentlemanly  appearing  person,  and  a  thorough  sea- 
man. The  first  mate  was  n  imed  Iiaskell,  a  Scotchman,  who  hud  for- 
merly been  a  lieutenant  in  the  British  navy,  and  master  of  a  (iuiueuinan, 
and  was,  in  my  estimation,  one  of  the  greatest  villains  that  ever  trod  a 
deck.  The  ship  was  arir.ed,  on  account  of  the  war  between  the  United 
StaUs  and  France.  Still,  wo  were  obliged  to  keep  a  sharp  look-out  for 
French  privateers,  aitd  were  trained  to  the  guns  every  day,  in  complete 
man-of-war  style.  Nothing  of  a  hostile  appearance,  however,  troubled 
us,  and  as  we  were  now  drawing  near  the  line,  preparations  were  niade 
to  introduce  about  fifteen  green  hands  to  his  majesty,  Neptimo,  the  sove- 
reign of  the  ocean.  For  this  purpose,'  the  day  before  crossing  the  line, 
about  twenty  barrels  of  apples  were  hoisted  on  deck,  overhauled,  and 
the  rotten  ones  thrown  into  some  flour  barrels,  while  those  that  were 
sound  were  returned  below.  The  next  day,  aliout  one  o'clock,  p.  m.,  all 
the  green  hands  were  sent  below  to  clean  the  forecastle,  where  they 
were  immediately  secured  by  closing  the  hatches.  One  of  the  whale- 
boats  was  then  hoisted  out  of  the  launch,  lashed  to  the  starboard  side, 
and  filled  with  water.  In  the  meantime,  the  gunner,  who  personified  old 
Neptune,  the  ruler  of  the  deep,  horribly  disguised,  proceeded  over  the 
head  of  the  vessel,  and  after  having  been  thoroughly  drenched  with  wa- 
ter, appeared  coming  in  over  the  bows,  as  well  soaked  as  if  he  had  just 
sprung  from  the  bottom. 

Armed  with  a  trident  in  one  hand  and  a  speaking  trumpet  in  the  otheri 
he  addressed  the  captain  in  the  following  terms: 

*'  Ship  ahoy !  from  whence  came  you  ?  '^ 

'<  From  Boston,  and  bound  to  the  South  Pacific  Ocean,  on  a  whaling 
voyage.    Pray,  what  do  you  wish  here  f  '*  replied  the  Captain. 

"  f  came  on  board  to  see  if  any  of  my  children  here  have  not  been 
initiated." 

**  There  are  none  here." 

His  majesty,  however,  was  not  to  be  deceived,  but  soon  smelt  them 
out,  and  one  by  one  they  were  hauled  forward,  and  shaved  with  the  hoop 
of  an  old  barrel  for  a  razor,  and  a  precioua  mixture  of  tar,  pitch,  lime, 
and  whitewaah  for  aoap-auds.  As  soon  as  this  ceremony  was  over,  about 
a  dozen  aailors,  with  each  a  bucket  of  water,  proceeded  to  wet  the  offi- 
cers, as  is  customary  on  such  occasions,  who  heeled  it  for  the  cabin ;  but 
in  their  haste,  the  captain,  two  mites,  and  steward,  got  completely 


5 


¥ 


406 


ADVENTURES  OK  A  TANKSE  BAILOR. 


jammed  up  ir.  the  companion-way,  and  before  the  snarl  could  be  well 
cleared,  their  capital  extremities  were  smoothed  down  wi*h  about  fifty 
bucketsfuU  of  the  trident  king^s  element,  much  to  the  glee  of  the  sailors, 
who  delighted  in  this  spargefaction  of  their  officers. 

The  rotten  apples  were  next  called  into  requisition,  which  fle-v  in  all 
directions,  until  the  vessel  and  crew  were  as  completely  bedaubed  as 
one  could  wish.  But  as  all  visits  must  come  to  an  end,  so  must  Nep- 
tune^s.  Therefore  the  head  pumps  were  set  to  work,  and  soon  all  things 
looked  trim  again.  The  rest  of  the  afternoon,  it  being  calm,  was  spent 
in  drinking  lemon-punch,  singing  songs,  and  spinning  yarns.  [There 
are  records  of  this  custom  of  the  "  baptism  of  the  line  '^  as  far  back 
as  1712.  It  probably  originated  in  the  love  of  fun  and  frolic,  for  which 
sailors  are  so  peculiar,  and  may  have  been  designed  with  a  view  to 
relieve  the  tedium  and  monotony  of  a  long  sea-voyage,  amid  the  calms 
which  prevail  in  the  region  of  the  equator.  The  observance  is  now  gra- 
dually falling  into  disuse.]  The  next  morning,  a  favorable  breeze  spring- 
ing up,  we  shaped  our  course  for  th§  Cape  de  Verde  Islands,  and  the 
first  land  we  made  was  St.  Jago.  From  here  we  took  our  departure,  and 
steered  for  St.  Augustine. 

Soon  after  our  arrival  at  St.  Augustine,  the  ship  was  overhauled  and 
condemned.  She  had  formerly  been  a  whale-ship  belonging  to  Salem, 
and  after  lying  in  port  about  two  years,  had  been  fitted  up  with  a  new 
deck  and  bulwarks,  brought  to  Boston,  and  sold.  Being  now  about  to 
separate,  the  crews  of  the  American  vessels  in  the  harbor  resolved  to 
have  a  grand  supper  on  shore.  I  had  in  my  chest  one  hundred  and  ten 
dollars,  five  of  which  I  took  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  night;  and 
about  dark  we  were  all  assembled,  each  armed  with  a  club  to  keep  off 
press-gangs.  Having  passed  the  greater  part  of  the  evening  merry  mak- 
mg,  myself,  with  three  others,  walked  down  on  the  beach,  to  enjoy  th« 
cool  sea-breeze,  and  drive  off  the  effects  of  our  tamarind  punch,  where 
we  were  suddenly  surrounded  by  an  officer  and  ten  or  twelve  armed 
men,  who  very  unceremoniously  bundled  us  into  a  boat  and  pulled  off. 
There  were  eight  or  ten  more  in  the  boat,  who  appeared  to  be  condi- 
tioned like  ourselves.  Aft^r  winding  our  way  among  the  different  ves> 
sels  in  the  harbor,  we  were  pulled  along  side  of  an  armed  ship,  and 
ordered  on  board.  Inquiring,  I  found  that  I  was  on  board  his  Britannic 
majesty's  sloop-of-war  Cayenne,  and  that  they  had,  according  to  the 
principles  of  John  Bullism,  taken  me,  without  inquiring  as  to  the  charac- 
ter I  sustained,  into  his  majesty's  service. 

In  the  morning,  we  were  all  taken  aft  and  overhauled ;  and  here  you 
may  see  a  specimen  of  every  day  tyranny  exerci<*ed,  at  that  time,  upon 
American  citizens.  The  captain  of  the  Cayenne  asked  me  my  name, 
and  on  answering  that  I  was  an  American,  he  demanded  to  see  my  pro- 
tection. I  took  it  from  my  pocket,  and  gave  it  to  him.  After  looking  at 
it,  he  said,  "  You  are  an  Irishman.  What  business  have  you  with  a  pro- 
tection 7  There  are  plenty  of  Nevenses  in  Ireland,  but  there  never  was 
one  bom  in  America."  He  then  tore  up  my  protection,  and  threw  it 
overboard,  stating  that  he  wanted  men,  and  should  keep  me.  When  I 
found  that  right  was  of  no  avail  against  might,  I  sent,  by  a  bum-boat,  .i. 
note  to  Captain  Kilby,  stating  my  situation,  and  asking  his  assistance. 
Accordingly,  about  eleven  o'clock,  he  came  on  board,  and  demanded 
me  as  an  American  citizen ;  but  the  British  Captain  swore  that  he  knew 

my  father  in  Ireland,  that  I  was  a Irish  rebel,  and  ordered  Captain 

Kilby  into  his  boat.    Finding  that  he  wu  determined  to  retain  me,  I 


t. 

larl  could  be  well 
n  wi'h  about  fifty 
glee  of  the  sailors, 

,  which  fle-v  in  all 
letely  bedaubed  as 
end,  so  must  Nep- 

and  soon  all  things 
[tgxalm,  was  spent 
ng  yarns.    [There 

line"  as  far  back 
nd  frolic,  for  which 
led  with  a  view  to 
ge,  amid  the  calms 
ervance  is  now  gra- 
irable  breeze  spring- 
rde  Islands,  and  the 
k  our  departure,  and 

(vas  overhauled  and 
belonging  to  Salem, 
tted  up  with  a  new 
Being  now  about  to 
»  harbor  resolved  to 
me  hundred  and  ten 
sa  of  the  night;  and 
I  a  club  to  keep  off 
5  evening  merry  mak- 
j  beach,  to  enjoy  the 
marind  punch,  where    . 
ten  or  twelve  armed 
I  boat  and  pulled  off. 
ppeared  to  be  condi- 
)ng  the  different  ves- 
f  an  armed  ship,  and 
»n  board  his  Britannic 
had,  according  to  the 
liring  as  to  the  charac- 

sauled ;  and  here  you 
led,  at  that  time,  upon 
B  asked  me  my  name, 
Handed  to  see  my  pro- 
him.  After  looking  at 
ss  have  you  with  a  pro- 
id,  but  there  never  was 
tiotection,  and  threw  it 
lid  keep  me.    Whon  I 

gent,  by  a  bum-boat,  a. 

asking  his  assistance. 
I  board,  and  demanded 
tain  swore  that  he  knew 
el,  and  ordered  CapUin 
snnined  to  retain  me,  I 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 


407 


requested  Captain  Kilby  to  take  homo  my  chest  and  bedding,  and  if,  at 
the  expiration  of  a  year,  I  did  not  return,  to  send  them  to  my  parents. 
Having  made  these  dispositions,  I  bade  adieu  to  liberty,  and  settled  my- 
self to  the  consoling  prospect  of  serving  Great  Britain  a  few  years  for 
nothing. 

Cnses  of  impressment  were  not  then  of  rare  occurrence.  Beside 
myself,  there  were  eight  or  ten  American  born  citizens  in  this  same 
8lo(>i>-of-war;  and  there  was  not  a  vessel  in  the  British  Navy  but  what 
had  more  or  less  on  board.  Many  escaped ;  but  many  more  ^ere  obliged 
to  endure  servitude  until  the  commencement  of  the  late  war,  when  thou- 
sanils  surrendered  themselves  as  prisoners  of  war,  rather  than  light 
against  their  native  land.  But  some  were  not  allowed  this,  and  were 
compelled  to  serve  the  enemy  under  the  ignominious  lashes  of  that  in- 
strument of  torture,  the  cat-o' -nine-tails. 

Completely  disheartened,  about  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  I  heard 
the  coarse  tones  of  the  boatswain,  calling,  "All  hands  up  anchor,  ahoy!" 
and  went  aft  to  help  man  the  capstan  bars,  and  heave  up  the  anchor.  We 
were  soon  under  weigh — the  Cayenne,  having  the  leeward  station,  was 
bound  to  Surinam.  When  about  ten  days  out,  we  fell  in  with  the  Amer- 
ican sloop-of-war  Moreland,  Commodore  Rogers,  under  the  following 
circumstances.  About  sunset,  saw  a  ship  running  from  us,  and  the  cap- 
tain expressed  his  fear  that  it  was  a  French  frigate  that  waF  cruising  in 
this  quarter,  since  we  could  not  muster  more  than  ninety  men.  Com- 
modore Rogers  was  cruising  for  this  same  Frenchman,  and  had  seen  us 
long  before  we  saw  him,  and  to  give  us  no  alarm  had  run  from  us.  As 
soon  as  it  was  dark,  he  tacked  ship  and  stood  for  us;  and  while  we  were 
gogging  on,  in  a  comfortable  drizzle  of  rain,  about  teii,  what  should  we 
see  but  a  large  ship  sweeping  down  across  our  bows,  with  her  ports 
up,  lanterns  lighted,  and  men  at  their  quarters,  all  ready  to  give  us  a 
broadside. 

The  lieutenant,  in  a  fright,  ran  down  and  called  the  captain,  who 
came  up  and  ordered  the  boatswain  to  pipe  all  hands  to  their  quarters; 
but  before  this  could  be  done.  Commodore  Rogers  hailed,  "What  ship  is 
that?"  To  which  the  captain  of  the  Cayenne  answered,  in  true  Yankee 
style,  by  asking  who  he  was.  "The  United  States  ship  Moreland." 
This  answer  calmed  the  fears  of  our  heroic  captain,  since  he  was  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  the  American  commodore.  He  now  had  his  gig 
lowered,  and  was  pulled  on  board  of  the  American  vessel,  and  stopped 
the  remainder  of  the  night.  About  sunrise,  the  lookout  on  board  the 
Moreland  discovered  a  sail  right  ahead,  and  in  two  minutes  her  canvas 
was  spread,  and  she  was  darting  along,  with  a  fresh  breeze,  in  full  chase, 
leaving  our  captain  to  make  his  way  on  board  in  his  gig.  We  also  made 
sail,  but  at  eight  o'clock  the  Moreland  was  hull  down  ahead  of  us.  The 
captain  of  the  Cayenne  observed  to  the  first  lieutenant,  "  These  Yankees 
have  deuced  fine  ships  for  sailing,  but  they  do  not  know  how  to  work  them." 
•'  Don't  know  'bout  that,"  replied  the  lieutenant,  who  was  willing  to  give 
every  one  his  due;  "  if  we  had  been  an  enemy,  he  would  have  shown  us, 
last  night,  how  to  work  ship,  and  would  have  blown  us  out  of  the  water, 
before  we  could  have  brought  a  gun  to  bear."  The  stranger  was  soon 
out  of  sight,  and  we  saw  no  more  of  her  until  we  had  brought  to  anchor 
in  Surinam  river,  when  she  came  in,  and  anchored  close  by  us. 

After  lying  here  about  a  month,  we  set  sail,  and  on  the  20th  of  April 
arrived  at  St.  Kitts,  and  cast  anchor  about  three  miles  from  the  shore. 
This  was  done  to  prevent  the  crew  from  deserting.  About  half  way 
32 


i 


p 


H- 


49g  ADVENTURES  OF  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 

between  us  and  the  shore  lay  the  American  sloop-of-war  Baltimore.     I 
here  resolved  to  seize  the  first  opportunity  to  attempt  an  escape.     1  coa- 
sfdereS  myself  quite  a  swimmer  U  had  never  swum  any  great  distance^ 
There  were  also  plenty  of  sharks,  but  I  thought  U  no  worse  to  be  eaten 
bv  the  sTarks  thai  to  spend  my  life  in  British  servitude.     At  length,  one 
dark  s  0^  my  night,  when  no  one  was  on  deck  but  a  sentinel,  I  crept  mto 
fhrhcaSZested  myself  of  my  clothing,  threw  over  the  swab  rope,  let 
nvselTdown,  and  struck  off  for  the  Baltimore.     The  wmd  was  fresh, 
and  on  my  starboard  beam,  so  tliat  instead  of  making  the  sloop,  I  found 
that  I  wTs\alf  a  mile  to  the  leeward,  and  to  reach  her  I  would  be  neccs- 
luated  to  bea    up  against  wind  and  tide.     I  therefore  abandoned  my 
Sal  intention^  and  put  for  the  shore.     After  I  had  been  m  he  water 
rireThantwo'hourUd  was  ai-st  exhausted  I  ca™e  a>o„g  -d«^ 
of  a  London  brig,  and  climbed  up  her  cable  on  board.     Ihere  was  oui 
one  rnT  on  deck,  who,  after  listening  to  my  recital,  gave  me  a  jacket 
and  TantaLns,  and   a  so  a  glass  of  grog,  which  refreshed  me   much. 
He  theTinSrmed  me  that  I  was  not  safe  there,  for  his  captam  had  been 
an  officer  in  the  British  Navy,  and  that,  but  a  short  time  previous,  two 
sailofs  Sad  swum  on  board,  whom  he  had  taken  in  his  boat,  and  returned 
In  fhp  vpssel  from  which  they  had  deserted. 

'°  Under  these  c'nsiderationJ,  I  thought  properto  ^^d  some  otljer  shelter^ 
therefore,  after  resting  about  half-an-hour,  I  threw  off   he  clothes  wh  ch 
he  had  so  kindly  given  me,  and  once  more  committed  myself  to  the 
waves      At   length!  when   almost   exhausted,  I   reached  another  brig, 
with  a  boat  moved  under  her  stern,  into  which  I  climbed,  and  from 
hence  went  upon  deck,  where  I  found  the  foremast «"««  «'"'°g  °"  ^^!f 
main-hatch,  drinking  and  singing,  although  it  was  near  twelve  o  clock. 
Z  mie,' lo  was^valking}he  deck,  «Pon/i-overmg  me  sung  out 
"Who's  there?"     "A  friend,"  I  responded.     "A  friend  in  distress,  i 
should  Uiiiik,"  he  returned,  "  since  you  are  scudding  "n/-^^^-  H^  e 
He  then  save  me  his  jacket,  and  ordered  one  of  the  men  to  bring  more 
rot  ling  for  me      In    he  meantime,  he  mixed  a  pint  of  weak  sling,  and 
to?dme^o  drink  it,  a  little  at  a  time.     When  I  was  somewhat  revived,  I 
related  my  stoiy,  and  found  that  I  was  among  friends, 
''on  th7following  morning,  I  was  called  into  the  cabin  by  the  captum, 
who  after  inquiring  into  my  affairs,  told  me  that,  as  he  had  a  tull  crew, 
he  did  not  want  me,  but  that  his  brother  had  written  to  h.m  from  TetoUen. 
fo  shfp  a  cou'pll  of  hands  for  him,  and  if  I  would  8?' ^e -uW  take  m^^^^^ 
that  nlace      The  vessel  in  which  I  then  was,  was  tiie  Sally,  of  '^'•eenock, 
ScotlandrCaptain  Walker,  and  was  about  to  join  the  co^/oy  J<>;,hoX 
Fn  three  days  we  sailed  for  Tetollen,  and  on  our  arrival  I  found  that  the 
iaSs  brother  Tad  shipped  all  his  crew,  and  did  not  want  me.     Here 
now  was  Tp^kle.     The'aptain  was  unwilling  to  take  me  but  -.die 
wonld  set  mTon  shore;  and  this  I  did  not  at  all  relish,  for  there  were 
Teveral  In  of^^arTn  the  harbor;  and  as  I  had  no  Fotect.on  1  should 
bpTrnDrrssed     The  brig  lay  about  four  miles  from  the  town,  in  the  pas- 
s^rEetwet  tl  small  rJcky  islands.     As  the  captain  expec^^^ 
.moment  to  hear  the  signal  gun  fr°™.;,h\.'=°T?nr,;im  tf  2  me  oi 

hearted  Scotchmen,  who  appeared  to  have  a  good  deal  of  "^^^^^n;;; 
me  oarticularlv  when  we  came  to  the  island,  which  was  afo"t  an  acie 
reV.^F'nUed  with  Ume  bushes,  and  not  a  drop  of  water  to  be  found 


ir  Baltimore.  I 
,  escape.  1  coki- 
ly  great  dintance. 
orse  to  be  eaten 

At  length,  one 
[inel,  I  crept  into 
le  swab  rope,  let 
wind  was  fresh, 
le  sloop,  I  found 
would  be  neces- 
a  abandoned  my 
jeen  in  the  water 
came  along  side 

There  was  but 
rave  me  a  jacket 
isshed  me  much, 
captain  had  been 
me  previous,  two 
toat,  and  returned 

ome  other  shelter ; 
the  clothes  which 
ted  myself  to  the 
hed  another  brig, 
limbed,  and  from 
len  sitting  on  the 
ar  twelve  o'clock, 
ing  me  sung  out, 
iend  in  distress,  I 
mder  bare  poles." 
nen  to  bring  more 
»f  weak  sling,  and 
mewhat  revived,  I 

}in  by  the  captain, 
e  had  a  full  crew, 
him  from  Tetollen. 
e  would  take  me  to 
3ally,  of  Greenock, 
5  convoy  for  home, 
al  I  found  that  the 
)t  want  me.     Here 
[e  me,  but  said  he 
ish,  for  there  were 
jrotection,  1  should 
le  town,  in  the  pas- 
tain  expected  every 
,  for  getting  under 
him  to  land  me  on 
of  being  taken  off 
d  by  two  stout,  kind 
al  of  compassion  for 
was  about  an  acre 
'  water  to  be  found 


ADVENTURES  OP  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 


499 


This,  I  thought  a  little  harder  than  anything  I  had  yet  Been;  for  if  I  was 
not  soon  taken  off",  I  must  inevitably  perish  by  hunger  or  thirst.  Al 
length,  the  boat  returned  to  the  vessel,  and  when  the  sailors  on  board 
had  learned  my  situation,  they  refused  to  leave  unless  I  was  taken  on 
board.  Presently,  the  admiral  fired  the  signal  for  getting  under  weigh, 
but  the  sailors  would  not  budge  an  inch  to  heave  up  the  anchor,  until  a 
boat  had  been  sent  and  taken  me  off,  when  they  appeared  as  willing  as 
ever. 

Soon  after  we  had  cleared  the  harbor,  a  small  brig  ran  along  side, 
which  the  captain  hailed,  and  found  her  bound  to  New  York.  Seeing 
but  few  men  on  deck,  our  captain  told  them  of  my  case,  in  answer  to 
which  he  said,  that,  if  I  would  go  with  him  he  would  give  me  twenty- 
two  dollars  per  month.  This  good  fortune  relieved  my  mind  of  an  incu- 
bus which  had  weighed  upon  it  ever  since  I  had  suffered  impressment. 

The  next  thing  was  to  get  on  board.  Each  of  the  vessels  had  but  one 
boat,  both  of  which  were  safely  stowed  on  deck,  and  it  seemed  too  much 
trouble  to  hoist  them  out.  Therefore  the  little  brig  sheered  up,  as  near 
as  was  safe,  an  oar  was  made  fast  to  a  line,  and  thrown  under  our  bows. 
I  tlien  went  into  the  forechains,  threw  off  niy  clothes — thus  leaving  the 
vessel  as  naked  as  I  entered  it— seized  the  oar,  and  was  dragged  along 
side,  from  whence  I  crept  into  the  main-chains,  and  there  received  some 
articles  of  dress  before  making  my  debut  on  deck.  Just  as  I  had  reached 
the  main-chains,  a  huge  shark  made  his  appearance  from  under  the  brig, 
who  eyed  me  very  wishfully,  but  happened  to  be  a  little  too  late  «  for 
tea,"  for  I  was  out  of  his  reach.  I  found  myself  on  bfiard  of  the  brig 
Sally,  Captain  Evans,  and  a  few  weeks  later  in  New  York. 

During  my  intercourse  with  the  English  at  this  period,  and  in  later 
years,  I  had  taken  many  dry  jokes  in  silence,  upon  the  fainl-heartedness 
of  the  Americans.  A  British  officer  once  remarked  to  me  that  the  Yan- 
kees were  great  cowards,  or  great  fools,  to  stand  all  the  sauce  that  the 
English  government  had  given  them.  I  replied  that  brother  Jonathan 
was  remarkable  for  his  good  nature,  but  that  there  was  that  in  him,  when 
roused,  which  would  humble  the  British  lion  on  anything  like  terms  of 
equality;  that  we  h?  "  suffered  a  great  deal  of  imposition  from  Great  Bri- 
tain,  but  such  things,  I  told  him,  would  not  last  long,  and  when  war  did 
come,  they  would  find  as  brave  hearts  and  strong  arms  in  our  insulted 
country,  as  in  their  own  boasted  land.  He  said  he  did  not  doubt  the 
bravery  of  the  people,  but  that  would  avail  nothing  while  the  policy  of 
the  government  remained  the  same.  "  I  know,"  said  he, "  that  we  have 
violated  the  law  of  nations,  but  they  dare  not  declare  war  against  us,  and 
all  they  can  do  is  to  remonstrate.  Our  naval  power,  at  one  sweep, 
would  annihilate  your  force  at  sea,  thus  leaving  your  extensive  coast 
open,  and  exposed  to  our  attacks.  Your  government  perceives  this,  and 
they  will  not  venture  into  the  contest.  They  will  rather  suffer  in  silence." 
I  excused  this,  by  saying  that  it  was  much  better  to  have  a  good  andstrf- 
ficient  cause  to  make  a  war,  than,  at  the  first  insult,  to  rush  headlong 
into  hostilities,  without  resources  or  preparation;  but  rather  go  calmly 
and  deliberately  to  work,  and  at  one  swoop  wipe  out  a  long  catalogue  of 
insults  and  aggressions.  I  fiequently  remarked  to  them,  that  I  myself 
had  once  suffered  impressment  on  board  his  Majesty's  sloop-of-war  Ca- 
yenne, and  that  I  should  yet  see  myseU"  revenged,  by  seeing  the  Ameri- 
can stars  and  stripes  waving  at  her  r/iast-head,  which  was  afterward  so 
fully  verified.  To  be  sure,  ray  assertions  would  sometimes  raise  a  laugh 
at  my  expense,  but  there  was  generally  some  American  near,  who  would 


■^»»--^<»<i«  itfliihBMiwi  pit  II 


. 


■9 


f 


500 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  TANKEK  SAILOR. 


join  me  in  a  hearty  cheer  for  our  own  native  land.     Indeed,  when  war 
ias  d^clL"ed,  alar'ge  portion  of  the  English  were  opposed    o  Uie  movo- 
ment,  and  would  cheeVaB  loud  as  I  could,  when  they  hoard  of  any  d.s- 
Jlter  to  themselves.     When  the  loss  of  the  Guorriere  was  ascerKiim-d 
U  gave  meTfine  opportunity  of  throwing  back  the  insinuations  agamst 

'' On;:"d!;4™hVurr:while  at  Portsmouth,  I  was  standing  on  vho 
wha^f'and    ie^  ng  a  beautiful  frigate  lying  .t  anchor  a  short  d,.  anc^ 
from  me,  an  officer  accosted  me,  by  saying,  "There  is  auolhcr  ol  our 
St^s  going  to  be  cut  in  pieces  by  the  Yankees;  and,"  he  contmucd, 
"rhope^thrthey  will  send  every  such  one  ,o  the  botto.n.     I  hen    he 
Admiraltv  will  learn  to  send  such  ships  as  will  be  able  to  cope  ^.  h    he 
America^  frigates.     The  metal  of  your  frigates  ,s  too  h.^avy  for  such 
nuTsh"  Us  as  tSese,  and  the  Board  will  find  it  out  -»';"  I'-J, •j-'^J^"^,;, 
few  more  of  them."     The  disposition  and  ^-^^''^g  °f.  ^J^^,^";!''  "'^Pp^^ 
were  very  much  changed  after  the  first  successes  of  the  Americans.    1  he 
boastful  manner  of  cSptain  Dacres,  and  his  deep  humiliation,  were  be- 
fore them^  and  acted  as  a  caution  to  ti.ese  hitherto  invincible  heroes  of 
Se  oS,  and  they  gave  due  allowance  to  the  fineness  of  our  ships  and 

the  skill  of  our  marksmen.  .  i        :„  ,v,„  nn.«^m» 

Before  the  close  of  the  war,  great  caution  was  taken  in  th«  jpo.nt- 
ment  of  officers  known  for  coolness  and  courage,  and  g^^'^*  ^J"'  '™ 
in  giving  instructions  not  to  engage  an  American  vessel  ""/"y  ^'"8  «// 
than  terms  of  equality.  The  feeling  of  the  English  '^^^  our  country, 
was  much  changed  by  this  war,  and  although  many  of  tiiem  said  hat 
th^y  had  lost  nothing,  yet  they  would  be  as  ready  to  admit  that  they  had 

%f il'Tr^tas  for  St.  Thomas,  on  board  the  schooner  Seaflower 
of  Boston      We  cleared  the  harbor  of  that  city,  Jui.o  11th,  1800,  and 
Sowtd  along  for  six  days,  under  a  smacking  breeze  f.o.n  the  north-west 
Our  cap♦ain^as  a  verV  pleasant  man,  had  »>-"  ,\7i»«^ '>;™;^^'^,*"j 
knew  and  appreciated  the  merits  of  every  man  on  board.     The  name  ot 
the  mate  was  Joshua  Sweet,  of  Newburyport,  a  thorough  seaman,  knew 
his  Tn  place  and  duties,  the  captain's,  and  the  place  of  every  man  in 
ihe  saip      Nothing  of  importance  occurred,  until  we  judged  ourselves 
o  be  iS  the  neighborhood  of  land,  when,  at  daylight  one  morning,  we 
found  ourselves  close  along  side  of  a  French  privateer  of  ten  guns.     As 
we  had  no  means  of  escapl  or  resistance,  the  frog-eaters  took  posse^smn 
manned  her,  and  sent  her  to  Gaudaloupe      The  mate  and  myself,  «Mth 
Lther  sailor,  were  put  on  board  of  the  Frenchman      They  we  e  very 
oolite  and  permitted  us  to  take  our  clothes   and   bedding,     ghe  was 
bound  to  Point  Petre,  where  she  arrived  July  5th.    As  soon  as  she  came 
to  anchor,  a  large  lighter  came  along  side,  into  which  we  were  all  put, 
S  'he  number  of  thirty,  and  landed.     We  asked  permission  to  step  into 
a  small  grocery,  and  take  a  throat  seasoning,  which  was  granted,  when 
ie  were  hurried  to  our  prison,  a  small  stone  building,  about  twenty  feet 
square,  where  we  were  all  c«>wded  in  together.     There  was  hut  one 
window,  which  was  grated  on  the  outside,  affording  but  a  smal    c.rcula- 
t^n  of  air,  and  the  heat  was  excessive.     Here  we  were  obliged  to  remain 
all  night,  without  water,  crowded  to  suffocation,  and  deprived  of  sleep, 
from  the  smallness  of  our  prison,  and  the  noisomeness  of  the  air.     1  us 
night  seemed  the  longest  that  ever  I  had  experienced,  and  never  did  1 
hail  the  morning  with  greater  pleasure.     At  length,  our  horrid  den  was 
unlocked,  and  we  werlonce  more  permitted  to  taste  the  sweetness  ot 


T 


T 


3d,  when  war 
to  the  movo- 
•d  of  any  dis- 
)  ascertnincd, 
Bitions  against 

anding  on  iho 
short  distance 
nolhcr  of  our 
he  continued, 
n.  Then  the 
cope  with  tlie 
leavy  for  such 
jy  have  lost  a 
Jritisli  officers 
nericans.  The 
tion,  were  be- 
ible  heroes  of 
onr  ships  and 

n  the  appoint- 
eat  care  taken 
a  anything  less 
rd  our  country, 
tijoni  said  that 
t  that  they  had 

iner  Seaflower, 
ilth,  1800,  and 
tlie  north-west. 
3r  himself,  and 
The  name  of 

seaman,  knew 
f  every  man  in 
idged  ourselves 
ne  morning,  we 
F  ten  guns.     As 
took  possession, 
nd  myself,  with 
rhey  were  very 
ding.     §he  was 
)on  as  she  came 
^e  were  all  put, 
lion  to  step  into 
3  granted,  when 
jout  twenty  feet 
ire  was  hut  one 
a  small  circula- 
»bliged  to  remain 
prived  of  sleep, 
)f  the  air.     This 
and  never  did  I 

horrid  den  was 
lie  sweetness  of 


ADVENTURES  OP  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 


501 


fresh  air.  Nearly  exhausted  with  thirst,  I  ran  to  the  pickets,  called  to 
a  black  woman,  and  gave  her  twenty  cents  for  a  junk-bottle  full  of  water, 
which  I  turned  olT  at  a  draught.  About  eight  oVlock,  our  provisions  were 
served  out  for  the  day,  and  four  casks  of  water  rolled  into  the  yard,  so 
that  we  suffered  no  more  from  thirst.  Not  long  after,  they  took  us  to 
Basse-Terre,  and  confined  us  in  an  old  church,  where  we  remained  about 
twenty  days  before  we  were  exchanged. 

While  we  were  there,  several  prizes  were  brought  iu,  and  the  owner 
came  to  the  prison  to  hire  some  of  the  prisoners  to  discharge  the  cargoes. 
He  offered  us  one  dollar  per  day,  and  several  of  us  went.  I  was  sent 
to  assist  in  discharging  an  English  brig,  laden  with  teas.  Some  of  the 
chests  were  found  broken  open,  and  some  were  broken  while  hoisting 
them  out  of  the  hold,  so  that,  in  a  short  time,  the  tea  was  a  foot  deep 
under  the  main  hatch.  Knowing  that  it  would  be  wasted,  I  asked  per- 
mission to  carry  some  of  it  away.  In  order  to  do  this,  the  next  morning 
I  put  on  two  pairs  of  pantaloons,  and  when  I  got  into  the  hold,  took  otf 
one  pair,  tied  up  the  legs,  broke  open  a  chest  of  the  best  imperial,  and 
filled  them  up.  At  night.  I  lugged  it  up  to  my  prison,  emptied  the  flocks 
out  of  my  bed,  and  put  the  tea  into  it.  I  continued  in  this  way  until  I 
had  filled  my  bed  with  about  eighty-five  pounds  of  tea.  My  mess-mates 
frequently  laughed  at  me,  telling  me  that  I  should  "  get  my  labor  for  my 
paina,'^  but  I  persisted  in  my  course,  telling  them  that  "  wc  should  see 
who  was  right." 

At  length  wo  were  exchanged,  and  a  cartel  carried  us  to  St.  Kitts, 
where  we  went  to  the  American  consul  and  received  a  joe  (eight  dollars) 
a-piece,  to  support  us  a  few  days,  until  we  could  find  a  passage  home. 
After  I  had  found  me  a  boarding  house,  I  went  to  the  American  coffee- 
house and  disposed  of  my  tea  for  one  dollar  per  pound,  receiving  eighty- 
five  dollars,  which  I  thought  fine  "  potatoes"  for  a  prisoner  of  war  to 
earn. 

[The  next  event  which  Nevcns  relates  of  prominent  interest,  is  the 
narrative  of  his  shipwreck,  which  occurred  many  years  later.  We  here 
make  the  extract  referred  to.] 

I  now  thought  I  would  take  what  means  and  stores  I  had,  and  draw 
from  the  bank  what  cash  I  had  then  deposited,  and  retire  from  a  seafar- 
ing life  forever.  While  making  the  necessary  arrangements  so  to  do,  I 
fell  in,  at  a  public  house  at  Boston,  with  Captain  Joseph  Crosby,  of  North 
Carolina,  with  whom  I  had  sailed  before  the  mast  some  years  before, 
always  having  supposed  him  to  be  an  Englishman  until  he  made  me 
acquainted  with  his  early  history. 

As  was  perfectly  natural,  we  boarded  for  several  days  at  the  same 
house,  and  had  frequent  conversations  respecting  seafaring  life,  the 
voyages  wc  had  made,  the  perils  we  had  endured,  the  narrow  escapes 
we  had  met  with,  and,  also,  as  to  our  future  prospects  and  calculations. 
He  informed  me  there  was  a  brig  to  be  sold  in  a  few  days,  of  one  hun- 
dred and  ninety  tons  burden,  a  good  vessel,  and  that,  if  I  would  buy  one 
third  of  her,  he  would  take  the  rest,  and  we  would  freight  her  for  some 
foreign  port,  and  so  make  at  least  one  more  voyage  together.  I  told  him 
plainly  that  I  had  determined,  in  my  own  mind,  not  to  go  to  sea  any  more; 
that  it  was  a  hard  and  dangerous  life  to  lead,  and  my  inclination  strongly 
led  me  to  seek  for  a  livelihood  on  shore.  "  But,"  said  he,  "  make  one 
voyage  with  me,  and  when  we  return,  if  you  wish  to  buy  me  out,  and 
own  her  alone,  I  will  sell  out  to  you;  or  if  you  wish  to  sell  out  what  you 
own,  I  will  buy  you  out,  for  I  have  money  enough  to  buy  the  whole,  but 


5Q3  ADVENTURES  OF  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 

it  is  too  much  to  risk  at  once."  For  a  long  time  I  held  back.  But  he 
epre^nrd' in  such  glowing  colors,  the  pleasures  of  hfe  "QtJ^"?; 
that  I  at  las  consented  to  buy  one  third  of  the  br.g,  for  which  I  pa.d,  in 
cash  two  thousand  dollars.  After  making  some  slight  repairs,  and  re- 
nain  inKhcr,  we  advertised  for  freight  to  «>m«P"t"»  Europe.  In  the 
Se  of  e^ght  or  ten  days,  we  were  freighted  with  fish  for  B.lboa,  ,n 

^''our  brig  was  now  to  be  manned  and  victualed  for  a  foreign  voyage, 
which,  for  t^e  state  of  my  funds,  was  rather  a  serious  job.     However 
:«  made  out  to  manage  it';  and  as  I  had  two  ^^f  ^."JjJ/^y^f '^J'^ 
left  I  invested  it  in  fish,  and  placed  it  on  board.    All  things  were  now 
ifrearestand  on  the  26th  of  November,  1822,  we  weighed  anchor 

"  C:;ui2  C^sbTa'd  myself  had  thought  it  b.st  not  to  have  our  vessel 
insu^d,  as  it  was  a  time  of  general  peace,  and  the  owners  of  the  cargo^ 
for  the  same  reason,  concluded  to  get  no  insurance.  But  we  made 
irrangemeSs  with  the  owners,  that  if  the  weather  grew  bod  or  he  times 
uncertain  and  dangerous,  to  eff-ect  an  insurance  on  vessel  and  cargo.  But 
Xr  we  saSed,  pe^aco  continued,  the  weather  held  firm,  and  no  maurance 
was  effected  Here,  then,  1  was,  with  my  little  world  around  me,  my  all 
inve8ted-.and  the  fruits  of  the  toil,  privUion  and  care  of  years  committed 
to  a  frail  bark  upon  the  treacherous  wave. 

The  weather  continued  fine,  and  the  winds  fair,  until  we  had  !|a  sed 
the  Western  Islands,  and  then  heavy  gales  from  almost  every  point  of 
compass  made  our  progress  slow  and  dangerous;  but  no  serious  m.sfor- 
treTcmed^m  we  had  arrived  in  latitude  forty-four,  and  longitude 
sateen  when  a  very  heavy  gale  from  the  south-west  ob  iged  us  to  lay  to 
f^twe'nt^eight  hours ;  she  rode  out  the  gale  like  a  gu  1.    From  evening 
til  morn  L,  the  gale  seemed  gradually  to  abate  in  its  violence      I  had  the 
rnorrng  K,  md  the  two  men  in  my  watch  were  on  deck  with  me 
K  est  of  he  crew,  with  the  captain,  were  below.     About  ««ve»  o-^loj^ 
in  the  morning,  I  saw  to  windward  a  very  heavy  sea  oiling  along  n  the 
wake  oHhe  vetel,  directly  upon  us.    As  soon  as  I  saw  the  danger,  I  sung 
r'to  the  mln  to  look  out^orthemselves  and  fcP«dj^«J^^™i  ^ 
0inff  followed  by  the  two  men  in  my  watch.     When  the  sea  strucK  me 
bdf  t  waTwith  such  force  as  to  bury  her  yards  in  the  water  ;  she,  how- 
eve^r',  partU  Shted,  when  a  second  sea  struck  her,  and  buned  her  masts 
under'^  water.  ^  The'  companion-way  and  forecastle  were  now  four  fee 
under  water.     Our  only  hope  v.  as  now  to  cut  away  the  masts  and  clear 
"he  doc^  we  had  two  JharJ  axes,  but  both  were  in  the  cabin,  and  could 
not  be  got  r    All  hope,  therefore,  of  saving  either  vessel  or  cargo  being 
Sow  vain,  our  nfxt  thought  was  of  our  own  condition      The  only  chance 
we  hTof  saving  our  Swn  lives,  was  by  getting  the  long  boat  afloat 
How  to  do  this  was  now  the  question.     After  some  time,  I  succeeded  in 
cutUng  wUh  my  knife  a  piece  of  rigging,  which  I  f^«t«"«'J  "?"°'*,">^  !J 
such  f  way,  thkt  my  two  companions  lowered  me  down,  and  I  at  leng  h 
succeeded'  n  cutting  some  of  the  ropes,  and  giv  ng  her  a  shake,  she  slid 
oJof  the  sLgs  without  filling.     After  some  ^^^-f^y^^rilr^A  pu 
from  the  rigging  of  the  vessel,  got  her  under  our  lee  quarter,  and  put 
Inrher  twfoars,  and  the  cook's  draw  bucket,  these  being  the  only  arti- 
des  we  could  get  at.     We  staid  by  the  brig  as  long  as  we  dared,  and 
when  we  left  her,  we  were  in  momentary  expectation  that  she  would  go 
Jown     We  shovk  oflF  about  a  cable's  length  from  her,  and  after  wuit- 
fng  abouihidf  of  an  hour,  she  sunk,  and  with  her  the  captam  and  crew 


T 


lack.  But  he 
x>n  the  ocean, 
nich  I  paid,  in 
pairs,  and  re- 
rope.  In  the 
for  Bilboa,  in 

»reign  voyage, 
>b.  However, 
id  fifty  dollars 
igs  were  now 
eighed  anchor 

ave  our  vessel 
8  of  the  cargo, 
But  we  made 
d,  or  the  times 
nd  cargo.  But 
d  no  insurance 
und  me,  my  all 
ears  committed 

ive  had  passed 
every  point  of 
serious  misfor- 
,  and  longitude 
;ed  us  to  lay  to 
From  evening 
nee.     I  had  the 
deck  with  me. 
ut  seven  o'clock 
ng  along  in  the 
!  danger,  I  sung 
to  the  main  rig- 
sea  struck  the 
ater ;  she,  how- 
luried  her  masts 
!  now  four  feet 
nasts  and  clear 
:abin,  and  could 
j1  or  cargo  being 
rhe  only  chance 
long  boat  afloat. 
,  I  succeeded  in 
ed  around  me  in 
and  I  at  lengtli 
a  shake,  she  slid 
we  cleared  her 
quarter,  and  put 
ing  the  only  arti- 
a  we  dared,  ami 
lat  she  would  go 
,  and  after  wiiit- 
;aptain  and  cruw 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 


503 


and  a  valuable  cargo.  Though  we  were  alone  upon  the  mighty  deep, 
nearly  four  hundred  miles  from  land,  yet  we  had  strong  hopes  of  being 
picked  up  by  some  vessel,  as  we  wore  in  the  track  of  all  European  ves- 
sels going  to  and  returning  from  the  West  Indies.  I  therefore  tried  to 
comfort  my  companions  in  affliction  with  hopes,  that  I  dared  not  indulge 
myself.  But  they  tauntingly  asked  me  to  serve  out  their  rations  to  them! 
"  Provisions,"  said  I.  "  Yes!  where  is  our  bread!  our  water!  our  meat? 
What  arc  we  to  eat?  what  are  we  to  drink?" 

These  were  questions  I  could  not  answer;  for  water  we  had  none,  and 
our  wiiole  stock  of  provisions  consisted  of  but  three  potatoes  and  a  small 
dry  fish,  which  were  by  chance  in  the  stern  of  the  boat.     These  I  divided 
equally  among  us,  and  tried  to  encourage  them,  but  ihey  were  frightened, 
and  gave  up  all  for  lost.     The  weather  was  favorable,  the  wind  came  in 
light  breezes  from  the  north-west,  and  a  smooth  sea.     We  had  but  to 
keep  the  boat  before  the  wind,  and  let  her  drift  as  she  would,  for  all 
hope  of  reaching  land  was  vain.     The  fourth  day  of  our  suff^ering  I  shall 
never  forget — our  distress  and  sufl'ering  were  great;  more,  however,  from 
thirst  than  hunger.     A  sickly,  gnawing  sensation  was  all  from  hunger 
that  we  suffered.     But  from  thirst!  reader,  may  you  never  know  the 
dreadful  feeling.     It  is  beyond  all  imagination,  and  far,  very  far,  beyond 
all  description.     Think  of  it,  as  you  drink  your  fill  from  the  bubbling 
brook  or  sparkling  fountain:  think  of  it  as  the  plentiful  shower  descends 
to  refresh  and  enliven  nature:  yes,  think  of  it  as  you  awake  at  midnight, 
parched   with  the  thirst  of  burning  fever,  and  reflection  tells  you  that 
parching,  burning,  firing  thirst  will  never  bo  appeased  until  death  sets 
bis  cold  seal  upon  you.     The  eighth  day,  one  man  laid  down  and  died 
without  a  groan.     We  laid  his  body  in  the  stern  sheets,  to  devour  when 
nature  could  hold  out  no  longer.     Horrible  alternative,  to  starve  or  devour 
dead  humanity !     That  same  night,  the  other  man  became  crazy,  laid  down 
upon  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  and  soon  became  insensible.     He,  too,  was 
dead.     And  here  I  was  alone,  with  the  dead  around  me;  the  shoreless 
waters  stretching  their  vast  expanse  around  me — not  an  object  to  be 
seen,  and  no  sound  to  be  heard  but  the  sullen  dash  of  the  waves  upon 
the  side  of  the  boat.     I  was  exhausted — I  was  discouraged — I  was  in 
despair.     Horrible  whisperings,  cursings,  and  blasphemies  sounded  in 
my  ears;  ghastly,  grinning  faces  seemed  to  mock  my  misery ;  my  imagi- 
nation mistook  the  dull  hoarse  murmur  of  the  sea,  for  fearful  shrieks  and 
groans.     My  hunger  was  gone,  and  the  dead  rested  as  securely  as  though 
1  had  been  feasting;  but  I  was  parching,  drying,  crackling,  consuming  ; 
my  vitals  were  on  fire,  and  nature  could  bear  no  more.     I  sank  down 
upon  the  stern-sheets  beside  the  dead,  and  prayed  for  death  to  cure  my 
pains.   Soon  I  fell  into  a  drowsy  stupor;  my  pains  were  gone,  and  my  fears 
removed.     The  days  of  my  boyhood  had  returned,  and  I  was  playing  in 
tlie  flowery  meadow,  wandering  over  green  fields,  roaming  through  the 
wild  wood,  slaking  my  thirst  at  the  sparkling  rill,  as  it  gushed  from  th« 
moss-covered  rock.     Again  the  scene  changed,  and  I  was  in  the  school- 
room of  my  childhood,  and  it  seemed  to  me  that  the  long,  long  summer 
day  would  never  pass;  as  lesson  after  lesson  was  heard,  and  noon  camw 
not,  the  hum  still  went  on  with  youthful  impatience.     I  longed  to  be  at 
my  dinner,  and,  casting  a  furtive  glance  at  the  stern  master  of  "the 

birch,"  I  eagerly  seized  a  tempting  morsel,  and but  again  the  scene 

changed,  and  I  dreamed  that  I  was  by  my  own  father's  fireside,  a  boy, 
spending  the  evening  of  a  glorious  New  England  thanksgiving,  and  had 
eaten  to  fullness — and  as  the  apples,  cider,  and  nuts  went  round,  so  did  the 


: 


1 


504 


ADVENTURBS  OF  A  TANKEE  SAILOR. 


merry  jest:  and  the  laugh,  loud  and  boisterous,  made  the  old  kitchen 
walii)  echo  again.  At  length,  the  old  clock  told  the  hour  of  nine,  ond 
sleep  stole  gently  upon  me  ;  their  voices  and  glee  grew  fainter — the  fire, 
a  few  moments  before  blazing  so  brightly,  grew  dim — the  lights  danced 
t  moment,  and  all  was  dark  and  still — forgetfulness  and  insensibility  now 
held  undisputed  reign. 

IIow  long  I  continued  in  this  state,  I  know  not.  I  was  suddenly 
aroused  by  a  sound  that  seemed  familiar,  like  that  of  a  ship  going  in 
slays.  I  got  up  as  well  as  I  was  able,  and  looked  around,  but  my  eyes 
wore  so  dim  I  could  see  nothing.  Everything  around  me  was  shrouded 
in  green,  but  no  object  could  I  distinguish.  After  rubbing  my  eyes 
some  time,  I  saw,  a  little  to  windward  of  me,  a  large  brig  in  the  act  of 
lowering  a  boat.  The  exertion  had  been  too  much  for  my  exhausted 
IKJWcrB,  and  I  fell  upon  the  stem-sheets  again,  perfectly  insensible.  My 
first  recollection  on  coming  to,  is  of  finding  myself  sitting  upon  the  cabin 
floor,  and  being  fed  with  something  warm  by  a  French  lady.  I  heard 
her  remark,  "  lie  has  been  drinking."  I  could  not  speak  for  a  long  time. 
Wiien  1  recovered  the  faculty  of  speech,  my  first  inquiry  was  for  my 
dead  friends  in  the  boat!  They  told  mo  they  had  been  buried,  and  iImj 
l)oat  lioisted  on  deck.  The  captain  then  prepared  me  a  glass  of  warm 
wine  and  water,  after  drinking  of  which  I  soon  recovered  my  faculties 
and  thoiigiits,  though  it  was  a  long  time  before  I  recovered  from  the 
shock  my  syatem  had  received.  The  vessel  which  had  picked  me  up 
proved  to  be  a  French  brig,  bound  from  Havana  to  France. 

[In  tho  course  of  his  life,  N'^vens  had  considerable  experience  on 
board  of  whalers,  and  describes,  in  his  narrative,  the  different  kinds  of 
wiiales,  and  how  they  are  caught.] 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  speak  of  the  different  kinds  of  whales 
usually  met  with,  and  the  manner  of  taking  them.     These  animals  so 
closely  resemble  fish  in  their  outward  form  and  developments,  that  they 
are   generally  considered  as  such  by  the  mass  of  mankind.     Upon  an 
examination  of  their  structure,  iiowever,  we  shall  find  that  they  differ 
from  quadrupeds  only  in  their  organs  of  motion.    They  are  warm-blooded, 
•  and,  by  means  of  lungs,  breathe  atmospheric  air,  and  that  only.     Like 
quadrupeds,  they  bring  forth  and  suckle  their  young;  and  indeed,  in  aH 
the  details  of  their  organization,  they  are  the  same  as  in  this  class  of 
animals.     The  head  of  the  whale  is  very  large  and  long,  forming  about 
one  third  of  the  whole  length  of  the  animal.     The  opening  of  the  mouth 
is  of  corresponding  magnitude.    The  nostrils  are  situated  upon  the  top 
of  the  bead,  and  aie  usually  denominated  "blow  holes;"  through  these 
the  air  finds  ite  way  to  the  lungs,  when  the  whale  rises  to  the  surface  of 
the  water.     The  skin  is  destitute  of  outward  covering,  and  beneath  it  is 
a  covering  of  oily  fat,  called  "  blubber,"  from  six  to  twelve  inches  in 
thickness.     Their  senses  are  not  very  acute,  and  they  do  not  seem  to 
possess  much  intelligence.     Their  ordinary  speed  in  the  water  is  about 
four  miles  an  hour,  which,  however,  they  sometimes  increase  to  twelve 
or  fifteen.     The  common  or  Greenland  whale  is  destitute  of  teeth,  but 
instead  of  them  the  upper  jaw  is  furnished  with  transverse  layers  of  a 
horny  substance,  called  baleen  or  whalebone.    This  species  is  timid 
and  inactive,  and  yields  more  oil  than  any  other— consequently,  they 
are  more  easily  captured  than  any  other.     When  fully  grown,  its  length 
is  from  fifty  to  sixty-five  feet,  and  its  circumference  from  thirty  to  forty. 
The  ordinary  weight  is  about  seventy  tons.     They  make  a  loud   noise 
when  breathing  or  "  blowing,"  and  often  eject  water  to  the  height  of  six 


ADVENTURES  OP  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 


505 


s  old  kitchen 
'  of  nine,  ond 
iter — the  fire, 
lights  danced 
onsibility  now 

was  suddenly 
ihip  going  in 
,  but  my  eyes 
vas  shrouded 
ling  my  eyes 
in  the  act  of 
my  exhausted 
ensible.  My 
pon  the  cabin 
idy.  I  heard 
it  a  long  time. 
f  was  for  my 
iried,  and  tire 
[lass  of  warm 
I  my  faculties 
(red  from  the 
licked  me  up 

xperience  on 
rent  kinds  of 

ids  of  whales 
se  animals  so 
mts,  that  they 
nd.  Upon  an 
lat  they  differ 
warm-blooded, 
it  only.  Like 
indeed,  in  aH 
1  this  class  of 
forming  about 
t  of  the  mouth 
upon  the  top 
through  these 
the  surface  of 
d  beneath  it  is 
elve  inches  in 

0  net  seem  to 
water  is  about 
rease  to  twelve 
te  of  teeth,  but 
se  layers  of  a 
lecies  is  timid 
sequently,  they 
own,  its  length 

thirty  to  forty. 

1  a  loud  noise 
le  height  of  six 


or  eight  yards,  which,  when  seen  in  the  distance,  appears  like  a  puff  of 
smoke.  They  usually  remain  at  the  surface  about  two  minutes,  mid 
''  blow"  eight  or  nine  times,  and  then  descend  into  the  water,  wlier<3 
they  remain  five,  ten,  and,  when  feeding,  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes,  and 
then  return  to  the  surface  to  breathe.  In  thus  rising,  they  ascend,  at 
limes,  with  such  velocity  as  to  throw  themselves  completely  out  of  the 
wfttor 

Tiie  Razor  or  "  Fin  Back"  whalo  is  the  most  bulky  and  powerful  of 
its  tribe.  It  "  blows"  with  such  violence,  that  in  calm  weather  it  may  be 
heard  a  mile.  Its  length  is  about  one  hundred  feet.  It  is  much  more 
swift  and  active  in  its  motions  than  any  other  kind,  and  is  by  no  means  a 
timid  animal.  When  harpooned,  or  otherwise  wounded,  it  exerts  all  its 
energies.  It  is  difficult  and  dangerous  taking  them,  and  the  small  quan- 
tity of  inferior  oil  it  affords  offers  but  little  inducement  to  the  whalemen 
The  Spermaceti  whale  differs  from  the  one  described  in  many  important 
particulars,  The  mouth  is  destitute  of  whalebone,  but  the  lower  jaw  is 
armed,  on  each  side,  with  about  twenty  strong,  conical  teeth,  which  shut 
into  corresponding  cavities  in  the  upper  jaw.  The  head  is  very  large, 
with  a  very  abrupt  termination  in  front;  the  upper  part  of  the  head  is 
composed  of  cavities,  separated  by  cartilaginous  partitions  filled  with  oil, 
which,  on  cooling,  crystalizes,  forming  the  substance  known  as  "sper- 
maceti." The  males  of  this  species  are  known  among  whalers  as  "  bulls," 
and  the  females  as  "  cows."  This  is  the  kind  most  sought  for,  and  most 
valuable. 

A  whale-ship,  properly  fitted  and  manned,  has  three  or  four  boats,  and 
from  thirty  to  forty  men  on  board,  according  to  the  number  of  boats. 
Tiie  weapons  used  in  securing  and  killing  the  whale  are  but  two.  First 
the  harpoon.  This  is  an  instrument  of  iron,  about  three  feet  in  length, 
with  an  arrow-shaped  head,  the  two  branches  of  which  have  internally  a 
reversed  barb,  like  a  fish-hook.  When  this  instrument,  to  which  a  line 
is  fastened,  is  forced,  by  a  well-directed  blow,  into  the  fat  of  the  whale, 
and  the  line  drawn,  the  principal  barb  seizes  the  strong  fibers  of  the 
blubber,  and  it  cannot  be  withdrawn. 

The  lance  is  used  for  killing  the  whale,  when  secured.  It  consists  of 
a  sp'car  of  iron  six  feet  in  length,  terminating  in  a  head  of  steel,  made 
very  thin  and  sharp. 

These  two  instruments,  with  the  lines,  boats  and  oars,  form  all  the 
apparatus  for  capturing  the  whale.  When  the  ship  arrives  on  whale- 
ground,  two  men  are  kept  at  mast-head  c^drrtinually,  on  the  look-out — the 
boats  ready  to  lower  at  a  moment's  warning. 

The  whale  is  discovered  sometimes  by  the  "  spout,"  and  sometimes 
l)y  the  breach  of  the  waves  over  it.  When  the  "  mast-head  "  sings  out, 
"  There  she  blows,"  the  captain  asks, "  Where  away  ?  "  When  it  is  ascer- 
tained to  be  a  "  sperm  whale,"  the  word  is,  "  All  hands  on  deck,  see  all 
clear  for  lowering  the  boats."  All  is  now  bustle  and  excitement.  Each 
man  is  interested,  as  his  wages  depend  upoa  th^  success  of  the  cruise. 
The  "  lay"  is  one  barrel  of  oil  out  of  such  a  number.  The  master  may 
have,  perhaps,  one  in  twenty  ;  mate,  one  in  fifty  ;  ship's  keeper  one  in 
one  hundred ;  boat  steerer  one  in  one  hundred  and  fifty  ;  and  a  common 
hand,  one  in  two  hundred,  according  to  the  "  lay"  on  which  they  engaged. 
Tiie  captain  supplies  all  their  wants  while  out,  from  the  ship's  stores, 
and  it  is  deducted  from  their  wages  when  they  arrive  home.  Thus  every 
one  is  anxious  of  success.  When  the  ship  arrives  within  about  half  a 
mile  of  the  whale,  she  is  hove-to,  and  the  ship's  keeper  goes   to  the 


■ .--,  ;^'-*''r*'-'r'--5-T-^^; 


\ 


506 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  YAKKEE  SAILOR. 


mast-head  wit  i  r  dpy-glaBS,  to  watch  tho  operation,  and  ^ivo  directions 
to  tho  man  a'  tliu  iielm  how  to  work  tho  8hip.  Tho  boatu  boing  lowt-red, 
(^acii  with  its  own  cruw,  row  for  the  whale.  Cnrc  and  Hkill  arc  roi|uisitu 
to  approach  the  whale  before  it  has  its  "blow'*  out.  The  boat  which  is 
noarest  tiic  whale,  approaches  tho  whale  at  tho  right  moment,  and  some 
expert  workman  throws  tlie  harpoon,  and  ''  fastens^'  to  tiic  whale.  Sone- 
tiines,  when  the  whale  has  dono  blowing,  and  is  about  going  down,  the 
linrpuon  is  thrown  n  distance  of  ten  yards,  and  made  to  "  fasten."  But 
usually  the  boat  is  run  directly  u|>on  the  animal,  and  the  harpoon  buried 
in  its  back.  This  is  a  critical  moment,  and  re(|uiros  presence  of  mind 
iu  an  otlicor,  and  perfect  obedience  in  tho  boat's  crew.  The  instant  she 
is  fast,  the  word  is, ''  Stern  all.''  The  boat  now  moves  rapidly  astern  till 
out  of  tho  reach  of  the  fluke  or  tail  of  the  whale.  The  tail  of  the  whale 
lying  horizontally  or  flat  in  the  water,  enables  him  to  dive  almost  instau- 
tanoously  and  with  great  power.  When  the  whale  feels  the  wound  made 
by  the  har|)oon,  it  makes  a  convulsive  eflbrt  to  escape.  This  is  a  moment 
of  danger,  the  men  and  boats  are  exposed  to  instant  destruction  from  the 
violent  blow  of  the  ponderous  tail.  The  whale  now  goes  down,  some- 
times to  the  depth  of  a  mile,  and  the  utmost  care  and  order  are  requisite 
on  the  part  of  the  crew,  while  the  line  is  running  out.  Should  tho  line 
meet  with  any  obstruction  while  running,  the  boat  would  be  instantly 
drawn  down.  Their  stay  down  is  from  five  to  forty  minutes,  the  longer 
time  they  are  down  the  greater  their  exhaustion  when  they  rise,  owing 
to  the  pressure  of  tho  water  upon  them.  Wiien  it  rises,  a  second  har- 
poon is  fastened  to  it,  and  then  the  lance  is  used  for  killing  him.  The 
oliicer  of  tho  boat  goes  forward  to  do  tliis;  the  iance,  which  has  a  long 
shank  of  wood,  is  forced  into  tho  vitals  just  back  of  the  fin.  This  being 
dono  two  or  tiiroe  times,  the  whale  is  seen  to  be  dying  by  the  blood  min- 
gled with  his  spout,  and,  after  a  short  time,  rolls  over  upon  the  side  or 
back,  and  the  job  is  done. 

A  signal  is  now  made,  and  the  ship  comes  along  side,  the  boats  arc 
hoisted,  and  a  strong  chain,  called  the  "  fluke-chain,"  is  put  round  the 
tail,  a  little  abovo  where  it  begins  to  spread.  A  good  "  stifl'  throat  sea- 
soning" is  now  expected  by  every  man,  and  willingly  given  by  the  ofli- 
cers.  Two  men  i^ow  get  upon  the  whale,  each  armed  with  a  straight, 
sharp  blubber-spade,  with  which  they  begin  to  cut  near  tho  fin.  They 
cut  lengthways  of  the  whale  about  five  feet,  then,  standing  face  to  face, 
tiiey  cut  round,  as  far  as  they  can,  down  on  the  side.  A  hole  is  now 
made  through  this  "  blanket-piece,"  near  the  end,  into  which  a  blubber- 
hook,  weighing  about  sixty  pounds,  is  forced;  this  hook, being  connected 
with  a  very  strong  purchase  and  fall,  the  end  of  which  is  fastened  to  the 
windlass,  then  the  word  is,  "  Haul  taut."  Eighteen  or  twenty  hands,  with 
handspikes,  now  heave  away  at  the  windlass,  and  the  blanket-piece  begins 
to  rise,  peeling  ofl*  from  the  carcass  as  fast  as  the  men  on  the  whale  can 
cut.  As  they  cut  spirally,  and  the  whale  rolls  in  the  water  and  fluke- 
ropes,  the  blanket  continues  to  rise  till  it  reaches  the  mainyard,  and  then 
another  hole  is  cut  down  near  the  whale,  into  which  another  hook  is  fas- 
tened, and  the  operation  goes  on  till  the  blubber  is  all  in.  These  blan- 
ket-pieces are  swung  in  over  the  main-hatch  and  lowered  into  the  blubber 
room,  where  they  are  cut  up  into  thin  slices  for  the  kettle.  The  head  is 
now  cut  from  the  body,  and  divided  into  two  pieces,  called  the  <'  case  " 
and  tho  "junk,"  the  last  of  which  is  brought  on  deck  and  lashed ;  the 
"  case"  is  then  raised  as  high  as  the  plankshire  of  the  ship,  and  a  large 
hole  cut  in  it,  from  which  head  matter  is  taken,  from  ten  to  fifteen  barrels 


«iii 


vo  (liroctions 
«ing  lowered, 
arc  requisitu 
Mai  which  is 
lilt,  and  some 
halo.    Soi'ie- 
ng  down,  thu 
fasten."     But 
arpoon  buried 
once  of  mind 
ic  instant  she 
idly  astern  till 
of  the  whalo 
almost  iostau- 
e  wound  made 
lis  is  a  moment 
iction  from  the 
9  down,  some- 
r  are  requisite 
hould  the  line 
d   be  instantly 
tes,  the  longer 
hey  rise,  owing 
a  second  bar- 
ing him.     The 
ich  has  a  long 
in.     ThiH  being 
'  the  blood  min- 
ran  the  side  or 

3,  the  boats  are 
I  put  round  the 
stiff  throat  sea- 
iven  by  the  offi- 
with  a  straight, 
•  the  fin.     They 
ing  face  to  face, 
A  hole  is  now 
which  a  blubber- 
being  connected 
s  fastened  to  the 
^enty  hands,  with 
iket-piece  begins 
m  the  whale  can 
water  and  fluke- 
linyard,  and  then 
ather  hook  is  fas- 
in.     These  blan- 
1  into  the  blubber 
tie.     The  head  is 
lied  the  "case" 
and  lashed ;  the 
ship,  and  a  large 
1  to  fifteen  barrels 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 


50( 


in  quantity.     The  "junk,"  when  tried  out,  goes  in  with  this,  and  it  is 
called  head  oil,  or  "speriiiucoti." 

Tlni.s  tlio  wliiilo  is  "  cut  in."  It  now  has  to  bo  "tried  out,"  and  even 
the  head  oil  inuHt  bo  boiled,  to  keep  it  from  spoiling.  The  scraps  made 
in  trying  out  the  blubber  are  used  to  feed  the  fires,  and  after  being  lirut 
Lindli  d,  they  require  no  other  fuel. 

The  oil  is  then  stowed  away,  where  it  remains,  unless  some  of  the 
casks  lenk,  which  is  discovered  by  the  pumps.  If  they  bring  up  oil  und 
water,  tlio  whole  of  it  has  to  bo  trimmed,  that  is,  overhauled,  and  the 
leiiky  casks  taken  out,  emptied,  and  repaired,  and  the  whole  stowed  away 
again. 

[Captain  Scoresby,  in  his  works  on  the  Whale  Fishery,  gives  some 
interesting  anecdotes  illustrative  of  the  perils  and  disasters  to  which 
whalemen  arc  subject,  some  of  which  we  here  annex,  in  addition  to  what 
Nevcns  has  given  us  of  the  peculiarities  of  thid  occupation.] 

The  moat  extensive  source  of  danger  to  the  whale-fisher,  when  actively 
engaged  in  his  occupation,  arises  from  the  object  of  his  pursuit,  Except- 
ing wliou  it  has  young  under  its  protection,  tlio  whale  generally  exhibits 
remarkable  timidity  of  character.  A  bird  perching  on  its  back  alarms  it; 
hence,  the  greater  part  of  the  accidents  which  happen  in  the  course  of 
its  capture,  must  be  attributed  to  adventitious  circumstances  on  the  part 
of  the  whale,  or  to  mismanagement  or  fool-hardiness  on  the  part  of  the 
fishers. 

A  harpooner  belonging  to  the  Henrietta,  of  Whitby,  when  engaged  in 
lancing  a  whale,  into  which  ho  had  previously  struck  a  harpoon,  incau- 
tiously cast  a  little  line  under  his  feet,  that  he  had  just  hauled  into  the 
boat,  after  it  had  been  drawn  out  by  the  fish.  A  painful  stroke  of  his 
lance  induced  the  whale  to  dart  suddenly  downward ;  his  line  began  to 
run  out  from  beneath  his  feet,  and  in  an  instant  caught  him,  by  a  turn, 
round  his  body.  He  had  but  just  time  to  cry  out,  "Clear  away  the  line!" 
"Oh,  dear!"  when  he  was  almost  cut  asunder,  dragged  overboard,  and 
never  seen  afterward.  The  line  was  cut  at  the  moment,  but  without 
avail.  The  fish  descended  a  considerable  depth,  and  died,  from 
whence  it  was  drawn  to  the  surface  by  the  lines  connected  with  it,  and 
secured. 

While  the  ship  Resolution  navigated  on  open  lake  of  water,  in  the 
eighty-first  degree  of  north  latitude,  during  a  keen  frost  and  strong  north 
wind,  on  the  8d  of  June,  1806,  a  whale  appeared,  and  a  boat  put  off  in 
pursuit.  On  its  second  visit  to  the  surface  of  the  sea  it  was  harpooned. 
A  convulsive  heave  of  the  tail,  which  succeeded  the  wound,  struck  the 
boat  at  the  stern,  and  by  its  reaction  projected  the  boat-steerer  overboard. 
As  the  line  in  a  moment  dragged  the  boat  beyond  his  reach,  the  crew 
threw  some  of  their  oars  toward  him  for  his  support,  one  of  which  he 
fortunately  seized.  The  ship  and  boats  being  at  u  considerable  distance, 
and  the  fast-boat  being  rapidly  drawn  away  from  him,  the  harpooner  cut 
the  line,  with  the  view  of  rescuing  him  from  his  dangerous  situation.  Bu 
no  sooner  was  this  act  performed,  than,  to  their  extreme  mortification,  they 
discovered,  that  in  consequence  of  some  oars  being  thrown  toward  their 
floating  comrade,  and  others  being  broken  or  unshipped  by  the  blow  from 
the  fish,  one  oar  only  remained,  with  which,  owing  to  the  force  of  the 
wind,  they  tried  in  vain  to  approach  him.  A  considerable  period  elapsed 
before  any  boat  from  the  ship  could  afford  him  assistance,  though  the  men 
strained  every  nerve  for  the  purpose.  At  length,  when  they  reached 
him,  he  was  found  with  his  arms  stretched  over  an  oar,  almost  deprived 


"sStSfet" 


80§  ADVRNTURE8  OP  A  YAVKEK  SAILOR. 

of  ncnRatinn.  On  hia  arrival  at  tlin  Mhip,  hn  wuh  in  n  ticplorahio  condition. 
Ilifl  clotlicH  wcro  fro/.on  liko  mail,  and  hit*  hair  constitutnd  n  hnlinnt  of 
ico,  Ilii  was  immodiately  conveyed  into  the  cahin,  hia  clothoH  lak«>n 
oflT,  his  limtm  and  body  dried  and  woll  riiltbcd,  and  a  cordial  adniiniHtf  red 
to  him,  which  ho  drank.  A  dry  shirt  and  stockings  wero  thnn  put  upon 
him,  and  ho  was  laid  in  the  cnptain^s  bed.  After  a  few  hours*  sleep,  he 
awoke  and  appeared  considerably  restored,  but  complained  of  a  painful 
sensation  of  cold.  Ho  was,  therefore,  removed  to  his  own  berth,  and 
one  of  his  messmates  ordered  to  lie  on  each  side  of  him,  wliercby  the 
diminished  circulation  of  the  blood  wos  accelerated,  and  the  anitnul  heat 
restored.  The  shock  on  his  constitution,  however,  was  ^rroater  ihan  was 
anticipated.  Ho  recovered  in  the  course  of  a  few  days,  so  nn  to  be  able 
to  engage  in  his  ordinary  pursuits;  but  many  months  elapsed  before  his 
countenance  exhibited  its  wonted  appearance  of  health. 

The  Aimwell,  of  Whitby,  while  cruising  thr  (ircenland  seas,  in  the 
year  1810,  had  boats  in  chnse  of  whales  on  the  26th  of  Mny.  One  of 
them  vim  harpooned.  But  instead  of  sinking  immediately  on  receiving 
the  wound,  as  is  the  most  usual  manner  of  the  whale,  this  individual 
only  dived  for  a  moment,  and  rose  again  beneath  the  boat,  struck  it  in 
the  most  vicious  manner  with  its  fins  and  tail,  stove  it,  upset  it,  and  then 
disappeared.  The  crow,  seven  in  number,  got  on  the  bottom  of  the 
boat;  hut  the  unequal  action  of  the  lines,  which  for  some  time  remained 
entangled  with  tlic  boat,  rolled  it  occasionally  over,  and  thus  plunged  the 
crew  repeatedly  into  the  water.  Four  of  them,  oftcr  each  immorBion, 
recovered  themselves,  and  clung  to  the  boat ;  but  the  other  three,  one  of 
wliom  was  the  only  person  acquainted  with  the  art  of  swimming,  W(  re 
drowned  before  assistance  could  arrive,  The  four  men  on  the  boat 
being  rescued  and  conveyed  to  the  ship,  the  attack  <"'  the  whnic  waB 
continued,  and  two  more  harpoons  struck.  But  thc^  whale,  irritnted 
instead  of  being  enervated  by  its  wounds,  recommenced  its  furious  con- 
duct. The  sea  was  in  a  foam.  Its  tail  and  tins  were  in  awful  pluy ;  and, 
in  a  short  time,  harpoon  afler  harpoon  drew  out,  the  fish  was  loosened 
from  its  entanglement.^',  and  escaped. 

In  the  fishery  of  1812,  the  Henrietta,  of  Whitby,  suffered  a  similar 
loss.  A  fish,  which  was  struck  very  near  the  ship,  by  a  blow  of  its  tail 
stove  a.  small  hole  in  the  boat's  bow.  Every  individual  shrinking  from 
the  side  on  which  the  blow  was  impressed,  aided  the  iniluencn  of  the 
stroke,  and  upset  the  boat.  They  all  clung  to  it  while  it  was  bottom  up; 
but  the  line  having  got  entangled  among  the  thwarts,  suddenly  drew  the 
boat  under  water,  and  with  it  part  of  the  crew.  Excessive  anxiety  among 
the  people  in  the  ship  occasioned  delay  in  sending  assistance;  so  that, 
when  the  first  boat  arrived  at  the  spot,  two  survivors  only,  out  of  six 
men,  were  found. 

During  a  fresh  gale  of  wind,  in  the  season  of  1809,  one  of  the  Reso- 
hition's  harpooners  struck  a  sucking  whale.  Its  mother  being  near,  all 
the  other  boats  were  disposed  around,  with  the  hope  of  entangling  it. 
The  old  whale  pursued  a  circular  route  round  its  cub,  and  was  followed 
by  the  boats;  but  its  velocity  was  so  considernble,  liat  they  were  unable 
to  keep  pace  with  it.  Being  in  the  capacity  of  harpooner  on  this  occa- 
sion myself,  I  proceeded  to  the  chase,  after  havirt<r  carefully  marked  the 
proceedings  of  the  fish.  I  selected  a  situation,  wliicli  I  conceived  the 
whale  would  make  his  appearance,  and  was  in  iIk;  act  of  directing  my 
crew  to  cease  rowing,  when  a  terrible  blow  wat^  struck  on  the  boat.  The 
whale  I  never  saw,  but  tiic  effect  of  the  blow  was  too  important  to  be 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 


609 


o  condition. 

lu!l?n<'t  of 
•tlicH  Initin 
dminiHlt-rfd 
on  put  ui|mn 
rn'  sleep,  he 
of  II  pain  flit 
n  berth,  and 
wlicrcby  the 

animul  heat 
ater  than  was 
Kt<  to  he  ahle 
)d  before  hi8 

seas,  in  the 
;\y.     One  of 

«»n  receiving 
hifl  individual 
t,  Htruck  it  in 
et  it,  and  then 
bottom  of  the 
inic  remained 
18  plunjjed  the 
cli  imniprsiou, 
r  three,  one!  of 
dimming,  wrre 
n  on  the  boat 
the  whale  waa 
viialo,  irritated 
its  furious  con- 
wful  pluy;  and, 
1  was  loosened 

rored  a  similar 
blow  of  its  tail 
shrinking  from 
ufluenco  of  the 
wBi*  bottom  up; 
donly  drew  the 
?  anxiety  among 
jtance;  so  that, 
only,  out  of  six 

ne  of  the  Reso- 
being  near,  all 
)f  entangling  it. 
id  was  followed 
ley  were  unable 
er  on  this  occa- 
fully  marked  the 
1  I  conceived  the 
of  diretting  my 
n  the  boat.  The 
}  important  to  be 


overlooked.  About  fifteen  !i(|uaro  feet  of  the  bottom  of  the  boat  were 
driven  in;  it  filled,  sunk,  and  upset  in  n  moment.  As-tislanco* was  provi- 
dentially at  hand,  so  that  we  were  all  taken  up  without  injury,  after  iieing 
but  a  f«!W  minutes  in  Iho  water.  Tiie  whale  escaped  ;  tho  boat's  linos 
fell  out  and  were  lost,  but  the  boat  was  recovered. 

A  remarkable  instance  of  tho  power  which  the  whale  possesses  in  its 
tail,  was  exhibited,  within  my  own  observation,  in  the  yiiar  1807.  On 
llie  29th  of  May,  a  whalo  wu.t  har|M>onerl  by  an  oiiicir  belonging  to  tlu* 
Resolution.  It  doscende<l  a  eonsiderahle  depdi,  and,  on  its  reiippear- 
anco,  evinced  an  uncommon  degree  of  irritation.  It  made  such  a  dis- 
play of  its  fins  and  tail,  ihut  tew  of  the  crew  were  hardy  (Miongh  to 
approach  it.  The  captain,  oi)serving  their  timidity,  called  a  boat,  and 
hunself  struck  a  second  hur|M>on.  Another  lH>at  immediately  followed, 
and  unfortunately  advanceil  too  fur.  The  tail  was  again  reared  into  the 
air,  in  a  terrific  attitude.  Tlie  impending  blow  was  evident — the  har- 
poi>ner,  who  was  directly  underneiith,  leaped  ovirltoar*!,  and  the  aext 
moment  the  threatened  stroke  w;t.s  impressed  on  the  center  of  tlie  boat, 
whicli  it  buried  in  tho  water.  Happily  tm  one  was  injured.  Tho  har- 
pouner,  who  leaped  overl)oard,  escaped  certain  death  by  the  act  — 
the  tail  having  struck  the  very  spot  on  which  he  stood.  Tho  etfects  of 
the  blow  were  astonishing.  The  keel  was  broken,  tho  gunwales,  and 
every  plank,  excepting  two,  were  cut  through,  and  it  was  evident  that 
the  boat  would  have  been  completely  divided,  had  not  the  tail  struck 
directly  upon  a  coil  of  lines.     The  boat  was  rendered  useless. 

Instances  of  disasters  of  this  kind,  occasioned  by  blows  from  the 
whale,  could  be  adduced  in  great  numbers  —  cases  of  boats  being 
destroyed  by  a  single  stroke  of  the  tail  are  not  unknown — instances  of 
boats  having  been  stove  or  upset,  and  their  crews  wholly  or  in  part 
drowned,  are  not  unfre(|ucnt — and  several  cases  of  whales  having  made 
a  regular  attack  upon  every  boat  which  came  near  thern,  dashed  some  in 
pieces,  and  killed  or  drowned  some  of  the  people  in  them,  have  occurred 
within  a  few  years,  even  under  my  own  observation. 

Tho  Dutch  ship  (iort-Moolen,  commanded  by  Cornelius  Gerard  Ouwe- 
kaas,  with  a  cargo  of  seven  tish,  was  anchored  in  Greenland,  in  the  year 
1660.  The  captain,  perceiving  a  whale  ahead  of  his  ship,  beckoned  his 
attendants,  and  threw  himself  into  a  boat.  Ho  was  tho  first  to  approach 
the  whale,  and  was  fortunate  enough  to  harpoon  it  before  the  arrival  of 
the  second  boat,  which  was  on  the  advance.  Jacques  Vienkes,  who  had 
the  direction  of  it,  joined  his  captain  immediately  afterward,  and  prepared 
to  make  a  second  attack  on  the  fish,  when  it  should  remount  again  to  the 
surface.  At  the  moment  of  its  ascension,  the  boat  of  Vienkes  happening, 
unfortunately,  to  be  perpendicularly  above  it,  was  so  suddenly  and  forci- 
bly lifted  up  by  a  stroke  of  the  head  of  tho  whale,  that  it  was  dashed  to 
pieces  before  the  harpooner  could  discharge  his  weapon.  Vienkes  flow 
along  with  the  pieces  of  the  boat,  and  fell  upon  tho  back  of  the  animal. 
This  intrepid  seaman,  who  still  retained  his  weapon  in  his  grasp,  har- 
pooned tho  whalo  on  which  he  stood;  and,  by  means  of  the  harpoon  and 
and  the  line,  which  he  never  abandoned,  he  steadied  himself  firmly  upon 
the  fish,  notwithstanding  his  hazardous  situation,  and  regardless  of  a 
considerable  wound  that  he  received  in  his  leg,  in  his  fall  along  with  the 
fragments  of  the  boat.  All  the  efl[orts  of  tho  other  boats  to  approach 
the  whale,  and  deliver  the  harpooner,  were  futile.  The  captain,  not 
seeing  any  other  method  of  saving  his  unfortunate  companion,  who  was 
in  some  way  entangled  with  the  line,  called  to  him  to  cut  it  with  his 


■>■  .  I".  iii_Lit-. 


510 


ADVENTURES  OP  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 


knifo,  and  betake  himself  to  swimming.  Vienkcs,  embarrassed  and 
disconcerted  as  he  was,  tried  in  vain  to  follow  this  council.  His  knife  was 
in  the  pocket  of  his  drawers,  and,  being  unable  to  support  himself  vith 
one  hand,  he  could  not  get  it  out.  The  whale,  meanwhile,  contin.icd 
advancing  along  the  surface  of  the  water  with  great  rapidity,  but  forto- 
nately  never  attempted  to  dive.  While  his  comrades  despaired  of  his 
life,  tlie  harpoon  by  which  ho  held  at  length  disengaged  itself  from  the 
body  of  the  whale.  Vienkes,  being  thus  liberated,  did  not  fail  to  take 
advantage  of  this  circumstance;  he  cast  himself  into  the  sea,  and,  by 
swimming,  endeavored  to  regain  the  boats  which  continued  the  pursuit 
of  the  whale.  When  his  shipmates  perceived  him  struggling  with  the 
waved,  they  redoubled  their  exertions.  They  reached  him  just  us  his 
strength  was  exhausted,  and  had  the  happiness  of  rescuing  this  adven- 
turous harpooner  from  his  perilous  situation. 

Cuptain  Lyons,  of  the  Raith,  of  Leith,  while  prosecuting  the  whale- 
lishory  on  the  Labrador  coast,  in  the  season  of  1802,  discovered  a  large 
whale  at  a  short  distance  from  the  ship.  Four  boats  were  dispatched  in 
pursuit,  and  two  of  them  succeeded  in  approaching  it  so  closely  together 
that  two  harpoons  were  struck  at  the  same  moment.  The  fish  descended 
a  few  fathoms  in  the  direction  of  another  of  the  boats,  which  was  on  the 
advance,  rose  accidentally  beneath  it,  struck  it  with  his  head,  and  threw 
the  boat,  men  and  apparatus  about  fifteen  feet  in  the  air.  It  was  inverted 
by  the  stroke,  and  fell  into  the  water  with  its  keel  upward.  All  the 
people  were  picked  up  alive  by  the  fourth  boat,  which  was  just  at  hand, 
excepting  one  man,  who,  having  got  entangled  in  the  boat,  fell  beneath 
it,  and  was  unfortunately  drowned.     The  fish  was  soon  afterward  killed. 

Perhaps  one  of  the  most  remarkable  instances  of  the  destruction  of  a 
vessel  by  a  whale,  is  that  of  the  ship  Essex,  which  sailed  from  Nantucket 
about  the  year  1820.  She  was  commanded  by  Captain  Pollard,  and  had 
entered  the  Pacific  Ocean,  where  she  was  employed  some  time  in  catch- 
ing whales.  One  day  the  seamen  harpooned  a  young  whale.  In  this 
species,  the  aflTection  of  the  mother  toward  its  young  is  very  strong,  as 
was  evinced  in  a  remarkable  manner  on  this  occasion.  When  the  mother 
of  the  young  whale  found  that  her  progeny  was  killed,  she  went  to  some 
distance  from  the  ship,  and  then,  rushing  through  the  water,  came  against 
tiie  stern  of  the  vessel  with  the  greatest  violence.  So  tremendous  was 
the  force  of  the  shock,  that  several  of  the  timbers  were  loosened,  and 
the  vessel  pitched  and  reeled  on  the  water,  as  if  struck  by  a  whirlwind. 
Nor  was  the  whale  satisfied  with  this.  Again  she  went  to  the  distance 
of  more  than  a  mile,  and  then,  shooting  through  the  waves  with  incredi- 
ble swiftness,  came  like  a  thunderbolt  upon  the  bow  of  the  vessel.  The 
timbers  were  instantly  beaten  in,  and  the  ship  began  to  fill  with  water. 
Scarcely  had  the  crew  sufficient  time  to  get  into  their  boat  before  she 
went  down.  In  this  sudden  and  frightful  situation,  the  poor  seamen  now 
found  themselves.  They  were  upon  the  wide-heaving  and  perilous  ocean, 
in  an  open  boat,  and  far  from  any  land.  If  the  whale  had  come  upon 
them  in  the  condition  they  were  now  in,  they  must  have  inevitably 
perished.  But  they  saw  no  more  of  the  monster.  Captain  Pollard  and 
his  men  for  several  days  suffered  severe  hardships  from  the  weather, 
and  from  a  want  of  water  and  food.  At  length,  the  delightful  vision  of 
another  ship  broke  upon  their  sight.  They  were  all  taken  on  board, 
and  finally  reached  their  native  country  in  safety. 

In  1822,  two  boats  belonging  to  the  ship  Baffin  went  in  pursuit  of  a 
whale.    John  Carr  was   harpooner  and  commander  of  one   of  them. 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 


611 


)arraBacd  and 
Ilia  knife  was 
himself  vith 
lile,  contin.'ied 
lity,  but  forto- 
apaired  of  his 
tself  from  ihe 
)t  fail  to  take 
3  sea,  and,  by 
id  the  pursuit 
^ling  with  the 
im  just  us  his 
ig  this  adven- 

ng  the  whale- 
jvered  a  large 
dispatched  in 
;lo8ely  together 
fish  descended 
lich  was  on  the 
sad,  and  threw 
It  was  inverted 
ward.     All  the 
.8  just  at  hand, 
It,  fell  beneath 
fterward  killed, 
lestruction  of  a 
from  Nantucket 
•ollard,  and  had 
e  time  in  catch- 
whale.     In  this 
1  very  strong,  as 
^hen  the  mother 
le  went  to  some 
er,  came  against 
remendous  was 
e  loosened,  and 
by  a  whirlwind, 
to  the  distance 
es  with  incredi- 
he  vessel.     The 
fill  with  water, 
boat  before  she 
oor  seamen  now 
d  perilous  ocean, 
had  come  upon 
have  inevitably 
tain  Pollard  and 
)m  the  weather, 
lightfal  vision  of 
taken  on  board, 

in  pursuit  of  a 
of  one   of  them. 


The  whale  they  pursued  led  them  into  a  vast  shoal  of  his  own  species ; 
they  weJeso 'Numerous  that  their  blowing  was  i«;«--"i;;»'';/'^y  ^t. 
lioved  that  they  did  not  see  fewer  than  a  hundred.     Fearful  ot  alurm- 
;  hem  wiS  striking  any,  they  remained  for  awhde  mot.onless.     A 
last  one  rose  near  Ca^'s  boat,  and  he  approached,  and,  ffaHy  ♦"'^  »'" 
self  harprned  it.     .'hen  he  struck,  the  fish  was  approachmg  ho  bo.t; 
and  nasC  very  rani-'Vy,  jerked  the  line  out  of  its  place  over  the  stern, 
^nd  thJew  "t  upon  tht    .nwale.     Its  pressure,  in  this  unfavorable  pos.- 
?i^n  so  careened  the  boat,  that  the  side  was  pulled  under  water,  and  .t 
tion,  so  ^"«'^n''"   this  emerecncv,  Cafr,  who  was  a  brave,  active  man, 
sdS  the  1  ne,  ani    ndTaS  t'o'reliev'c  the  boat,  by  restoring  it  to  ,ts 
Dkce    but  by  some  circumstance  which  was  never  accounted  for,  a  turi^ 
E     ho  line  flew  over  his  arm,  dragged  him  overboard  m  an  mstant   am 
drew  him  under  the  water,  never  more  to  r.se.     &o   «"dj«»   ^as  the 
Sent  that  only  one  man,  who  was  watching  h.m,  saw  what  had  hap- 
pened   ^otharwhen  the  b^at  righted,  which  it  immed.ately  d'd,  though 
harffJn  of  water,  the  whole  crew,  on  looking  round,  inquired  what  had 
Secome  of  Carr!  'it  is  impossible  to  imagine  a  death  more  awfully  sud- 
5!^  l„!l^  npxnected      The  invisible  bullet  could  not  have  effected  more 
fnTtan  anerSuction.     The  velocity  of  tho  whale  at  U^first    o^^^^^^^^^ 
«  from  thirteen  to  fifteen  feet  per  second.     Now,  as  this  untoitunate 
In  was  Ssan^he  line  at  the'water's  very  edge,  where  it  must  have 
™een  perfeS  t^Tght,  owing  to  its  obstruction  in  running  out  of  the  boa  , 
{he  interval  betw^ee^  the  fastening  the  line  about  him,  and  h>s  diaappea_r- 
ance  cou?d  not  have  exceeded  the  third  part  of  a  second  of  time   lor  m 
one  second  only  he  must  have  been  dragged  ten  or  twelve  feet  deep. 
Indeed  he  had  not  time  for  the  least  exclamation;  and  the  person  who 
sawhis'removal"ob  erved  that  it  was  so  exceeding  quick,  that,  though 
fuseye  waTupon  him  at  the  moment,  he  could  scarcely  distinguish  lus 

'^ITso'onls'ZS:;; recovered  from  their  consternation,  they  appliea 
thetsSveVtothe  needful  attention  -l^-^^.  ^'^  »'- V^rfaising  Tt  e 
harpoon  was  struck,  from  the  accompanying  »^^^*' °\',  ;^7;'i;Jho  y 
whale  to  the  surface,  and  some  lances  were  ^PP/'^^J'^v  became  Ui^d 
occurrence  had  cast  such  a  damp  on  al  F^^^J' ^^at  they  he^^™«  ^;™^^. 
and  inactive  in  their  subsequent  duties.  The  whale,  when  nearly 
n^hiusted  was  allowed  to  remain  some  minutes  unmolested.  1 11,  having 

(v..itla>a  nnil  were  attended  with  serious  loss. 

two  ;JSn  BkhTover  many  yoor,  ii.  Nevcns'  history.    In  the  meantime. 
he'hl^S  o  hece^for.^^^^^^ 

iHS«5-its^-tfr.hri^^^^^^ 

fnd  hi."  tuTto  theTcenes  of  his  boyhood,  afte,  the  lapse  of  nearly 


I 


'SS 


P 


.512 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 


T 


requeatinff  him  to  draw  what  funds  1  had  from  the  bank,  and  forward  the 
same  to  ine  at  Providence.  But  day  after  day  passed  on,  and  I  heard 
„,.thing  from  him,  and  began  to  grow  rather  uneasy,  when  his  son  entered 
my  room,  one  evening,  with  the  money.  Hm  father  delayed  sendmg  it, 
until  a  safer  opportunity  than  by  mail  should  occur,  when  unexpected 
business  called  the  young  man  to  Providence.  I  now  found  myself  in 
possession  of  thirteen  hundred  and  twenty-one  do  lars. 

It  was  necessary  for  me  to  lay  out  immediately  between  two  and  three 
hundred  dollars,  for  clothing  and  other  necessary  articles.  Havmg  thus 
supplied  my  most  pressing  necessities,  I  concluded  to  go  to  Boston,  and 
find  out  if  any  of  my  father's  family  were  yet  alive,  having  heard  nothing 
from  any  of  tliem  for  most  twenty  years.  I  therefore  began  to  look  about 
myself  for  some  kind  of  conveyance.  Here  were  the  railroad  cars, 
which  run  from  Providence  to  Boston  weekly,  but  as  the  snow  was  very 
deep,  I  was  told  that  it  was  dangerous  traveling  in  them,  as  they  were 
likely  to  run  off  the  track,  on  account  of  the  snow.  As  I  was  ignorant 
about  them,  }  did  not  know  but  this  might  be  the  case,  and  as  a  sailor 
always  feels  safest  on  the  water,  I  engaged  a  passage  on  board  a  small 
schooner:  I  thought,  as  the  weather  had  now  become  moderate  and 
pleasant,  there  would  be  little  risk  in  so  short  a  voyage. 

I  asked  the  captain  when  he  should  sail.     He  told  me  he  was  all  ready, 
and  waited  only  for  the  tide.     I  accordingly  lost  no  time  in  getting  my 
baggage   on   board,  together  with  many  curiosities,  and  some  valuable 
articles,  which  I  had  collected  in  the  course  of  rny  seafaring  life      AH 
thin<Ts  being  now  ready,  we  sailed  down  river,  with  a  fair  v^ind  and  plea- 
sant^sky.     The  next  day,  however,  the  wind  shifted  round  to  the  east- 
ward, while  wo  were  off  Block  Island,  and  there  came  on  a  fog  so  dense 
that  for  some  time  we  could  not  see  the  length  of  the  schooner,  and  then 
the  fo.T  would  lift  a  little,  and  give  us  a  momentary  glimpse  of  our  bear- 
ings. "About  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  it  looked  so  likely  for  squalls, 
that  the  captain  said  he  would  put  back  and  go  into  Newport,  and  wait 
fo"  fair  weather.     Wo  then  wore  the  vessel  round,  and  hauled  her  close 
on  the  wind,  so  as  to  weather  tno  north-east  point  of  the  island.     At  this 
critical  moment,  a  squall  struck  us,  and  being  closer  in  to  the  shore  than 
we  thought,  for  we  were  not  able  to  weather  the  point,  the  sea  was 
running  very  high,  and  before  we  were  aware  of  our  danger,  the  vesse 
struck,  with  a  tremendous  crash,  upon  a  reef  of  rocks.     She  rebounded 
and  struck  the  second  time,  and  in  a  moment,  seemingly,  she  was  full  ot 
water      The  sea  now  broke  over  us  with  great  fury,  and  washed  our  deck 
from  one  end  of  the  schooner  to  the  other.     At  this  moment,  a  pilot-boat, 
which  was  driven  in  by  the  gale,  came  near  to  us,  and  seeing  our  help- 
less condition,  the  pilot  sung  out  to  us  to  stand  ready  to  jump  on  boaid, 
one  at  a  time,  when  the  boat  should  come  near  enough  to  enable  us 

"^^The^pilot-boat  tacked  and  stood  off  a  little,  then  wore  round  and  came 
close  to  the  weather-quarter  of  the  schooner,  when  I  jumped  and  caught 
by  the  rigging.  She  then  tacked  again,  and  wore  round  in  the  same 
wav,  untd  all  were  taken  from  the  wreck.  The  boat  now  stood  away  for 
Newport,  and  before  we  had  sailed  five  rods  from  the  schooner,  she 
went  down.  When  we  hauled  into  the  wharf,  we  were  as  wet  as  drowned 
rats,  though  our  clothes  were  fast  freezing  to  us,  and  it  was  piercingly 
cold.  We  all  went  to  a  public  house,  and  stopped  that  night,  though 
sleep  was  a  stranger  that  I  could  not  woo  to  my  pillow.  I  spent  the 
night  in  reviewing  my  past  life,  and  the  strange  reverses  I  had  met  with, 


T 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  TANKEE  SAILOR. 


513 


and  forward  the 
on,  and  I  heard 
II  his  son  entered 
ayed  sending  it, 
hen  unexpected 
found  myself  in 

en  two  and  three 
s.     Having  thus 

0  to  Boston,  and 
:ig  heard  nothing 
gan  to  look  about 
lie  railroad  cars, 
!  snow  was  very 
im,  as  they  were 

1  I  was  ignorant 
e,  and  as  a  sailor 
n  board  a  small 
le  moderate  and 

he  was  all  ready, 
le  in  getting  my 
id  some  valuable 
afaring  life.  All 
ir  wind  and  plea- 
•und  to  the  east- 
jn  a  fog  so  dense 
:hooner,  and  then 
[ipse  of  our  bear- 
likely  for  squalls, 
ewport,  and  wait 
hauled  her  close 
e  island.  At  this 
to  the  shore  than 
lint,  the  sea  was 
ianger,  the  vessel 
,  .  She  rebounded 
y,  she  was  full  of 
washed  our  deck 
tment,  a  pilot-boat, 
seeing  our  help- 
0  jump  on  board, 
lugh  to  enable  us 

e  round  and  came 
imped  and  caughl 
}und  in  the  same 
low  stood  away  for 
the  schooner,  she 
as  wet  as  drowned 
it  was  piercingly 
that  night,  though 
How.  I  spent  the* 
les  I  had  met  with, 


and  now  the  scanty  pittance  I  had  saved  with  so  much  care,  to  build  my 
hopes  in  old  ago  upon,  was  swallowed  up  in  a  moment,  and  I  was  leA 
destitute  in  the  world.  Before  retiring  to  my  bed,  I  took  everything 
from  my  pockets.  I  had  a  knife,  a  piece  of  tobacco,  the  key  of  my 
trunk,  in  which  my  thousand  dollars  were  snugly  laid  away,  which  was 
now  in  the  bottom  of  the  ocean,  about  a  dollar  in  small  change,  and  one 
poor,  solitary  five  dollar  bill.  Here  was  the  whole,  my  all  —  my  forty 
years  of  toil,  of  danger,  of  strife  with  the  elements,  of  hardship  and 
suffering,  for  all  this  I  had  six  dollars  to  show.  The  bill  was  in  my 
pocket  by  mere  accident,  as  I  put  all  my  money  into  my  trunk,  as  I  sup- 
posed, excepting  a  little  change  for  present  use,  which  was  loose  in  my 
pocket.  The  next  morning,  I  concluded  to  take  the  stage  for  Swanzey, 
and  from  thence  I  traveled  on  foot  to  Taunton.  It  was  a  very  cold  day ; 
tlie  whole  face  of  the  country  was  covered  with  snow ;  the  roads  were  all 
ice,  which  the  horses'  feet  had  so  cut  up  as  to  make  traveling  very  loose  and 
difficult.  However,  I  arrived  at  Taunton  very  much  fatigued  in  body,  and 
discouraged  at  heart;  I  had  hardly  money  enough  to  carry  me  to  Boston, 
and  when  I  got  there  I  was  not  certain  of  finding  a  soul  living  that  cared 
anything  for  me.  Indeed,  I  never,  in  my  moments  of  greatest  peril,  felt 
so  cast  down  as  at  this  time ;  my  health  was  gone,  my  constitution  broken 
down,  my  friends  dead,  as  I  supposed,  myself  without  means  to  gain  a 
living.  1  sat  down  and  wept  like  a  child.  But  again,  the  thought  came 
to  mind,  that  I  had  nothing  to  reproach  myself  with ;  I  had  not  foolishly 
squandered  my  money  in  drunkenness  and  riotous  living,  but  it  had  been 
taken  from  me  by  the  "  hand  that  tempers  the  wind  to  the  shorn  lamb." 
[  liad  ever  adhered  to  the  strictest  principles  of  temperance  and  morality, 
and  I  know  not  that  I  have  ever  spent  a  dollar  to  feed  an  unworthy 
appetite,  or  gratify  a  wrong  passion.    I  had  now 

"  No  wife  nor  babes  to  hold  me  here,  , 

No  cottage  in  the  wilderness." 

It  was  about  dark,  when  I  stopped  at  Mr.  Willmouth's  tavern  in  Taun- 
ton. I  had  traveled  from  daylight  till  this  time  without  eating  a  mouthful 
of  anything,  fearing  to  spend  any  money,  lest  I  should  not  have  enough 
to  bear  my  expenses  to  Boston.  I  was,  or  had  been,  well  acquainted 
with  the  landlord,  and  was  received  as  an  old  friend.  After  supper  I 
went  to  bed,  but  it  was  a  long  time  before  I  could  rest. 

The  scenes  of  peril,  hardship  and  suffering  through  which  I  had  recently 
passed,  had  made  so  deep  an  impression  on  m^  mind,  that  my  imagina- 
tion was  wandering  among  them  still.  At  one  time,  I  was  in  the  crater  of 
a  volcano,  and  as  I  was  reposing  my  wearied  limbs,  I  sunk  into  a  dreamy 
state  of  forget  fulness,  from  which  I  was  suddenly  awakened  by  the 
rumbling  of  the  earth,  and  I  saw,  witK  terror,  smoke  and  flame  issuing 
from  the  cracks  and  fissures  in  the  rocks  around  me.  In  alarm,  I  made 
an  eflbrt  to  escape  from  the  fearful  spot,  when  I  found  that  I  was  bound 
down  by  numerous  yellow  silken  cords,  and  huge  spiders  were  running 
over  me.  A  tremendous  crash  changed  the  "  spirit  of  my  dreams,"  and 
I  found  myself  sinking  in  the  fathomless  ocean.  The  boiling  flooid  was 
gurgling  in  my  ears,  huge,  slimy  monsters  were  all  around  me,  and  eyes 
of  tire  seemed  peering  at  me  from  the  dark  caverns,  while  cold,  serpen- 
tine coils  seemed  to  draw  their  folds  with  deathly  tightness  around  me. 
Again  the  scene  changed,  and  I  was  in  an  open  boat  upon  a  wide 
expanse  of  waters;  the  boat  was  filled  with  the  dead,  and  huge  monsters 
of  the  deep,  with  fiery  eye-balls,  dashed  along  the  main,  scentbg  theit 
33 


-.H»/13«^M>pfa<tW  ■■"■ 


ff'^m'^mm 


514  ADVENTURES  OF  A  TANEEE  SAILOR. 

prey;  they  seemed  to  threaten  my  frail  bark  with  instant  destruction. 
To  divert  them  from  their  fearful  purpose,  I  had  to  feed  out  to  them  my 
dead  companions.  At  length,  the  dead  were  all  fed  out,  and  still  I  was 
followed  by  a  fearful-looking  monster,  who,  with  wide-extended  jaws, 
seized  the  boat,  and  in  an  instant  crushed  it  to  atoms.  With  a  shriek  of 
agony  I  made  one  spring,  and  I  awoke.  I  was  lying  upon  the  floor  of 
my  chamber,  bedewed  with  a  cold  sweat  of  agony.  At  this  moiuent, 
the  landlord  entered  the  room  with  a  light,  to  learn  what  the  trouble  was. 
i  told  him  what  a  fearful  dream  I  had,  and  he  said  he  would  piepare  me 
something  that  would  make  me  sleep.  He  left  the  room,  and,  in  a  few 
minutes,  returned  with  an  opiate,  which  I  drank,  and  in  five  minutes  my 
senses  were  steeped  in  forgetfulness.  I  knew  nothing  more  till  morning, 
when  the  landlord  entered  my  room,  and,  after  much  shaking,  aroused  me 
to  a  sense  of  my  situation.  After  breakfast,  I  went  to  the  depot,  to  ascer- 
tain what  time  the  train  started  for  Boston,  and  what  the  fare  would  be. 
I  found  that  I  must  be  on  hand  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and 
ready  in  disposition  to  fork  over  nine  shillings  of  my  little  fortune,  for 
my  passage.  After  dinner  I  called  for  my  bill,  when  Mr.  Willmouth  told 
me  ho  asked  nothing,  and  should  be  happy  to  have  me  stay  with-  him 
longer.  At  three  o'clock,  I  was  at  the  depot,  and  took  my  place  in  the 
cars,  and  about  dark  arrived  at  Boston.  The  "  shot  in  my  locker"  had 
now  got  so  low  that  I  could  not  afford  to  go  to  a  public  house ;  and  I  began 
to  cast  about  in  my  mind,  to  know  where  to  stow  myself  away  for  the  night. 
Seeing  a  bright  light  in  a  large  wooden  building,  I  went  in,  and  found  it 
to  be  an  Irish  boarding-house.  I  found  I  could  have  lodgings  for  twelve 
and  a  half  cents,  and  a  supper  for  a  shilling.  I  slept  soundly  that  night, 
and  early  the  next  morning  I  went  down  to  a  packet  bound  to  Portland, 
Captain  Dyer.  I  asked  the  fare  to  Portland.  "  Three  dollars,''  said  the 
captain.  But  when  informed  of  my  situation,  he  offered  to  cairy  me  for 
two  dollars.  I  accordingly  paid  my  fare,  and  went  on  shore  again,  after 
learning  the  time  he  would  sail.  I  then  went  to  see  if  I  could  find  my 
old  boarding  place.  But  the  house  was  torn  down,  and  in  its  place  stood 
a  large  brick  store.  I  entered  the  store,  and  asked  the  man  in  attend- 
ance if  he  knew  where  the  family  was  who  formerly  resided  there.  He 
said  the  woman  had  been  dead  eight  years,  and  he  knew  nothing  about 
the  rest  of  the  people. 

I  then  went  down  to  the  packet,  and  about  twelve  o'clock  at  night,  we 
sailed  for  Portland.  The  harbor  was  slightly  frozen  over,  so  that  we 
were  two  hours  getting  down  as  far  as  the  castle.  We  had  a  fine  pus- 
lage,  and  the  next  day  got  into  Portland.  Captain  Dyer  invited  me  to 
dine  with  him.  After  dinner,  he  made  me  a  present  of  half  a  dollar,  as 
did  one  of  the  passengers.  I  now  went  out  into  the  market,  to  see  if  I 
could  find  any  person  from  Danville.  As  I  was  passing  down  one  of  the 
streets,  I  went  into  a  shop  to  purchase  some  tobacco,  and  observing  the 
kind,  benevolent  look  of  the  shop-keeper,  I  made  bold  to  ask  him  if  he 
was  acquainted  with  any  people  from  that  place.  He  said  he  was  not; 
hut  there  was  a  man  "higher  up,"  whose  name  was  Tames  True,  who 
r-had  married  his  wife  in  Danville,  and  could  probably  give  me  any  inform- 
«tion  I  desired.  I  soon  found  True,  and  found  he  was  well  acquainted 
with  my  father's  family.  He  told  me  that  my  father  and  oldest  brother 
had  both  been  dead  several  years.  "  But,"  said  he,  "  your  mother  is 
.nill  living,  and  that  is  some  consolation  to  you." 

I  felt  that  it  was  indeed  to.  "  Have  I  any  other  relations?"  I  asked, 
with  anxiety. 


n,— r*i  iz^r^  "t^. 'hO  1^-  *-^"t5.*^*»^ 


T 


I  deBlruction. 
It  to  them  my 
nd  still  1  wan 
xtonded  jaws, 
ith  a  shriek  of 
a  the  floor  of 
this  moment, 
»e  trouble  was. 
lid  piepare  me 
and,  in  a  few 
ive  minutes  my 
)re  till  morning, 
ing,  aroused  roe 
depot,  to  ascer- 
fare  would  be. 
)  afternoon,  and 
ittle  fortune,  for 
■.  Willroouth  told 
e  stay  with-  him 
my  place  in  the 
my  locker"  had 
use;  and  I  began 
way  for  the  night. 
1  in,  and  found  it 
dgings  for  twelve 
loundly  that  night, 
)und  to  Portland, 
dollars,"  said  the 
pd  to  ca.ry  me  for 
shore  again,  after 
f  I  could  find  my 
I  in  its  place  stood 
w  man  in  attend- 
esided  there.     He 
lew  nothing  about 

,'clock  at  night,  we 
n  over,  so  that  we 
^e  had  a  fine  pus- 
)yer  invited  me  to 
of  half  a  dollar,  as 
market,  to  see  if  1 
ing  down  one  ot  tne 
,  and  observing  the 
Id  to  ask  him  if  b« 
e  said  he  was  not; 
a  lames  True,  who 
give  me  any  inform- 
vas  well  acquainted 
.  and  oldest  brother 
^e,  "your  mother  is 

relationst"  \  asked, 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  TANKBIS  SAILOR. 


516 


"  Yes,"  said  he,  **  you  have  three  brothers  and  three  ■iaters.*' 

"  But,"  said  I,  "  I  never  had  so  many  to  my  knowledge." 

"  Well,"  said  he,  *'  you  have  to  my  knowledge  ;  after  you  went  to  aea 

i'ou  had  one  brother  and  three  aisters  bom,  who  were  alive  and  well  the 
Bit  time  I  heard  from  them." 

I  now  made  True  fully  acquainted  with  my  adventures  and  present 
situation.  He  told  me  to  give  myself  no  uneasiness  —  that  he  would  let 
me  have  money  to  bear  my  expenses  home,  and  find  me  a  passage  in  the 
stage.  He  told  me  that  one  of  my  brothers  kept  a  tavern  iu  Poland,  and 
my  mother  lived  with  him.  He  said  that  he  would  see  that  the  stage  called 
for  me  the  next  morning  at  sunrise,  and  I  returned  to  the  boarding-house. 
[  went  to  bed  at  an  early  hour,  that  I  might  bo  up  in  time  for  the  stage 
the  next  morning.  My  slumbers  were  quiet  and  refreshing,  and  I  was 
up  at  the  first  sign  of  the  morning,  before  the  family  were  any  of  them 
moving,  and  had  just  got  out  of  my  chamber,  when  up  drove  the  stage, 
and  I  was  forced  to  start  immediately  and  without  my  breakfast.  It  was 
one  of  the  coldest  days  I  ever  knew,  and  I  suffered  much  from  the  cold; 
still  my  head  was  continually  out  of  the  stage,  I  was  so  anxious  to  fix 
my  eye  upon  some  familiar  object;  but  it  was  of  no  use.  I  had  been 
gone  so  long,  and  the  face  of  the  country  had  undergone  such  changes 
and  alterations,  and  being  covered  with  snow,  no  Hpot  looked  familiar, 
or  awakened  any  remembrance  of  the  past. 

About  nine  o'clock,  we  arrived  at  what  is  now  called  Gray  corner,  and 
after  taking  some  refreshment  we  proceeded  to  New  Gloucester.  Here 
some  things  upon  which  my  eye  rested  awakened  my  sleeping  memory, 
and  I  began  to  feel  that  I  was  getting  on  "old  ground"  again.  We 
arrived  at  the  house  of  my  brother,  in  Poland,  about  half  past  eleven 
o'clock.  My  brother,  who  was  in  the  stable,  saw  me  when  I  entered 
the  house,  and  soon  came  in.  He  was  much  changed  in  his  personal 
appearance,  and  instead  of  the  light,  elastic  form  he  once  possessed,  he 
was  now  a  stout,  portly  looking  man.  Indeed,  1  could  hardly  discover 
anything  about  him  that  reminded  me  of  former  days.  As  it  was  a  very 
cold  day,  I  was  much  chilled  with  my  ride,  and  it  was  some  time  before 
I  had  got  "  thawed  out,"  so  as  to  be  any  ways  comfortable.  Finding 
that  he  had  no  recollection  of  me,  I  entered  into  conversation  with  him 
upon  the  state  of  the  weather,  badness  of  the  roads,  business  of  the 
country,  and  such  topics  as  are  commonly  first  broached  between 
strangers.  After  some  time,  I  asked  him  if  he  had  ever  followed  the 
sea.  He  answered  that  he  never  had.  "  But,"  said  I,  "  there  is  one  of 
your  name,  who  is  a  seafaring  man,  that  went  from  these  parts  some- 
where." "  Yes,"  said  he,  "  I  had  a  brother  William,  who  followed  the 
sea  for  a  great  many  years;  but  as  I  have  heard  nothing  from  him  for  a 
number  of  years,  I  suppose  he  must  be  dead — probably  lost  at  sea." 

During  this  conversation,  I  could  occasionally  see  something  that 
reminded  me  of  "  by-gone  days."  Some  peculiar  glance  of  the  eye  or 
turn  of  the  head  assured  me  that  I  was  indeed  holding  conversation  with 
my  own  brother.  He  had  several  times,  while  I  was  talking,  fixed  his 
eyes  keenly  and  earnestly  upon  me,  and  then,  as  if  disappointed,  again 
dropped  them.  I  could  govern  my  feelings  no  longer,  and  burst  into 
tears.  He  looked  at  me  in  much  surprise,  and  suddenly  exclaimed,  "  Is 
it  possible?  Is  this  Williamt"  I  told  him  we  were  brothers,  and  we 
were  instantly  in  each  other's  arms.  "  This  is  an  unexpected  happinesss," 
said  he.  "  I  will  call  the  family,"  he  continued,  and  left  the  room.  In 
a  few  minutes  an  old  lady  came  in,  exclaiming,  **  Where  is  William?" 


.X. 


ii: 


516 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 


It  is  useless  for  me  to  attempt  to  portray  the  scene  that  followed  my 
recognition.  For  more  than  forty  years  1  had  been  roaming,  and  now 
returned,  an  old  uisn,  to  crave  again  a  mother's  blessing.  That  mother 
was  now  about  ninety  years  of  age,  and  is  still  living.  Many  were  the 
questions  that  were  asked  and  answered  that  night.  I  began  to  inquire 
after  my  old  associates — the  companions  of  my  boyhood.  But  they  were 
gone,  some  to  the  west,  and  some  to  the  south.  Some  few  had  settled 
down  in  that  vicinity,  while  many  had  "  gone  to  that  bourne  from  whence 
no  traveler  returns.'*  I  staid  in  Poland  a  few  weeks,  and  then  left  for 
the  eastward,  to  visit  other  relations,  with  whom  I  am  still  living.  And 
now,  kind  reader,  I  must  take  my  leave  of  you.  I  feel  that  I  am  an  old 
man,  fast  approaching  my  narrow  resting-place,  and  my  desire  is  that 
my  last  hours  may  be  peaceful. 


r 


i 


FLOOGINO  SCENE  ON  AN  AMERICAN  MERCHANT  VESSEL. 

''  For  several  days,  the  captain  seemed  very  much  out  of  humor. 
Nothing  went  right  or  fast  enough  for  him.  He  quarreled  with  the  'jook, 
and  threatened  to  flog  him  for  throwing  wood  on  deck;  and  had  a  dispute 
with  the  mate  about  reefing  a  Spanish  burton;  the  mate  saying  that  he 
was  right,  and  had  been  taught  how  to  do  it  by  a  man  wko  was  a  sailor. 

This  the  captain  took  in  dudgeon,  and  they  were  at  sword's  points  at 
once.  But  his  displeasure  was  chiefly  turned  against  a  large,  heavy- 
molded  fellow  from  the  Middle  States,  who  was  called  Sam.  This  man 
h  jsitated  in  his  speech,  and  was  rather  slow  in  his  motions,  but  was  a 
pretty  good  sailor,  and  always  seemed  to  do  his  best;  but  the  captain 
took  a  dislike  to  him,  thought  he  was  surly  and  lazy ;  and  *<  if  you  once 
give  a  dog  a  bad  name,"  as  the  sailor  phrase  is,  "  he  may  as  well  jump 
overboard."  The  captain  found  fault  with  everything  this  man  did,  and 
hazed  him  for  dropping  a  marline-spike  from  the  main-yard,  where  he 
was  at  work.  This,  of  course,  was  an  accident,  but  it  was  set  down 
against  him.  The  captain  was  on  board  all  day  Friday,  and  everything 
went  on  hard  and  disagreeably.  "  The  more  you  drive  a  man  the  less 
he  will  do,"  was  as  true  with  us  as  with  any  other  people.  We  worked 
late  Friday  night,  and  were  turned  to,  early  Saturday  morning.  About 
ten  o'clock,  the  captain  ordered  our  new  officer,  Russell,  who,  by  this 
time,  had  become  thoroughly  disliked  by  all  the  crew,  to  get  the  gig 
ready  to  take  us  ashore.  John,  the  Swede,  was  sitting  in  the  boat  along 
side,  and  Russell  and  myself  were  standing  by  the  main  hatchway,  wait- 
ing for  the  captain,  who  was  down  in  the  hold,  where  the  crew  were 
at  work,  when  we  heard  his  voice  raised  in  violent  dispute  with  some- 
body, whether  it  was  with  the  mate  or  one  of  the  crew  I  could  not  tell ; 
and  then  came  blqws  and  scuffling.  I  ran  to  the  side  and  beckoned  to 
John,  who  came  up,  and  wo  leaned  dowr  the  hatchway;  and  though  we 
could  see  no  one,  yet  we  knew  that  the  captain  had  the  advantage,  for 
his  voice  was  loud  and  clear. 

"  You  see  your  condition !  You  see  your  condition!  Will  you  ever 
give  me  any  more  of  your^'aw?"  No  answer,  and  then  came  wrestling 
and  heaving,  as  though  the  man  was  trying  to  turn  him.  *'  You  may  as 
well  keep  still,  for  I  have  got  you,"  said  Sie  captain.  Then  came  the 
question,  "  Will  you  ever  give  me  any  more  of  your  jaw?  '^ 


'■"'•»*<'W»i*i*'»»it' 


-^j»<ti;<aaj-ay,'g!r«afe^?!»*8*g^^..»j.'»*j*  ■• !  I 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  YANKEE  SAILOR. 


617 


followed  my 
ng,  and  now 
That  mother 
&ny  were  the 
m  to  inquire 
8ut  they  were 
1  had  settled 
from  whence 
then  left  for 
living.    And 
It  I  am  an  old 
deairo  is  that 


VESSEL. 

out  of  humor. 
1  with  the  oook, 
j  had  a  dispute 
saying  that  he 
D  voaa  a  sailor. 
ord's  points  at 
a  large,  heavy- 
im.     This  man 
ions,  but  was  a 
but  the  captain 
i  "  if  you  once 
ay  as  well  jump 
us  man  did,  and 
-yard,  whore  he 
t  was  set  down 
,  and  everything 
a  man  the  less 
le.    We  worked 
noming.    About 
jell,  who,  by  this 
r,  to  get  the  gig 
in  the  boat  along 
1  hatchway,  wait- 
e  the  crew  were 
ipute  with  some- 
I  could  not  tell ; 
and  beckoned  to 
r;  and  though  we 
he  advantage,  for 

!  Will  you  ever 
en  came  wrestling 
n.  «  You  may  as 
Then  came  the 
iw?" 


"  I  never  gave  you  any,"  said  Sam;  for  it  was  his  voice  that  we  heard, 
though  low  and  half  choked. 

"  That 's  not  what  I  asked  you.  Will  you  ever  be  impudent  to  me 
again?" 

"  I  never  have  been,  sir,"  said  Sam. 

*<  Answer  my  question,  or  I  Ml  make  a  spread  eagle  of  you!  I  Ml  flog 
you,  by  G — ." 

"  1  'm  no  negro  slave,"  said  Sam. 

"  Then  I  Ml  make  you  one,"  said  the  captain,  and  he  came  to  the 
hatchway  and  sprang  on  deck,  threw  oif  his  coat,  and,  rolling  up  his 

sleeves,  called  out  to  the  mate,  "  Seize  that  man  up,  Mr.  A !    Seize 

him  up!  Make  a  spread  eagle  of  him!  I  Ml  teach  you  all  who  is  master 
aboard!" 

The  crew  and  officers  followed  the  master  up  the  hatchway,  and,  after 
repeated  orders,  the  mate  laid  hold  of  Sam,  who  made  no  resistance, 
and  carried  him  to  the  gangway. 

"  What  are  you  going  to  flog  that  man  for  ?  "  said  John,  the  Swede,  to 
the  captain. 

Upon  hearing  this,  the  captain  turned  upon  him,  but  knowing  him  to 
be  quick  and  resolute,  he  ordered  the  steward  to  bring  the  irons,  and, 
calling  Russell  to  help  him,  went  up  to  John. 

"Let  me  alone,"  said  John;  "I  am  willing  to  be  put  in  irons.  You 
need  not  use  any  force,"  and  putting  out  his  hands,  the  captain  slipped 
the  irons  on,  and  sent  him  aft  to  the  quarter-deck.  Sam  was  by  this 
time  seized  up,  as  it  is  called,  that  is,  placed  against  the  shrouds,  with 
his  wrists  made  fast  to  them,  his  jacket  off,  and  his  back  exposed.  The 
captain  stood  on  the  break  of  the  deck,  a  few  feet  from  him,  and  a  little 
raised,  so  as  to  have  a  good  swing  at  him,  and  held  in  his  hand  the  bight 
of  a  thick,  heavy  rope.  The  officers  stood  round,  and  the  crew  grouped 
together  in  the  waist. 

All  these  things  made  me  sick  and  almost  faint,  angry  and  excited  as 
I  was.  A  man,  a  human  being  made  in  God^s  likeness,  fastened  up  and 
flogged  like  a  beast!  A  man,  too,  whom  I  had  lived  with  and  eaten  with 
for  months,  and  knew  almost  as  well  as  a  brother.  The  first  and  almost 
uncontrollable  impulse  was  resistance.  But  what  was  to  be  done  ?  The 
time  for  it  had  gone  by.  The  two  best  men  were  fast,  and  there  were 
only  two  beside  myself  and  a  small  boy,  of  ten  or  twelve  years  of  age. 
And  then  there  were,  beside  the  captain,  three  officers,  steward,  agent, 
and  clerk.  But  beside  the  numbers,  what  is  there  for  sailors  to  do?  If 
they  resist,  it  is  mutiny;  if  they  succeed  and  take  the  vessel,  it  is  piracy. 
If  they  ever  yield  again,  their  punishment  must  come;  and  if  they  do 
not  yield,  they  are  pirates  for  life.  If  a  sailor  resists  his  commander, 
he  resists  the  law,  and  piracy  or  submission  are  his  only  alternatives. 
Bad  as  it  is,  it  must  be  borne.     It  is  what  a  sailor  ships  for. 

Swinging  his  rope  over  his  head,  and  bending  his  body,  so  as  to  give 
it  full  force,  the  captain  brought  it  down  upon  the  poor  fellow's  back. 
Once,  twice,  six  times.  "  Will  you  ever  give  me  any  more  of  your  jawf " 
The  man  writhed  with  pain,  but  said  not  a  word.  Three  times  more. 
This  was  too  much,  and  he  muttered  something  which  I  could  not  hear; 
this  brought  as  many  more  as  the  man  could  stand,  when  the  captain 
ordered  him  to  be  cut  down,  and  to  go  forward. 

<'  Now  for  you,"  said  the  captain,  making  up  to  John,  and  taking  his 
irons  off.    As  soon  as  he  was  loose,  he  ran  forward  to  the  forecastle. 

"  Bring  that  man  afl,"  shouted  the  captain. 


i»;<*>iejs*'s.'««9lrtWW*Ss»re*W'J 


■^^^  J^*i.tf;«^'frg.^-;f>ig^;*.iyipi-^»jU<tyj|f.f  nt   «^^.*^-^u--'ii.  ii#jL»->,..ijii^riU.i^j.^i<.»A. 


,»  >^*,~-^.i'fc,H^^»>^.' 


018 


ADVENTURKS  OF  A  TANKKK  SAILOR. 


II  > 


The  second  mate,  who  had  been  a  ahipmate  of  John's,  stood  still  in 
the  waist,  and  the  mate  walked  slowly  forward;  but  our  third  officer, 
anxious  to  show  his  zeal,  sprang  forward  over  the  windlass,  and  laid  hold 
of  Jolin ;  but  he  soon  threw  him  from  him.  At  this  moment  I  would 
have  given  worlds  for  the  power  to  help  the  poor  fellow;  but  it  was  all 
in  Tain.  The  captain  stooid  on  the  quarter-deck,  bare-headed,  his  eyes 
flashing  with  rage,  and  his  face  as  red  as  blood,  swinfr'ng  the  rope,  and 
calling  out  to  his  officers:  "Drag  him  aft!  Lay  hold  of  him!  I  Ml 
sweeten  him ! "  etc.,  etc. 

The  mate  now  wont  forward,  and  told  John  quietly  to  go  aft;  and  he, 
seeing  resistance  in  vain,  threw  the  blackguard  third  mate  from  him  — 
said  he  would  go  aft  himself — that  they  should  not  drag  him — and  went 
up  to  the  gangway,  and  held  out  his  hands ;  but,  as  soon  as  the  captain 
made  him  fast,  the  indignity  was  too  great,  and  he  began  to  resist ;  but 
the  mate  and  Russell  holding  him,  he  was  soon  seized  up.  When  he 
was  made  fast,  he  turned  to  the  captain,  who  stood  rolling  up  his  sleeves, 
and  getting  ready  for  the  blow,  and  asked  him  what  he  was  to  be  flogged 
for.  "  Have  I  ever  refused  my  duty,  sir?  Have  you  over  known  me  to 
hang  back,  or  be  insolent,  or  not  to  know  my  workf 

"  No,"  said  the  captain;  ''  it  is  not  that  I  flog  you  for;  I  flog  you  for 
your  interference — for  asking  questions?" 

"  CanU  a  man  ask  questions  here  without  being  flogged?" 

*'  No,"  shouted  the  captain, ''  nobody  shall  open  his  mouth  aboard  this 
vessel  but  myself,"  and  began  laying  the  blows  upon  his  back,  swinging 
half  round,  between  each  blow,  to  give  it  full  effect.  As  he  went  on, 
his  passion  increased,  and  he  danced  about  the  deck,  calling  out,  as  he 
swung  the  rope, 

"  If  ]^ou  want  to  know  what  I  flog  you  for,  I  Ml  tell  you.  It 's  because 
I  like  to  do  it! — because  I  like  to  do  it!  It  suits  me!  That's  what  I 
do  it  for!" 

The  man  writhed  under  the  pain,  until  he  could  endure  it  no  longer, 
when  he  called  out  with  an  exclamation,  more  common  among  foreigners 
than  with  us:  "  Oh,  Jesus  Christ!  Oh,  Jesus  Christ!" 

"  Don't  call  on  Jesus  Christ,"  shouted  the  captain,  "he  can't  help  you. 

Call  on  Captain  T /    He's  the  man!    He  can  help  you!    Jesus 

Christ  can't  help  you  now!" 

At  these  words,  which  I  never  shall  forget,  my  blood  ran  cold.  I 
could  look  on  no  longer.  Disgusted,  sick,  and  horror-struck,  I  turned 
away  and  leaned  over  the  rail,  and  looked  down  into  the  water.  A  few 
rapid  thoughts  of  my  own  situation,  and  of  the  prospect  of  future  revenge, 
crossed  ray  mind;  but  the  falling  of  the  blows,  and  the  cries  of  the  man 
called  me  back  at  once.  At  length  they  ceased,  and  turning  round  I 
found  that  the  mate,  at  a  signal  from  the  captain,  had  cut  him  down. 
Almost  doubled  up  with  pain,  the  man  walked  slowly  forward,  and  went 
down  into  the  forecastle.  Every  one  else  stood  still  at  his  post,  while  the 
captain,  swelling  with  rage,  and  with  the  importance  of  his  achievement, 
walked  the  quarter-deck,  and,  at  each  turn,  as  he  came  forward,  called 
out  to  us : 

''You  see  your  condition!  you  see  where  I  have  got  you  all,  and  you 
know  what  to  expect." — "  You  have  been  mistaken  in  me :  you  didn't 
know  what  I  was!  Now  you  know  what  I  am!"  — "I'll  make  you  toe 
the  mark,  every  sort  of  you,  or  I  '11  flog  you  all,  fore  and  aft,  from  the 
Iwyup!" — "You've  got  a  driver  over  you!  Yes,  a  slave-driver!  a 
■negro-driver!    I'll  see  who'll  tell  me  he  isn't  a  negro  slave!" 


•*"*•"*'.■!"•■»■"—_■»?'•" ,-.ir'?-^r:>i  ■•-fw^f  rK^ir*^" 


'  fT.  ■  -Iff.-wft  -•*?!»«■,•  *4JP"'-'^-"'"'>^?"'-'"* 


stood  itill  in 
third  officer, 
and  laid  hold 
nont  1  would 
)ut  it  was  all 
ided,  hifl  eyes 
the  rope,  and 
of  him!    I  '11 

0  aft;  and  he, 
e  from  him— 
im — and  went 
as  the  captain 
,  to  resist;  but 
up.  When  he 
up  hifl  sleeves, 

aa  to  be  flogged 
er  known  mo  to 

;  I  flog  you  for 

louth  aboard  this 

1  back,  swinging 
As  he  went  on, 
ailing  out,  as  he 

,u.    It's  because 
That's  what  I 

ure  it  no  longer, 
among  foreigners 

he  can't  help  you. 
help  you!    Jesus 

)lood  ran  cold.     I 
M-struck,  I  turned 
he  water.    A  few 
[  of  future  revenge, 
,e  cries  of  the  man 
id  turning  round  I 
lad  cut  him  down, 
forward,  and  went 
,t  his  post,  while  the 
of  his  achievement, 
ime  forward,  called 

rot  you  all,  and  you 
,  in  me:  you  didn  t 
I'I'll  make  you  toe 
re  and  afl,  from  the 
)s,  a  slave-driver !  a 
gro  slave!" 


..,-'      ,J..L;J.*Jtl."i*^'^^^^^^^***^" 


ADVENTURES  OF  ▲  YAMKKB  SAILOR. 


619 


With  this  and  tho  like  matter,  equally  calculated  to  quiet  ui,  and  to 
alluy  any  apprehension  of  any  future  trouble,  he  entertained  us  for 
about  ten  minutes  when  he  went  below.  Soon  after,  John  came  aft,  with 
his  bare  back  covered  with  stripes  and  wales  in  every  direction,  and 
dreadfully  swollen,  and  asked  the  steward  to  ask  the  captain  to  let  him 
have  some  salve  or  balsam  to  put  upon  it.  "No,"  said  the  captain, 
who  h(!ard  him  from  below,  "tell  him  to  put  his  shirt  on,  that's  the  best 
thing  for  him;  and  pull  me  ashore  in  the  boat.  Nobody  is  going  to  lay 
up  on  board  of  this  vessel." 

He  then  called  to  Mr.  Russell,  to  take  those  two  men  and  two  others 
in  the  boat,  and  pull  him  ashore.  I  went  for  one.  The  two  men  could 
hardly  bend  their  backs,  and  the  captain  called  out  to  them  to  "  give 
way!  give  way!"  but  finding  they  did  their  best,  he  let  them  alone. 
Tho  agent  was  in  the  stern-sheets,  but  fiiiring  the  whole  pull — a  league 
or  more — not  a  word  was  spoken.  We  lamJ-.d;  the  captain,  agent,  and 
officer  went  up  to  the  house,  and  left  us  with  the  boat.  I  and  tho  man 
with  mo  staid  near  tho  boat,  while  John  arc!  Sam  walked  slowly  away, 
and  sat  down  on  the  rocks.  They  talked  wome  time  together,  but  at 
length  separated,  each  sitting  alone.  I  had  some  fears  of  John.  He  was 
a  foreigner,  and  violently  tempered,  and  under  suffering;  and  he  had 
his  knife  with  him,  and  the  captain  was  to  come  down  alone  to  the 
boat.  But  nothing  happened,  and  we  went  quietly  on  board.  The  cap- 
tain was  probably  armed,  and  if  either  of  them  had  lifted  a  hand  against 
him,  they  would  have  had  nothing  before  them  but  flight  and  starvation 
in  the  woods  of  California,  or  capture  by  the  soldiors  and  Indian  blood- 
hounds, whom  the  offer  of  twenty  dollars  would  have  set  upon  them. 

After  the  day's  work  was  done,  we  went  down  into  the  forecastle,  and 
ate  our  plain  supper;  but  not  a  word  was  spoken.  It  was  Saturday 
night,  but  there  was  no  song,  no  "  sweethearts  and  wives."  A  gloom 
was  over  everything.  The  two  men  lay  in  their  berths,  groaning  with 
pain,  and  we  all  turned  in,  but  for  myself  not  to  sleep.  A  sound  coming 
now  and  then  from  the  berths  of  the  two  nen,  showed  that  they  were 
awake,  as  awake  they  must  have  been,  for  they  could  hardly  lie  in  one 
posture  a  moment;  the  dim,  swinging  lamp  of  the  forecastle  shed  its  light 
over  the  dark  hole  in  which  we  lived,  and  many  and  various  reflections 
and  purposes  coursed  through  my  mind.  I  thought  of  our  situation,  living 
under  a  tyranny,  of  the  character  of  the  country  we  were  in ;  of  the 
length  of  the  voyage,  and  of  the  uncertainty  attending  our  return  to 
America;  and  then,  if  we  should  return,  of  the  prospect  of  obtaining 
justice  and  satisfaction  for  these  poor  men ;  and  vowed  that  if  God 
should  ever  give  me  the  means,  I  would  do  something  to  redress  the 
grievances,  and  relieve  the  suflferings  of  that  poor  class  of  beings  of 
whom  I  then  was  one.* 

The  excitement  which  immediately  followed  the  flogging  scene  soon 
passed  off";  but  the  eflVjct  of  it  upon  the  crew,  and  especially  upon  the 
two  men  themselves,  remained.  The  different  manner  in  which  these 
two  men  were  affected,  corresponding  to  their  different  characters,  was 
not  a  little  remarkable.    John  was  a  foreigner,  and  high-tempered,  and 


»  Well  has  this  resolntion  been  observed.  R.  H.  Dana,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  anthor  of 
Two  Years  Before  the  Mast,  from  which  the  above  is  extracted,  is  widely  known  for 
his  philanthropic  advocacy  in  behalf  of  seamen  who  have  suffered  from  the  tyranny 
of  brutal  officers. 


(T't'ji.-s-^Ty  «».y>>!ii* «i-^>» A»^a «*»—  '^J»' T 


^fm^v  ■  -.^.Sf^ap  ^ 


ADVKHTTOIB  OF  A  TANKBB  SAILOR. 


\A  K.  .«  hMino  the  worrt  of  an  encoun- 
though  mortified  m  any  <»»«J°J^i^*'^"M  he  talked  much  of 
ter,  yet  his  chief  feehng  •;«»«*  to  be  Mger  ^^^  ^.^^^  ^,^^ 

.atisfaction  and  revenge,  f  h?.«'"8°*^''Xmerican,  and  had  had  some 
rther  it  was  '"y  «»'J«'«°»-  ?"„  r^nhimTseenied  completely  to  break 
education,  and  this  thmg  comma  W f""',"!  ^^at  had  been  inflicted 
him  down.  He  had  a  feelmg  of  the  ^''P^^^^^f^^^fyre  that  he  had 
Spon  l.im,  which  the  other  «»«; '["XJ'^t itS  queer  negro  stories  (he 
a  good  deal  of  fun,  •"'»»™""l"'°S\"e  seldom  smiled,  seemed  to  lose 
was  from  a  slave  St»t«  0  but  afterward  he  sewom        ^^^,  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^ 

all  life  and  elasticity,  and  appeared  »«>  h»;«  •»«„  ,,„„^„  him  to  draw  a 
[-iXrwrLTaSre,^^"  l^.^  b.  ntt.  part  or  interest  . 

John's  plans  of  "»"f«l«"  ^fA^ef  Eed  to  by  us  in  the  forecastle. 
The  floggmg  was  seldom,  >/  ?'«J  J^'^J  ^^e  others,  with  a  dcl.cacy  I 
If  any  one  was  mclmed  to  talk  a»o"\  "'  ...pped  him,  or  turned  the 
hardly  expected  to  find  r''"^/^  .'wi  men  Xwere  flogged  toward 
Subject.     But  the  behavior  »//''«  ^^^"^e  „*  honor  which  would  have 

one  another,  showed  a  .'!«»'';^7;  *"?_Lr;X  of  life.  Sam  knew  that 
been  worthy  of  admiration  m  ^he  highes  waiKs  eomplaints  he 

the  other  had  suffered  solely  »"/'»  "^^  J  Jd  have  beo"  «°«^^'"g'  ^"* 
said  that  If  he  alone  had  been  fl<>g8«J; '*  ^Sin J  what  had  been  the 
that  he  never  could  see  that  -nan  without  ^^^'^SJ'  ^^^^  „, 

means  of  bringing  ♦^atd.sgrac    upon  h»n    and       ^^^^  .^  ^^  ^^  .^^^^^. 

deed,  let  anythmg  escape  him  »fj^™'7  '  V^j. 
ferini  to  save  his  shipmate,  that  he  had  sutterea. 


i 


«4  \  *' 


S'V, 


'J»*f,*gM*!«!SSS^' 


1 


of  an  encoun- 
iked  much  of 

But  with  the 
had  had  some 
letely  to  break 

been  inflicted 
e  tha*.  he  had 
;ro  stories,  (he 
seemed  to  lose 

and  that  was, 
him  to  draw  a 
t  or  interest  in 

the  forecastle. 
Ih  a  delicacy  I 
,  or  turned  the 
flogged  toward 
lich  would  havo 

Sam  knew  that 
is  complaints  he 
jen  nothing,  but 
It  had  been  the 
sver,  by  word  or 
it  was  by  inter- 


ADVENTURES 


Q» 


A     SLAVE-TRADER. 


WHO  WAS  BNaAoio  roa  many  team  im  tiib 


AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADE. 


Theopohk  Canot,  the  son  of  a  captain  in  the  army  of  Napoleon, 
was  born  in  the  interior  of  Italy,  in  the  year  1807.  When  twelve  years 
of  age,  hin  mother,  a  native  of  Italy,  who  had  become  a  widow  by  the 
battle  of  Waterloo,  allowed  him  to  follow  the  liont  of  his  inclinations,  and 
with  a  lil)eral  outfit,  he  embarked  at  Leghorn,  as  an  apprentice,  upon  the 
American  ship  Galatia,  of  Boston. 

For  several  years  he  sailed  out  of  the  port  of  Salem,  Massachusetts, 
on  voyages  to  all  quarters  of  the  globe.  At  this  period  he  looked  upon 
slaves  for  the  first  time  in  his  life.  It  was  in  India,  at  the  disemi)arkiiig 
of  a  cargo  of  slaves,  when  he  saw  a  Malay  drag  a  young  nnd  beaulilul 
female  by  the  hair.  Indignant  at  the  outrage,  he  felled  the  savage  to  tlio 
earth  with  his  boat-hook — an  act  more  honorable  to  his  humanity  than  to 
his  judgment,  as  it  compelled  their  vessel  to  leave  the  port  in  haste,  to 
avoid  popular  retaliation.  A  disappointment  of  a  tender  nature  caused 
him  to  forsake  his  American  employers,  and  he  made  several  voyages 
from  European  ports  ;  but,  having  grown  reckless,  his  hard-earned  wages 
at  sea  were  always  spent  on  shore  in  dissipation:  wine,  women,  and 
gambling  wore  the  chief  attractions  of  this  fast  young  man.  At  length 
we  find  him  on  board  of  a  Dutch  galiot,  bound  for  Havana.  This  was  in 
1824,  at  which  time  the  West  Indies  were  infested  with  those  scourges 
of  the  sea — pirates.  When  near  the  termination  of  their  voyage,  their 
vessel  was  wrecked  at  night  upon  one  of  those  hidden  reefs  of  coral 
which  render  navigation  in  those  seas  so  full  of  peril.  Day  dawned,  to 
show  them  the  blue  mountains  of  Cuba  rising  in  beauty  in  the  distance, 
while  near  they  discovered  a  low,  sandy,  and  apparently  deserted  key. 
Suddenly  there  shot  out  from  this  barren  islet  a  boat  containing  several 
ill-looking  fellows,  in  the  garb  of  fishermen,  who  approached  and  boarded 
their  vessel.  An  arrangement  was  made,  that  it  their  vessel  did  not  float  oflf 
by  the  next  rise  of  tide,  these  men,  with  their  companions  on  shore, 
should  the  next  day  give  their  assistance  to  lighten  her  by  carrying  her  cargo 
to  land.  On  the  second  morning,  the  wreckers  proceeded  to  assist  the 
crew  in  discharging  tihe  cargo;  but  by  sunset  very  little  had  been  effected. 
From  various  circumstances,  Canot  had  his  suspicions  aroused  in  regard 
to  these  men;  but  his  fears  only  excited  the  ridicule  of  his  companions. 
FatitTued  with  the  labors  of  the  day,  he  retired  to  his  state-room  to  sleep. 
The  night  being  very  calm  and  the  vessel  near  the  land,  ho  found  his 
berth  tilled  with  musquitoes,  and  took  refuge  in  the  stay-sail  nettings, 
and,  notwithstanding  a  sort  of  nervous  apprehension,  was  soon  buried  in 

(521) 


»iffjp<y^^»fM^<^'>t^j^**»^f S'>  ■■.■*  w*%^  *"  **"^*^/^ 


C2a 


ADVENTURES  (>l?  A  SLAVE  TRADER. 


illllilr 


I     li! 


HlL«np.  A  littlo  poHt  inidiii^lit,  ho  wan  aroiiRcd  hy  a  piorcinf;  nliriek. 
Alttioii^li  the  moon  liud  sot,  niillicitMit  li^lit  wan  hnd  to  dimly  hIiuw  thf 
<l(!ckH  lii'hiiid  him  crowded  with  men.  On  b(;ii((  thuH  Huddi-nly  aroiinoH 
i'loin  xlri'p,  Caiiot  iit  tirttt  thoii;^ht  ho  waa  lahtirii));  under  n  drt-ndfiil 
nifthtmnri!;  I)ut  in  n  momiiiit  more,  thn  HcreamH  of  thn  woun<lrd  an<l  iho 
dyin^,  and  thi;  nppoaln  for  mercy  that  nroHc,  convincrd  him  that  n  terrihio 
tra^CMly  wai  niiactiu);.  Tho  vcsst'l  liad  boon  boarded  by  piriit<>H,  who 
wori!  then  inaHsacrinK  the  cmw. 

With  hiii  n!*nul  pri'Hunco  of  mind,  Canot  Heizod  tho  f^anknt,  and  ^nntly 
dropping  into  tho  water,  boldly  »<tru('k  out  for  land.  IIu  was,  in  rtpito  of 
bin  euro,  ovurhoard,  and  had  Hwum  but  a  abort  diHtnnco,  whnn  ho  wai* 
ordered  in  har.sh  tones  and  in  Spanirtii,  to  return  or  be  ahot.  Anticipatin;; 
'.vliut  was  to  follow,  lie  turned  over  on  hia  buck,  and  the  moment  he  suw 
the  expect<;d  flash  from  a  pistol,  ho  dodgod,  like  a  duck,  under  tho  water, 
and  the  bull  passed  harmleiwly  over  his  body,  Heveral  times  the  same 
plan  was  resortt.'d  to,  until  llic!  increasing  distunco  placed  him  out  of  th(* 
danger.  Half  an  hour  was  then  sfient  industriously  in  swimming,  in  which 
art  ho  was  an  adept,  and  by  which  ho  maungcd  to  oacapo  both  pistol-bul- 
lots  and  the  sharks  ever  numerous  in  those  waters,  and  reaching  land, 
he  secreted  himself  in  a  dense  growth  of  mangroves.  Destitute  of  all 
clothiug  except  trowsnrs,  ho  iiad  been  in  this  dismal  jungle  but  a  short 
time  wiicn  swarms  of  muscpiiloes  lighted  upon  him,  and  be  was  obliged 
to  run  and  plungn  into  the  wat«!r  to  avoid  the  torture  of  their  stings;  and 
80  it  continued  alternately  through  tho  night.  At  the  gray  of  i  morning, 
Canot  dimbod  the  tallest  tree  he  could  find,  which  rose  but  a  tow  feet  above 
the  sand,  and  casting  his  eye  over  the  water,  saw  his  vessel  surrounded 
by  ncmcrous  boats,  which  the  pirates  were  busy  loading  with  their  ill- 
gottc'i  booty.  All  tho  morning  he  watched  the  movements  of  tho  ruffians, 
with  no  pleasuralile  emotions.  To  add  to  his  distress,  the  sun  poured 
down  upon  his  naked  body  with  an  intensity  known  only  to  the  tropics, 
and  he  sufierod  greatly  from  burning  thirst,  which  he  vainly  endeavored  to 
assuage  by  chewing  bitter  berries  that  grew  around  him.  Late  in  the 
afternoon,  the  pirates  towed  tho  vessel  iu  a  south-eastern  direction,  until 
it  was  lost  to  view  behind  a  headland.  As  the  galiot  disappeared,  and 
all  traces  uf  his  companions  bad  vanished,  ho  felt  for  the  first  time  the 
utter  loneliness  and  destitution  of  his  condition,  and  gavo  vent  to  his 
feelings  in  a  copious  flood  of  tears. 

Tiie  sun  had  sunk  in  tho  west,  when  Canot,  exhausted  in  body  from 
hunger  and  thirst,  and  his  nervous  system  shocked  by  the  dreadful  scenes 
ho  liad  witnessed,  commenced  arrangements  to  pass  the  night.  To 
escape  the  swarms  of  musquitoes,  he  was  about  to  bury  his  body  in  the 
sand,  and  cover  his  head  with  his  trowsers,  when  he  was  startlod  by  a 
noise  in  the  adjacent  bushes.  Looking  in  that  direction,  he  saw  a  blood- 
hound quickly  moving  to  and  fro,  his  nose  to  the  earth,  snuffing  out  his 
prey.  Instantly  divining  his  errand,  Canot  sprang  into  a  tree,  just  in  time 
to  escape  tho  fangs  of  the  ferocious  beast,  which  come  bounding  on  with 
yells  of  rage,  followed  by  two  armed  men.  These  proved  t(f  have  been 
men  sent  out  by  the  pirato  leader  in  search  of  any  of  the  crew  of  the 
galiot  that  might  have  escaped. 

Canot  was  conducted  by  his  captors  to  a  hut  at  no  great  distance, 
made  of  planks  and  sails  from  wrecks,  where  the  whole  piratical  commu- 
nity had  assembled.  A  council  was  had  upon  his  fate,  and  he  would 
doubtless  have  bben  sacrificed,  upon  the  principle  that  dead  men  tell  no 
tales,  were  it  not  that  their  leader  had  taken  an  interest  in  the   young 


I  i 


*';\f?vw^?v  yr  ^:-^f^^ 


ADVFNTURRa  OP  A  SLAVE-TRADER. 


Rjn 


c'TcinB  shriek, 
iinly  hIiow  the 
hJ.-nly  nroiiHOcl 
lor  i»  (Irvnttful 

I  ilmt  n.  lerriltlc 
)y  jiirnUfH,  who 

kct,  and  Rontly 
wn8,  in  H|)ito  of 
,  when  ho  WM 
t.     Anticipating 
moment  ho  saw 
imcler  the  \fvatcr, 
times  the  Hi\n»e 
1  him  out  ol'  the 
mming,  in  whicli 
3  both  pistol-bul- 
l  rcachinj,'  land, 
DcHtitnto  of  all 
nolo  but  a  shott 
I  be  was  oblig«a 
their  stints;  and 
gray  of  >  n\orning. 
,t  a  tow  feet  above 
ossel  surrounded 
ng  with  their  ill- 
nts  of  ttie  ruffians, 
J,  the  sun  poured 
iily  to  tlio  tropics, 
inly  endeavored  to 
,im.     I^ate  in  the 
srn  direction,  unti 
t  disappeared,  and 
the  lirst  time  the 
I  gave  vent  to  his 

isted  in  body  from 
the  dreadful  scenes 
ass  the  night.  To 
ary  his  body  in  the 
B  was  startled  by  a 
tion,  he  saw  a  blood- 
Ih,  snuffing  out  his 
o  a  tree,  just  in  time 

le  bounding  on  with 
proved  t(f  have  been 
f  of  the  crew  of  the 

It  no  great  distance, 
lole  piratical  commu- 
fate,  and  he  would 
hat  dead  men  toll  no 
merest  in  the  young 


sailor,  and  interpofti'd  in  hii<  l)eh:tlf.  Don  Rnfnel,  for  so  he  was  rnlliHl, 
WHS  originally  an  t>tTieer  in  thu  French  army,  who,  aQer  the  cIom'>  of  the 
carfM'r  of  Na|)oleon  at  Waterloo,  found  his  way  to  the  New  VVimM,  and 
hnii  drawn  his  sword  in  behalf  of  the  revohitioniats  of  Mwxici  Imt,  tin 
JH  common  with  similar  adventurers,  had  been  bufTiUi'd  by  fortnin;  until 
circnnistances  had  changed  him  into  a  leader  of  wrerker-pirntes — tho 
very  vilest  of  their  kind,  who  never  strike  until  their  foe  is  i  rippled. 

'j'lie  band  of  villains  who  made  this  island  their  lie  td-cpinrters  osti'nsi* 
biy  followed  the  occupation  of  fishing  for  tho  market  of  Havana.  But 
tliejr  poxition  was  chosen  with  a  view  to  committing  depredation.-*  upon 
the  many  uiifoitunate  vessels  which  were  wrecked,  from  time  to  time,  by 
the  dangerous  navigation  in  its  vicinity.  Caiiot  was  duly  installed  as 
as.iistant  cook  to  the  band — no  unimportant  office,  as  to  men  who  Ic^^i]  n 
mere  animal  existence  a  tickled  palate  is  one  of  llie  great  chief  eniln  of 
life.  Ilix  stay  with  them  was  bnt  brief.  In  n  few  weeks  therealter,  Don 
Rafael  furni.slied  him  with  a  letter  lo  Signor  (^arlo,  a  friend  in  Havana, 
who  was  engaged  in  the  slave-trade.  He  had  been  in  tho  Cuban  city 
but  a  few  weeks,  when  Signor  ('arlo  bought  .i  pilot-boat  of  forty  tons, 
named  her  *•  Kl  Areostatico,"  from  her  great  speed,  placed  a  culverin 
amidships,  and  furni.sheil  her  with  all  the  rr<iiii.siles  of  a  slave  vessel,  not 
omitting  several  kegs  of  specie,  wherewith  to  purchase  her  return  cargo 
of  human  beings.  It  was  on  the  second  of  Sopteniber,  1826,  that  tho 
*'  El  Areo.statico"  sailotl  from  tho  port  of  Havana,  carrying  Canot  as  a 
sort  of  snperniinierary.  The  crow  consisted  of  twenty-one  scamps — the 
ofTscoitrings  of  various  nations.  The  captain,  a  native  of  the  island  of 
Majoricn,  was  but  a  poor  sailor,  and  tho  want  of  distciplino  and  utter 
worthlessness  and  ignorance  of  the  men  under  him,  rathor  astonished 
Canot,  himself  a  thorough-bred  sailor.  On  tho  thirteenth  of  October, 
they  reached  tho  Rio  Pongo,  on  tho  African  coast,  and  anchored  at  Bon- 
golong.  This  place  was  the  residence  and  slave  factory  of  Mr.  Ormond, 
or,  as  he  was  called  by  the  natives,  Mongo  John — the  word  "  Mongo  " 
signifying  chief. 

The  Areostatico,  in  a  few  days,  was  in  complete  order  to  receive  her 
cargo;  was  well  supplied  with  wood,  water  and  provisions;  and  being 
small,  without  any  slave-deck,  soft  mats  were  placed  among  and  over  tho 
firewood  and  casks  in  her  hold,  to  make  an  even  surface  for  the  stowage 
of  a  living  freight.  This  task  completed,  Canot  was  invited  by  Mongo 
.Tohn  to  regale  himself  ashore.  Ho  was  shown  the  town,  tho  baracoons 
or  pens  for  slaves,  the  stores,  and  the  harem  or  wifery  of  his  entertainer. 
He  had  been  but  a  few  days  on  shore,  when  the  chief  offered  and  he 
accepted  tho  situation  of  a  clerk.  His  compensation  was,  a  private 
establishment,  a  seat  at  his  table,  and  a  negro  per  month,  or  his  equiva- 
lent value  on  his  native  soil,  forty  dollars.  Tho  runners  into  the  interior 
having  filled  the  complement  of  the  Arcostatico's  cargo,  Canot  went 
aboard,  just  previous  to  her  sailing,  to  see  it  stowed.  It  was  composed 
of  children,  boys  and  girls,  all  under  sixteen  years  of  age.  One  hun- 
dred and  eight  of  these  young  people  were  packed  in  the  hold  of  this 
little  vessel,  which  was  but  one  foot  and  ton  inches  in  height;  yot,  strange 
of  belief,  all  but  three  survived  tho  miseries  of  their  passage  to  Havana! 

The  quarters  assigned  to  Canot  at  Bengalong,  consisted  of  a  cane 
house,  plastered  with  mud  and  thatched,  with  an  earthen  floor  and  a 
broad  projecting  veranda,  shade  and  shelter  being  the  chief  points 
required  within  the  tropics.  His  employer  was  a  fair  specimen  of  the 
African  slave  merchant.     He  was  the  mulatto  son  of  a  rich  English 


-I  ^T;.*r*|!HS!9!WW!^'^ 


524 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  SLAVE-TRADER. 


slave-trader,  by  the  daughter  of  a  negro  chief.  When  a  youth,  he  was 
sent  to  England  to  be  educated.  His  father  dying  a  few  years  after,  he 
was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  and  became  a  sailor,  following  that 
business  for  five  years,  sometimes  before  the  mast,  and  sometimes  as  a 
dandy  waiter  in  the  cabin.  Hoarding  his  earnings,  he  returned  to  Africa 
to  claim  his  father's  property,  and  there  found  his  mother  yet  alive.  The 
sable  matron  recognized  her  first-born;  "  a  grand  palaver"  was  had  of  all 
his  relations,  when  Ormond  was  duly  reinstated,  according  to  coast  law, 
in  possession  of  all  his  father's  property  in  houses,  lands,  and  slaves. 
Thus  raised  to  comparative  opulence,  he  embarked  in  the  profession  of 
his  deceased  parent,  under  the  name  of ''Mongo,"  or  Chief  of  the  River. 
Trade  poured  in  upon  him;  his  stores  were  supplied  with  the  fabrics  of 
Europe  and  America,  and  the  native  products  of  hides,  wax,  palm-oii, 
ivory  and  gold,  while  his  overflowing  slave-pens  were  from  time  to  time 
emptied  by  vessels  which  drove  a  thriving  trade  with  Cuba  and  Brazil. 
In  a  few  years,  he  was  a  wealthy  merchant,  and  a  great  man  among  the 
petty  chiefs  of  the  Foulah  and  Mandingo  tribes  of  the  back  country, 
who  flattered  his  vanity  by  tlie  title  of  "  king,"  and  evinced  their  desire 
to  cultivate  his  good-will  by  stocking  his  harem  with  tlieir  prettiest 
daughters. 

One  of  the  first  acts  of  Canot  was  to  take  an  inventory  of  the  Mongols 
property.  This  showed  a  large  deficiency,  the  result  of  the  chief's 
negligence,  growing  out  of  his  debasing,  voluptuous  habits.  On  pre- 
senting this  to  Ormond,  he  viewed  it  with  indifference,  and  evinced  such 
petulance,  that  Canot  felt  satisfied  he  knew  that  his  atiairs  were  in  a 
disastrous  condition.  On  re-entering  the  warehouse,  Canot  met  an  old 
iiag,  Ungagolah  by  name,  the  manager  of  the  Mongo's  iiarem,  wiio  went 
to  the  cloth-chest,  and  took  out  several  yards  of  calico.  Canot,  upon 
this,  gave  her  to  understand  by  signs,  for  he  could  not  speak  a  word  of 
the  dialect,  he  should  not  allow  such  liberties  without  a  written  order 
from  the  chief.  She  thereat  flew  into  a  violent  passion,  her  horrid  face 
lit  up  with  a  devilish  ferocity,  never  seen  excepting  among  savages,  and 
with  violent  contortions  of  the  body,  flashing  eyes  and  awful  screams, 
she  poured  upon  him  torrents  of  abuse. 

Ormond  received  the  relation  of  this  petty  larceny  with  a  laugh  of  in- 
diflference.  That  night,  while  meditating  on  his  pallet,  Canot  was  aroused 
by  a  gentle  tap  at  his  door.  Extinguishing  the  light,  to  avoid  treachery, 
he  grasped  his  pistols,  and  cautiously  opened  the  door.  A  female  stood 
before  him,  whom  he  recognized  in  the  starlight  as  one  of  the  jioarls  of 
Mongo's  harem — a  beautiful  quadroon.  She  was  the  child  of  a  mulatto 
by  a  white  man,  and  having  been  born  at  Sierra  Leon  could  converse  in 
English.  She  came  on  an  errand  of  mercy — to  warn  Canot  of  the  wrath 
of  Ungagolah,  never  to  take  anything  that  a  Mandingo  offered  him,  to 
eat  exclusively  from  the  Mongo's  table,  or  else  Ungagolah,  who  knew  all 
the  Mandingo  ju-jus,  (poisons,)  would  soon  put  him  where  she  could 
again  have  free  access  to  the  keys  of  the  warehouse. 

The  wifery  or  harem  of  the  Mongo  was  a  primitive  establishment, 
formed  by  a  square  of  mud  huts.  In  his  more  earl}  days,  Mongo  gov- 
erned his  harem  with  the  usual  decorum  of  such  establishments.  But 
now,  as  age  stole  over  him,  he  became  a  worn-out  debauchei,  his  mind 
and  body  weak  from  licentiousness,  ardent  spirits  and  opium.  His  harem 
was  kef>t  up  from  fashion;  and  his  wives  had  generally  each  a  lover  in 
Bcngalong.  Womanly  quarrels  sometimes  took  place,  especially  if  two 
n\'  these  black  beauties  happened  to  fancy  tlie  same  lover.     On  these 


I'll' 


"ii;^ 


m, 


iia>r  itprtetNM»wq^»i 


*''^'**i*'*?^?.  "-ir* 


;»*.-     •      — ^—     mn^Of- 


a  youth,  he  waa 
V  years  after,  he 
,r,  following  that 

sometimes  as  a 
jturned  to  Africa 
r  yet  alive.     The 
ir"  was  had  of  all 
ling  to  coast  law, 
lands,  and  slaves, 
the  profession  of 
:hief  of  the  River, 
vith  the  fabrics  of 
les,  wax,  palm-oii, 
from  time  to  time 

Cuba  and  Brazil, 
at  man  among  the 
the  back  country, 
inced  their  desire 
irith  tlieir  prettiest 

ory  ofthe  Mongo's 
ult  of  the    chief's 
9  habits.    On  pre- 
3,  and  evinced  such 
s  affairs  were  in  a 
,  Canot  met  an  old 
I's  harem,  who  went 
lalico.     Canot,  upon 
ot  speak  a  word  of 
out  a  written  order 
(ion,  her  horrid  face 
among  savages,  and 
and  awful  screams, 

y  with  a  laugh  of  in- 
3t,  Canot  was  aroused 
it,  to  avoid  treachery, 
oor.     A  female  stood 
one  of  the  pearls  of 
the  child  of  a  mulatto 
3on  could  converse  in 
irn  Canot  of  the  wrath 
idingo  offered  him,  to 
gagolah,  who  knew  all 
him  where  she  could 

ise. 

rimitive  establishment, 
arlj  days,  Mongo  gov- 
1  establishments.  But 
It  debauchei,  his  mind 
ind  opium.  His  harem 
snerally  each  a  lover  in 
place,  especially  if  two 
same  lover.    On  these 


'■■•SB*!*"*'' '' 


ADVENTURES  OP  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


525 


occasions,  they  would  sometimes  strip,  and  a  regular  battle  ensue, 
aomctimos  their  lovers  would  have  a  sot-to  fo  (Ictcnnino  these  miittors. 
The  usual  form  of  the  duel  was  to  decide  i)y  lot,  lor  the  first  chuncf, 
when  the  lover  stripped  and  received  a  certain  number  of  blows  from  his 
antagonist,  fiom  a  cowhide.  And  so  on  in  turn,  the  one  who  stood  the 
greatest  number  of  blows  without  flinching  was  declared  the  victor.  To 
ihow  a  back  well  marked  with  the  strijies  of  such  conflicts,  was  a  point 
of  great  pride  with  those  chivalrous  youths. 

At  the  close  of  the  rainy  season,  the  caravans  were  looked  for,  witli 
slaves  from  the  intejior,  A  number  of  messengers  were  dispatched 
through  the  trails  among  the  dense  forests  back  from  the  coast,  to  meet  and 
welcome  the  traders  of  the  back  country.  A  few  days  after  their  depar- 
ture, the  report  of  musketry  signaled  the  approach  of  a  caravan,  which 
was  replied  to  by  the  Mongo's  people  with  firing  of  cannon.  In  a  few 
minutes,  a  long  caravan  entered  the  village,  headed  by  a  band  of  singers 
praising  their  chief  and  leader— tlie  great  Ahmah-de-Bollah.  1  he  train 
consisted  of  about  seven  hundred  persons,  leading  captive  forty  negroes, 
bound  with  bamboo  withes.  Beside  the  slaves,  were  large  quantities  of 
the  usual  articles  of  produce  of  the  interior— hides,  ivory,  gold,  rice, 
bullocks,  sheep,  goats,  beeswax,  etc. 

Mr.  Ormond  received  the  Mohammedan  strangers,  with  great  pomp,  in 
the  piazza  of  his  receiving  house— the  ceremony  of  presentation  to  the 
traders  of  the  caravan  occupying  about  an  hour.  The  trading  lasted 
several  days,  each  day  being  devoted  to  one  especial  article.  Each  morn- 
ing a  crier  went  through  the  town,  to  give  information  of  the  special 
trade  of  the  day.  One  day  it  was  in  rice,  another  in  cattle,  another  in 
slaves,  and  so  on. 

Ahmah-de-Bellah  was  the  son  of  the  AliMami,  or  King  of  lootha- 
Yallon,  who,  having  arrived  at  the  age  of  "  twenty-four  rainy  seasons, 
was  invested  with  the  honor  of  leading  a  caravan  to  the  coast,  which  to 
form  requires  time  and  skill.  When  the  wet  season  is  finished,  the 
chieftain  goes  out  with  bands  of  armed  men,  and  lays  in  ambush  on  all 
the  trails  which  lead  to  the  sea-side,  until  enough  of  small  traders  are 
secured  to  form  a  large  caravan,  which  gives  consequence  to  the  leader, 
and  enhances  his  property,  by  his  per  centage  on  the  amount  of  sales  at 
the  towns  or  factories  on  the  coast.  ,  ,      ,     »,  n 

Eight  of  the  slaves  of  this  caravan  were  rejected  by  the  Mongo.    Une 
of  them  Ahmah  insisted  should  be  shipped,  as  he  could  neither  kill  nor 
keep  him.     This  slave  had  been  guilty  of  the  murder  of  his  son,  and  was 
sentenced  to  bo  sold  a  slave  to  the  Christians,  a  punishment  ranked 
worse  tlian  death.     It  was  interesting  to  watch  the  examination  of  the 
slaves  when  brought  before  the  Mongo  for  purchase.     Disregardful  ot 
sex,  he  examined  each  from  head  to  foot,  handled  the  principal  muscles, 
the  arm-pits,  groins,  cracked  the  joints,  peered  into  their  mouths  to  note 
the  missing  teeth,  scanned  the  eyes,  voice,  lungs,  fingers,  and  even  toes, 
so  -'  to  be  assured  of  their  soundness.     To  Canot's  astonishment,  the 
Moiigo  rejected  one  apparently  powerf.',!  man,  whose  full  muscles  and 
sleek  skin  evinced  high  health.     He  had  been  subjected  to  the  usual 
jockey  tricks  ofthe   dealers:  they  had  medicated   him   with   bloating 
drugs,  and  given  him  a  glossy  skin  by  sweating  him  with  powder  and 
lemon-juice.     A  few  days  after,  Canot  saw  him  abandoned  in  a  neighbor- 
ing hut,  a  mere  wreck  of  a  man.     Whenever  a  slave  in  the  interior 
evinces  an  impaired  constitution,  he  is  sold  to  a  peddler  or  broker,  who, 
with  the  aid  of  a  quack,  repairs  him  for  sale  to  greenhorns;  but  the  old 


..^'.f^i-.^i'?---- 


!!"ii;:  > 


526 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


slavers  detect  the  ruse  by  the  yellow  eye,  swollen  tongue  and  feverisii 
skin. 

Canot  eventually  left  the  employment  of  Mongo  John,  and  took  up  his 
residence  with  a  slave-trader,  named  Edward  Joseph.  While  a  guest 
with  him,  a  great  event  occurred  in  his  history.  This  was  on  the  fifth 
of  March,  1827,  when  a  Spanish  slaver,  the  La  Fortuna,  from  Re^la,  the 
Havana  grocer,  arrived,  which,  to  the  astonishment  of  Canot,  was  con- 
signed to  him.  with  all  the  materials  with  which  to  purchase  r<n  "  assorted 
cargo  of  slaves."  Thus  suddenly  elevated  to  the  position  of"  a  trader," 
but  destitute  of  a  baracoon  or  pen  of  slaves,  he  called  in  requisition  all 
the  traders  of  the  river,  and  offering  unusually  high  terms,  soon  collected 
the  required  number;  so  that,  at  the  appointed  day,  the  vessel  sailed  with 
two  hundred  and  twenty  human  beings  packed  in  her  hold.  She  arrived 
safely  at  Cuba:  the  voyage  yielded  a  profit  of  over  forty  thousand 
dollars,  which  was  more  than  one  hundred  per  cent,  profit,  over  all  the 
expenses.  Canot  was  now  fairly  embarked  in  the  slave-trade,  and  in  the 
history  of  his  life  gives  a  detail  of  the  customs  of  this  commerce,  some 
of  which  we  here  subjoin. 

An  African  trader  of  reputation  selects  his  cargo  with  great  care,  so 
as  to  avoid  sending  to  his  employers  any  that  are  not  able-bodied,  or  that 
are  afflicted  with  any  contagious  disease,  that  may  be  communicated  to 
otiier  slaves  on  the  voyage.  Previous  to  the  shipment,  the  heads  of  every 
male  and  female  are  shaved,  and  the  initials  of  their  respective  owners 
burnt  on  their  bodies.  This  is  omitted,  when  the  cargo  is  consigned  to 
but  one  proprietor.  The  last  day  is  signalized  by  a  feast  gi\'en  to  the 
slaves  in  their  baracoons.  When  over,  they  are  taken  to  the  vessel  in 
canoes,  and  there  stripped  entirely  naked,  perfect  nudity  being  cousid- 
orcd  indispensable  to  health  and  cleanliness  during  the  voyage.  Tlie 
men  are  placed  in  the  hold,  the  women  in  the  cabin,  and  the  children  on 
deck — tho  latter  protected  at  night  by  a  sail.  .They  take  their  meals  in 
messes  of  ten,  and  in  olden  times,  when  the  trade  was  lawful,  it  was  a 
universal  custom  of  the  Spanish  captains  to  say  grace  and  return  thanks. 
Nowadays,  the  ceremony  is  substituted  for  a  "Hurrah  for  Havana!" 
accompanied  by  a  clapping  of  hands.  Before  eating,  the  slaves  wash  their 
hands  in  buckets  of  salt  water,  and  then  kids  of  either  rice,  farina,  yams 
or  beans  are  given  to  each  squad.  As  a  preventive  against  greediness, 
each  mouthful  is  dipped  up  at  a  signal  from  a  monitor.  Whenever  a 
slave  refuses  to  eat,  he  is  duly  reported  by  the  guard,  and  it*  from  illness, 
he  is  cared  for,  and  if  from  a  desire  to  commit  suicide  by  starvation,  as 
is  sometimes  the  case,  a  good  appetite  is  stimulated  by  a  few  blows  from 
a  cat-o^-nine  tails,  well  laid  on.  The  slaves  are  fed  twice  a  day— at  ten 
in  the  morning,  and  four  in  the  afternoon,  and  a  pint  and  a  half  of  water 
allowed  them  during  the  twenty-four  hours.  Aside  from  this  they  are 
occasionally  indulged  in  a  few  whifs  of  tobacco,  each  in  rotation,  from 
pipes  passed  round  by  boys.  Every  alternate  day  their  mouths  are  rinsed 
with  vinegar,  and  each  morning  a  dram  is  given  them  to  keep  off  the 
scurvy.  The  sexes,  although  separated,  are  permitted  during  the  day  to 
converse  on  deck,  and  when  punishment  is  inflicted,  it  is  for  some  fault, 
and  is  done  only  by  an  order  from  an  officer.  Weekly  they  are  shaved, 
without  lathering,  by  a  barber,  and  their  nails  pared,  so  that  they  need  not 
harm  each  other  in  those  nightly  contests  in  which  they  battle  for  room  on 
their  plank  beds.  In  pleasant  weather,  they  are  permitted  to  unite  their 
voices  in  singing  their  native  melodies,  mixed  with  various  drumming<<, 
or  tom-toms,  on  reversed  tubs  or  tin-kettles 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


527 


iDER. 

rue  and  feverish 

1,  and  took  up  his 
While  a  guest 

was  on  the  fifth 
I,  from  Re„'la,  the 

Canot,  was  con- 
lase  !<n  "  assorted 
on  of  "  a  trader," 

in  requisition  all 
ms,  soon  collected 

vessel  sailed  with 
lold.  She  arrived 
er  forty  thousand 
profit,  over  all  the 
e-trade,  and  in  the 
a  commerce,  some 

i^ith  great  care,  so 
ible-hodied,  or  that 
e  communicated  to 
,  the  heads  of  every 

respective  owners 
go  is  consigned  to 

feast  given  to  the 
n  to  the  vessel  in 
udity  being  cousid- 
;  the  voyage.  Tiie 
and  the  children  on 
take  their  meals  in 
was  lawful,  it  wns  a 
e  and  return  thanks, 
urrah  for  Havana!" 
the  slaves  wash  their 
er  rice,  farina,  yams 

against  greedinesp, 
onitor.  Whenever  a 
],  and  if  from  illness, 
;ide  by  starvation,  as 

by  a  few  blows  from 
I  twice  a  day — at  ten 
,t  and  a  half  of  water 
e  from  this  they  are 
ach  in  rotation,  from 
leir  mouths  are  rinsed 
liem  to  keep  off  the 
tted  during  the  day  to 
d,  it  is  for  some  fault, 
ekly  they  are  shaved, 
,  so  that  they  need  not 
they  battle  for  room  on 
lerroitted  to  unite  their 
;h  various  drumming", 


The  greatest  care  is  taken  to  keep  the  vessel  clean :  chloride  of  lime 
is  freely  distributed,  the  decks  often  washed,  scraped  and  holystoned,  so 
that  in  neatness  and  in  discipline  a  well-conducted  slaver  is  only  equaled 
by  a  man-of-war.  At  sunset,  the  slaves  are  stowed  for  the  night;  the 
officers,  with  whip  in  hand,  ranging  the  slaves — those  on  the  right  side 
of  the  vessel  facing  the  bows,  those  on  the  left  facing  the  stern,  so  as  to 
bring  each  negro  on  his  right  side,  and  thus  allow  better  action  for  the 
heart.  The  tallest  are  placed  in  the  center  and  broadest  part  of  the  ves- 
sel, the  shortest  near  the  bows  and  stern.  Strict  discipline  is  required 
for  the  nightly  stowage,  lest  the  living  freight  should  take  upon  them- 
selves the  airs  of  passengers.  To  insure  silence  and  order,  every  tenth 
slave  is  provided  with  a  whip,  and  if  any  of  those  under  his  charge  are 
noisy,  he  dextrously  uses  his  weapon,  and  finds  his  reward  in  a  present 
of  an  old  shirt  or  tar-besmeared  trowsers.  Ventilation  is  well  provided 
for,  and  when  among  the  suffocating  calms  of  the  tropics,  a  portion  of 
the  slaves  sleep  on  deck  under  an  armed  watch.  In  the  baracoons,  and 
while  being  shipped,  slaves  are  chained  in  gangs  of  ten;  but  at  sea  they 
are  fastened  in  pairs,  by  irons  at  their  ankles. 

From  this  account  of  Canot,  it  would  appear  that  no  unnecessary 
severity  is  or  ever  has  been  resorted  to:  the  slaveis  manifesting  about 
the  same  degree  of  interest  in  the  welfare  of  tiieir  cargo,  as  the  com- 
mander of  a  Connecticut  horse  jockey  evinces  in  his  cargo  of  four-limbed 
quadrupeds,  which  he  wishes  to  land  on  one  of  the  Bermudas  in  as  salable 
a  condition  as  is  possible.  Our  own  countryman,  Captain  Andrew  II. 
Foote,  of  the  U.  S.  Navy,  in  his  work  on  Africa  and  the  American  Flag, 
has  accumulated  evidence  which  gives  a  very  different  account  from  that 
drawn  by  Canot,  and  from  which  we  subjoin  some  statements. 

The  slave-truJe  is  now  carried  on  by  comparatively  small  and  ill-found 
vessels,  watched  by  the  cruisers  incessantly.  They  are,  therefore,  induced, 
at  any  risk  of  loss  of  life,  to  crowd  and  pack  their  cargoes,  so  that  a 
successful  voyage  may  compensate  for  many  captures.  In  olden  times, 
when  the  trade  was  legal,  large  vessels  were  fitted  expressly  for  the 
business — Indiamen  or  whalers.  It  has  been  objected  to  the  employment 
of  squadrons  to  exterminate  that  trade,  that  their  interference  has  in- 
creased its  enormity.  This,  however,  is  not  true,  for  if  there  ever  was 
anything  on  earth,  which,  for  revolting,  filthy,  heartless  atrocity  might 
make  the  devil  wonder  and  hell  recognize  its  own  likeness,  then  it  was 
on  the  decks  of  any  one  of  the  old  slavers.  The  sordid  cupidity  of  the 
older,  as  it  is  meaner,  was  also  more  callous  than  the  hurried  ruffianism 
of  the  present  age.  In  fact,  a  slaver  now  has  but  one  deck ;  in  the  last 
century  they  had  two  or  three,  the  number  of  decks  rendering  the  suffo- 
cating and  pestilential  hold  a  scene  of  unparalleled  wretchedness. 

Here  are  some  instances  of  this,  collected  from  evidence  taken  befoie 
the  British  House  of  Commons,  in  1792.  James  Morley,  gunner  of  the 
Medway,  states:  "  He  has  seen  them  under  great  difficulty  of  breathing. 
The  women  often,  particularly,  got  upon  the  beams  to  get  air,  but  they 
were  driven  down  because  they  take  air  from  the  rest.  He  has  known 
rice  held  in  the  mouths  of  sea-sick  slaves,  until  they  were  almost  strangled. 
He  has  seen  the  surgeon's  mate  force  the  panniken  between  their  teeth, 
and  throw  the  medicine  over  them,  so  that  not  half  of  it  went  into  their 
mouths— the  poor  wretches  wallowing  in  their  blood,  hardly  having  life, 
and  this  with  blows  of  the  cat."  Dr.  Thomas  Trotter,  surgeon  of  the 
Brookes,  says:  "  He  has  seen  the  slaves  drawing  their  breath  with  all 
those  laborious  and  uizioui  efforts  for  life,  which  are  observed  in  expiring 


.«».;,  »Ji,'flf!,'iUl;,'J 


^k  \:i^.0-,   *r.. 


528 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


ii 


unimalH,  subjected,  by  expcrimniit,  to  foul  air,  or  iu  the  exhausted 
receiver  of  an  air-pump,  llaa  also  seen  them,  wiicn  tiic  tarpaulius  have 
inadvertently  been  thrown  over  the  ^'ratings,  attempt  to  heave  them  up, 
cryinj;  out:  ^ Kickeraboo !  kickerahoo ! !^  —  i.e.,  'Wle  are  dying!  we 
are  dying!!''  On  removing  the  tarpaulin  and  gratings,  they  would  fly 
to  the  hatchways  with  all  the  signs  of  terror  and  dread  of  suflfocation  ; 
many  of  those  whom  he  has  seen  in  a  dying  state  have  recovered  by  being 
brought  upon  deck;  others,  who  were  previously  well,  perished  by  suffo- 
cation.^' In  regard  to  the  (rar/and'«  voyage  in  1788,  the  testimony  is: 
'*  The  slaves,  both  when  ill  and  well,  were  frequently  forced  to  eat  against 
their  inclination,  and  were  whipped  with  a  cat  if  they  refused.  The 
parts  on  which  their  shackles  are  fastened,  are  oAen  excoriated  by  the 
violent  exercise  they  are  forced  to  take.  Fell  in  with  the  Hero,  which 
had  lost  over  three  hundred,  mostly  by  the  smallpox — the  surgeon  stat- 
ing, that  when  removed  from  one  place  to  another,  they  left  marks  of 
their  skin  and  blood  upon  the  deck,  and  that  it  was  the  most  horrid  sight 
he  had  ever  seen.'' 

Even  at  that  time,  when  the  trade  was  under  systematic  regulations, 
the  slaves  were  obliged  to  lie  upon  their  backs,  and  were  shackled  by 
their  ankles,  the  left  of  one  being  fastened  close  by  the  right  of  the  next; 
so  that  the  whole  number,  in  one  line  for  the  length  of  the  deck,  formed 
a  single  living  chain.  When  one  died,  the  body  remained  duringthe  night; 
and  in  bad  weather,  when  the  hatches  were  necessarily  closed,  suffocation 
would  occur.  It  can,  therefore,  be  understood  that  the  strong  strangled 
the  weak  intentionally,  to  procure  more  space,  and  that  when  striving  to 
get  near  some  aperture  affording  air  to  breathe,  many  would  be  injured 
or  killed  in  the  struggle.  Such  were  ''the  horrors  of  the  middle 
passage.''  We  subjoin  some  extracts,  giving  the  condition  in  which 
slave  vessels  have  been  found  in  our  time.  The  first  is  from  a  report  of 
Captain  Hayes  to  the  Admiralty,  of  a  representation  made  to  him 
respecting  a  slaver,  in  1832: 

"  The  master,  having  a  large  cargo  of  these  human  beings  chained 
together,  with  more  humanity  than  his  fellows,  permitted  some  of  then 
to  come  on  deck  for  the  benetit  of  the  weather,  but  still  chained  together, 
when  they  immediately  commenced  jumping  overboard,  hand  in  hand, 
and  drowning  in  couples.  They  had  just  been  brought  from  between 
decks,  to  which  they  knew  they  must  return,  where  the  scalding  per- 
spiration wa6  running  from  one  to  the  other,  men  dying  and  living,  and 
dead  bodies  chained  together;  and  the  living,  in  addition  to  all  their  tor- 
ments, laboring  under  the  most  famishing  thirst.  These  unfortunate 
people  had  just  been  torn  from  their  country,  their  families,  their  all! — 
men  from  their  wives,  women  from  their  husbands,  children  from  their 
parents;  and  yet,  in  this  man's  eye,  there  was  no  cause  whatever  for 
jumping  overboard  and  drowning.  The  men  are  chained  in  pairs,  and 
as  a  proof  they  are  intended  so  to  remain  until  the  end  of  the  voyage, 
their  fetters  are  not  locked  but  riveted  by  the  blacksmith;  and  as  deaths 
are  frequently  occurring,  living  men  are  often  for  awhile  confined  to 
dead  bodies,  the  latter  sometimes  in  a  putrid  state." 

The  uotorious  Spanish  slaver,  the  Velos  Pasaagueiro,  was  captured  by 
the  North  Star,  after  a  long  chase  and  a  battle,  and  was  found  full  of 
slaves.  Behind  her  foremast  was  an  enormous  gun,  turning  on  a  broad 
circle  of  iron,  and  enabling  her  to  act  as  a  pirate,  if  her  slave  speculation 
had  failed.  She  had  taken  in  662  slaves,  and  had  been  out  seventeen 
days,  during  which  she  had  thrown  overboard  fifty-five.    ^  '  ,t  ■r^ijn  -    ' 


^♦PMfil^Wf  <W^*».,a»W>».<»i-w*J 


WM*s..iftg   IM«iwt,,>>^,  <  iwrtM  ^iiii    if^f^yTit^igiii^  ,1 


DER. 

1  tlio  exhausted 

I  tarpaulins  have 
heave  them  up, 
are   dying!  we 

I,  they  would  fly 
J  of  suffocation ; 
covered  by  beinfi 
erished  by  suffo- 
ihe  testimony  is: 
ced  to  eat  against 
sy  refused.     The 
■xcoriatod  by  the 
the  Hero,  which 
the  surgeon  stat- 
ley  left  murks  of 
most  horrid  sight 

matic  regulations, 
f/exe  shackVed  by 

right  of  the  next; 
'  the  deck,  formed 
d  during  the  night; 
closed,  suffocation 
le  strong  strangled 
It  when  striving  to 

would  be  injured 
jrs  of  the  middle 
;ondition  in  which 

is  from  a  report  of 
lion  made  to  him 

an  beings  chained 
tted  some  of  then 

II  chained  together, 
ard,  hand  in  hand, 
ught  from  between 
3  the  scalding  por- 
ing and  living,  and 
ition  to  all  their  tor- 

These  unfortunate 
imilies,  their  all!— 
children  from  their 

cause  whatever  for 
lained  in  pairs,  and 

end  of  the  voyage, 
smith;  and  as  deaths 

awhile  confined  to 

eiro,  was  captured  by 
td  was  found  full  of 
I,  turning  on  a  broad 
her  slave  speculation 
been  out  seventeen 
five. 


ADVBNTURBS  OP  AN  AJ'RIOAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


639 


The  slaves  were  all  inclosed  under  grated  hatchways  between  decks. 
The  space  was  so  low  that  they  sat  between  each  other's  legs,  and  were 
stowed  so  close  together  that  there  was  no  possibility  of  their  lying  down, 
or  at  all  changing  their  position  by  day  or  night.  As  they  were  shipped  on 
account  of  different  individuals,  they  were  all  branded  like  sheep,  with 
a  the  owner's  marks,  of  different  forms.    These  were  impressed  under 

I  their  hearts,  or  on  their  arms,  and  as  the  mate  informed  me,  with  perfect 

indifference,  "  burnt  with  the  red-hot  iron."  Over  the  hatchway,  stood  a 
ferocious-looking  fellow,  with  a  scourge  of  many  twisted  thongs  in  his 
hand,  who  was  the  slave-driver  of  the  ship. 

As  soon  as  the  poor  creatures  saw  us  looking  down  at  them,  their  dark 
and  melancholy  visages  brightened  up.  They  perceived  something  of 
sympathy  and  kindness  in  our  looks,  to  which  they  had  been  unaccus- 
tomed; and  feeling  instinctively  that  we  were  friends,  they  immediately 
began  to  shout  and  clap  their  hands.  One  or  two  had  picked  up  a  few 
Portuguese  words,  and  cried  out,  Viva!  viva!  The  women  were  particu- 
larly excited.  They  all  held  up  their  arms,  and  when  we  bent  down  and 
shook  hands  with  them,  they  could  not  restrain  their  delight:  they  endeav- 
ored to  scramble  up  on  their  knees,  stretching  up  to  kiss  our  hands,  and 
we  understood  that  they  knew  we  were  coming  to  liberate  them.  Some, 
however,  hung  their  heads  in  apparently  hopeless  dejection;  some  were 
greatly  emaciated,  and  some,  particularly  children,  seemed  dying.  But 
the  circumstance  which  struck  us  most  forcibly,  was,  how  it  was  possible 
for  such  a  number  of  human  beings  to  exist,  packed  up  and  wedged  to- 
gether as  close  as  they  could  cram,  in  low  cells  three  feet  high.  In  one 
part  of  the  hold,  the  average  sitting  space  to  each  woman  was  not  more 
than  thirteen  inches.  The  heat  of  these  horrid  places  was  so  great,  and 
the  odor  so  offensive,  that  it  was  quite  impossible  to  enter  them,  even 
had  there  been  room.  The  officers  insisted  that  the  poor  suffering  crea- 
tures should  be  admitted  on  deck  to  get  air  and  water. 

On  looking  into  the  places  where  they  had  been  crammed,  there 
were  found  some  children  next  the  sides  of  the  ship,  in  the  places  most 
remote  from  the  air  and  light;  they  were  lying  in  nearly  a  torpid  state, 
after  the  rest  had  been  turned  out.  The  little  creatures  seemed  indif- 
ferent as  to  life  and  death ;  and  when  carried  on  deck,  many  of  them 
could  not  stand.  After  enjoying,  for  some  time,  the  unusual  luxury  of 
air,  some  water  was  brought;  it  was  then  that  the  extent  of  their  suffer- 
ings was  exposed  in  a  fearful  manner.  They  all  rushed  like  maniacs 
toward  it;  no  entreaties,  or  threats,  or  blows,  could  restrain  them;  they 
shrieked,  and  struggled,  and  fought  with  one  another,  for  a  drop  of  this 
precious  liquid,  as  if  they  grew  rabid  at  the  sight  of  it.  There  is  noth- 
ing slaves  in  the  mid-passage  suffer  so  much  from  as  the  want  of  water. 
It  is  sometimes  usual  to  take  out  casks  filled  with  sea-water,  as  ballast, 
and  when  the  slaves  are  received  on  board,  to  start  the  casks  and  refill 
them  with  fresh.  On  one  occasion,  a  ship  from  Bahia  neglected  to  change 
the  casks,  and  on  the  mid-passage  found,  to  their  horror,  that  they  were 
filled  with  nothing  but  salt  water.  All  the  slaves  on  board  perished.  At 
ihe  time  of  this  seizure  of  the  Velos  Passaguiro,  Brazil  was  precluded 
from  the  slave-trade  north  of  the  equator;  but  the  time  had  not  arrived 
when,  by  treaty,  the  Southern  trade  was  to  be  extinguished.  The  Captain 
of  this  slaver  had  papers  which  exhibited  an  apparent  uniformity  to  the 
law,  and  which,  false  as  they  may  have  been,  could  in  no  way  be 
absolutely  disproved.  The  accounts  of  the  slaves  themselves,  that  they 
had  originally  come  from  parts  of  Africa  ncrth  of  the  line,  the  course 
84 


■Miifi,  'M^M'MiU'fSS  "JP* 


530 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


which  the  slaver  was  steering,  her  flight  from  tho  English  cruiser — were 
circumstances  raising  suspicions  the  most  violent;  hut  the  rciider  will  not 
b«  a  little  disappointed  to  learn  that,  with  nil  this,  the  case  was  too  doiiht- 
ful,  in  point  of  legal  proof,  to  bear  out  a  legal  detention;  and  the  slavrr, 
therefore,  aftor  nine  hours  of  close  investigation,  was  finally  set  at  liberty, 
and  suflfcred  to  proceed.  It  was  dark  when  we  separated,  and  the  bift 
parting  sounds  we  heard  from  the  unhallowed  ship,  were  the  cries  and 
shrieks  of  slaves,  suflering  under  some  bodily  infliction." 

We  now  return  to  the  story  of  Canot,  who  had  grown  to  such  suddnii 
importance,  that  the  neighboring  kings  and  chiefs  sent  him  various  pre- 
sents, to  propitiate  the  good  graces  of  the  young  and  enterprising  slave- 
dealer.  In  the  month  of  November,  he  received  and  accepted  an  invita- 
tion, by  a  messenger,  from  Ahmah-de-Bellah,  to  visit  him  in  his  own 
country,  the  land  of  the  Fellahs,  several  weeks'  journey  into  the  interior. 
This  journey  was  undertaken  with  an  eye  to  the  advancement  of  the 
business  interests  of  Canot,  in  the  merchandise  of  human  flesh.  He 
left  Bengalong  with  a  caravan  of  about  forty -five.  Ten  of  his  servants 
were  assigned  to  carry  his  baggage,  merchandise,  and  provisions.  Ali 
Ninpha,  the  guide,  two  interpreters,  two  servants,  and  a  hunter,  formed 
his  immediate  guard.  As  the  best  of  African  roads  are  mere  paths,  the 
train  marched  in  single  file,  preceded  by  two  men,  armed  with  cutlasses 
and  muskets,  who,  by  loud  cries,  warned  the  caravan  when  approaching 
bee-trees,  ant-hills,  hornet-nests,  reptiles,  or  any  of  those  perils  common 
in  African  forests.  Behind,  came  women,  children,  and  guards,  and, 
last  of  all,  Canot  and  the  chiefs,  with  whip  in  hand,  to  spur  up  the  strag- 
glers. For  a  few  days,  they  passed  through  a  rolling  country;  with 
alternate  forests  and  cultivated  fields  and  villages,  where  they  were 
welcomed  by  the  head  men.  The  time  was  beguiled  by  jokes  and  songs, 
and  chanting  praises  to  Allah.  Occasionally  the  masters  would  relieve 
their  slaves  of  their  burdens  ;  at  night,  the  women  brought  the  water, 
cooked  the  food,  and  distributed  it  to  the  men.  The  fourth  night  was 
passed  at  Kya,  a  fortified  town  of  the  Mandingoes,  where  they  were 
feasted  by  the  chief  with  the  best  of  the  land,  and  whose  hospitality 
Canot  reciprocated  by  such  abundance  of  the  white  man's  strong  water, 
that  the  next  morning  he  was  unable  to  leave  his  couch  to  bid  farewell 
to  his  guests. 

Traveling  into  the  interior  of  Africa  would  be  a  mere  rural  jaunt,  were 
it  not  for  the  perils  of  war.  The  African,  in  his  life,  is  a  half  shepherd 
and  half  warrior.  Though  uncivilized,  his  country  is  not  absolutely  wild, 
and  Mohammedanism,  descending  from  the  north,  in  its  southward  jour- 
neyings,  has,  in  the  course  of  centuries,  much  altered  and  improved  the 
negro  character.  The  humanizing  influence  of  the  Koran  upon  the 
interior  tribes  is  evident.  But  with  ali  these  changes,  external  nature  is 
ever  magnificent.  Shade  and  shelter  is  all  the  climate  requires,  and  so 
great  the  fertility,  that  trifling  labor,  united  to  the  abundance  of  tropical 
fruits,  yields  ample  support.  Amid  such  oppressive  heats,  with  so  little 
occasion  for  eflbrt,  it  does  not  seem  as  though  the  African  could  ever  be 
stimulated  to  the  industry  which  develops  all  that  is  noble  in  man  in 
more  inhospitable  climes. 

For  the  six  hundred  miles  that  Canot  traversed,  his  course  was  through 
an  almost  continuous  forest,  and  so  dense  the  foliage,  that  often  for  hours 
not  a  glimpse  of  the  sun  was  had;  but  when  they  entered  the  bare  vallies 
the  suffering  from  heat  was  intense.  Everything  was  all  glare:  the 
reflected  rays  from  every  surrounding  object  pierced  them  like  lances, 


r^trr,-^:'j«^i-.fr,«ftt'T 


-"iS'S^iSf?!^^" 


!*«."sr*-,.-*fc 


^■K;.^JS?fe 


XDER. 

Ui  criiiser— wfirc 
10  reader  will  not 
le  waa  too  doiiht- 
i;  und  the  slavor, 
ally  Bct  at  libfirty, 
ted,  and  tho  liint 
re  the  cries  and 

I." 

1  to  Buch  Buddmi 

him  various  pre- 
snterprising  fllayc- 
ccepted  an  invita- 

him  in  hia  own 
y  into  the  interior, 
vancement  of  the 
luman  flesh.  He 
;n  of  his  servants 
d  provisions.     Ali 

a  hunter,  formed 
,re  mere  paths,  the 
med  with  cutlasses 
when  approaching 
lose  perils  common 
,  and  guards,  and, 
>  spur  up  the  strag- 
lling   country;  with 
I,  where  they  were 
by  jokes  and  songs, 
sters  would  relieve 
brought  the  water, 
e  fourth  night  was 
8,  where  they  were 
A  whose  hospitality 
man's  strong  water, 
juch  to  bid  farewell 

ere  rural  jaunt,  were 
3,  is  a  half  shepherd 
1  not  absolutely  wild, 
1  its  southward  jour- 
ed  and  improved  the 
he  Koran  upon   the 
B8,  external  nature  is 
date  requires,  and  so 
bundance  of  tropical 
e  heats,  with  so  little 
^.frican  could  ever  be 
is  noble  in  man  in 

is  course  was  through 
[e,  that  often  for  hours 
atered  the  bare  vallies 
ig  was  all  glare:  the 
;ed  them  like  lances, 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


531 


and  it  seemed  as  if  their  very  eyes  were  simmering  and  drying  up  in  their 
sockets.  When  the  higiilands  were  reached,  the  temperature  became  in- 
vii;oruting,  and  the  scenery  always  beautiful,  and  frequently  grand.  In 
their  rear,  gently-rounded  hills,  checkered  here  and  there  by  native  huts, 
with  patches  of  sward  and  cultivation  amid  the  forest,  swelled  up  in  sur- 
passing beauty  of  contour;  while  to  tlie  north  and  east,  lofly  liills  and 
mountains  rose  up  in  continuous  succession,  until,  in  the  far  distance,  the 
blue  of  land  and  sky  mot  and  mingled  in  the  same  ethereal  tint.  The 
next  principal  town  reached  was  Tamisso,  which  the  caravan  entered 
with  great  pomp,  the  women  being  particularly  careful  in  adorning  their 
persons.  ''  Wool  was  combed  to  its  utmost  rigidity;  skins  wore  greased 
until  they  sliunc  like  polished  ebony  ;  ankles  and  arms  were  rostrung 
with  beads,  and  loins  were  girded  with  snowy  waist-cloths."  Mounted 
on  a  beautiful  horse,  Canot  rode  with  his  motley  group  into  the  town, 
amid  tlic  discharge  of  fire-arms,  the  noise  of  tom-toms,  and  the  melody 
of  the  unctuous  women.  Crowds  of  men,  women  and  children,  rushed 
forward  to  gaze  upon  the  white  man,  the  Mongo  of  the  coast.  He 
pressed  on  to  the  palace  of  Mohamedo,  which,  like  all  royal  palaces  in 
Africa,  consisted  of  a  collection  of  mud  huts,  with  shady  verandas,  in 
the  midst  of  a  quadrangular  court.  On  a  couch  covered  with  leopard 
skins  reclined  in  state  the  chief  Mohamedo,  in  half-Turkish  costume. 
He  was  a  fat  old  man,  with  a  long,  flowing,  snowy  beard,  in  strange  con- 
trast to  his  ebony  skin.  The  old  sinner  being  informed  that  Canot  was 
on  a  trading  tour  for  the  purchase  of  slaves  for  numerous  vessels  hover- 
ing on  the  coast,  with  immense  cargoes  of  red  cloth,  beads,  and  other 
gew-gaws  of  savage  desire,  rose,  and  in  a  loud  voice  presented  him  to 
his  people  as  his  "  beloved  son!" 

That  evening,  Canot,  jaded  out  with  the  dust,  heat,  and  crowd  of  this 
noisy  African  town,  retired  to  a  court  behind  his  lodgings  to  take  a  bath. 
But  his  modesty  was  shocked  by  the  presence  of  a  bevy  of  the  sable 
damsels  of  the  harem,  who,  on  learning  that  the  "  Furtoo"  was  about  to 
bathe,  crowded  around  him  as  he  commenced  to  disrobe.  When  he 
pulled  ofl*  his  shirt,  but  leaving  his  lower  garment  untouched,  several  of 
them  fled  to  call  their  companions  to  see  "  the  peeled  Furtoo,"  whose 
snowy  back  and  breast  had  excited  their  wonder.  One  old  hag  run  her 
fingers  over  his  chest,  and  then,  as  if  he  were  reeking  with  leprosy, 
wiped  them  on  the  wall.  With  great  difliculty,  he  got  rid  of  the  chatter- 
ing crowd,  and  finished  his  preparations  for  his  ablutions, 

Tamisso,  like  many  of  the  interior  towns,  was  completely  inclosed  by 
two  lines  of  high  fence,  a  few  feet  apart,  the  space  between  being  filled 
with  upright  staves,  their  sharp  points  hardened  by  fire.  Admittance  to 
the  town  was  through  gates,  with  winding  passages. 

It  was  not  many  days  before  the  caravan  arrived  at  their  journey's 
end,  the  town  of  Timbo,  the  capital  of  the  kingdom  of  Footha-Yallon. 
The  king,  Ali-Mami,  Canot  found  a  gouty,  inquisitive  old  Mussulman, 
who  greeted  him  with  most  aflfectionate  hugs,  then  stretched  out  his  arms 
to  Heaven,  and  exclaimed,  "God  is  great!  God  is  great!  and  Mohammed 
is  his  prophet!"  He  then  plied  him  with  questions  about  his  history — 
"Who  was  his  father?  who  was  his  mother?  how  many  brothers  had  he? 
were  they  warriors?  were  they  book  men?"  etc.,  etc.  The  next  day,  a 
grand  palaver  was  had  with  the  chiefs,  in  a  beautiful  grove  of  trees. 
His  friend,  Ahmah-de-Bellah,  presented  him  to  the  great  men,  stating 
that  he  was  a  rich  trader  from  the  Rio  Pongo,  who  was  entitled  to 
most  courteous  treatment  from  FellahB)  for  he  had  penetrated  to  their 


■■ftSv<',l'^'55'f!»9i'i* 


>  .«iH.<fc>:>*^>»fl4^  ^'il.-'Hh.. 


MB 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


T 


distant  country  to  purchase  slaves  on  moat  generous  terms — an  interesting 
communication,  wliich  they  received  with  shouts  of  Joy.  Canot,  in  return, 
made  a  sort  of  stump  speech,  and  then  unfolded  to  their  view  a  quantity 
of  presents  he  had  brought  for  them,  consisting  of  gaudy  calicoes,  scar- 
let cloth,  powder,  muskets,  tobacco,  and  beads,  not  omitting  a  gilded 
sword,  and  a  package  of  cantharides  for  the  king. 

During  his  sojourn  at  Timbo,  Canot  made  several  incursions  into  the 
neighboring  villages,  but  the  poor  people,  knowing  that  the  object  of  his 
journey  was  to  obtain  slaves,  fled  in  the  greatest  terror  before  him, 
Panic-stricken,  they  would  leave  their  pots  of  rice,  vegetables  and  m^at, 
boiling  in  their  huts,  and  fly  in  the  greatest  terror  from  the  presence  of 
the  notorious  slaver.  War-parties  and  scouts  were  sent  out  in  the  mean- 
time, to  collect  slaves  for  Canot,  and  even  the  town  itself  was  not 
spared,  so  that  the  more  common  people  regarded  him  as  a  sort  of  devil 
incarnate. 

Timbo  was  a  town  of  narrow  streets,  low  houses,  mud  walls,  cul-de- 
sacs,  and  mosques.  The  people  appeared  to  be  industrious.  Peddlers 
supplied  them  with  fruit,  vegetables,  and  meat.  The  females  kept 
themselves  busy  with  their  spinning-wheels,  and  occasionally  an  old 
lady,  devoutly  disposed,  was  seen  poring  over  the  pages  of  the  Koran. 
The  men  wore  cotton,  worked  in  leather,  fabricated  iron  from  the  bar, 
and  when  at  leisure,  studied  the  Koran,  or  occupied  themselves  in 
writing. 

Canot,  on  his  return  to  Bongalong,  headed  a  caravan  of  near  a  thou- 
i^and  strong,  the  greater  part  of  which  were  slaves  collected  by  his  friends 
in  Timbo.  For  a  change  of  scene,  he  soon  after  took  command  of  one 
of  his  vessels,  and  set  sail  on  a  visit  to  Cuba.  He  had  scarce  got  out 
of  sight  of  land,  when  the  slaver  fell  into  the  hands  of  a  British  cruiser, 
and  Canot  was  taken  prisoner.  He  managed  to  escape  in  a  small  boat, 
and,  with  a  slave  for  a  companion,  reached  Bengalong  in  safety.  He  there 
found  the  Felix  nt  anchor,  a  vessel  which  had  been  consigned  to  him 
from  Cuba,  with  remittances  in  money  and  merchandise  to  cover  the 
purchase  of  360  slaves.  Unable  to  procure  in  season  a  full  cargo,  he 
made  a  short  Journey  to  a  village  in  the  interior,  to  obtain  the  additional 
fifty  required.  A  grand  "  palaver''  was  had  with  the  chief  and  head 
men,  when  he  made  known  his  wants  and  announced  his  terms.  His 
merchandise,  his  scarlet-cloth,  bits  of  looking-glass,  beads,  etc.,  had 
their  usually  magical  efiects.  Jealous  husbands  suddenly  recollected 
their  wives'  infidelity.  Young  folks,  who  had  never  dreamed  of  being 
made  slaves,  were  captured  and  brought  in.  The  whole  place  was  in  a 
turmoil.  Every  man  was  ready  to  accuse  his  neighbor  of  some  crime, 
that  he  might  kidnap  him,  and  obtain  a  share  of  the  spoils.  And  when 
Canot  left  the  town,  he  carried  with  him  the  eternal  remembrances  of 
some  forty  or  fifty  of  its  families,  whom  he  had  deprived  of  some  one 
of  their  members.  The  capture  of  his  former  vessel  rendered  it  neces- 
sary that  Canot  should  visit  Cuba  in  the  Felix.  This  voyage  was  suo* 
cessful.  From  Cuba  he  sailed  for  Jamaica,  for  a  cargo  of  merchandise, 
with  the  intention  of  returning  and  refitting  for  slaves.  The  trip  was 
disastrous,  the  vessel  being  wrecked,  by  which  Canot  was  so  reduced  in 
fortune,  as  gladly  to  accept  the  situation  of  sailing-master  in  the  San 
Pablo,  a  slaver  which  was  fitting  out  at  St.  Thomas.  This  vessel  was 
armed  with  sixteen  guns,  and  the  entire  crew  and  officers  arrayed  in  the 
uniform  of  the  French  navy,  so  as  to  convey  the  deception  that  she  was 
■a  French  man-of-war.    Her  destination  was  a  town  in  the  Mozambique 


^fe^gi?l4-i:'s(|SS!:!g^.sssi^,3iri:« 


lDER. 

i — an  interesting 
Canot,  in  return, 
r  view  a  quantity 
ly  calicoes,  scar- 
mitting  a  gilded 

suTsions  into  the 
the  object  of  bis 
rror  before  him, 
Btables  and  meat, 
the  presence  of 
t  out  in  the  mean- 
rn  itself  was  not 
as  a  sort  of  devil 

nud  walls,  cul-de- 
itrious.  Peddlers 
'he  females  kept 
;ca8lonally  ap  old 
{es  of  the  Koran, 
ron  from  the  bar, 
led  themselves  in 

n  of  near  a  tliou- 
icted  by  his  friends 
L  command  of  one 
lad  scarce  got  out 
,f  a  British  cruiser, 
pe  in  a  small  boat, 
n  safety.     He  there 
I  consigned  to  him 
ndise  to  cover  the 
on  a  full  cargo,  he 
btain  the  additional 
he  chief  and  head 
;ed  his  terms.     His 
s,  beads,  etc.,  had 
iddenly  recollected 
•  dreamed  of  being 
hole  place  was  in  a 
ibor  of  some  crime, 

spoils.     And  when 
il  remembrances  of 
privud  of  some  one 
3l  rendered  it  neces- 
his  voyage  was  suc- 
irgo  of  merchandise, 
aves.     The  trip  was 
ot  was  so  reduced  in 
ig-master  in  the  San 
18.    This  vessel  was 
>fficers  arrayed  in  the 
iception  that  she  was 

in  the  Mozambique 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


533 


Channel,  on  the  eastern  coast  of  Africa.  Eight  hundred  negroes  were 
obtained  and  shipped,  and  the  vessel  had  arrived  off  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope  when  the  smallpox  broke  out.  A  council  was  held,  and  it  was 
determined  at  first  to  destroy  the  sick  by  laudanum,  to  preserve  the  living; 
but  the  examination  showed  that  too  many  were  infected  to  render  this 
of  any  avail.  A  series  of  tremendous  gales  springing  up,  rendered  the 
closing  of  the  hatches  imperative.  When,  at  its  termination,  the  grat- 
ings were  removed,  it  was  f<9und  that  nearly  all  the  slaves  were  sick  or 
dead.  Twelve  of  the  stoutest  survivors,  together  with  a  part  of  the  crew, 
armed  with  tarred  mittens,  went  into  the  hold,  dragged  out  and  threw 
overboard  more  than  three  hundred  corpses,  men,  women,  and  children, 
in  a  most  disgusting  state  of  putrefaction. 

Twelve  thousand  dollars  fell  to  the  share  of  Canot,  as  tlie  result  of 
this  voyage,  which  he  applied  to  the  fitting  out  of  the  Conchita,  a 
Baltimore  clipper.  He  was  no  sooner  ready  for  sea  than  his  vessel  was 
seized  for  a  fraud  practiced  upon  tlie  Cuban  authorities,  and  Canot  barely 
escaped  a  prison,  by  fleeing  to  and  remaining  in  the  interior  for  several 
weeks.  He  was  too  valuable  a  man  for  the  slave-dealers  to  allow  to 
remain  idle.  He  was  speedily  put  in  command  of  the  Estrella,  and 
steered  for  Ayudah,  on  the  Gold  Coast,  with  a  sufficient  supply  of  rum, 
powder,  English  muskets,  and  ricli  cottons  from  Manchester,  to  purchase 
460  slaves. 

The  Estrella  was  consigned  to  Senor  da  Sousa,  one  of  the  most  noto- 
rious and  successful  of  those  infamous  merchants  known  in  coast  annals. 
This  man  was  a  mulatto,  born  in  Rio  Janeiro.  How  he  reached  Africa 
is  unknown;  but  when  there,  he  deserted  his  master,  and  eventually 
made  his  way  into  the  interior,  to  the  court  of  Dahomey.  At  this  period 
the  Brazilian  slave-trade  was  in  full  vigor,  and  the  adventurous  refugee 
managed  with  great  skill  in  his  dealings,  as  a  broker,  among  the  natives  ; 
from  small  beginnings,  he  gradually  grew  up  into  an  opulent  trader. 
His  mixed  blood  helped  him  on.  He  learned  to  speak  like  a  native, 
became  an  African  among  Africans,  and  among  the  whites  assumed  the 
easy,  winning  address  of  his  country.  Chief  after  chief  became  his 
friend,  and  he  finally  obtained  the  summit  of  his  influence,  in  being 
made  the  favorite  of  the  powerful  king  of  Dahomey.  So  great  was  the 
estimation  in  which  this  man  was  held  by  the  Dahomians,  that  when  he 
died,  in  1849,  a  boy  and  girl  were  beheaded  and  buried  with  him,  and 
throe  men  offered  up  in  sacrifice.  For  months  the  funeral  honors  to  his 
memory  were  continued.  The  town  was  kept  in  a  continual  ferment. 
Three  hundred  of  the  women  who  compose  the  Dahomian  army  daily 
paraded,  and  fired,  and  danced  in  his  honor.  Bands  of  people  paraded 
the  streets,  headed  by  guinea-fowls,  ducks,  goats,  pigeons  and  pigs,  on 
poles,  alive  for  sacrifice.  Much  rum  was  distributed,  and  nightly  there 
was  shouting,  firing,  and  dancing.  Such  were  the  hellish  orgies  occa- 
sioned by  the  death  of  this  infamous  wretch. 

At  the  time  of  Canot^s  arrival,  da  Sousa  was  at  the  summit  of  his 
career.  He  had  built  him  a  magnificent  dwelling  at  Ayudah,  and  sur- 
rounded himself  with  all  the  luxuries  of  an  animal  existence.  "  Wines, 
food,  delicacies  and  raiment  were  brought  from  Paris,  London  and  Ha- 
vana. The  most  beautiful  women  of  the  country  were  lured  to  his  set- 
tlement. Billiard-tables  and  gambling  halls  spread  their  wiles  for  detained 
navigators.  And  here  this  horrible  man  had  surrounded  himself  with  all 
that  could  corrupt  virtue,  gratify  passion,  tempt  avarice,  betray  weakness, 
satisfy  sensuality,  and  complete  a  picture  of  incarnate  slavery  in  Dahomey. 


wjS35*8 


534 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE  TRADER. 


II!  11 


When  he  sallied  forth,  an  officer  preceded  him  to  clear  the  path;  a 
fool  or  buffoon  hopped  beside  him;  a  band  of  native  musicians,  and  a 
couple  of  singers,  screamed,  at  the  top  of  their  voices,  the  most  fuls<jme 
praises  of  tlie  mulatto.  Numbers  of  vessels  were  of  course  required  to 
feed  tliis  African  nabob  with  doubloons  and  merchandise.  Hoinetimcs 
commanders  from  Cuba  or  Brazil  would  be  kept  months  in  his  perilous 
nest,  while  their  craft  cruised  along  the  coast,  in  expectation  of  liuman 
cargoes.  At  such  seasons,  no  expedient  was  left  untried  for  '.lie  enter- 
tainment and  pillage  of  wealthy  or  trusted  idlers.  If  da  Sousu^s  lioard 
and  wines  made  them  drunkards,  it  was  no  fault  of  his.  If  rouge-rt-iioir 
or  monte  won  their  doubloons  and  freight  at  his  saloon,  ho  regretted,  liut 
dared  not  interfere  with  the  amusement  of  his  guests.  If  tiio  syrens 
of  his  harem  betrayed  a  cargo  for  their  favor,  over  cards,  a  convenient  fire 
destroyed  the  frail  warehouse  after  the  merchandise  v/ixa  removed.^' 
Canot,  by  avoiding  the  wiles  of  da  Sousa  and  his  dissipated  soni),  won 
the  respect  of  the  great  man,  so  that,  at  tlie  end  of  two  montiis,  he  had 
secured  a  cargo  of  480  prime  negroes  in  the  bowels  of  tlic  EHtrellu. 

While  at  Ayudah,  da  Sousa  received  an  invitulioii  from  the  king  uf 
Dahomey  to  visit  his  court,  with  his  guests,  at  the  yearly  sacrifue  of 
human  beings.  Canot  did  not  accompany  the  party  ;  but  tlie  I'hijjlisli 
traveler,  Duncan,  some  years  later,  (in  1845,)  visited  tlie  court  of  Daiio- 
iney,  and  in  his  travels  gives  an  interesting  account  of  his  presentation 
to  this  most  powerful  of  all  the  monarclis  of  the  Negro  tribes.  His 
experiences  there  we  give  in  his  own  language: 

"  We  arrived  at  Abomey,  the  capital  of  Dahomey,  at  three  minutes 
past  one  o'clock,  amid  crowds  of  spectators,  and  were  guided  to  an  ex- 
cellent house  prepared  for  me  by  Maylio,  the  king's  prime  minister,  an 
excellent  old  man,  and  very  different  to  the  generality  of  uncivilized 
Africans,  not  having  that  covetous  and  selfish  disposition  usual  with 
them.  On  the  ftllowing  morning,  afler  an  early  breakfast,  I  was  fully 
equipped,  and  rode,  attended  by  some  of  the  king's  principal  men,  to 
llic  market-place,  or  parade-ground,  in  front  of  his  palace  or  liousc.  On 
our  march  to  the  market-place,  wo  passed  along  part  of  the  walls  uf  the 
palace,  which  covers  an  immense  space.  Tlie  walls  as  well  as  iiouscs 
are  made  of  red,  sandy  clay,  and  on  top  of  the  walls,  at  intervals  uf 
thirty  feet,  human  skulls  were  placed  along  their  whole  cxtriit.  On 
approaching  nearer  the  market-place  we  beheld,  on  an  elevated  pole,  a 
man  fixed  in  an  upright  position,  with  a  basket  on  his  head,  apparently 
liolding  it  with  both  his  hands.  A  little  farther  on  we  saw  two  more 
men,  now  in  a  state  of  decomposition,  hung  by  the  feet  from  a  thick 
pole,  placed  horizontally  on  two  upright  poles,  about  twenty  feet  high. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  market  were  two  more  human  bodies,  in 
the  same  position  as  those  I  have  just  mentioned,  with  the  exception  that 
the  bodies  had  been  mutilated.  This  excited  my  curiosity,  for  decapi* 
tation  is  the  favorite  mode  of  execution  in  Abomey.  I  was  informed 
that  these  men  had  been  guilty  of  adulterous  intercourse  with  one  of 
the  king's  wives,  in  consequence  of  which  they  were  sentenced  to  be 
put  to  death  by  being  beaten  with  clubs,  and  after  death  mutilated. 
The  king  had  not  yet  arrived  at  the  appointed  place,  where  a  high  stool 
and  footstool  were  pl|iced  for  him  under  a  huge  umbrella,  surrounded 
liy  about  twenty  more  of  nearly  the  same  dimensions,  formin;^  a  cres- 
cent— his  own  being  in  the  center.  He  had  requested,  througli  Maylio, 
'hat  I  would  salute  him  as  I  would  the  Queen  of  England,  for  he  was 
anxious  to  become  acquainted   with  European  manners  and  customs. 


"^SS-f^sTT 


'-?";'t'-^»5M?*s 


)ER. 

ar  the  patli;  a 
iisiciaDS,  and  a 
le  most  fulsome 
rse  required  to 
16.     Hoinetimea 
in  Ilia  perilous 
alion  of  iiuman 
for  the  eiiter- 
SouHu^H  hoard 
If  rougc-ct-iioir 
I  rejfrelted,  hut 
If  tiio   Byreua 
convenient  fire 
was  removed." 
pated  sourt,  won 
montlis,  he  had 
the  EHtrollii. 
om  the  king  of 
arly  sacrilice  of 
but  the   English 
e  court  of  Dulio- 
hiH  presentation 
!gro  tribes.     His 

it  throe  minutes 
guided  to  an  ex- 
rime  nunister,  an 
ity  of  uncivilized 
sition  usual   with 
kfast,  I  was  fully 
principal  men,  to 
ice  or  house.    On 
f  the  walls  of  the 
IS  well  as  houses 
Is,  at   intervals  of 
rholo  cxttiit.     On 
1  elevated  pole,  a 
1  head,  apparently 
ire  saw  two  more 
feet  from  a  tiiick 
twenty  feet  high, 
human  bodies,  in 
the  exception  that 
riosity,  for  decapi- 
.     I  was  informed 
)urBe  with  one  of 
e  sentenced  to  be 
r  death  mutilated, 
where  a  high  stool 
ibrella,  surrounded 
18,  forming!;  a  crcs- 
d,  through  Maylio, 
Qgland,  for  he  was 
aers  and  customs. 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


585 


""•^vJ:-""'^SSBSs65?®' 


Accordingly,  upon  a  nearer  approach,  I  saluted  his  Majesty  according  to 
military  regulation,  with  which  he  seemed  much  pleased,  and  returned 
the  compliment  in  a  much  more  graceful  manner  than  I  expected.  He 
then  requested  mo  to  dismount  and  come  to  him.  Upon  which  his  prime 
minister,  and  four  others  next  in  rank,  who  were  conducting  mo  to  hia 
Majesty^s  presence,  desired  me  to  halt  till  they  paid  their  complimiint  to 
his  Majesty.  Forming  in  line  in  front  of  me,  they  completely  prostrated 
themselves  at  full  length,  rubbing  both  sides  of  their  faces  on  tlie  ground, 
and  kissing  it.  They  then  raised  themselves  on  their  knees,  where  they 
remained  till  they  had  completely  covered  themselves  with  dust,  and 
rubbed  their  arms  over  with  dirt  as  high  as  the  shoulders. 

I  was  much  surprised  as  well  as  disgusted  with  such  absurd,  abject 
humiliation.  Their  robes,  which  a  few  minutes  before  looked  clean  and 
respectable,  were  now,  as  well  as  their  persons,  smeared  with  dirt.  My- 
self and  the  governor  of  Whydah  fort  were  the  only  persons  who  did  not 
observe  the  same  degrading  form.  Even  the  soldiers,  male  and  female, 
although  under  arms,  observe  tiio  same  humiliation.  AAer  this  cere- 
mony, wo  stepped  forward  to  the  king,  and  he  descended  from  his  stool 
or  throne,  and  shook  mo  cordially  by  the  hand,  declaring  iiis  great  satis- 
faction at  iiaving  an  Englishman  in  his  country.  He  then  projwscd  to 
drink  my  health.  A  table  having  already  been  prepared  for  me,  a  li(|uur- 
casc  was  placed  thereon,  containing  numerous  different  sorts  of  llasks 
and  decanters,  with  as  many  sorts  of  liquors,  namely,  Iloilaiuls,  rum, 
brandy,  aniseed,  claret,  cherry  brandy,  and  other  cordials.  During  tho 
time  the  king  is  drinking,  hia  face  is  always  concealed  from  observation 
by  a  number  of  handkerchiefs,  held  up  round  his  head.  At  this  moment 
a  firing  of  muskets  and  beating  of  gong-gongs  and  hurrahing  tUies 
place. 

I  was  ushered  to  a  seat  close  to  the  king,  wiio  paid  me  great  attention, 
and  show»d  every  anxiety  to  givo  me  information,  and  explain  everything 
to  me.  It  may  be  well,  before  proceeding  further,  to  state  that  all  hia 
attendants  and  soldiers  on  guard  near  his  person,  sit  down  cross-legged; 
the  soldiers  with  tho  butt-end  of  the  musket  resting  on  tiie  ground,  be- 
tween their  legs,  in  a  perpendicular  position.  During  this  time,  troop 
after  troop  of  female  soldiers  arrived,  preceded  by  a  band  of  very  bar- 
barous music,  similar  to  sheep-bells  and  drums,  made  from  part  of  the 
trunk  of  a  hollow  tree,  with  some  bullock  or  sheep-skin  covered  over  the 
top  of  it. 

Tiir-  king  is  a  tall,  athletic  man,  about  forty-three  years  of  age,  with  a 
pleasi.i^  expression  and  good  features,  but  the  top  of  his  forehead  falling 
back  rutiier  too  much  to  meet  the  views  of  a  phrenologist.  His  voice  is 
good  and  manner  graceful,  in  comparison  with  the  barbarous  customs  of 
the  country. 

In  all  directions,  troops  of  female  soldiers  were  now  arriving,  and  tak- 
ing their  stations  at  a  di.stance,  lying  down  or  squatted,  until  they  are 
called  upon  to  come  before  his  Majesty.  No  particular  discipline  is  ob- 
served. The  regiments  severally  form  up  in  an  irregular  column,  and 
the  principal,  or  commanding  officer,  calls  out  the  officers,  who  kneel  on 
both  knees,  and  cover  their  heads  and  bodies  with  dust.  The  comman- 
der then  introduces,  one  after  the  other,  each  officer  of  this  female  regi- 
ment; and  if  any  one  has  in  any  way  distinguish^^  herself,  it  is  com- 
mented upon,  and  the  party  complimented  and  rewarded  for  her  valor. 
This  regiment  belonged  to  the  king's  son,  in  the  government  of  a  country, 
bearing  an  ensign  or  flag,  ornamented  with  tho  figure  of  u  lion. 


586 


▲DVEKTURRS  OP  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADKR. 


After  all  the  ceremony  of  compliments  and  boaMtinff  of  ralor  in  gnno 
through,  the  officers  fall  in,  and  the  whole  regiment  aing  a  song  in  com- 
plimont  to  the  king.  After  that,  any  individual  who  chooaea  is  allowed 
to  Btep  to  the  front,  and  declare  her  fidelity  to  his  majesty,  and  as  soon 
at  one  retires  another  takea  he;  place,  ao  that  the  ceremony  liecomea 
irksome.  Sometimes  the  ceremony  of  one  reg.ment  passing  occupies 
throe  hours.  After  all  is  over,  the  whole  of  the  regiment  kneel  down, 
with  the  butt  of  their  muakota  on  the  ground  and  the  barrel  slanting 
back  over  the  shoulder,  and  with  both  hands  scrape  up  the  dust  and 
cover  themaelves  with  it.  The  dust  being  of  a  light  red  color,  gives 
them  a  very  singular  appearance.  Many  have  their  heads  entirely 
shaved,  except  a  tuft  resembling  a  cockade ;  others  only  shave  a  breadth 
of  two  inches  from  the  forehead  to  the  poll.  After  this  ceremony,  thej 
all  rise  up  from  the  stooping  position,  still  on  their  knees,  but  body  other- 
wise erect,  and  poising  their  muskets  horizontally  on  their  two  hands,  all 
join  in  a  general  hurrah.  Suddenly,  then,  they  rise  up,  throwing  the 
musket  sharply  into  one  hand,  holding  it  high  in  the  air,  at  the  same 
time  giving  another  hurrah.  The  whole  then  ahoulder  muskets,  and  run 
off  at  full  speed.  Each  individual  runs  as  fast  as  she  is  able,  so  that  it 
is  a  race  with  the  whole  regiment  of  six  hundred  women.  It  would 
surprise  a  European  to  see  the  speed  of  these  women,  although  they 
carry  a  long  Danish  musket  and  a  short  sword  each,  as  well  as  a  sort  of 
club. 

It  may  be  well  to  give  some  account  of  the  dress  and  equipments  of 
these  Amazons.  They  wear  a  blue  and  white  striped  cotton  surtout — 
the  stripes  about  one  and  a  half  inch  wide — of  stout  native  manufacture, 
mtkout  sleeves,  leaving  freedom  for  the  arms.  The  skirt  or  tunic  reaches 
as  low  as  the  kilt  of  the  Highlanders.  A  pair  of  short  trowsers  is  worn 
underneath,  reaching  two  inches  below  the  knee.  The  cartoucli-box, 
or  agbwadj/a,  forms  a  girdle,  aud  keeps  all  their  dress  snug  and  close. 
The  cartouch-box  contains  twenty  cartridges,  about  four  times  the 
quantity  of  that  used  in  England,  owing  to  the  inferiority  of  the  powder. 
It  is  very  conveniently  placed,  being  girded  round  the  loins.  Tiicse  wo- 
men certainly  make  a  very  imposing  appearance,  and  are  very  active. 
From  their  constant  exercise  of  body,  (for  the  women  in  all  cases  do  the 
principal  part  of  both  domestic  and  agricultural  labors  here,  as  well  as 
at  other  places,)  they  are  capable  of  enduring  much  fatigue. 

Next  came  the  king's  second  son's  female  soldiers,  from  a  part  called 
Kakagee's  country,  in  consequence  of  having  the  government  of  that 
country.  These  soldiers,  about  six  hundred,  went  through  the  sanin 
ceremony  as  the  others.  His  Majesty  always  anxiously  explained  every- 
thing to  me,  and  sent  to  the  palace  for  paper  for  me  to  make  notes  upon. 
During  the  day,  about  six  thousand  women-soldiers  passed  successively 
before  the  king,  who  frequently  introduced  the  principal  officers  of  this 
corps  to  me,  relating  their  achievements.  This  seemed  to  give  them 
great  satisfaction.  Among  them,  he  introduced  me  to  one  of  his  princi- 
pal wives,  a  stout,  noble-looking  woman,  of  a  light  brown  complexion. 
She  commanded  the  whole  of  the  king's  wives,  who  are  all  soldiers, 
amounting  to  six  hundred,  present  on  this  occasion. 

Next  morning,  June  12th,  as  early  as  seven  o'clock,  I  was  again  sum- 
moned to  attend  ttiA  review.  Some  of  the  principal  ministers  came 
with  me,  to  show  me  where  to  stand,  to  allow  the  passing  soldiery  to 
have  a  full  view  of  king's  visitor,  or  king's  stranger,  as  they  called  me. 
The  soldiers  were  now  fast  arriving  from  all  quarters;  each  regiment 


RR. 


ralor  i>  ({ono 
I  80D(i  in  corn- 
ten  is  allowed 
y,  and  ma  noon 
mony  liecoinoi 
iiiing  occupioR 
»t  kneel  down, 
barrel  slanting 
)  the  dust  and 
sd  color,  givRH 
heads  entirely 
ihave  a  breadth 
ceremony,  they 
but  body  other- 
r  two  hands,  all 
),  throwing  the 
ir,  at  the  same 
uskots,  and  run 
able,  so  that  it 
nen.  It  would 
,  although  they 
ell  as  a  sort  of 


equipments  of 
otton  surtout — 
fo  manufacture, 
or  tunic  roaches 
'owsers  is  worn 
6  cartouoh-box, 
snug  and  close. 

four  times  the 
r  of  the  powder, 
ins.  Tiieso  wo- 
ire  very  active. 

all  cases  do  the 
lere,  as  well  as 
guc. 

)m  a  part  called 
eminent  of  that 
ough  the  saniii 
Dxplaiued  every- 
nake  notes  upon, 
ied  successively 
1  officers  of  this 
d  to  give  theiu 
ne  of  his  princi- 
»wn  complexion. 

are  all  soldiers, 

was  again  sum- 
ministers  came 

issing  soldiery  to 
they  called  me. 

i;  each  regiment 


t  -,...  : 


, ,  jfc,  (..  .i*:*j*Ma;«L*a 


1  ■. 


"! 


.L.. 


Eu^ereU  according  to  Act  of  Congrew.  A.  D.  mdocclt,  by  H.  Howe,  io  th 


"^yV 


cvwvuc 


IV     V\Vt    VSaYttC    OAA 


"  At  sunset  the  slaves  are  stowed  for  the  night:  the  officers, 
sid.  fiicinj;  the  bows,  those  on  tlie  left  siJe  facing  the  stern— 
l)ettiT  acflon  for  the  heart."— PaRo  627. 


i«0>r"~^. 


lot  of  Congrew.  A.  D.  mdccci-t.  by  H.  Howf.  iu  the  derk'.  uffice  of  the  DUt.  Court  of  the  V.  9.  for  the  8.  Dirt,  of  Ohio. 

stowed  for  tlie  night:  the  officers,  with  whip  in  hand,  ranging  the  slaves— those  on  the  riglit 
on  the  left  side  facing:  the  stern— ■*(•  as  to  bring  ea.!h  negro  on  his  riglit  side,  and  thus  .illow 
-Paae  627. 


\  _^....^..^ 


» 

! 

- 

■-      "* 

• 

J 

m 

• 

1 

fi  ■ 
!    ■' 

■; 

1' 
1 

» 

!• 

^ 

ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


537 


preceded  by  its  band,  whose  instruments  produced  the  most  discordant 
sounds  that  can  be  imagined — drums,  elephants*  teeth,  bullock^s  horns, 
and  a  sort  of  triangular  iron  tube,  which  they  beat  with  a  small  stick, 
and  whicli  gave  forth  sounds  like  a  sheep-bell. 

The  commander  rides  in  the  center  of  his  regiment,  if  provided  with  a 
horse,  (which  is  not  stronger  than  a  Shetland  pony,)  with  two  men  hold- 
ing him  on.  Others,  who  have  no  horses,  are  carried  in  hammocks. 
After  about  four  thousand  men  had  passed  me,  marching  without  any 
discipline  or  form,  I  returned  to  the  king's  canopy,  to  await  the  com- 
mencement of  the  review.  In  a  short  time,  the  female  soldiers  made 
their  appearance,  in  full  marching  order,  with  provisions,  amounting  to 
ab^ut  seventeen  hundred.  This  corps  was  preceded  by  its  band.  The 
drum  is  carried  on  the  head,  one  end  to  the  front  and  the  other  to  the 
rear;  the  person  beating  it  walks  behind  the  carrier.  The  drum  belong- 
ing to  the  corps  was  ornamented  with  twelve  human  skulls.  Seven  stan- 
dards are  carried  with  this  regiment,  the  tops  of  which  are  ornamented 
with  human  skulls.  Tiiis  regiment  belongs  to  Megah,  the  king's  principal 
jailor. 

About  two  hundred  marched  past,  as  I  have  described,  followed  in 
succession  by  the  king's  women,  to-day  amounting  to  six  hundred,  all 
from  the  king's  palace.  These  were  headed  by  Dagbyweka.  The 
drum  was  also  ornamented  by  twelve  skulls  of  traitors,  or  men  caught 
in  arms  against  the  king.  This  corps  observed  certain  regulations  on 
the  march,  not  customary  with  the  others :  nine  women  and  an  officer 
marched  in  front,  as  an  advance  guard;  at  a  short  interval  fifty  supporters; 
then  followed  the  main  body.  One  individual  officer  is  always  appointed 
to  lead  the  attack,  who  is  distinguished  by  a  sword  of  4jj[erent  pattern. 
An  attack  is,  if  possible,  always  knade  in  the  night,  or  flv  early  in  the 
morning.  Next  followed  the  female  soldiers  from  !fl^domey,  com- 
manded by  Kuawie,  (or  white  man's  motiier.)  Next,  Icandee  people,  a 
country  distant  one  day's  journey  to  the  W.N.W.  of  Abomey. 

After  this  procession,  which  consisted  altogether  of  about  eight  thou- 
sand women,  well-armed  and  clothed,  had  passed,  the  king  asked  me  to 
go  and  see  what  his  women  soldiera  were  about  to  perform.  I  was 
accordingly  conducted  to  a  large  space  of  broken  ground,  where  fourteen 
days  had  been  occupied  in  erecting  three  immense  prickly  piles  of  green 
bush.  These  three  clumps,  or  piles,  of  a  sort  of  strong  briar  or  thorn, 
armed  with  the  most  dangerous  prickles,  were  placed  in  line,  occupying 
about  four  hundred  yards,  leaving  only  a  narrow  passage  between  them, 
sufficient  merely  to  distinguish  each  clump  appointed  to  each  regiment. 
These  piles  are  about  seventy  feet  wide,  and  eight  feet  high.  Upon 
examining  them,  I  could  not  persuade  myself  that  any  human  being, 
without  bcots  or  shoes,  would,  under  any  circumstances,  attempt  to  pass 
over  ao  dangerous  a  collection  of  the  most  efficiently  armed  plants  I  had 
ever  seen.  Behind  these  piles  already  mentioned,  were  yards,  or  large 
pens,  tX  the  distance  of  three  hundred  yards,  fenced  with  piles  seven 
feet  high,  thickly  matted  together  with  strong  reeds.  Inclosed  therein 
were  several  hundred  slaves  belonging  to  the  king. 

It  may  be  well  to  state  that  this  affair  was  entirely  got  up  to  illustrate 
an  attack  upon  a  town,  and  the  capture  of  prisoners,  who  are  of  course 
made  slaves.  Afte>°  waiting  a  short  time,  the  Apadomey  soldiers  made 
their  appearance  at  about  two  hundred  yards  from,  or  in  front  of  the  first 
pile,  where  they  halted  with  shouldered  armn.  In  a  few  seconds,  the 
word  for  attack  was  given,  and  a  rush  was  made  toward  the  pile  with  a 


i 


TTigWf»iwr«nw«iip»iii 


■^1 


538 


ADVENTURES  OP  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


speed  beyond  conception,  and  in  less  than  ono  minute  the  whole  body  had 
passed  over  this  immense  pile,  and  had  taken  the  supposed  town.  Each 
of  the  other  piles  was  passed  with  equal  rapidity,  at  intervals  of  twenty 
minutes,  after  which  we  again  returned  to  our  former  station  in  the  mar- 
ket-place.  Here  we  found  his  Majesty  waiting  for  us.  He  anxiously 
inquired  how  I  was  pleased  with  the  performance  of  his  female  soldiers, 
and  asked  if  I  thought  the  same  number  of  Englishwomen  would  perform 
the  same.  I,  of  course,  answered  tu>:  we  had  no  female  soldiers  in 
England,  but  we  had  females  who  had,  individually  and  voluntarily, 
equally  distinguished  themselves. 

In  a  short  time  after  our  return,  the  Apadomey  regiment  passed,  on 
their  return,  in  single  file — each  leading,  in  a  string,  a  young  male  or 
female  slave,  carrying  also  the  dried  scalp  of  one  man  supposed  to  have 
been  killed  in  the  attack.  On  all  such  occasions,  when  a  person  is  killed 
in  battle,  the  skin  is  taken  from  the  head,  and  kept  as  a  trophy  of  valor. 
I  counted  seven  hundred  scalps  pass  in  this  manner.  The  captains  of 
each  corps,  in  passing,  again  presented  themselves  before  his  Majesty, 
and  received  the  king^s  approval  of  their  conduct.  After  all  had  passed, 
each  regiment  again  formed  in  column  before  the  king,  and  each  officer  was 
presented  to  me,  and  their  deeds  of  valor  recorded  for  which  they  wjsre 
promoted.  No  promotion  takes  place  unless  merited  on  account  of  some 
act  of  distinguished  merit.  When  the  king's  household  troop  or  regiment 
formed  up,  his  Majesty  asked  me  if  I  observed  the  form  of  an  animid 
worn  on  the  white  cotlen  skull-cap  of  this  corps.  I  replied  in  the  affir- 
mative. This  animal,  he  informed  me,  was  killed  by  some  of  his  women 
when  in  the  bush,  during  the  last  war,  a  few  months  ago;  and  he  had 
ordered  the  figure  to  be  worn  on  the  cap  as  a  badge  of  distinction. 

One  officer  SDiis  corps  of  king's  soldier-wives  was  introduced  to  me. 
Her  name  IMrai^Madimo.  This  female  had,  during  the  two  last  years' 
war,  taken,  successively,  each  year  a  male  prisoner,  for  which  she  was 
promoted,  and  his  Majesty  had  also  presented  her  with  two  female  slaves. 
Adadimo  is  a  tall,  thin  woman,  about  twenty-two  years  of  age,  and  good- 
looking  for  a  black,  and  mild  and  unassuming  in  appearance.  The  king 
also  introduced  her  to  an  Ashantee  prince  and  some  attendants,  who 
were  here  on  a  visit.  After  presenting  Adadimo  to  the  Ashantees,  he 
addressed  her  and  the  regiment  to  the  following  effect,  the  regiment 
being  now  on  their  knees: — He  told  them  I  was  one  of  the  Queen  of 
England's  soldiers,  sent  on  a  friendly  mission  or  visit,  to  collect  informa- 
tion respecting  his  kingdom;  and  he  himself  felt  proud  and  much  grati- 
fied to  be  able  to  inform  them  all  of  the  circumstance,  more  especially 
as  he  could  assure  them  that  the  Queen  of  England  was  the  greatest  and 
most  powerful  sovereign  in  the  world,  and  far  surpassed  all  countries  in 
war,  as  well  as  in  the  manufacture  of  guns  and  cloth,  the  two  British 
articles  best  known  in  the  country.  He  repeated  that  the  highest  possi- 
ble compliment  was  paid  to  Adadimo,  by  her  being  introduced  to  me, 
and  having  her  name  registered  in  ray  book.  During  this  speech,  she 
remained  on  her  knees,  and  returned  me  repeated  thanks.  The  same 
example  was  followed  by  the  whole  regiment. 

Next  came  a  regiment  belonging  to  a  country  called  Ginoa,  com- 
mnuded  by  a  female  of  the  same  name.  This  regiment  consisted  only 
of  three  hundred  women.  This  corps  make  no  prisoners,  but  kill  all. 
Aftr'r  all  this  ceremony  was  over,  the  principal  male  officers  prostrated 
themselves,  and  went  through  the  regular  form  of  harangue,  as  if  this 
review  had  becu  actual  service'.     They  informed  his  Majesty  that  they 


"fT' 


•«MMm> 


R. 

hole  body  had 
town.  Each 
als  of  twenty 
m  in  the  mar- 
He  anxiously 
male  soldiers, 
vould  perform 
le  soldiers  in 
,d  voluntarily, 

snt  passed,  on 
roung  male  or 
iposed  to  have 
person  is  killed 
rophy  of  valor, 
le  captains  of 
e  his  Majesty, 
all  had  passed, 
each  officer  was 
hich  they  were 
icconnt  of  some 
oop  or  regiment 
n  of  an  animal 
lied  in  the  affir- 
[le  of  his  women 
jo;  and  he  had 
distinction, 
itroduced  to  me. 
I  two  last  years' 

which  she  was 
wo  female  slaves. 
>f  age,  and  good- 
ance.     The  king 

attendants,  who 
te  Ashantees,  he 
;ct,  the  regiment 
of  the  Queen  of 
a  collect  informa- 
1  and  much  grati- 
,  more  especially 
18  the  greatest  arid 
d  all  countries  in 
th,  the  two  British 
the  highest  possi-  , 
ntroduced  to  me, 
r  this  speech,  she 
lanks.    The  same 

ailed  Ginoa,  cem- 
ent consisted  only 
oners,  but  kill  all. 
officers  prostrated 
arangue,  as  if  this 
s  Majesty  that  they 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN* SLAVE-TRADER. 


539 


I 


were  happy  to  congratulate  him  upon  the  return  of  his  victorious  army, 
and  capture  of  a  great  number  of  slaves. 

His  Majesty,  then  turning  to  me,  addressed  me  in  a  loud  voice,  to  tho 
following  eflect:  "You  come  from  the  greatest  and  richest  country  in 
the  world,  and  I  am  truly  gratified  at  seeing  you  in  my  country.  Tho 
only  thing  I  regret  is  that  so  few  Englishmen  come  to  see  me.  I  should 
at  all  times  feel  proud  to  do  anything  in  my  power  to  accommodate  an 
Englishman,  and  endeavor  to  make  him  comfortable  in  my  country.  I 
am  aware,"  he  added,  "  that  I  have  not  in  my  power  all  the  necessaries 
required  by  Englishmen,  but  if  I  were  more  frequently  visited  by  them, 
I  would  take  care  to  procure  everything  necessary  for  their  comfort. 
You  have  traveled  much  in  Africa,  and  from  what  you  have  seen  you  are 
now  aware  that  I  am  as  far  superior  in  Africa,  as  England  is  to  Spain  or 
Portugal." 

Before  breaking  up,  the  king  assembled  all  his  principal  officers,  and 
introduced  them  to  me,  describing  their  rank  and  office.  Afler  many 
introductions,  the  principal  officers  were  desired  to  drink  the  Queen  of 
England^s  health.  This  was  to  be  drunk  out  of  a  human  skull:  appa- 
rently, not  long  before,  it  had  been  useful  to  the  original  possessor. 
However,  as  this  was  considered  the  highest  compliment  that  can  be  paid 
to  any  person,  I  drank  my  sovereign's  health  from  the  bony  goblet.  The 
king  also  joined.  I  then  proposed  his  Majesty's  health,  which  was  drunk 
from  the  same  vessel.     This  concluded  tlfe  second  day's  performance. 

I  may  be  permitted  to  make  a  few  remarks  on  the  army  of  women.  It 
is  certainly  a  surprising  sight  in  an  uncivilized  country.  I  had,  it  is  true, 
often  heard  of  the  king's  ^male  soldiers,  but  now  I  have  seen  them,  all 
well  armed,  and  generally  fine,  strong,  heahhy  women,  and  doubtless 
capable  of  enduring  great  fatigue.  They  seem  to  use  theWong  Danish 
musket  with  as  much  ease  as  one  of  our  grenadiers  does  his  firelock, 
but  not,  of  course,  with  the  same  quickness,  as  they  are  not  trained  to 
any  pL.rticular  exercise,  but,  on  receiving  the  word,  make  an  attack  like 
a  pack  of  hounds,  with  great  swiftness.  Of  course  they  would  be  use- 
less against  disciplined  troops,  if  at  all  approaching  to  the  same  numbers. 
Still,  their  appearance  is  more  martial  than  the  generality  of  the  men; 
and  if  undertaking  a  campaign,  I  should  prefer  the  females  to  the  male 
soldiers  of  this  country.  From  all  I  have  seen  of  Africa,  I  believe  the 
King  of  Dahomey  possesses  an  army  superior  to  any  sovereign  west  of 
the  Great  Desert. 

June  13th. — To-day  I  attended  at  the  king's  hoase  or  palace.  After 
passing  through  two  quadrangles  of  about  sixty  yards  by  thirty,  we 
entered  the  principal  square.  This  square  is  formed,  of  three  sides, 
of  houses,  or  long  sheds,  and  on  the  opposite  side  to  the  principal 
part  or  side  is  a  high  wall  of  clay,  with  human  skulls  placed  at  short 
intervals  on  the  top.  All  the  quadrangles  were  filled  with  a  mob  of 
armed  men,  some  sitting,  some  lying  down  asleep,  others  walking  about 
smoking. 

After  I  was  comfortably  seated,  his  Majesty  advanced  toward  me  to  drink 
my  health,  which  was  accompanied  with  lou<l  hurrahs  from  his  people. 
After  I  had  partaken  of  some  eatables,  the  day's  amusements  commenced. 
All  the  principal  men  in  his  Majesty's  service  were  ordered  to  the  front. 
They  were  all  dressed  in  their  most  gaudy  dresses,  uf  various  sliapes 
and  colors,  according  to  the  taste  of  the  wearer;  but  all  of  the  head  men 
wore  silver  gauntlets,  and  a  profusion  of  beads  and  anklets,  generally 
made  of  a  common  small  irrr.i  chain,  in  substance  similar  to  a  horse- 


^l,^Sjfe&fe^V»*4Sfe^te-*a*a<:-.' 


._x- 


540 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


I  i. 


collar  chain  used  in  England,  but  the  links  merely  closed,  not  welded. 
Others  of  lower  rank,  or  second,  as  they  are  called,  (for  each  head  man 
has  his  second,)  were  dressed  in  their  military  dress.  Several  of  the 
principal  men  were  also  disguised  in  masks  and  clown^s  dresses,  who 
performed  antics  and  all  manner  of  bulToonery.  Some  had  on  masks 
resembling  the  head  of  a  bear,  others  that  of  a  monkey,  Some  also 
displayed  a  pair  of  silver  horns,  fixed  on  the  forehead  by  a  bandeau. 
About  ten  yards  in  front  of  the  place  where  his  Majesty  lay,  three 
skulls  were  placed  on  the  ground,  forming  an  equilateral  triangle,  about 
three  feet  apart.  At  a  little  distance  from  the  three  last  named  skulls, 
a  calabash  was  placed,  containing  several  skulls  of  distinguished  men 
taken  or  killed  in  war. 

Near  the  king  were  placed  several  large  staflfs,  or  walking-sticks,  with 
a  skull  fixed  on  the  upper  end  of  each,  the  stick  passing  through  the 
skull  so  as  to  leave  about  seven  inches  of  the  stick  above  the  skull,  for 
the  hand  when  walking.  In  a  short  time  his  Majesty  expressed  his 
wish  to  dance,  which  was  approved  of  by  all  the  people,  by  loud  yells 
and  the  /iring  of  muskets.  The  king  then  came  forward  to  the  open 
space  in  front,  where  the  three  skulls  were  placed,  and  commenced  a 
dance,  or  rather  elephantine  motion,  the  movement  being  all  in  the  hips 
and  shoulders.  After  moving  in  this  way  about  one  minute,  his  Majesty 
took  one  of  the  staffs  and  skulLs,  and  recommenced  dancing  among  the 
three  skulls,  which  lay  on  the  ground.  He  then  ordered  a  cigar  to  be 
lighted  for  him,  and  began  smoking;  at  the  same  time  he  folded  his 
arms,  with  the  staff  under  his  arms,  resting  with  his  breast  on  the  top 
of  the  skull,  and  displaying  all  the  indifference  possible.  He  then  ad- 
vanced toward  me  and  gave  me  a  cigar,  and  again  desired  me  to  drink 
his  health,  lie  asked  me  if  I  should  like  to  be  present  on  the  following 
day  to  witness  the  execution  of  four  (men)  traitors,  and  proffered  me 
the  honor  of  being  the  executioner.  This  honor,  however,  I  declined  ; 
but  he  pressed  me,  observing  he  should  like  to  see  the  capability  of  my 
sword,  which  he  admired  much.  I  told  him  I  would  rather  save  a  man's 
life  than  take  it,  unless  in  my  own  defense.  This  he  admitted  was  all 
very  good,  but  asked  me  whether  I  should  like  to  save  the  life  of  a  per- 
son who  had  attempted  the  life  of  my  Queen?  I,  of  course,  replied, 
Certainly  not.     Then  he  told  me  that  the  crime  of  these  men  was  similar. 

Hth. — Again  I  visited  the  palace,  at  half-past  eight  o'clock.  The 
ceremonies  of  this  day  were  nearly  a  repetition  of  those  of  yesterday, 
till  the  time  arrived,  (an  hour  before  sunset,)  when  the  four  traitors 
were  brou^'ht  into  the  square  for  execution.  They  marched  through  the 
mob,  or  assembled  crowd,  apparently  as  little  concerned  as  the  specta- 
tors, who  seemed  more  cheerful  than  before  the  prisoners  made  their 
appearance,  as  if  they  were  pleased  with  the  prospect  of  a  change  of 
performance.  They  were  all  young  men  of  the  middle  size,  and  ap- 
peared to  be  of  one  family,  or  at  least  of  the  same  tribe  of  Mahees, 
who  are  much  better  looking  than  the  people  of  the  coast.  Each  man 
was  ga},'ged  witli  a  short  piece  of  wood,  with  a  small  strip  of  white 
cottou  tied  round  each  end  of  the  stick,  and  passed  round  the  pole. 
This  was  to  prevent  them  from  speaking.  They  were  arranged  in  line, 
kneeling;  before  the  king.  The  head  gong-gong  man  then  gave  four 
beats  on  the  gong,  as  one — two,  and  one — two,  the  upper  part  of  the 
goDg  being  smaller  than  the  lower,  and  thus  rendering  the  sounds 
different,  similar  to  our  public  clocks  in  England,  when  striking  the 
quarters. 


•j 


I 


)ER. 

ed,  not  welded, 
each  head  man 
Several  of  the 
's  dresses,  who 
;  had  on  masks 
ey,  Some  also 
J  by  a  bandeau, 
ijesty  lay,  three 
1  triangle,  about 
It  named  skulls, 
itinguished  men 

king-sticks,  with 
ising  through  the 
ve  the  skull,  for 
ty  expressed  his 
lie,  by  loud  yells 
ard  to  the  open 
id  commenced  a 
ig  all  in  the  hips 
nute,  his  Majesty 
ncing  among  the 
ed  a  cigar  to  be 
nc  he  folded  his 
reaat  on  the  top 
e.     He  then  nd- 
ired  me  to  drink 
t  on  the  following 
md  proffered  me 
vever,  I  declined; 
3  capability  of  my 
ather  save  a  man's 
admitted  was  all 
the  life  of  a  per- 
jf  course,  replied, 
e  men  was  similar, 
ght  o'clock.     The 
lose  of  yesterday, 
the  four  traitors 
irched  through  the 
ed  as  the  specta- 
joners  made  their 
ct  of  a  change  of 
iddle  size,  and  ap- 
tribe  of  Mahees, 
coast.     Each  man 
lall  strip   of  white 
d  round  the  pole. 
3  arranged  in  line, 
in  then  gave  four 
upper  part  of  the 
lering  the   sounds 
when  striking  the 


mAfm 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


541 


After  the  four  beats,  the  gong  man  addressed  the  culprits  upon  the 
enormity  of  their  crime  and  the  justice  of  their  sentence.  During  this 
lengthened  harangue  the  gong-gong  was  struck  at  short  intervals,  which 
gave  a  sort  of  awful  solemnity  to  the  scene.  After  this,  the  men  wore 
suddenly  marched  some  distance  back  from  his  Majesty,  who  on  this 
occasion  refused  to  witness  the  execution.  The  men  were  then  ordered 
to  kneel  in  line  about  nine  feet  apart,  their  hands  being  tied  in  front  of 
the  body,  and  the  elbows  held  behind  by  two  men,  the  body  of  the  culprit 
bending  forward.  Poor  old  Mayho,  who  is  an  excellent  man,  was  the 
proper  executioner.  He  held  the  knife  or  bill-hook  to  mc,  but  I  again 
declined  the  honor ;  when  the  old  man,  at  one  blow  on  the  back  of  the 
neck,  divided  the  head  from  the  body  of  the  first  culprit,  with  the  exception 
of  a  small  portion  of  the  skin,  which  was  separated  by  passing  the  knife 
underneath.  Unfortunately,  the  second  man  was  dreadfully  mangled,  for 
the  poor  fellow,  at  the  moment  the  blow  was  struck  having  raised  his 
head,  the  knife  struck  in  a  slanting  direction,  and  only  made  a  largo  wound ; 
the  next  blow  caught  him  on  the  back  of  the  head,  when  the  brain  pro- 
truded. The  poor  fellow  struggled  violently.  The  third  stroke  caught 
him  across  the  shoulders,  inflicting  a  dreadful  gssh.  The  next  caught 
him  on  the  neck,  which  was  twice  repeated.  The  officer  steadying  the 
criminal,  now  lost  his  hold  on  account  of  the  blood  which  rushed  from  the 
blood-vessels  on  all  who  were  near.  Poor  old  Mayho,  now  quite  palsied, 
took  hold  of  the  head,  and  after  twisting  it  several  times  round,  separated 
it  from  the  still  convulsed  and  struggling  trunk.  During  the  latter  part 
of  this  disgusting  execution  the  head  presented  an  awful  spectacle,  the 
distortion  of  the  features,  and  the  eyeballs  completely  upturned,  giving 
it  a  horrid  appearance. 

The  next  man.  poor  fellow,  with  his  eyes  partially  shut  and  head 
drooping  forward  near  to  the  ground,  remained  all  this  time  in  suspense ; 
casting  a  partial  glance  on  the  head  which  was  now  close  to  him,  and 
the  trunk  dragged  close  past  him,  the  blood  still  rushing  from  it  like  a 
fountain.  Mayho  refused  to  make  another  attempt,  and  another  man 
acted  in  his  stead,  and  at  one  blow  separated  the  spinal  bone,  but  did  not 
entirely  separate  the  head  from  the  body.  This  was  finished  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  first.  However,  the  fourth  culprit  was  not  so  fortunate, 
his  head  not  being  separated  till  after  three  strokes.  The  body  afterward 
rolled  over  several  times,when  the  blood  spurted  over  my  face  and  clothes. 
The  most  disgusting  part  of  this  abominable  and  barbarous  execution  was 
that  of  an  old  ill-looking  wretch,  who,  like  the  numerous  vultures,  stood 
with  a  small  calabash  in  his  hand,  ready  to  cntch  the  blood  from  each  indi- 
vidual, which  he  greedily  devoured  before  it  had  escaped  one  minute 
from  the  veins.  The  old  wretch  had  the  impudence  to  put  some  rum  in 
the  blood  and  ask  me  to  drink ;  at  that  moment  I  could  with  good  heart 
have  sent  a  bullet  through  his  head. 

From  this  period  I  passed  my  time  heavily,  rarely  taking  any  exercise, 
on  account  of  the  ridiculous  cumIotc  of  being  obliged  to  turn  out  of  the 
road  if  any  of  the  king's  wives  should  meet  you.  They  are  in  all  parts 
of  the  town  and  neighborliood,  employed  on  different  domestic  occupations, 
but  principally  in  carrying  food  in  immense  gourds  or  calabashes  on  the 
head,  containing  provisions  for  the  king's  ministers  and  principal  men, 
who,  although  thoy  live  in  their  own  houses  with  their  families,  yot  are 
al'  furnished  with  food  by  the  king,  which  is  prepared  in  the  palace. 

The  approach  of  the  king's  wives  is  always  announced  by  the  ringing 
qC  a  small  bell,  which  is  carried  by  a  female  servant  or  slave,  who  invaribly 


'-"^•^••^ifii^'inMaiuixMiAii^seSU^i;.'  ■ 


■  f>i6.' 


642 


ADVENTURES  OP  AX  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


precedes  them.  The  moment  tliia  bell  is  heard  all  persons,  whether 
mule  or  female,  turn  their  backs,  but  the  males  must  retire  to  a  curtain 
dititance.  In  passing  through  the  town  this  is  one  of  the  most  intolerable 
nuisances.  Several  other  customs  exist,  one  or  two  of  which  it  may  bo 
well  to  mention.  On  passing  many  ditferent  places,  either  in  hammock 
or  on  horseback,  the  traveler  is  obliged  to  get  out  and  walk,  and  upon 
passing  out  of  the  town  from  Dahomey  toward  the  coast,  are  a  sort  of 
custom-houses,  where  your  pass  is  demanded.  This  is  all  very  well, 
but  the  nuisance  does  not  end  here.  Should  you  have  a  number  of  fowls 
aa  presents  in  Dahomey,  (which  is  mostly  the  coae,)  and  should  any  one 
of  the  cocks  crow  in  passing,  or  while  you  wait  to  be  interrogated  by  the 
appointed  officer,  the  cock  is  seized  as  the  king^s  property;  or  if  more 
than  one  crow,  the  offenders,  as  many  aa  they  may  be,  are  seized. 

We  now  return  to  Canot,  who  regretted  that  when  he  lefl  Ayudah,  on 
the  return  voyage,  that  he  had  no  interpreter  to  make  the  necessary  com- 
munications with  the  slaves.  They  soon  became  discontented,  one  threw 
himself  into  the  sea,  and  another  choked  himself  to  death,  and  apprehen- 
sions soon  began  to  be  felt  that  the  slaves  would  revolt.  One  aAernoon, 
when  a  part  of  the  slaves  were  on  deck,  a  sudden  squall  arose,  and  all 
hands  were  summoned  by  the  boatswain^s  whistle  to  take  in  sail.  S'eizing 
the  opportunity  amid  the  confusion  of  the  gale,  they  poured  upon  the  deck, 
and  about  forty  stout  fellows  armed  with  staves  of  broken  water-casks,  or 
clubs  of  wood,  found  in  the  hold,  with  savage  yells  and  passion-excited 
visages,  rushed  upon  the  crew.  A  terrible  fight  occurred;  several  of 
the  sailors  were  laid  prostrate,  bleeding  upon  the  deck,  and  the  contest  for 
awhile  seemed  doubtful;  but  firearms  in  the  hands  of  white  men  fighting 
for  life,  were  too  much  for  ignorant  savages  with  clubs  only,  and  the 
latter,  after  several  discharges,  were  driven  into  the  hold.  The  crew  now 
had  leisure  to  attend  to  the  vessel,  which  was  in  peril  of  foundering  in  the 
aquall — the  sails,  ropes,  tacks  and  sheets  were  in  the  greatest  disorder,  flap- 
ping and  dashing  about  in  wild  confusion.  As  soon  as  below,  a  battle  took 
place  among  the  slaves,  which  was  with  difficulty  quelled  by  firing  in 
among  them,  and  pouring  scalding  water  on  the  combatants  through  holes 
bored  for  the  purpose  in  the  deck.  A  part  only  of  the  slaves  had  en- 
gaged in  the  rising,  otherwise  this  bold  stroke  for  liberty  would  have 
been  successful. 

Canot  now  felt  as  if  he  lived  with  a  pent  up  volcano.  Terror  reigned 
over  all,  and  the  lash  was  used  with  unmitigated  severity.  To  add  to 
his  anxiety,  a  slave-boy,  of  a  gentle  nature,  who  had  been  drilled  as  a 
waiter  in  the  cabin,  was  seized  with  that  dreadful  pestilence  the  smallpox. 
To  prevent  the  disease  from  spreading,  he  was  murdered  by  laudanum, 
and  his  body  was  thrown  to  its  final  resting-place  in  the  depths  of  the 
ocean.  As  they  approached  the  termination  of  their  voyage,  continuous 
storms  and  adverse  winds  prevailed.  On  the  last  two  days  they  were 
chased  by  a  British  vessel  of  war,  and  only  escaped  capture  by  running 
the  Estrella  on  to  the  beach,  and  with  such  force  that  the  mainmast 
snapped  like  a  pipe-stem.  They  were  obliged  in  their  haste  to  leave  a 
part  of  their  slaves  to  their  pursuers,  so  close  were  they  at  their  heels. 

Canot's  next  voyage  was  taken  in  the  Golden  Eagle,  a  Baltimore 
clipper  of  elegant  proportions.  The  voyage  was  disastrous.  While  in 
the  river  Salem,  the  Golden  Eagle,  with  all  her  crew,  was  unexpectedly 
pursued  and  taken  by  a  French  war-vessel,  and  Canot  was  carried  to 
France,  and  thrown  into  prison  at  Brest,  where,  after  remaining  a  year  or 
two,  ho  was  pardoned  out  by  Louis  Philippe,  in  conBequence  of  some 


|\DER. 

lorBonu,  whether 

vtiru  to  a  curtain 

most  intolerable 

which  it  may  be 

ther  in  hammock 

1  walk,  aad  upon 

}a8t,  are  a  Hort  of 

is  all  very  well, 

I  number  ot'  fowU 

d  Hhould  any  one 

iterrogatod  by  the 

perty;  or  if  more 

are  seized. 

e  lefl.  Ayudah,  on 

ie  necessary  com- 

itcnted,  one  threw 

th,  and  apprchen- 

.     One  afternoon, 

lall  arose,  and  all 

e  in  sail.     Seizing 

red  upon  the  deck, 

en  water-casks,  or 

id  passion-excited 

;urred;  several  of 

and  the  contest  for 

vhite  men  lighting 

ubs  only,  and  the 

d.    The  crew  now 

r  foundering  in  the 

itest  disorder,  flap- 

>elow,  a  battle  took 

lelled  by  firing  in 

tants  through  holes 

he  slaves  had  en- 

iiberty  would  have 

I.  Terror  reigned 
verity.    To  add  to 

been  drilled  as  a 
lence  the  smallpox, 
jred  by  laudanum, 

the  depths  of  the 
royage,  continuous 
lo  days  they  were 
capture  by  running 
that  the  mainmast 
lit  haste  to  leave  a 
hey  at  their  heels. 
Bagle,  a  Baltimore 
lastrous.  While  in 
,  was  unexpectedly 
Qot  was  carried  to 
remaining  a  year  or 
sequence  of  some 


ADVENTUIIES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


543 


illegality  in  his  condemnation.  True  to  his  education,  ho  was  no  sooner 
liberated  than  he  made  his  way  to  llie  African  cuust,  and  entcrud  the 
employment  of  the  celebrated  Pedro  Blajico,  at  Cialliuas.  This  man 
Blanco,  the  monarch  of  slave-traders,  was  a  native  of  Spain.  Carrying 
into  the  business  in  which  he  was  engaged,  nil  the  far-reaching  acumen 
of  the  most  thorough  merchant,  he  selected,  for  his  seat  of  trade,  a  s(>ot 
upon  the  African  coast,  where  a  short  sluggish  river  empties  into  the 
Atlantic,  by  a  perfect  labyrinth  of  low,  reed-covorcd  islands,  fronted  by  a 
bar  perilous  to  navigation,  and  otf  which  no  vessel  of  war  could,  except 
in  the  mo.st  perilous  weather,  watch  in  safety  this  dismal  spot,  which 
slavery  had  selected  for  her  recruiting  station.  Blanco's  factories  and 
barracoons  were  scattered  about  among  the  islands,  and  here  and  tiiure, 
to  the  height  of  seventy-five  or  a  hundred  feet,  rose  telegraph  stations, 
shaded  by  the  sun  and  rain,  on  which  lookouts  were  constantly  sweeping 
the  horizon  with  telescopes,  to  descry  the  approach  of  cruisers  or  slavers. 

Blanco  lived  in  barbaric  splendor,  with  his  seraglio  of  favorites,  and 
surrounded  by  the  luxuries  of  every  land.  His  ten  or  twelve  barracoons 
contained  each  from  one  hundred  to  five  hundred  slaves.  These  slave- 
pens  were  formed  of  piles  driven  into  the  ground,  strongly  united  by  iron 
bands,  thatched  overhead,  and  closely  guarded  by  armed  Spaniards  or 
Portuguese,  whom  dissipation  and  the  malaria  had  givim  an  aspect  little 
less  wretched  than  that  of  corpses. 

The  advent  of  Canot  at  Gallinas,  was  in  the  year  1836.  Blanco,  a  man 
of  slender  figure,  swarthy  face,  and  most  graceful  manners,  had  then 
passed  fifteen  years  upon  this  spot.  Three  years  later  he  left  it  for  Cuba, 
a  millionaire.  The  drafts  of  this  Rothschild  of  man-merchants  upon 
Europe  or  America,  were  as  good  as  gold  in  Sierra  Leone  and  Monrovia. 

A  few  years  after  the  establishment  of  Blanco,  the  thousands  of  slaves 
sent  away  began  to  exhaust  the  vicinity;  but  the  appetite  for  plunder  was 
stimulated  to  such  a  degree,  that  the  neighboring  blacks  supplied  with 
powder  by  the  factories,  and  enticed  by  their  tempting  merchandize, 
carried  their  hunts  far  inland.  The  multitudes,  too  ignorant  to  combine,  by 
fighting  them  singly,  fell  an  easy  prey,  and  yet  the  demand  continued 
until  Don  Pedro  and  his  myrmidons  established  numerous  branches  along 
the  coast,  north  and  south,  offshoots  from  the  parent-den,  and  reaped  a 
harvest  greater  than  that  of  Californian  gold.  Various  tribes  were  stim- 
ulated by.  avarice,  to  war  upon  each  other,  with  all  the  wild  ferocity  of 
African  savages;  so  that  down  in  the  hold  of  many  a  slaver,  as  it  steered 
its  way  across  the  broad  Atlantic,  have  been  shackled  to  the  same  bolt, 
two  deadly  enemies,  while  others  have  met  in  the  same  horrid  union  a 
long-lost  son  or  brother,  or,  perhaps,  parent,  taken  in  war.  In  these  wars 
among  the  natives,  their  soothsayers  were  ever  consulted.  The  story  is 
told  of  Amftrar,  a  native  chief  of  the  Gallinas,  who  was  besieged,  and 
wished  to  make  a  sally,  that  his  oracle  informed  him  the  moment  would 
be  propitious,  as  soon  as  he  had  stained  his  hands  in  the  blood  of  his 
own  son.  Amarar,  upon  this,  snatched  his  infant  from  its  mother's  arms, 
cast  it  into  a  rice  mortar,  and  with  a  pestle  mashed  it  to  death !  Such  is 
man  in  his  wild  state,  left  to  the  instincts  of  his  own  perverted  nature. 

The  familiarity  of  Canot  with  the  slave-trade,  in  all  its  branches,  was 
such  that  Blanco  engaged  him  to  establish  a  branch  factory  at  New 
Seostris,  an  independant  principality,  under  the  control  of  Prince  Free- 
man, a  Bassa  chief.  Having  erected  a  house  and  surrounded  it  with 
palisades,  he  purchased  about  seventy  slaves,  of  an  inferior  quality,  at  an 
exorbitant  price ;  and  then  sent  for  the  chief  to  assist  in  shipping  them,  on 


^'^^JSwfww^tiNcaBtJstBies^^ 


•M 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


T 


t  •Itve-vessel  that  lay  ofT  tlio  spoi.  To  thia  request  an  impudent  reply 
was  borne  to  Canot  by  the  son  of  the  king,  n  lad  of  sixteen,  wiiicli  so 
enraged  the  former,  that  he  gave  the  lad  a  blow  that  sent  him  bleeding 
ind  howling  home.  Shortly  the  whole  black  hive  was  in  agreat  ferment; 
and,  by  a  second  messenger,  word  was  sent  Canot  he  must  leave  the 
place.  Anticipating  trouble,  Canot  landed  some  whites  from  his  schooner, 
to  assist  in  his  defense.  At  evening,  im  placed  a  number  of  loaded 
muskets  in  a  long  trade-chest,  which  he  used  as  a  avl'a,  put  an  open  keg 
of  powder  upon  a  table,  concealed  beneath  a  blanket,  and  then,  laying  a 
pair  of  double-barrelled  pistols  under  his  broad-brimmed  hat,  set  a  guard, 
and  threw  himself  into  his  hammock  for  the  ni/>{lit.  In  the  morning,  he 
was  aroused  by  the  war-drum  and  village  bells,  announcing  the  approach 
of  the  people.  In  a  few  momenta  his  paliaadeii  wore  filled  with  nrmed 
and  chattering  savages.  The  Prince  strutted  pompously  into  the  presence 
of  Canot,  attired  only  in  the  red  coat  of  a  British  drummer,  but  without 
any  trowsers.  Canot  received  him  cordially,  and  conducted  him  into  his 
house.  With  some  few  preliminary  words,  Canot  jerked  olT  the  blanket 
from  the  open  powder,  and  aiming  one  pistol  at  the  keg  and  the  other 
at  the  Prince,  defied  him  to  order  him  off.  At  this.  Freeman  ^avo  a 
sudden  bound  out  of  the  house,  followed  by  his  body-guard,  all  in  the 
extremest  consternation.  He  subsequently, cringing  as  a  whipped  puppy, 
swore  eternal  fidelity  to  Canot.  The  oath  was  ratified  over  New  England 
rum,  and  by  sunset  the  slaves  were  duly  shipped  in  the  canoes  of  his 
people. 

Canot,  when  securely  established,  erected  permanent  buildings.  The 
main  structure  was  a  large  two  story  house,  surrounded  by  broad 
verandahs,  on  the  summit  of  which  was  a  watch-tower,  commanding  a 
broad  view  of  the  ocean.  Beside  this,  were  stores,  a  private  kitchen, 
one  for  slaves,  a  rice-house,  servant's-houses,  a  water  depot,  huts  for 
single  men,  and  slave-pens,  guarded  by  cannon.  The  whole  was  sur- 
rounded by  a  lofty  fence,  with  double  gates.  The  center  of  the  place 
was  an  open  square,  where,  after  their  meals,  the  slaves,  sometimes  to  the 
number  of  six  or  seven  hundred,  guarded  by  a  few  armed  men,  were 
accustomed  to  recreate  themselves  by  dancing,  singing,  and  drumming 
on  tom-toms. 

New  Seostris  grew  wonderfully  under  the  new  system  of  things.  Two 
populous  towns  arose  as  if  by  magic,  on  the  sandy  beach,  supplied  with 
merchandize  and  employment  by  the  factory.  Prince  Freeman's  memory 
of  past  grievances,  and  of  old  debts  due  his  ancestors,  received  a  sudden 
quickening,  and  expedition  followed  expedition  to  settle  these  old  affairs. 

On  Canot's  first  arrival,  the  people  were  basely  superstitio>js,  and  all 
classes  liable  to  be  accused  upon  any  pretext,  by  the  ju-ju-men  or  priests, 
who  tested  their  innocence  or  guilt  by  giving  the  aaucy-wood  potion. 
Often  when  the  removal  of  a  sick  wife,  a  superanuated  parent,  or  a  rich 
relative  was  desired,  they  would  be  accused  of  witchcraft,  and  as  the 
potion  could  be  graduated  by  the  priest,  death  ensued  when  desired.  As 
large  numbers  of  innocent  people  were,  by  these  means,  constantly 
falling  victims  to  avarice  or  malice,  Canot  determined  to  stop  this  abom- 
inable practice.  He  respectfully  requested  that  the  next  person  operated 
upon,  should  be  brought  to  his  barracoon.  Shortly  a  Krooman  accused 
of  the  death  of  his  nephew  by  witchcraft,  was  delivered  to  Canot,  and 
while  the  ju-ju-man  was  preparing  the  poisonous  drink  over  a  slow  fire, 
he  bribed  him  to  make  it  of  unusual  strength,  **for,^*  said  he,  "my  own 
ju-ju  says  he  it  innocent,  and  I  wish  to  ascertain  the  relative  truth  of  our 


"1 


kDER. 

I  impudent  reply 
sixteon,  which  so 
ent  him  blcodint; 
1  a  great  ferment; 
9  must  leave  the 
From  his  schooner, 
umber  of  loaded 
,  put  an  open  keg 
Lud  then,  laying  a 
d  hat,  set  a  guard, 
1  the  morning,  he 
cing  the  approach 
filled  with  nrmed 
f  into  the  presence 
mmer,  but  without 
ucted  him  into  his 
(ed  off  the  blanket 
keg  and  the  other 
I,  Freeman  ^avo  a 
y-guard,  all  m  the 
1  a  whipped  puppy, 
over  New  England 
the  canoes  of  his 

nt  buildings.  The 
rounded  by  broad 
^er.  commanding  a 
a  private  kitchen, 
;er  depot,  huts  for 
he  whole  was  sur- 
;enter  of  the  place 
s,  sometimes  to  the 
r  armed  men,  were 
ing,  and  drumming 

)m  of  things.  Two 
each,  supplied  with 
Freeman^s  memory 
,  received  a  sudden 
tie  these  old  affairs. 
uperstitio-iS,  and  all 
ju^u-men  or  priests, 

aauejf-tDOod  potion, 
ed  parent,  or  a  rich 
tchcraft,  and  as  the 

when  desired.  As 
.  means,  constantly 
d  to  stop  this  abom- 
lext  person  operated 
a  Krooman  accused 
rered  to  Canot,  and 

ink  over  a  slow  fire, 
"  said  he,  "  my  own 

relative  truth  of  our 


▲OYSNTURKS  OF  AN  AFRICAN  BLAVE-TRADER. 


545 


soothsayt'ra/*  Just  before  the  administration  of  the  poison,  Canot  privately 
gave  to  the  accused  a  strong  dose  of  tartar-emetic,  which  caused  him  to 
throw  lip  the  venomous  drink,  alniost  the  instant  it  was  given.  This 
established  the  innocence  of  the  drinker,  and  overwhelmed  the  ju-ju-man 
with  confusion.  This  result  was  soon  noised  about,  and  to  the  astonish- 
ment of  tho  superstitious  Africans.  Ever  after  that,  those  who  were  to 
be  subjected  to  this  ordeal,  were  brought  to  Canot.  He  thus  succeeded 
in  saving  many  lives,  ending  eventuuly  in  a  complete  abandonment  of 
the  practice. 

Along  the  African  coast,  for  a  distance  of  many  hundred  miles,  com- 
merce has  given  rise  to  a  peculiar  class  of  men,  known  as  Kroomen  and 
Fiahmen.  These  are  the  native  boatmen,  without  whose  skill  and  boldness, 
merchandize  could  not  be  landed,  nor  slaves  shipped  from  this  part 
of  Africa,  on  account  of  the  terrific  surf,  which,  even  in  the  calmest 
weather,  rolls  in  such  tremendous  combing  waves,  that  a  European  or 
American  boat  could  not  live  in  it.  Their  canoes  are  made  of  logs  of 
trees,  hollowed  out  and  sharpened  at  the  ends :  so  indispensable  are  the 
services  of  the  boatmen,  that  it  is  the  aim  of  all  slavers,  traders,  and  men- 
of-war  in  these  waters,  to  propitiate  their  favor.  Among  the  first  steps  of 
Canot,  when  he  went  to  New  Ueostris,  was  to  obtain  a  little  fleet  of 
Kroomen,  with  whose  aid  it  was  seldom  that  the  condition  of  the  surf  was 
such  as  to  prevent  him  from  shipping  his  cargoes.  Off  the  more  dan- 
gerous bar  of  Gallinas,  all  the  skill  of  these  boatmen,  could  not,  at  times, 
prevent  boat  load  after  boat  load  of  slaves,  from  falling  n  prey  to  ravenous 
sharks.  On  one  occasion  while  loading  a  single  vessd,  over  one  hundred 
slaves  met  this  terrible  death. 

At  one  period,  Canot  had  been  greatly  annoyed  by  the  continuous 
blockade  of  a  cruiser.  Finally,  getting  short  of  provisions,  she  steered 
for  Sierra  Leone,  for  a  fresh  supply.  Canot  dispatched  a  messenger, 
with  the  news,  to  his  friend  Don  Pedro,  at  Gallinas;  and  in  about  two 
days  thereafter,  a  clipper  brig,  sent  with  dispatch  by  him,  with  the  well- 
known  signal  for  a  cargo,  appeared  in  the  offing.  The  moon  was  now  at 
the  full,  and  the  surf  so  terrible  as  to  render  an  attempt  at  shipment 
exceedingly  perilous.  But  the  absent  cruiser  was  hourly  expected,  and 
there  was  no  alternative,  as  the  barracoons  were  literally  crammed  with 
slaves.  By  the  stimulus  of  an  extra  reward,  Canot  persuaded  the 
Kroomen  to  make  the  attempt,  with  the  smallest  boats,  and  the  best  rowers, 
while  on  shore  stood  a  large  number  of  the  most  expert  swimmers,  ready 
for  a  plunge  whenever  a  canoe  was  upset  by  the  breakers.  They  com- 
menced with  the  females,  and  had  shipped  seventy,  when  a  strong  wind 
set  in  from  the  ocean,  and  rolled  in  the  breakers  with  such  fury,  that 
almost  every  other  boat  was  npset,  and  negro  after  negro  was  rescued. 
Night  now  approaching,  left  still  one-third  of  his  aJaves  unembarked. 
Canot  ran  to  and  fro  on  the  beach,  in  great  excitement,  encouraging, 
coaxing,  and  refreshing  the  boatmen  and  swimmers;  but  neither  words, 
nor  rum  were  of  any  avail,  the  exhausted  boatmen  were  immovable. 
He  was  on  the  point  of  despair,  when  he  suddenly  thought  of  a  quantity 
of  false  coral  beads  amonc  his  goods,  just  then  all  the  rage  with  the  Kroo 
girls.  "  The  smile  of  a  Tip  hes  the  same  magical  power  in  Africa,  as 
elsewhere;  and  the  offer  of  a  coral  bunch  for  each  head  embarked, 
brdught  all  the  dames  and  damsels  of  Seoetris  to  hit  aid.  Such  a  shower 
of  chatter  was  never  heard  out  of  a  canary  cage.  Mothers,  sisters, 
daughters,  wives,  sweethearts,  took  charge  of  the  embarkation,  by  coaxing 
or  commanding  their  reipective  gentlemen;  and  before  the  sun's  rim 
36 


'■•M'-^^^fi^S^^US^;fS^'^&i!ltSiS^^&*:i 


4 


546 


▲OVBNTURIS  or  AN  AFRICAN  FLAVETRADER 


dipped  below  the  horiion,  i  few  afr^ndii  of  faUo  coral,  or  the  kiaaofa 
oegro  i^irl,-  aent  one  hundred  more  of  the  Afiicana  into  Spanish  alovery.'* 
The  brig  took  flight  in  the  dnrkneaa,  and  the  next  morning  the  cruiaer 
appeared  off  the  place,  when  Canot  aent  r.  Krooman  aboard  with  his  com- 
ptimenti,  and  an  offer  of  hia  aervicea  if  rei^uired! 

In  one  of  hia  buiineaa  riaits  to  Digby,  Canot  waa  i.  witnesa  of  the 
fiendiah  ferocity  of  the  native  AfVican,  under  the  excitomont  of  war. 
He  had  ea'abliahed  a  alave-factory  at  one  of  the  two  Digby  towns,  which 
waa  productive  of  a  fatal  quarrel  butwt.en  the  reapoctive  chiefa,  who 
were  couaina,  and  had  previoualy  liv^fi  in  harmony.  Canot,  on  thia  oc- 
Ofciion,  had  landed  at  aunset,  at  the  neg!';cted  town,  with  a  lot  of  merchan- 
dize, with  a  view  to  supply  its  chief  wilh  goods,  and  to  establish  a  factory 
if  the  openins  appeared  Tuvarable.  Some  time  paat  midnight,  he  waa 
arouaed  from  hia  aieep  by  uhrieka  and  volleys  of  musketry,  and  then  in 
rushed  the  negro  chief  with  an  appeal  to  him,  to  riae  and  fly  for  life,  that 
they  had  all  been  betrayod,  and  resistance  waa  in  vain.  Canot  rcmgine<' 
where  he  waa,  knowing  that  he  was  in  no  peraonal  danger;  that  ho  only 
would  suffer  a  brief  detention,  and  that  if  ho  aitemptod  to  escape,  he 
miffht  be  slaughtered  by  mistake.  The  ahouta  of  the  aavagea  gruw'noarer 
and  nearer,  as  they  rushed  onward,  murdering  all  they  mot,  On  coming 
to  the  door  of  the  house  in  which  Canot  was,  they  battered  it  in,  and 
Jenkin,  their  leader,  with  a  Ughtnd  flambeau  entered,  and  made  his 
party  their  priaonera.  ''  Of  course,*'  says  Canot,  in  relating  the  history 
o^thia  tran8ac'c'.>n,  "we  aubmitted  without  resistance,  for,  although  fully 
armed;  the  odu^i  were  so  great  in  those  anti-revolver  days,  that  we  would 
have  been  overw/elincd  by  a  single  wave  of  the  infuriated  crowd.  The 
barbarian  chief  iustar-tly  selected  our  house  for  his  head-quarters,  and 
dispatched  his  followers  to  complete  theic  taak.  Priaoner  after  prisoner, 
was  thi  U9t  in.  At  times,  the  heavy  mash  of  the  war-club,  and  the  cry 
of  atrangling  women,  gave  notice  that  the  work  of  death  waa  not  yet 
ended.  But  the  night  of  horror  wore  away.  The  gray  dawn  crept 
through  our  hevePa  hart,  and  all  was  atill,  save  the  groans  of  wounded 
captives,  and  the  wailinga  of  women  and  children. 

"By  dr'grees,  the  warriors  dropped  in  around  their  chieftain.  A 
palaver-kotue,  immediately  in  front  of  my  quarters,  waa  the  general 
rendezvous;  and  scarcely  a  biuhman  appeared  without  the  bodv  of  some 
maimed  and  bleeding  victim.  The  mangled,  but  living  captives  were 
tumbled  on  a  heap  in  the  center,  and  soon  every  avenue  to  the  square 
was  crowded  with  exulting  savages.  Rum  was  brought  forth  in  abundance 
for  the  chiefs.  Presently,  slowly  approaching  from  a  distance,  I  heard 
the  drums,  horns,  and  war-bells;  and  in  leas  than  fifteen  minutes  a  pro- 
cession of  women,  whose  naked  black  limbs  were  besmeared  with  white 
and  yellow  paint,  poured  into  the  palaver  house,  to  join  the  beastly  rites. 
Each  of  these  devils  was  armed  with  a  knife,  and  bore  in  her  hand  some 
cannibal  trophy.  Jenkin'a  wife,  a  corpulent  wench  of  forty-five,  dragged 
along  the  ground,  by  a  single  limb,  the  alimy  corpse  of  an  infant,  ripped 
alive  from  ita  mother's  womb.  As  her  eyes  met  those  of  her  husband, 
the  two  fiends  yelled  forth  a  about  of  mutual  joy,  while  the  lifeless  babe 
waa  tosaed  in  the  air,  and  caught  as  it  descended  on  the  point  of  a  spear. 
Then  came  the  refreakment,  m  the  ahape  of  rum,  powder,  and  blood, 
which  was  quaffed  by  the  brutes,  till  they  reeled  off,  with  linked  hands 
in  a  wild  dance,  around  the  pile  of  victims.  As  the  women  leaped  and 
sang,  the  men  applauded  and  encouraged.  Soon  the  ring  was  broken, 
and  with  a  yell  each  female  leaped  on  the  body  of  a  wounded  prisoner. 


lder. 

,  or  the  WiM  of  a 
Spaniah  alavery." 
trning  the  cruiaor 
ard  with  his  com- 

A  witneaa  of  the 
iciteinont  of  war. 
gby  towna,  which 
ctivo  chiefs,  who 
Danot,  on  this  oc- 
1  alotof  HK^rchan- 
establish  a  factory 

midnight,  he  was 
tetry,  and  ihen  ^n 
nd  fly  for  life,  thot 
Ganot  romaineiA 
iger;  that  ho  only 
ted  to  escape,  he 
ivages  grow'noarer 
'  met,     On  coming 
battered  it  in,  and 
ed,  and  made  his 
relating  the  history 

for,  although  fully 
ays,  that  we  would 
iated  crowd.  The 
head-quarters,  and 
oner  after  prisoner, 
r-club,  and  the  cry 
death  was  not  yet 
J  gray  dawn  crept 
groans  of  wounded 

their  chieftain.     A 
I,  was  the  general 
ut  the  body  of  some 
iring  captives  were 
venue  to  the  square 
|»t  forth  in  obundance 
a  distance,  I  heard 
leen  minutes  a  pro- 
jsmeared  with  white 
oin  the  beastly  rites, 
re  in  her  hand  some 
of  forty-6ve,  dragged 
I  of  an  infant,  ripped 
lose  of  her  husband, 
hile  the  lifeless  babe 
I  the  point  of  a  spear. 
1,  powder,  and  blood, 
ff,  with  linked  hands 
le  women  leaped  and 
the  ring  was  broken, 
'  a  wounded  prisoner, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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Ijj,|ui,„i|^;i|jj;nljtirj,}-3,I,'-':',I1»1B'    ' 


ADVENTURES  OF  AK  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


547 


and  commenced  the  final  sacrifice,  with  a  mockery  of  lascivious  embraces. 
In  my  wanderings  in  African  forests,  I  have  often  seen  the  tiger 
pounce  upon  its  prey,  and  with  instinctive  thirst,  satiate  its  appetite  for 
blood,  and  abandon  the  drained  corpse;  but  these  African  ncgresses 
were  neither  as  decent  nor  as  merciful  as  the  beasts  of  tiie  wilderness. 
Their  malignant  pleasure  seemed  to  consist  in  the  invention  of  tortures 
that  would  agonize,  but  not  slay.  There  was  a  devilish  spell  in  the 
tragic  scene,  that  fascinated  my  eyes  to  the  spot.  A  slow,  lingering, 
tormenting  mutilation  was  practiced  on  the  living,  as  well  as  on  the  dead; 
and,  in  every  instance,  the  brutality  of  the  women  exceeded  that  of  the 
men.  I  cannot  picture  the  hellish  joy  with  which  they  passed  from  body 
to  body,  digging  out  eyes,  wrenching  off  lips,  tearing  the  ears,  and  slicing 
the  flesh  from  the  quivering  bones;  while  the  queen  of  the  harpies  crept 
amid  the  butchery,  gathering  the  brains  from  each  severed  skull,  as  a 
bonne  bouche  for  the  approaching  feast.  After  the  last  victim  yielded 
his  life,  it  did  not  require  long  to  kindle  a  fire,  produce  the  requisite 
utensils,  and  fill  the  air  with  the  odor  of  human  jlesh!  Yet,  before  the 
various  messes  were  half-broiled,  every  mouth  was  tearing  the  dainty 
morsels  with  shouts  of  joy,  denoting  the  combined  satisfaction  of  usage 
and  appetite !  In  the  midst  of  this  appalling  scene,  I  heard  a  fresh  cry 
of  exultation,  as  a  pole  was  borne  into  the  apartment,  on  which  was 
impaled  the  living  body  of  the  conquered  chieftain's  wife.  A  hole  was 
quickly  dug,  the  stave  planted,  and  fagots  supplied;  but  before  afire 
could  be  kindled,  the  wretched  woman  was  dead,  so  that  the  barbarians 
were  defeated  in  their  hellish  scheme  of  burning  her  alive !  I  do  not 
know  how  long  these  brutalities  lasted,  for  I  remember  very  little  after 
this  last  attempt,  except  that  the  bushmen  packed  in  plaintain  leaves 
whatever  flesh  was  left  from  the  orgie,  to  be  conveyed  to  their  friends 
in  the  forest.  The  butchery  made  me  sick,  dizzy,  paralyzed.  I  sank 
on  the  earth  benumbed  with  stupor;  nor  was  I  roused  until  nightfall, 
when  my  Kroomen  bore  me  to  the  conqueror's  town,  and  negotiated  our 
redemption  for  the  value  of  twenty  slaves." 

Canot  remained  at  New  Seostris  several  years,  carrying  on  an  ex- 
tensive business.  He  was  finally  compelled  by  the  English  cruisers  to 
break  up  his  establishment;  and,  after  various  adventures,  he  sunk  all  he 
had  acquired  from  his  ill-spent  years  of  labor.  The  same  talents  and 
zeal  applied  to  any  of  the  ordinary  avocations,  which  inure  to  the  benefit 
of  man  at  large,  might  have  yielded  him  an  ample  competence,  and  the 
sweet  solace  in  old  age,  of  a  well-spent  life.  His  memoirs  edited  by 
Brantz  Mayer,  of  which  this  fragmentary  and  scattered  abridgment,  can 
give  but  an  inadequate  idea,  is  a  work  full  of  instruction  in  African 
aboriginal  life,  and  in  the  characteristics  of  those  atrocious  men,  who 
live  by  trade  in  human  blood. 

Singular  as  it  may  seem,  the  slave-trade  at  the  present  hour  is  exten- 
sively carried  on,  though  not  near  so  much  as  it  was  a  few  years  since. 
It  was  the  cessation  of  the  last  great  European  war,  which  assembled 
the  matured  villainy  of  the  world  on  the  African  coast,  to  re-establish, 
the  slave-trade.     This  traffic  had  been  suspended  during  the  later  years, 
of  the  contest,  as  England  and  the  United  States  had  abolished  it;  the 
former,  too,  swept  almost  the  whole  European  marine  from  the  ocean. 
About  twenty  years  since,  England,  by  treaties  with  difierent  slave-tradingy 
powers,  obtained  permission  to  capture  vessels  outward  bound  for  Africa,, 
when  fitted  for  the  slave-trade,  as  well  as  afte;  they  had  taken  in  their 
cargoes.    This,  however,  did  not  apply  to  American  vessels,  or  those 


548 


ADVENTURES  OP  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


protected  by  the  American  flag.  If  a  vessel,  other  than  American,  was 
found  on  the  African  coast  with  slave-irons,  and  with  a  slave-deck  laid 
for  packing  slaves,  she  was  seized  and  condemned.  By  this  arrangement, 
with  a  vigorous  squadron,  over  a  thousand  slavers  were  captured  in  the 
course  of  the  ten  years  ensuing. 

The  efforts  of  the  British  squadron  were  seconded  by  those  of  France 
and  the  United  States.  "  France  had  withdrawn  from  the  treaty,  stipu- 
lating the  right  of  aearch,  and  sent  a  squadron  of  her  own  to  prevent 
French  vessels  from  engaging  in  the  slave-trade ;  and  the  United  States 
which  never  has  surrendered  and  never  will  surrender  the  inviolability 
of  her  ownfiag  to  a  foreign  power,  guaranteed  in  1842,  to  keep  a  squad- 
ron on  the  coast.  These  with  other  auhsidiary  means,  in  1849,  had 
reduced  the  exportation  of  slaves  from  106,000  to  37,000  annually.  And 
since  that  period  the  trade  has  lessened,  until  in  Brazil,  the  greater  slave 
mart,  it  has  became  almost  extinct;  although,  at  times,  it  has  been  carried 
on  briskly  with  Cuba. 

"  The  subsidiary  means  alluded  to,  arose  out  of  the  presence  of  the 
squadrons,  and  would  have  had  no  effect  without  them.  They  consist  in 
arrangements  on  the  part  of  England,  with  some  of  the  native  powers, 
to  join  in  checking  the  evil,  and  in  substituting  the  legal  trade ;  and  in 
conversion  of  the  old  slave-factories  and  forts,  into  positions  defensive 
against  their  former  purpose.  These  measures  have  also  prepared  the 
way  for  the  establishment  of  Christian  missions,  as  well  as  permitted  to 
legitimate  traffic,  its  full  development.  As  the  missions  grow,  the  slave- 
trade  diminishes,  and  legitimate  trade  advances." 

"  Trade  of  all  kinds  was  originally  an  adjunct  to  the  slave-trsde. 
Cargoes  were  to  be  sold  where  they  could  find  a  purchaser.  Gold,  ivory, 
dye-stuffs  and  pepper,  were  the  articles  procured  on  the  coast.  All  of 
these  are  from  exhaustible  sources.  The  great  vegetable  productions  of 
the  country,  constituting  heavy  cargoes,  have  but  lately  come  into  the 
course  of  commerce.  The  heavier  articles  now  in  demand,  require 
more  industry  with  hands,  and  a  settled  life.  Trade  thus  becomes  in- 
consistent with  slavery,  and  hostile  to  it ;  and  the  more  so,  as  it  becomes 
more  dependent  on  the  collection  of  oil,  ground-nuts,  and  other  produces 
of  agriculture.  Covering  the  coast  now  with  trading  establishments 
excludes  the  slaver.  The  efforts  of  the  squadrons  were  necessary  to 
carry  out  this  proceeding,  for  commerce  needed  to  be  protected  against 
the  piracies  of  the  slaver  afloat,  and  robbery  by  the  slaver  on  shore. 

Exposure  to  capture,  gave  origin  to  the  barracoons.  A  slaver  could 
no  longer  leisurely  dispose  of  her  cargo,  at  different  points,  in  return 
for  slaves,  who  happened  to  be  there.  The  crime  now  required  con- 
cealment and  rapidity.  Wholesale  dealers  on  shore,  had  to  collect  suf- 
ficient victims  for  a  cargo,  to  be  taken  on  board  at  a  moment's  notice. 
This  required  that  the  slaver  should  arrive  at  the  station,  with  arrange- 
ments previously  made  with  the  slave-factor, ready  to  "take  in;"  or  that 
«he  should  bring  over  a  cargo  of  goods  in  payment  for  slaves. 

"  In  the  case  of  falling  in  with  British  cruisers,  an  American  slaver 
was  inviolate,  on  presenting  her  register  or  sea-letter,  as  a  proof  of 
nationality,  and  could  not  be  searched  or  detained.  But  the  risk  of 
falling  in  with  American  cruisers,  especially  if  co-operating  with  the 
British,  led  to  the  disguise  of  legal  trading;  with  a  cargo  corresponding 
to  the  manifest,  and  all  the  ship's  papers  in  form. 

The  American  flag  became  in  these  ways  deeply  involved  in  the  slave 
traffic.    In  the  prosence  of  BritiBh,  or  other  foreign  cruisers,  only  vessels 


'•■**-*«i^   -...ij_- _, 


PRADER. 

han  American,  was 
th  a  slave-deck  laid 
By  this  arrangement, 
ere  captured  in  the 

by  those  of  France 
jm  the  treaty,  stipu- 
her  own  to  prevent 
d  the  United  States 
ler  the  inviolability 
142,  to  keep  a  squad- 
leans,  in  1849,  had 
,000  annually.  And 
zil,  the  greater  slave 
I,  it  has  been  carried 

the  presence  of  the 
m.  They  consist  in 
■  the  native  powers, 
legal  trade ;  and  in 
positions  defensive 
ve  also  prepared  the 
well  as  permitted  to 
ions  grow,  the  slave- 

t  to  the  slave-trade. 
:haser.  Gold,  ivory, 
n  the  coast.  All  of 
ctable  productions  of 
lately  come  into  the 
in  demand,  require 
le  thus  becomes  in- 
ore  so,  as  it  becomes 
i,  and  other  produces 
ding  establishments 
s  were  necessary  to 
be  protected  against 
slaver  on  shore, 
ins.  A  slaver  could 
ent  points,  in  return 
B  now  required  con- 
e,  had  to  collect  suf- 
it  a  moment^s  notice, 
itation,  with  arrange- 
to  "  take  in ;"  or  that 
for  slaves. 

,  an  American  slaver 
etter,  as  a  proof  of 
id.  But  the  risk  of 
o-operating  with  the 
cargo  corresponding 

involved  in  the  slave 
cruisers,  only  vessels 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


549 


known  to  be  slavers,  to  this  day,  run  but  little  danger  of  capture,  for  the 
Star  Spangled  Banner  is  a  protection  against  the  aearck  necessary  for 
proof.  In  1844  our  minister  to  Brazil,  stated:  "It  is  a  fact  not  to  be 
disguised  or  denied,  thai  the  slave-trade  is  almost  entirely  carried  on 
under  our  flag,  in  American  built  vessels,  sold  to  slave-traders  here, 
chartered  for  the  coast  of  Africa,  and  there  sold,  or  sold  here — delivered 
on  the  African  coast.  And,  indeed,  the  scandalous  traflic  could  not  bt 
carried  on  to  any  great  extent,  were  it  not  for  the  use  made  of  our  flag, 
and  the  facilities  given  for  the  chartering  of  our  vessels,  to  carry  to  the 
coast  of  Africa,  the  outfit  for  the  trade,  and  the  material  for  purchasing 
slaves." 

"  Captain  Smith,  a  slave-trader,  who  was  arrested  in  New  York,  in 
1854,  for  being  engaged  in  this  traflic,  has  made  the  astonishing  statement, 
that  twenty  or  thirty  slavers  annually  sail  from  that  port — that  New  York 
is  the  chief  port  in  the  world  for  the  slave-trade:  there  are  strong  grounds 
for  believing  in  the  truth  of  these  allegations.  An  officer  of  an  American 
war-vessel,  writing  from  off  Sierra  Leone,  in  1846,  says:  "  The  English 
are  doing  everything  in  their  power  to  prevent  the  slave-trade ;  and  keep 
a  force  of  thirty  vessels  on  this  coast,  all  actively  cruising.  It  is  extremely 
diflicult  to  get  up  these  rivers  to  the  places  where  the  slavers  are.  In 
these  streams,  almost  concealed  by  the  trees,  the  vessels  lie,  and  often 
elude  the  strictest  search ;  but  when  they  have  taken  on  board  their 
living  cargo,  and  are  getting  out  to  sea,  the  British  are  very  apt  to  seize 
them,  except,  alas!  when  they  are  protected  by  the  banner  of  the  United 
States^ 

As  the  right  of  search  can  never  be  given  up  by  the  United  States, 
and  as  our  cruisers  have  not  the  right  to  search  suspected  vessels,  sailing 
under  foreign  flags,  the  only  course  for  the  complete  suppression  of  the 
traflic,  is  for  the  vessels  of  the  two  principal  maritime  nations,  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain,  to  cruise  in  company  for  the  detection  of 
slavers;  and  this,  to  some  extent,  is  at  the  present  time  practiced. 

"  Civilized  governments  are  now  very  generally  united  in  measures 
for  the  suppression  of  the  slave-trade.  The  coast  of  Africa  is  rapidly 
closing  against  it.  The  American  and  English  colonies  secure  a  vast 
extent  of  sea  coast  against  its  revival.  Christian  missions  at  many  points 
are  inculcating  the  doctrines  of  divine  truth,  which  by  its  power  upon  the 
hearts  of  men,  is  the  antagonist  to  such  cruel  unrighteousness. 

"  The  present  is  an  interesting  period  in  the  history  of  the  world. 
Changes  are  rapid  and  irrevocable.  Circumstances  illustrative  of  the 
condition  of  our  race,  as  it  has  been,  are  disappearing  rapidly.  The 
helplessness,  and  artlessness,  and  the  make  shifts  of  barbarism,  are 
becoming  things  of  the  past.  There  is,  perhaps,  no  region  of  the  earth 
which  is  now  altogether  beyond  the  reach  of  civilized  arts.  Shells,  and 
flints,  and  bows,  and  clubs,  and  bone-headed  spears  are  everywhere 
giving  way  to  more  useful  or  more  formidable  implements.  Improvements 
in  dress,  and  tools,  and  furniture,  will  soon  be  universal.  The  history  of 
man  as  he  has  been,  requires,  therefore,  to  be  written  now,  while  the 
evidence  illustrative  of  it,  has  not  altogether  vanished. 

"  The  changes  of  the  last  three  centuries  have,  to  only  a  slight  degree, 
influenced  the  African  races.  An  inaccessible  interior,  and  a  coast 
bristling  with  slave-factories,  and  bloody  with  slaving  cruelties,  probably 
account  for  this.  The  slight  progress  made,  shows  the  obduracy  of  the 
degradation  to  be  removed,  and  the  difficulty  of  the  first  steps  needed 
for  its  removal.    Wherever  the  alave-tride  or  its  efiects  penetrated,  there, 


if 


560 


ADVENTURES  OF  AN  AFRICAN  SLAVE-TRADER. 


of  course,  peace  vanished,  and  prosperity  became  impossible.  This  evil 
aiTected  not  only  the  coast,  but  spread  warfare,  to  rob  the  country  of  its 
iniiabitants,  far  into  the  interior  regions.  There  were  tribes,  however, 
uninfluenced  by  it,  and  some  of  these  have  gained  extensive,  although 
but  temporary  authority.  Yet  nowhere  has  there  been  any  real  civilization. 
It  is  singular  that  these  people  should  have  rested  in  this  unalloyed  bar- 
barism for  thousands  of  years,  and  that  there  should  have  been  no  native- 
born  advancement,  as  in  Mexico,  or  Peru,  or  China;  and  no  flowing  in 
upon  its  darkness,  of  any  glimmering  of  light,  from  the  brilliant  progress 
and  high  illumination  of  the  outside  world.  It  has  been  considered 
worthy  of  notice,  that  a  few  years  ago,  one  of  the  Veys  had  contrived  a 
cumbrous  alphabet  to  express  the  sounds  of  his  language ;  but  it  is  surely, 
to  an  incomparable  degree,  more  a  matter  of  surprise,  that  centuries 
passed  away  in  communication  with  Europeans,  without  such  an  attempt 
liaving  been  made  by  any  individual,  of  so  many  millions,  during  so  many 
generations  of  men. 

"The  older  state  of  negro  society,  therefore,  still  continues.  With  the 
exception  of  civilized  vices,  civilized  arms,  and  some  amount  of  civilized 
luxuries,  life  on  the  African  coast,  or  at  no  great  distance  from  it,  remains 
now  much  the  same  as  the  first  discoverers  fouml  it." 

Christian  commerce  is,  however,  destined  to  effect  great  changes,  even 
in  the  remotest  parts  of  the  African  continent,  and  by  creating  now  wants 
to  open  up  avenues  to  industry,  which  will  eventually  develop  and  civilize 
her  now  degraded  and  barbarian  people.  Every  part  of  our  globe  is  to 
be,  in  time,  penetrated  by  enlightened  christianized  industry,  and 
wherever  man  may  be,  its  surface  is  to  be  dotted  with  happy,  virtuous 
homes. 


T 


'RADER. 

possible.  This  evil 
»  the  country  of  its 
ire  tribes,  however, 
extensive,  although 
any  real  civilization. 
.  this  unalloyed  bar- 
ave  been  no  native- 
i;  and  no  flowing  in 
ie  brilliant  progress 
s  been  considered 
eys  had  contrived  a 
ige ;  but  it  is  surely, 
(rise,  that  centuries 
out  such  an  attempt 
ons,  during  so  many 

ontinues.     With  the 

amount  of  civilized 

incc  from  it,  remains 

great  changes,  even 
r  creating  now  wants 
develop  and  civilize 
rt  of  our  globe  is  to 
ized  industry,  and 
fith  happy,  virtuous 


CONVICT 


LIFE    IN    AUSTRALIA. 


HOWTSn 


0£T  THKM,  AKD  WHAT  THW  OW  WHKH  THIEl,  TOOnBO  WITH  A  HAIEAIITE  OF 

ooimoT  Liin  iM  NOBjroix  island,  th«  flaoe  Foa  thob 


TOO  BAD  FOR  BOTANY  BAT. 


When  a  ragged  boy,  (says  O'Connell,)  lounging  around  the  Loudon 
Docks,  Captain  Salmon,  of  the  ship  Phcenix,  took  a  fancy  to  me,  and  with- 
out the  knowledge  or  consent  of  any  of  my  friends,  I  shipped  as  cabin- 
boy  on  board  his  vessel.  A  short  time  after  I  joined  her  at  Deptford,  she 
moved  down  to  Woolwich,  to  take  in  live  freight;  being  chartered  by 
Government  for  the  transportation  of  female  convicts  to  Botany  iJay. 
The  ship's  company,  including  the  two  extremes,  officers  and  boys,  nuin- 
bered  about  thirty-five.     And  her  passengers  were  rising  two  hundred  m 

No  crime  or  worthlessness  of  character  can  destroy  all  feeling  of  pity, 
on  the  part  of  the  philanthropist,  for  such  unfortunates  as  render  themselvea 
amenable  to  the  laws  of  their  country.     Indeed,  as  the  worst  conduct  calls 
down  the  severest  punishment,  perhaps  the  vilest  characters  command 
more  pity  than  those  who  are  less  guilty,  and,  consequently,  liable  to 
punishment  less  severe.     But  pity  for  women  embarking  for  Port  Jackson 
seems  a  waste  of  sympathy,  as,  just  taken  from  jail,  they  seem  rather 
giddily  to  rejoice  in  the  anticipation  of  a  change  of  scene,  than  to  ieel 
sorrow  at  the  prospect  of  punishment.     Taken  from  the  very  lowest  haunts 
of  vice  and  misery  ;  generally  entirely  destitute  of  self-respect,  and  ap- 
parently careless  ofeverything  but  mere  bodily  comfort  and  ease;  incapable, 
by  habit,  of  appreciating  anything  but  pleasure  of  the  senses,  they  wore 
the  outward  seeming  of  careless  indifference,  or  thoughtless  merriment. 
Occasionally,  among  the  crowd,  there  was  a  face  the  index  of  remorse, 
and  a  consciousness  of  degradation;  or,  perchance,  of  the  remembrance 
of  friends,  and  bitter  grief  at  the  loss  of  respectable  standing,     buch, 
however,  were  rare;  in  the  chatter  of  the  convicts,  flash,  obscenity,  and 
profanity  were  the  principal  features.     In  dress  they  varied  from  the 
beggars'  rags  of  St.  Giles',  to  the  tawdry  finery  of  the  aristocracy  in  vice : 
and'Uiere  was  not  wanting  even  an  occasional  neat  dress,  which  bespoke 
the  wearer  not  all  degraded.     Over  the  faces  of  the  whole  there  was 
more  or  less  of  the  "  prison  aspect,"  a  wanness,  the  effect  of  trial  and 

confinement.  .     ,  . ,  .  c       j         * 

After  receiving  her  passengers,  the  Phoenix  laid  three  or  tour  days  at 
Woolwich.  The  acquaintances  and  connections  of  the  convicts  were  on 
board  in  crowds,  bidding  farewell,  and  bringing  trifles  to  minister  to  the 
comfort  of  their  erring  friends  duriug  a  long  passage.  Weeping,  embra- 
cing, hysteric  laughter,  snatches  of  flash  songs,  ribaldry,  affected  mirth, 
and  unaffected  despondence,  soon  took  the  place  of  the  general  appearance 

(551) 


-  ^^y^:^-z:4:xi{-iJfr,^^~ii£iil^3e^t  -^i  ivit 


652 


CONVICT  LIFE  IN  AUSTRALIA. 


of  checrfiilness  with  which  the  convicts  came  from  their  placcH  of  confine 
ment.  The  anchor  is  weigjjed,  and  the  steamhoat  takes  us  in  tow  down 
the  river.  Handitcrchiefs  of  all  complexions  are  waving  to  the  people 
who  swarm  in  boats  in  our  wake;— "Hip— hip— hip— hurra!"— three 
cheers  for  Botany  Bay  from  the  convicts,  and  a  response  from  the  water- 
men and  the  banks  of  the  river.  In  a  few  hours  the  steamer  left  us; 
we  were  in  the  channel.  Two  hundred  female  convicts,  a  little  Piillion 
to  appearance  in  the  snug  quarters  of  the  vessel,  are  not  missed  from 
among  the  swarms  of  the  vile  in  modern  Babylon.  They  are  us  a  bucket 
from  the  ocean;  and  yet  every  one  of  these  despised  beings  has  friends; 
low,  and  probably  vicious,  but  still  affectionate.  Feelings  and  sensibility 
they  have  too;  blunted  it  may  be,  but  still  human.  Their  disappearance 
may  be  unnoticed  by  the  spectator  of  the  mass,  but  each  of  them  leaves  a 
void  in  the  circle  in  which  she  has  moved,  though  that  may  have  been 
none  of  the  purest.  Weeping  eyes  follow  the  departure  of  the  convict 
ship;  aching  hearts  yearn  after  the  guilty  beings  whom  it  is  bearing  to  a 
distant  and  degrading  place  of  exile. 

At  Spithead  we  lay  two  days,  and  on  the  third  weighed  again,  and  made 
no  harbor,  till  at  the  end  of  a  five  months'  passage  we  came  to,  in  Sydney 
Cove.  The  convicts  were  divided  into  three  general  divisions,  according 
to  their  sentences; — ^the  sentenced  for  seven,  those  for  fourteen,  and  those 
for  life.  The  crew  of  the  vessel  lived  in  the  steerage,  the  short  sentenced 
convicts  under  the  main  hatch,  the  "lifers"  forward;  and  forward  of  them, 
in  what  is,  on  board  of  merchant  ships,  the  forecastle,  is  the  "  sick  bay," 
or  hospital.  The  berths,  in  tiers  at  the  sides,  accommodated  six  persons 
each;  and  the  inmates  of  each  berth  formed  a  mess.  The  women  were 
all  compelled  to  muster,  in  divisions,  on  deck,  at  least  once  a  day,  in 
tolerable  weather,  one  division  at  a  time;  and  to  insure  this  airing,  neces- 
sary to  health,  female  "boatswains"  were  appointed.  It  was  the  duty 
of  these  petticoat  officers  to  compel  cleanliness  also.  The  provisions 
were  similar  in  quality  and  kind  to  those  furnished  vessels  of  the  navy. 
In  lieu  of  "grog"  a  cheap  wine  was  served  out,  which  the  prisoners  were 
obliged  to  drink  at  the  tub,  to  prevent  hoarding,  or  selling  to  one  another. 
The  usual  punishment  for  minor  offenses  was  cutting  off  this  allowance 
of  wine;  for  the  more  refractory,  a  machine  was  contrived,  similar  in 
operation  to  the  stocks,  but  more  resembling  a  very  straight  sentry-box. 
The  offender  was  locked  into  it,  standing  erect,  and  when  it  was  closed 
upon  her  she  could  hardly  move  a  limb. 

The  passengers,  after  the  first  fortnight,  were  generally  healthy,  and, 
notwithstanding  they  were  sentenced  convicts,  happy.  The  majority  of 
them  had  been  in  England  as  poor  as  vicious;  no  change  could,  with  them, 
have  been  for  the  worse,  and  "the  temperate  and  regular  manner  of  livmg, 
attention  to  cleanliness,  and  relief  from  squalid  poverty,  made  them  happy 
even  under  what  are  usually  thought  the  privations  of  the  vessel. 

Land  ho!  from  the  foretop-gallant  yard;  land  ho!  on  deck;  and  land  ho! 
the  hearts  of  two  hundred  women  responded.  It  was  four  or  five  day? 
after  making  the  land  before  we  could  fetch  the  harbor.  The  first  joy 
at  the  sight  of  land  had  changed,  on  the  part  of  the  women,  to  impatience, 
and  from  impatience  to  a  sort  of  careless  half  despair,  which  did  not  a 
whit  abate  at  sight  of  the  rocky  heads  of  Sydney  Cove.  When  the  head- 
land was  doubled,  and  the  romantic  situations  of  gentlemen's  country  seats, 
and  then  the  settlement  at  Sydney,  were  spread  before  them,  hope  and 
expectation  were  awake  again,  and  there  was  nothing  in  their  deportment 
to  remind  the  observer  that  they  were  unwilling  emigrants.    Vessels  which 


/ 


CONVICT  DIALECT. 


553 


places  of  confino 

8  us  in  tow  down 

ng  to  tho  pcopio 

■hurra!" — thrcio 

from  the  water- 

stcamor  loft  us; 

ts,  a  little  r.illioti 

not  missed  from 

y  aro  us  a  bucket 

cings  has  friends; 

ja  and  sensibility 

ir  disappearance 

of  them  leaves  a 

may  have  been 

re  of  the  convict 

I  it  is  bearing  to  a 

again,  and  made 

ame  to,  in  Sydney 

visions,  according 

>urteen,  and  those 

le  short  sentenced 

1  forward  of  them, 

is  the  "sick  bay," 

>dated  six  persons 

The  women  were 

ist  once  a  day,  in 

this  airing,  neces- 

It  was  the  duty 

The  provisions 

sscla  of  the  navy. 

he  prisoners  were 

ng  to  one  another. 

off  this  allowance 

itrived,  similar  in 

raight  sentry-box. 

'hen  it  was  closed 

rally  healthy,  and, 

The  majority  of 

>  could,  with  them, 

r  manner  of  living, 

made  them  happy 

he  vessel. 

leek;  and  land  ho! 

four  or  five  day? 
or.  The  first  joy 
len,  to  impatience, 
',  which  did  not  a 
When  the  head- 
en's  country  seats, 
e  them,  hope  and 
a  their  deportment 
s.    Vessels  which 


liuvc  sickness  on  board  arc  ordercnl  to  tho  quarantine  ground;  tlio.si>  wlilcii, 
as  was  our  cast;,  have  no  apparent  sicknt-sH,  other  than  the  usual  rti'tMas 
of  a  lon<r  |)asHagc,  ride  out  a  iialf  (|uarantine  outside  the  usual  ran^rc  of 
anciioiiigi;.  People  arc  not  allowed  to  come  on  board,  but  all  communi- 
cation iH  by  no  moans  cut  otV,  as  boats  are  continually  along  side,  stOlin^r 
froaii  provisions,  bread,  etc.,  to  the  convicts.  It  may  be  well  here  to  remark, 
that  if  a  convict  is  discovered  to  have  money  to  any  considerable  amount, 
it  is  taken  from  himor  her,  and  deposited  in  a  Savings  Institution  at  Sydney, 
where  it  accumulates  till  the  time  of  sentence  expires.  The  conversations 
of  the  passenge.'s  with  the  boats  along  side  are  peculiar,  and  have  a  charac- 
ter which  no  greetings  away  from  New  South  Wales  can  resemble. 
"Lord  love 'ee,  Sal!  is  that  you?  and  how  long  are  ye  lagged  for?" 
"Only  for  seven  years."  An  Irish  girl  among  our  passengers  was  hailed 
by  her  mother,  who  had  preceded  her  to  this  land  of  promise  about  two 
years.  "Ocii,  Mary!"  cried  the  parent,  "is  it  iierc  I  see  you?  and  how 
long  are  ye  lagged  for?"  "Only  eighty-four  monllis,  mother."  "Och, 
my  ciiild,  avourneen  machree!  It's  glad  I  am  that  you're  not  lagged  for 
seven  years.  "An'  where  did  ye  I'ave  Jemmy,  my  son?"  "He's  hanged, 
mother,  tiie  assize  before  they  lagged  me.  An'  thin  we  brought  him  to 
St.  Giles',  an  a  beauthiful  corpse  ho  made,  only  he  had  tho  black  stroku 
roun'  his  neck." 

In  about  ten  days  after  our  arrival,  the  convicts  were  landed  at  the  dock- 
yard, where  they  were  inspected.  Upon  the  arrival  of  a  convict  ship  at 
Port  Jackson,  it  is  usual  for  such  free  residents  as  need  domestics  to  make 
application  at  the  superintendent's  olfice  for  them.  These  applications 
are  first  answered,  then  the  unappropriated  residue  are  sent  to  the  factory 
at  Paramatta,  if  females,  if  males,  to  the  prisoners'  barracks. 

The  Phconix  was  condemned  at  Port  Jackson,  as  unworthy,  purchased 
by  Government,  and  made  a  receiving  ship  for  double  convicts,  sentenced 
to  penal  settlements.  This  discharged  tlie  crew,  and  I  was  taken  into 
the  employment  of  Mr.  Charles  Smith,  with  whom  I  remained  about  a 
year.  Mr.  Smith's  history  was  that  of  many  of  the  free  residents  in  New 
South  Wales.     Originally, 

"  He  left  his  country  for  that  country's  good." 

Correct  behavior  procured  him,  at  the  end  of  three  years,  a  "ticket  of 
leave,"  and  at  the  end  of  his  sentence  he  had  collected  a  pretty  little 
capital  to  commence  the  world  with  anew.  Enterprise,  shrewdness  and 
industry,  made  him  one  of  the  we<  Ithiest  men  in  the  colony.  lie  was  a 
large  contractor  for  the  supply  of  butcher's  meat  to  the  govermrie.-  fDr 
the  soldiers  and  prisoners,  and  was  one  of  the  first,  if  not  the  ve  ^  .^t, 
who  succeeded  in  packing  beef  in  New  Holland;  the  climate,  prior  i  nia 
giving  proof  to  the  contrary,  having  been  supposed  an  insuperable 
objection. 

Mr.  Smith's  intercourse,  as  contractor,  with  the  convicts,  gave  me 
unusual  advantages  for  becoming  acquainted  with  their  discipline  and 
situation,  and,  beside  these,  there  were  not  wanting  excellent  opportuni- 
ties of  observing  the  general  character  of  the  colony.  There  cannot  be 
a  better  place  than  this  to  introduce  notices  of  some  other  of  the  freed- 
men  of  the  colony,  who  at  the  time  of  my  residence  there,  1820  to  1826, 
were  prominent  members  of  society.  No  secret  is  attempted  to  be  made 
of  the  cause  of  one's  sojourn  at  Sydney.  If  two  strangers  meet  in  any 
situation  where  copversation  seems  necessary,  almost  the  first  question 
exchanged  is,  "Are   you  free,  or  a  transport?"     The   next   may  be. 


¥ 


554 


CONVICT  LIKE  IN  AUSTIIALIA. 


"VVliat  wore  you  laRRCfl  for,  and  for  how  Iohr?"  Freemen  arc  Boin(!timcs 
fooliali  onouKli  to  take  oflenso  at  a  Botany  Bay  greeting.  1  was  at  first, 
but  Hoon  learned  the  folly  of  permitting  any  such  sensitiveness  to  appear, 
and  becoming  acclimated,  1  ceased  to  feel  it. 

Mr.  Samuel  Torry  paid  a  pig  for  his  passage  from  hngland  la  bydney— 
that  is  to  say,  the  pig  purchased  his  passage.     It  ia  to  he  presumed  how- 
ever, that  the  simple  feat  of  "going  a  whole  pig,"  though  reported  a.,  the 
ostensible  cause  of  his  transportation,  could  not  have  been  the  whole  cause, 
Previous  convictions  and  character  must  have  affected  his  sentf  rice,  as  it 
was,  in  flash  phraseology,  a  winder.     Nor  did  his  acquisitive  propcnsiticB 
cease  upon  liis  arrival,  as  it  is  in  the  memory  of  some  of  the  colonists  that 
the  rich  Samuel  Terry  has  been  whipped  for  stealing  poultry.    Growing, 
however,  after  awhile,  to  see  the  evil  of  his  ways,  he  obtained  by  good 
conduct  a  ticket  of  leave;  put  his  acquisitiveness  under  restraint,  and 
became  one  of  the  wealthiest  men  in  the  colony.     There  was  upon  him 
the  nominal  restraint  of  a  convict,  but  with  his  ticket  of  leave,  and  ticket 
of  exemption,  he  was  in  efl'ect  free,  excepting  the  single   condition  of 
remaining  in  Australia.     To  this  however  he  had  a  stronger  tie  than 
government  restriction,  the  propricjtorship  of  one  of  the  largest  estates  in 
the  possession  of  any  individual.     He  married,  and  sons  and  daugiucrs 
were   born  unto  him.     Although  his  children  may  not  be  particularly 
anxious  to  perpetuate  the  family  history,  and  care  nothing  about  heraldry, 
ihcy  are  not  a  whit  the  less  respectable  in  Sydney  from  the  alight  circum- 
stance that  tlicir  father  is  a  winder.     Mr.  Terry  is,  or  was,  also  connected 
with  the  whale  iishery.  . 

Mr.  Thomas  Cooper  was  a  sort  of  aristocrat  among  convicts,  lie  was 
transported  for  fourteen  years,  his  crime  being  purchasing  stolen  goods. 
The  articles  upon  which  he  was  convicted,  were  stolen  from  the  wardrobe 
of  the  Prince  of  Wales.  Upon  gaining  a  ticket  of  leave,  he  commenced 
tlic  manufacture  of  a  sort  of  gin  from  Indian  corn,  and  his  name  is  identi- 
fied with  the  grocer's  vocabulary,  "Cooper's  best"  being  as  readily  under- 
stood as  Cogniac  or  Jamaica.  Mr.  Haynes,  a  proprietor  of  whale  ships, 
a  principal  stay  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  a  local  preacher,  was  a 

Paramatta  factory,  situate   about  fourteen  miles  from  Sydney,  is  the 
depot  for  female  convicts  before  they  are  assigned  as  servants,  and  the 
place  to  which  assigned  servants  are  sentenced  for  punishment  for  light 
otfenscs,  upon  complaint  of  their  masters;  and  wives  upon  complaint  of 
their  husbands.     The  manufacture  of  the  cloth  which  makes  the  uniform 
of  the  convicts,  male  and  female,  and  the  making  of  it  up  into  garments, 
supplies  the  convicts  at  Paramatta  with  employment.     The  factory  is  about 
two  miles  from  the  town  of  Paramatta.     Tlio  convicts  in  the  factory  are 
divided  into  three  classes;  arranged,  not  with  reference  to  their  crimes 
before  transportation,  but  to  their  conduct  in  the  factory.     All  convicts, 
upon  entering,  are  placed  in  the  first  class,  in  which  their  employment  is 
needlework,  and  other  comparatively  light  occupations.     Infraction  of  the 
rules,  or  disobedience  and  disrespect  to  the  government  of  the  factory, 
degrades  the  convict  to  the  next  class.    Here  she  is  employed  m  carding, 
weavin",  and  other  laborious  employment.     When  convicts  are  degraded 
from  th'e  second  to  the  third  class,  employment  suited  to  their  sex  ceases; 
their  heads  are  shaved,  and  they  are  set  to  breaking  stone,  wheeling  earth, 
and  cultivating  the  grounds  about  the  factory.     The  government  of  the 
convicts  at  tliis  institution  is  intrusted  principally  to  a  temale,  whose  title 
>  "The  Matron." 


T 
I 


^& 


MARRIAOE  AMONO  C0XVICT8. 


5SB 


nnrc  soiiK^timcs 
I  wiiH  at  lirsl, 
unc88  to  upptiur, 

md  10  Sydney — 

proHumcd  how- 

rcportcd  a.,  the 

the  whole  cause, 

Is  Hentf  nee,  as  it 

itivo  propenHities 

10  coloniHts  that 

Itry.     Growing, 

tbtained  by  good 

restraint,  and 

ro  was  upon  him 

leave,  and  ticket 

igle  condition  of 

tronger  tie  than 

largest  estates  in 

19  and  daugiitcrs 

t   be  particularly 

ig  about  heraldry, 

the  slight  circuin- 

is,  also  connected 

onvicts.  He  was 
Mug  stolen  goods, 
roin  tlie  wardrobe 
0,  he  commenced 
lis  name  is  identi- 
^  as  readily  under- 
)r  of  whale  ships, 
1  preacher,  was  a 

m  Sydney,  is  the 
servants,  and  the 
nishmcnt  for  light 
ipon  complaint  of 
lakes  the  uniform 
up  into  garments, 
he  factory  is  about 
in  the  factory  are 
:c  to  their  crimes 
ry.  All  convicts, 
eir  employment  is 
Infraction  of  the 
2nt  of  the  factory, 
iployed  in  carding, 
I'icts  are  degraded 
>  their  sex  ceases; 
le,  wheeling  earth, 
government  of  the 
emalc,  whose  title 


When  n  ladtf  (these  women  always  speak  of  each  other  as  "/«i(/iVtf") 
is,  in  the  third  class,  incorriyihU;,  solitary  con'inerncnt  in  a  coll,  or  a  visit 
to  the  treadmill,  is  imposed  as  a  piinishmnif.  Freed  women,  married 
luilirs,  anil  assigned  servants,  when  recomittr;d  to  the  factory,  are  pliiied 
in  cithi^r  class,  as  their  otV<'nses  m«;rit.  Spirits  and  tobacco  are  forbiddtm 
the  convicts  in  the  factory.  Wine,  allowed  as  a  cordial  on  the  passage 
out.  Is  also  withdrawn,  hut  the  food  is  wholesome,  and  abundant.  Indian 
corn  meal  stirred  in  boiling  water,  called  in  America  hasty  pudding,  or 
mush,  in  Australia  hominy,  makes  the  breakfast.  At  dinner  they  have 
animal  food  and  vegetables,  and  at  supper  "Scotch  coffee,"  i.  e.  burned 
corn.  Convicts  are  discharged  from  the  factory  by  throe  methods — tickets 
of  leave  at  the  expiration  of  half  their  time  of  sentence,  tickets  of  exemp- 
tion upon  the  arrival  of  their  husbands  in  the  colony,  and  tickets  of  exemp- 
tion upon  tlie  application  of  a  suitor,  who  must  marry,  forthwith,  thu 
damsel  whoso  liberty  he  seeks.  Sailors  who  have  conceived  a  penchant 
for  la<ly  passengers  on  the  voyage  out,  and  are,  also,  upon  their  arrival  in 
the  country,  so  in  love  with  it  as  to  wish  to  remain,  and  Irgitimate  settlers 
who  have  starved  out  their  sentences  and  taken  grants  of  land,  are  usually 
the  applicants  for  wives  at  the  factory.  Applications  are  oflcn  made  by 
persons  wiio  come  witiiout  any  particular  damsel  in  view;  and  obtaining 
a  wife  is  pretty  easy,  from  among  a  set  of  women  who  are  ready  to  take 
anything  for  a  husband,  rather  than  remain  at  the  factory.  The  exciian;fe, 
on  the  part  of  the  woman,  is,  however,  only  the  exchange  of  a  mild 
government  for  a  despotic,  as  the  husl)and  can  at  any  time  turn  her  back 
to  llie  factory  by  preferring  a  complaint.  Consequently,  the  most  frequent 
result  of  matches  formed  by  a  mere  freak,  or  love  not  the  most  refined, 
on  the  one  part,  and  the  acceptance  of  any  offer,  rather  than  remaining 
in  durance,  on  the  other,  is  the  remanding  of  the  bride  back  to  the  factory 
and  A  sliaved  head.  The  advantage  is  altogether  on  the  side  of  the  hus- 
i)anfl,  tiu)  wife's  sentence  to  the  colony  being  standing  evidence  against 
her  to  corroborate  his  testimony.  Grey-bearded  old  settlers,  wlio  have 
served  out  their  sentences,  and  arc  ready  to  recommence  the  world  on  an 
.Vustralian  farm,  need  a  wife  to  take  care  of  the  homestead.  Debarred 
by  character,  ill  personal  appearance,  and  other  disagreeables,  from 
obtaining  an  assigned  or  freed  woman  to  wife,  these  gentry  seek  in  the 
factory  a  wife  who  will  shut  her  eyes  to  the  defects  of  a  husband,  be  they 
over  so  glaring,  when  by  marriage  she  can  again  obtain  "a  home  of  her 
own."  Quarrels  soon  follow  the  tying  of  the  nuptial  knot,  and  a  large 
proportion  of  the  police  cases  are  complaints  preferred  by  husbands  against 
wives,  who  have  too  soon  let  the  motives  of  their  marriage  become 
apparent  by  their  conduct. 

When  an  assigned  servant  woman  is  married,  the  consent  of  her  master 
or  mistress  is  first  to  be  obtained.  The  form  of  proclaiming  the  bans  in 
church  is  also,  in  such  matches,  adhered  to.  They  are  in  every  way 
more  respectable,  as  the  parties  know  each  other  some  weeks  at  least. 
In  such  matches,  the  husband  has  also  the  right  of  turning  his  wife  into 
the  factory  again;  but  in  all  cases  he  is  bound  to  take  her  out  when  her 
term  of  punishment  has  expired.  If  he  does  not,  her  board  is  generally 
charged  to  him. 

Of  a  female  convict  ship  I  have  spoken  from  observation.  The  ships 
used  for  the  transportation  of  males  are  managed  in  like  manner,  except 
the  additional  urecautions  necessary  for  restraining  men.  The  usual 
number  of  fem.i  s  conveyed  in  one  ship  is  about  ninety.  Male  convicts 
are  usually  ironed,  or  a  majority  of  them,  on  the  passage.    At  night  a 


I 


556 


CONVICT  LIFE  IN  ATTSTRALU. 


strong  Rrntinf,'  ncpnrnlt  s  cmli  Itcrtli  from  llin  router  of  the  hold,  and  a 
^'iiiirtl  (if  uhout  thirty  iimmi  arc  alwiiys  dii  duly.  I  b(.-lit'vu  the  only  iiistmiDi 
on  rucord  of  lint  raiiturc  of  ti  I'oiiviil  ftliip,  \i>  lliat  of  tho  Junt!  Slioro. 
'I'h.'it  vi'SMid  ciirriiMl  ffiii  ilr  ('onvi('l,i  wlio  in!iti;riit(>d  tlntHuiltirrt  to  t'lm'  upon 
lilt)  olliciirs.  Till  y  took  tlic  v(  h-i^I  into  Monti!  Vidi'o,  hut  tho  ii.snal  fiit(;  of 
mutineers  iiiid  runawiiy.s  overlook  tliein  tlK!r(\  In  a<Milion  to  the  Hccurity 
alforiied  hy  tin;  pre.x  iicc  o\'  soldiers  and  other  preciiutions,  on  hoard  a 
male  convii-.t  ship,  tht;  appoinliiieni  of  huatswuinii,orcaptaia!i,  to  each  mess, 
fioin  ainon^  the  convicts,  i.s  u  fiirtiier  assiirauce  of  safety.  The  JualoUHy 
thus  created  prevents  conc(,-rt  uniun;i{  the  prisoners;  the  performance  of 
ills  duty  makes  the  convict  oHumt  unpopular,  and  the  cr(!atioa  of  such  u 
state  of  feud  he^'ets  a  jenlousy  which  renders  him  vi{{ilajit.  Tlio  food 
ullo\v(!d  till!  prisoners  is  ^ood  and  ahundant;  lime  juice,  vinc^rar,  and  three 
or  four  gills  of  Spanish  wine  per  week,  arc  allowed  for  the  prevention 
of  scurvy.  Under  good  ollicers,  amusements  are  permitted  a.')  preventives 
ofdiseusi!;  sometimes  private  theatricals,  ami  more  frequently  dancing. 
The  convicts  upon  landing  are  marched  to  the  prisoners^  barracks. 
There,  such  as  are  not  immediately  assigned  to  answer  applications  for 
servants  or  laborers,  don  the  livery — u  Paramatta  suit,  adorned  with  the 
initials  "P.  B."  and  the  broad  arrow. 

Tiie  prisoners  in  direct  custody  of  the  government  are  employed  about 
trades,  if  they  are  fortunate  enough  to  have  them,  if  not,  in  road  gangs, 
und  in  breaking  stone.  Saturday  is  allowed  to  each  prisoner  to  keep  his 
person  und  clothing  in  order,  and  to  earn  money  for  himself,  if  ho  chooses 
to  labor.  Upon  this  day  the  weekly  rations  arc  served  out;  articles  whicli 
bear  keeping,  sulliciout  for  the  next  week,  and  tickets  to  obtain  butcher^ 
meat  und  other  perisliable  necessaries,  at  the  stores  of  the  contractors. 
At  Wellington  Valley,  about  a  hundred  and  HOy  miles  from  Sydney,  is  a 
station  to  which  are  sent  convicts  from  tlie  better  classes  of  society;  well 
educated  men,  convicted  of  such  offenses  as  forgery,  genteel  swindling, 
or  a  single  departure  from  rectitude,  sullicicnt,  indeed,  to  transport  them, 
but  not  to  sink  them  to  a  level  with  the  representatives  of  St.  Giles  and 
Ratclitfo  High  Way.  They  arc  employed  in  agriculture,  till  such  time 
as  they  have  given  evidence  of  reformation,  or  proof  of  the  fact  that  the 
crime  for  which  they  were  transported  was  an  exception  to  their  habitual 
mode  of  life.  As  opportunities  offer,  they  arc  placed  at  the  head  of 
schools,  und  employed  as  clerks  in  the  government  offices.  Thus  are 
tliose  who  are  supposed  to  possess  some  self-respect,  allowed,  as  far  as 
is  compatible  with  punishment,  to  retain  it;  instead  of  being  degraded  to 
the  standing  of  those  who  are  known  to  bo  utterly  vile.  Appointment  to 
schools,  or  secretaryships,  makes  them,  in  a  manner,  their  own  masters, 
and  is  a  reposal  of  confidence  which  appeals  to,  while  it  nourishes  their 
self-respect.  Should  one,  however,  despite  these  favorable  circumstances, 
transgress  by  inebriation,  thcil,or  other  crime,  all  the  respect  at  first  paid 
to  their  circumstances  is  forfeited.  They  are  more  rigorously  punished 
than  common  convicts,  as  they  arc  supposed  to  sin  against  superior  light 
and  knowledge.  Of  the  low  rogues  transgression  is  expected,  and  they 
are  treated  as  if  constant  oversight  and  rigorous  discipline  was  necessary 
as  a  thing  of  course;  lighter  peccadillos  being  winked  at.  The  favored 
prisoners  who  abuse  the  privileges  extended  to  them  are  punished  for 
ingratitude,  as  well  as  the  bare  mfraction  of  the  law.  They  get  longer 
sentences  to  the  treadmill,  to  the  iron-gang,  and  to  the  penal  settlements, 
than  more  ignoble  offenders,  while  their  previous  habits  of  life  render 
any  sentence  to  severe  labor  a  double  punishment.    Labor  on  the  road. 


Hl'NTINd  UirsHUANdERS. 


r)67 


the  hold,  and  a 

th(!  only  iimtanco 

tilt!  Juiii!  Slu)rr'. 

lilort*  to  ri.sc  ii|)ou 

till!  iisuiil  I'liti.  of 

onto  the  Hiictirity 

lionH,  on   hoard  u 

inn,  to  (!ai'h  nicss, 

The  jualouHy 

pcrrornmnco  of 

nation  of  hucIi  u 

iliuit.     The  food 

inn^ar,  and  three 

the  prevention 

ted  ao  preventives 

LMfuently  dancing. 

soncrs'  barracks. 

ir  applications  for 

adorned  with  the 

0  employed  about 
ot,  in  road  gau^s, 
isoner  to  keep  liis 
self,  if  he  chooses 
nt;  articles  whidi 

0  obtain  butcher's 
f  the  contractors, 
from  Sydney,  is  a 
s  of  society;  well 

genteel  swindling, 
to  transport  thcni, 
!s  of  St.  Giles  and 
jre,  till  snch  time 
f  the  fact  that  the 
n  to  their  habitual 
id  at  the  head  of 
ifficcs.  Thus  are 
allowed,  as  far  as 
being  degraded  to 
.  Appointment  to 
their  own  masters, 
!  it  nourishes  their 
ble  circumstances, 
cspect  at  iirst  paid 
gorously  punished 
inst  superior  light 
expected,  and  they 
line  was  necessary 

1  at.  The  favored 
I  are  punished  for 

They  get  longer 
penal  settlements, 
bits  of  life  render 
■abor  on  the  road. 


which  to  a  common  convict  ifl  rouNideri'd  no  extra  puniHhmcnt,  in  hucIi  to 
them.  No  system  ofliiiman  iiivrntion  is  witlioiit  its  deftcts.  'V\w  n-iidi-r 
will  perceive  that  to  carry  out  all  (Ik-  iiiacliinery  of  tiie  colony,  and  llie 
discipline  of  [irisoiiers,  a  very  larye  iiutnl)er  of  Hub-overseers  are  necessary 

Wiierever  llie  expi  rimi  nt  has  been  tried,  it  has  been  fiiund  that  pr«»- 
rnoted  liondsmen  make  cruel  task  itiasters.  The  tyranny  of  tlii'se  sub- 
njjeiits  «)t'  power  overdoes  the  pur|)oses  of  punishment,  rontlerin;,'  men 
de.^perali',  and  driving'  them  to  attempt  elopement, or,  in  the  country  phrase, 
to  "take  to  the  bush."  The  first  steps  in  an  escape  are  by  no  means 
diflicult,  f.'xcept  to  members  of  a  chain-gang;  as  tiiese,  in  addition  to  their 
irons,  are  watched  by  soldiers.  Goaded  by  the  arrogance  and  cruelty  of 
their  ovisrseors,  two  or  three  prisoners,  or  more,  concert  an  escape. 
There  are  constables'  lodges  outside  the  town,  which  the  fugitives  avoid 
by  avoiding  the  highroad.  This  first  dilRcully  surmourted,the  rimaways 
meet  at  an  appointed  rendezvous,  and  the  first  move  is  burglary.  Tliey 
surprise  the  house  of  some  settler,  or  stock-keept-r,  and  plunder  it  of  such 
movables  as  can  be  most  conveniently  carried  off;  always  taking  care,  if 
possible;,  to  seize  firearms.  When  armed,  iiie  f'ugilivfs  organize  themsilves 
with  others  who  have  preceded,  or  who  follow  them  to  the  bush,  into 
banditti,  robbing  tlie  market  carts  for  food,  and  finding  the  little  shelter 
which  the  climate  renders  necessary  in  cav<'s  and  bark  huts,  like  the 
natives.  Some  probably  have  method  and  wisdom  enough  to  betake 
themselves  into  unfrequented  parts  of  the  interior,  where  they  make 
clearings,  build  more  substantial  houses,  and  till  the  earth,  upon  which 
very  little  labor  is  necessary  to  produce  sulFicicnt  for  subsi.stence,  and 
remain  undiscovered. 

To  return  to  the  more  usual  fate  of  fugitives:  in  order  to  secure  their 
apprehension,  it  is  a  standing  rule  thai  the  apprehension,  or  the  giving 
of  information  which  shall  load  to  the  apprehension,  of  four  runaways, 
entitles  a  soven  years  convict  to  a  ticket  of  leave;  six  entitles  a  fourteen 
years';  and  eight,  a  life  transport  to  the  same  r«!ward.  In  some  cases  a 
handbill  is  issued,  offering  a  ticket  of  leave,  or  a  gratuity  in  money,  to 
liio  person  who  shall  bring  in  a  notorious  highwayman,  burglar,  or  mur- 
derer, dead  or  alive.  The  reward  is  of  course  adapted  to  the  situation 
of  the  person  who  apprehends  the  culprit,  as  a  licket  of  leave  could  not 
be  given  a  free  man.  Sometimes  a  free  pardon  and  pnasage  to  England 
is  held  out  as  an  inducement. 

Trusty  natives  are  created  "bush  constables."  These  are  about  the 
only  blacks  who  have  guns  and  ammunition.  The  majority  of  the  /i.i'ives 
are  incapable  of  using  them,  and  as  they  have  no  articles  to  offer  in  traffic, 
they  could  not  obtain  arms  if  they  wished.  The  guns  of  the  black  consta- 
bles are  given  them  by  government,  and  they  wear  a  brass  plate,  on  which 
is  inscribed  the  name  of  the  wearer,  the  tribe  he  belongs  to,  and  the  cer- 
tificate of  his  office.  These  fellows  pretended  to  follow  a  man  by  the 
scent,  like  a  dog,  and  I  have  known  several  circumstances  which  would 
seem  to  prove  their  possession  of  some  such  faculty.  The  capture  of  a 
prisoner,  and  the  surrender  of  him  at  the  barracks,  creates  the  black 
captor  a  bush  constable,  and  he  is  presented  his  musket  and  brass  plate. 
They  get  also  a  gratuity  of  some  sort  for  each  prisoner  surrendered. 
Still  another  method  of  arresting  runaways  is,  to  disguise  soldiers,  and 
send  them,  in  such  squads  as  not  to  alarm  suspicion,  into  the  interior.  It 
is  however  dangerous  service.  Bushrangers  who  have  plundered  a  house, 
or  a  market  cart,  are  burglars,  or  highway  robbers,  and  of  course  liable, 
upon  conviction,  to  death.     Murder  of  their  pursuers  can  subject  them  to 


(•|l 


558 


CONVICT  LIFE  IN  AUSTRALIA. 


no  worse  puniahniont,  iind  may  procure  their  escape.  The  sale  or  gifl 
of  arms  or  aininiiiiitioii  to  a  budliiiinifcr  is  puiii.shuble  by  tranHportatiuii  tu 
a  peuiii  si'ttlciiHMit,  or  ollu^r  iieuvy  pt'iiaity;  yctllio  I'uyilivos  provide  theni- 
sflvcri  in  soiiu!  way  will  arms,  and  encounters  with  tlieni  are  by  no  means 
trifles,  after  they  have  been  absent  lonjj  enoUHJi  to  become  desperate. 
Tiie  dead  bodies  of  fuj^itivcs  wiio  fail  in  defending  tliemselves  are  fre- 
((uently  l)rouglit  into  Sydnciy  to  be  identified.  Wliere  a  prisoner  is  letaken, 
if  no  robbery  or  murder  is  proved  against  him  upon  trial,  and  no  attempt 
at  forcible  escape  by  the  use  of  deadly  weapons,  he  gets  a  s  jntence  to  a 
penal  settlement,  for  the  crime  of  running  away.  Afler  this  sentence  is 
completed,  he  is  returned  to  the  barracks,  on  his  original  sentence,  and 
serves  out  tiiat;  the  time  spent  in  the  woods  and  in  the  penal  settlement 
counting  him  nothing.  If  he  has  resisted  the  soldiers,  or  officers,  with 
weapons,  or  if  he  bo  proved  to  have  committed  burglary,  or  highway 
robbery,  he  is  hung. 

A  "ticket  of  leave,"  is  a  conditional  pardon,  granted  to  convicts  afler 
a  series  of  years  of  good  behavior  in  the  colony.  Those  sentenced  origi- 
nally for  seven  years,  if  convicted  of  no  crime  in  New  Holland,  receive 
a  ticket  of  leave  at  the  end  of  three  years;  fourteen  years'  transports  at 
the  end  of  six;  and  lifers  at  the  end  of  eight  or  ten.  Sometimes  these 
tickets  give  the  possessor  the  liberty  of  the  whole  continent,  but  more 
generally,  only  particular  towns  or  districts.  Unconditional  pardon,  or 
emancipation,  seldom  precedes  the  expiration  of  the  sentence.  "Ticket 
of  leave"  men  are  permitted  to  employ  their  time  as  they  please,  and  are 
exempted  from  the  spotted  livery,  as  also  are  assigned  servants.  A 
"ticket  of  exemption"  may  be  obtained  by  a  male  convict  afler  two  years 
of  good  behavior.  This  allows  the  receiver,  if  a  barrack  prisoner,  to  live 
out  of  the  barracks  with  his  wife.  No  extra  ration  is  allowed  him  for  her 
support,  but  only  four  days  in  the  week  are  required  of  him  for  labor, 
tlie  day  extra  being  supposed,  with  his  wife's  industry,  sufficient  for  her 
support.  In  the  discipline  and  punishment  of  convicts,  the  intervention 
of  a  magistrate  is  always  customary.  Complaint  must  be  preferred  to  the 
police  authorities,  particularly  in  the  case  of  assign'ad  servants.  One 
magistrate  may  inflict  fitly  lashes;  a  bench  of  two  or  more  punish  at 
discretion,  by  lashes,  or  the  stocks,  or  the  treadmill.  Crimes  of  character 
meriting  severer  penalties,  go  before  the  higher  court,  at  the  quarter 
sessions,  for  final  trial  and  sentence. 

For  the  offenses  which  come  before  the  quarter  sessions,  the  convicta 
are  sentenced  to  iron-gangs,  to  penal  settlements,  and  to  death.  "Penal 
settlements,"  to  which  frequent  allusion  has  been  made,  are  the  places 
to  which  criminals  are  sent  afler  conviction,  before  a  colonial  court,  of 
oflfenses  which  degrade  them  even  below  the  Botany  Bay  standard.  The 
life-sentenced  double  convicts  are  usually  sent  to  Not  folk  Island.  This 
island  has  no  harbor,  and  the  residents  upon  it  are  allowed  no  communi- 
cation with  the  world,  except  such  as  is  afforded  by  the  arrival  of  new 
exiles.  A  strong  guard  prevents  the  landing  of  boats  from  any  vessel, 
except  those  of  the  government.  Prisoners  sent  here  are,  with  few  ex- 
ceptions, sentenced  to  a  perpetual  and  irremediable  exile  from  the  world; 
tickets  of  leave  and  other  indulgences  are  unknown,  and  I  verily  believe 
that  many  of  the  prisoners  brought  io  Sydney  from  penal  settlements  for 
trial,  commit  crime  to  obtain  that  deliverance  which  is  only  reached  by 
the  gallows.  The  employment  of  the  prisoners  at  penal  settlements 
is  calculated  exclusively  for  punishment.  Most  of  the  malea  labor  with 
irons  on  their  legs.    Indeed,  the  discipline  of  iron-gangs  and  of  settlers 


Ii 


MUTINY  OFF  NORFOLK  ISLAND. 


559 


;.  The  sale  or  gift 
by  transportation  to 
;itivos  provide  them- 
icia  lire  by  no  means 
become  desperate, 
themselves  are  fre- 
i  prisoner  is  lotaken, 
rial,  and  no  attempt 
gets  a  s  ;ntence  to  a 
fter  this  sentence  is 
iginal  sentence,  and 
he  penal  settlement 
ers,  or  officers,  with 
irglary,  or  highway 

ted  to  convicts  after 
ose  sentenced  origi- 
ew  Holland,  receive 

years'  transports  at 
.  Sometimes  these 
continent,  but  more 
nditional  pardon,  or 
sentence.     "Ticket 

they  please,  and  are 
iigned  servants.  A 
iivict  after  two  years 
ack  prisoner,  to  live 
allowed  him  for  her 
3d  of  him  for  labor, 
;ry,  sufficient  for  her 
cts,  the  intervention 
St  be  preferred  to  the 
ned  servants.     One 

or  more  punish  at 

Crimes  of  character 
ourt,  at  the  quarter 

essions,  the  convicta 
id  to  death.  "Penal 
nade,  are  the  places 
I  a  colonial  court,  of 
Bay  standard.  The 
oifolk  Island.  This 
Lllowed  no  communi- 
y  the  arrival  of  new 
tats  from  any  vessel, 
re  are,  with  few  ex- 
exile  from  the  world; 
,  and  I  verily  believe 
penal  settlements  for 
1  is  only  reached  by 
it  penal  settlements 
the  maled  labor  with 
gangs  and  of  settlers 


at  penal  stations  difters  only  in  name,  and  in  the  duration  of  the  punishment. 
Impatient  of  control,  and  roRartllnss  of  all  cons.uiuoncos,  they  oi.ii(;rly 
seize  upon  every  opportunity  of  makinrr  tlioir  csciipe— with  what  latul 
consociucncos  let  the  followinir  narrative,  written  by  a  gentleman  tor  some 
time  resident  in  Norfolk  Island,  bear  witness:  the  whole  may  be  relied 
upon  as  a  true  relation  of  facts.  .       ,•  ,         , 

"On  the  northern  side  of  Norfolk  Island  the  clifls  rise  higii,  and  are 
crowned   by  woods,  in  which  tiic  elegant  whitcwood  and  gigantic  pine 
predominate.    A  slight  indentation  of  the  land  affords  a  somewhat  sheltered 
anchorage  ground,  and  an  opening  in  the  clills  has  supplied  a  way  to  tiie 
beach  by  a  winding  road  at  the  foot  of  the  dividing  lulls.     A  stream  ot 
water,  collected  from  many  ravines,  finds  its  way  by  a  similar  opouin«  to 
a  ledge  of  rock  in  the  neighborhood,  and,  falling  over  in  teatliery  spray, 
has  given  the  name  of  Cascade  to  this  part  of  the  island.     ( Mf  thus  bay,  on 
the  morning  of  the  21st  of  June  1 842,  tlie  brig  Governor  Philip  was  sailing, 
having  brought  stores  for  the  use  of  tiie  penal  establishmcjnt.     It  was  one 
of  those  bright  mornings  which  this  heinispiiere  alone  knows,  when  the 
air  is  so  elastic  that  its  buoyancy  is  irresistibly  communicated  to  the  spirits. 
At  the  foot  of  the  clift',  near  a  group  of  huge  fragments  ot  rock  fallen 
from  the  overhanging  clifls,  a  prisoner  was  sitting  close  to  'he  sea,  pre- 
paring food  for  his  companions,  who  had  goneolf  to  the  brig  the  previous 
eveniua  with  ballast,  and  who  were  expected  to  return  at  daylight  with  a 
load  of  stores.     The  surface  of  the  sea  was  smooth,  and  the  brig  slowly 
moved  on  upon  its  soft  blue  waters.     Everything  was  calm  and  still,  when 
suddenly  a  sharp  but  distant  sound  as  of  a  gun  was  heard.     1  he  man, 
who  was  stooping  over  the  fire,  started  on  his  feet,  and  looked  above  and 
around  him,  unable  to  distinguish  the  quarter  from  whence  the  report 
came      Almost  immediately  he  heard  the  sound  repeated,  and  then  dis- 
tinctly perceived  smoke  curling  from  the  vessel's  side.     His  fears  were 
at  once  excited.     Again  he  listened;  but  all  was  hushed,  and  the  brig  still 
stood  steadily  in  toward  the  shore.     Nearer  and  nearer  she  approached; 
until,  alarmed  for  her  safety,  the  man  ran  to  summon  the  nearest  officer. 
By  the  time  they  returned,  the  vessel  had  wore,  and  was  standing  ofl  from 
tlie  land;  but  while  they  remaine  1  in  anxious  speculation  as  to  the  cause 
of  all  this,  the  firing  was  renewed  an  board,  and  it  was  evident  that  some 
deadly  fray  was  going  on.     At  length  a  boat  was  seen  to  put  off  from  the 
brig,  and  upon  its  reaching  the  shore,  the  worst  fears  of  the  party  were 
realized.     The  misguided  prisoners  on  board  had  attempted  to  seize  the 
vessel      They  were  but  twelve  in  number,  unarmed,  and  guarded  by 
twelve  soldiers  and  a  crew  of  eighteen  men;  yet  they  had  succeeded  in 
gaining  possession  of  the  vessel,  had  held  it  for  a  time,  but  had  been 
finally  overpowered,  and  immediate  help  was  required  for  the  wounded 

and  dying.  ,  . 

June  21    1842 My  duty  as  a  clergyman  called  me  to  the  scene  ot 

blood  When  I  arrived  on  the  deck  of  the  brig,  it  exhibited  a  frightful 
spectacle  One  man,  whose  head  was  blown  to  atoms,  was  lying  near 
the  forecastle.  Close  by  his  side  a  body  was  stretched,  the  face  of  which 
was  covered  by  a  cloth,  as  if  a  sight  too  ghastly  to  be  looked  upon;  for 
the  upper  half  of  the  head  had  been  blown  off.  Not  far  from  these,  a 
man  badly  wounded  was  lying  on  the  deck,  with  others  securely  handcuHed 
Forward,  by  the  companion-hatch,  one  of  the  mutineers  was  placed, 
bleeding  most  profusely  from  a  wound  which  had  shattered  his  thigh;  yet 
his  look  was  more  dreadful  than  all— hate,  passion,  and  disappointed  rage 
rioted  in  his  breast,  and  were  deeply  marked  in  his  countenance.     1 


560 


CONVICT  LIFE  IN  AUSTRALIA. 


turned  away  from  the  wretched  man,  and  my  eye  shrunk  from  the  sight 
which  again  met  it.  Lying  on  his  back  in  a  pool  of  blood,  the  muscular 
frame  of  a  man  whom  I  well  knew  was  stretched,  horribly  mutilated.  A 
ball  had  entered  his  mouth,  and  passing  through  his  skull,  had  scattered 
his  brains  around.  My  heart  sickened  at  the  extent  of  carnage,  and  I  was 
almost  sinking  with  the  faintness  it  produced,  when  I  was  roused  by  a 
groan  so  full  of  anguish  and  pain,  that  for  a  long  time  afterward  its  echo 
seemed  to  reach  me.  I  found  that  it  came  from  a  man  lying  farther  for- 
ward, on  whose  face  the  death-dew  was  standing,  yet  I  could  perceive 
no  wound.  Upon  questioning  him,  he  moved  his  hand  from  his  breast, 
and  I  then  perceived  that  a  ball  had  pierced  his  chest,  and  could  distinctly 
hear  the  air  rushing  from  his  lungs  through  the  orifice  it  had  left.  I  tore 
away  the  shirt,  and  endeavored  to  hold  together  the  edges  of  the  \yound 
until  it  was  bandaged.  I  spoke  to  him  of  prayer,  but  he  soon  grew  insen- 
sible, and  within  a  short  time  died  in  frightful  agony.  In  every  part  of 
the  vessel  evidences  of  the  attempt  which  had  ended  so  fatally  presented 
themselves;  and  the  passions  of  the  combatants  were  still  warm.  After 
attending  those  who  required  immediate  assistance,  I  received  the  follow- 
ing account  of  the  affair : — 

Xhe  prisoners  had  slept  the  previous  night  in  a  part  of  the  vessel 
appropriated  for  this  purpose;  but  it  was  without  fastening,  or  other  means 
of  securing  them  below.     Two  sentries  were,  however,  placed  over  the 
hatchway.    The  prisoners  occasionally  came  on  deck  during  the  night, 
for  their  launch  was  towing  astern,  and  the  brig  was  standing  off  and  on 
until  the  morning.     Between  six  and  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning  the 
men  were  called  to  work.     Two  of  them  were  up  some  time  before  the 
rest.     They  were  struck  by  the  air  of  negligence  which  was  evident  on 
deck,  and  instantly  communicated  the  fact  to  one  or  two  others.     The 
possibility  of  capturing  the  brig  had  often  been  discussed  by  the  prisoners, 
among  their  many  other  wild  plans  for  escaping  from  the   island,  and 
recently  had  been  often  proposed  by  them.     The  thought  was  told  by 
their  looks,  and  soon  spread  from  man  to  man.     A  few  moments  were 
enough;  one  or  two  were  roused  from  sleep,  and  the  intention  was  hur- 
riedly communicated  to  them.    It  was  variously  received.     One  of  them 
distrusted  the  leader,  and  intreated  his  companions  to  desist  from  so  mad 
an  attempt.     It  was  useless;  the  frenzied  thirst  for  liberty  had  seized 
them,  and  they  were  maddened  by  it.     Within  a  few  minutes  they  were 
all  on  deck;  and  one  of  the  leaders  rushing  at  the  sentry  nearest  to  him, 
endeavored  to  wrest  from  him  his  pistols,  one  of  which  had  flashed  in  the 
pan  as  he  rapidly  presented  it,  and  threw  him  overboard;  but  he  was 
subsequently  saved.    The  arms  of  the  other  sentry  were  demanded,  and 
obtained  from  him  without  resistance.     A  scuflle  now  took  place  with  two 
other  soldiers  who  were  also  on  the  deck,  but  not  on  duty,  during  which 
one  of  them  jumped  over  the  vessel's  side,  and  remained  for  sonie  time 
in  the  main  chains,  but  upon  the  launch  being  brought  along  side,  he 
went  down  into  it.    The  other  endeavored  to  swim  ashore  (for  by  this 
time  the  vessel  was  within  a  gun-shot  of  the  rocks;)  but,  encumbered  by 
his  great-coat,  he  was  seen,  when  within  a  few  strokes  of  the  rock,  to 
raise  his  hands,  and  uttering  a  faint  cry  to  Heaven  for  mercy  he  instantly 
sunk.     In  the  meanwhile,  the  sergeant  in  charge  of  the  guard  hearing 
the  scuffling  overhead,  ran  upon  deck,  and  seeing  some  of  the  mutineers 
struggling  with  the  sentry,  shot  the  nearest  of  them  dead  on  the  spot. 
He  had  no  sooner  done  so  than  he  received  a  blow  on  the  hf  ad,  which 
rendered  him  for  some  time   insensible.    Little  or  no  resistance  was 


■I 


ink  from  the  sight 
lood,  the  muscular 
ibly  mutilated.     A 
kull,  had  scattered 
carnage,  and  I  was 
I  was  roused  by  a 
afterward  its  echo 
1  lyinp  farther  for- 
it  I  could  perceive 
id  from  his  breast, 
uid  could  distinctly 
it  had  left.     I  tore 
dges  of  the  wound 
le  soon  grew  insen- 
In  every  part  of 
io  fatally  presented 
still  warm.     After 
eceived  the  follow- 
part  of  the  vessel 
ling,  or  other  means 
er,  placed  over  the 
I  during  the  night, 
standing  off  and  on 
in  the  morning  the 
me  time  before  the 
ich  was  evident  on 
■  two  others.     The 
ed  bythe  prisoners, 
om  the   island,  and 
lought  was  told  by 
few  moments  were 
I  intention  was  hur- 
ived.     One  of  them 
i  desist  from  so  mad 
liberty  had  seized 
minutes  they  were 
ntry  nearest  to  him, 
;h  had  flashed  in  the 
rboard;  but  he  was 
trere  demanded,  and 
took  place  with  two 
I  duty,  during  which 
ained  for  some  time 
tught  along  side,  he 
ashore  (for  by  this 
but,  encumbered  by 
kes  of  the  rock,  to 
r  mercy  he  instantly 
f  the  guard  hearing 
me  of  the  mutineers 
i  dead  on  the  spot, 
on  the  hf  ad,  whicli 
r  no  resistance  was 


DEFEAT  OF  THE  MUTINEERS. 


561 


oTfVPd  by  the  sailors;  they  run  into  the  forecastle,  and  the  vns.sol  wa.M  in 
fli«'  hands  of  the  mutineers.     All  the   hatches  were  instantly  fastened 
down,  and    every  availaWo  thing  at  hand  piled  upon  them.     But  now, 
having  .secured  their  opponents,  the  mutineers  were  unable  to  work  the 
briij;  they  therefore  summoned  two  of  the  sailors  from  below,  and  placed 
ono  of  them  at  the  wheel,  while  the  otiicr  was  directed  to  assist  in  getting 
the  vessel  oil".     The  coxswain,  a  free  man  in  charge  of  tiie  prisoners,  had 
the  first  onset  taken  to  the  rigging,  and  remained  in  the  maintop  with  one 
of  the  men  who  refused  to  join  in  the  attack.     At  this  moment  a  soldier 
who  had  gone  overboard,  and  endeavored  to  reach  the  shore,  had  turned 
hack,  and  was  seen  swimming  near  the  vessel.     Woolfe,  one  of  the  con- 
victs, immediately  jumped  into  the  boat  along  side,  and  saved  him.    While 
this  was  the  state  of  things  above,  the  soldiers  had  forced  tlieir  way  into 
the  captain's  cabin,  and  continued  to  fire  through  the  gratings  overhead 
as  often  as  any  of  the  mutineers  passed.     In  this  manner  several  of  them 
received  wounds.     To  prevent  a  continuance  of  this,  a  kettle  of  hot  water 
was  poured  from  above,  and  shortly  afterward  a  proposal  was  made  to  the 
captain  from  the  prisoners  to  leave  the  vessel  in  the  launch,  provided  he 
iianded  up  to  them  the  necessary  supplies.     This  he  refused,  and  then 
all  the  sailors  were  ordered  from  below  into  the  launch,  with  the  intention 
of  sending  them  ashore.     Continuing  to  watch  for  the  ringleaders,  the 
captain  caught  a  glimpse  of  one  them  standing  aft,  and,  as  he  supposed, 
out  of  the  reach,     lie  mounted  the  cabin  table,  and  almost  at  a  venture 
fired  through  the  woodwork  in  the  direction  he  supposed  the  man  to  be 
standing.     The  shot  was  fatal;  the  ball  struck  him  in  the  mouth,  and 
passed  through  his  brain.     Terrified  at  the  death  of  their  comrades,  the 
remainder  were  panic-struck,  and  instantly  ran  below.     One  of  the  leaders 
sprung  over  the  taffrail,  and  eventually  reached  the  launch.     The  sailor 
at  the  wheel,  now  seeing  the  deck  almost  cleared,  beckoned  up  the  cap- 
tain, and  without  an  effort  the  vessel  was  again  in  their  possession.     In 
tiie  confusion,  a  soldier  who  had  been  in  the  boat,  and  was  at  this  moment 
with  the  sailors  returning  on  deck,  was  mistaken  for  one  of  the  mutineers, 
and  shot  by  the  sergeant.     The  prisoners  were  now  summoned  from  their 
place  of  concealment.     They  begged  hard  for  mercy;  and  upon  condition 
of  their  quietly  surrendering,  it  was  promised  tothem.     As  the  first  of  them 
in  reliance  upon  this  assurance,  was  gaining  the  deck,  by  some  unhappy 
error  he  received  a  ball  in  his  thigh,  and  fell  back  again.     The  rest 
refused  to  stir;  but  after  a  few  moment's  hesitation,  another  of  them 
ventured  up,  was  taken  aft  by  the  captain,  and  secured.     A  third  followed, 
and  as  he  came  up,  he  extended  his  arms,  and  cried,  'I  surrender;  spare 
me.'     Either  this  motion  was  mistaken  by  the  soldiers,  or  some  of  them 
were  unable  to  restrain  their  passion,  for  at  this  instant  the  man's  head 
was  literally  blown  off.     The  captain  hastened  to  the  spot  and  received 
tlie  others,  who  were  secured  without  further  injury. 

When  wo  reached  the  vessel,  the  dying,  dead,  and  wounded  were  lying 
in  every  direction.  In  the  launch  astern,  we  saw  the  body  of  one  wretched 
man  who  had  leaped  over  the  taffrail,  and  reached  the  boat  badly  wounded; 
he  was  seen  lying  in  it  when  the  deck  was  regained,  and  was  then  pierced 
through  with  many  balls.  Nothing  could  be  more  horrible  than  his  ap- 
pearance; the  distortion  of  every  feature,  his  clenched  hands,  and  the 
limbs  which  had  stiffened  in  the  forms  of  agony  into  which  pain  had  twisted 
them,  were  appalling.  The  countenance  of  every  man  on  board  bore 
evidence  of  the  nature  of  the  deadly  conflict  in  which  he  had  been  engaged. 
In  some,  suUenness  had  succeeded  to  reckless  daring,  and  exultation  to- 
36 


562 


CONVICT  LIFE  IN  AUSTRALIA. 


alarm  in  others.     Nothing  could  have  been  more  desperate  than  such  a 

attempt  to  seize  the  vessel.     The  most  culpable  neglect  could  alone  have 

encrragcdTand  it  is  .lifficult  to  conceive  how  it  could  have  succeeded 

t  .ho,„.     Aw.y  from  ho™  .nd  -S^^t^t/Stu'^a'Sm^; 

dciSfcollMnoI  help'thinkingth..  the,  fell  .,  lea,s  from  he.v.n 

"•S„'l'h?;,S.LlfiXg?e?Sre«,,one.,  ■  ';«-?*'  *"'  "VS 
un  me  inoriiuig  i"  »  ,      ™,  u      ^g  small,  but  clean  and  light. 

len   and  '^^  d'3spa.r.     Lew.s   who  was  8^,^^.^^.  ^jj^i^  g,„, 

eel,  seoined  to  glory  m  tne  raiue  oi  j  heav  ly 

All  the  P"--f ' --P^  «Yjy  ^:^  I  t^g    but  Lst  solemn^  denied 
participation  m  the  attempt  to  seize  ine     r  g,  ^^ 

any  knowledge  of  a  preconcerted  plan  ^°  ^'^J^^^'J^.^^^^^  to 

hai  attempted  to  th-- .^t5t\he\XresrLne?7gaTnst  sLe  of  tLir 

be  interrupted,  and  mveighed  '"jj^f^'^J^'^^lTrS^d  thtm;  or,  at  least,  had 
companions  who  had,  they  seemed  to  think,  betrayed  m^^^^        ,     ^^^^^  ^^ 

led  them  on,  and  at  the  «>o"™e"t  "^  &  Nkhls  Lewis,  Henry  Sears, 
the  surviving  mutineers  were  John  Jonc^,™  ^^^^.^^  ^ 

George  Beavers,  James  ^oolfe,  Thomas    wno^ian^  ^^^^^^ 

The  depositions  against  ihem  having  beei^akena^^^  ^^^^^^^^ 

mentioned,  with  the  exception  of  Jones  ajd  W  W^  ^,^^^  ^,t,„,i,„. 
^ere  brought  out  to  hear  them  J^/^^  J^J  ',d  Once  only  during  the 
l,ut  none  of  them  '^PP.«"^'*  ,^°  I'^  .'"ri?  fXtements  made  by  one  of  the 
■reading.  Beavers  passionately  4f°'«ffl.*^^^V^^^^^^^  countenance 

witnesses  present,  and  was  ^f^  difficulty  sj^^^^^^^ 

at  that  moment  was  terribly  '^g^^^J' JJ^J^  i^^^^^^^  and,  with 


perate  than  such  an 
ct  could  alone  have 
lid  have  succeeded, 
se  in  charge  of  her 
ly  landed,  and  con- 
rd  brought  on  shore, 
irf  rolls  in(arnfully 

and  solemn  silence, 
the  graves  prepared 
found  a  fearful  ter- 
1  still  bound  them  to 
r  their  return,  and, 

Ihem,  and  forgiven 
jthers  were  praying 
.d  still  fondly  loved, 
frain  at  that  moment 
3  tears  from  heaven 

itedthe  jail  in  which 
but  clean  and  light. 
IS  Lewis,  and  Henry 
;ell,  and  looking  sul- 
scanty  space  of  the 
ns;  while  Sears  was 
ey  were  all  heavily 
n  to  prevent  escape. 
It  was  once  a  public 
I  its  present  purpose, 
s  little  calculated  to 
onduct  was  the  snli- 
hy  whom  any  attc'inpt 
3  other  cell  I  I'ouiul 
old  wound  in  the  \v^, 
irons  which  galled  it. 
r  acknowledged  their 
nost  solemnly  denied 
or  that  they,  at  least, 
\ey  were  unwilling  to 
:  against  some  of  their 
them;  or,  at  least,  had 
;hed.     The  names  of 

Lewis,  Henry  Sears, 
1,  and  Patrick  Barry. 
n,  all  the  men  1  have 
1,  who  were  wounded, 
i  with  calm  attention. 
Once  only  during  the 
ts  made  by  one  of  the 
sd.  His  countenance 
iling  seemed  to  minjile 
g,  powerful,  and,  with 

From  the  jail  I  pro- 
irere  lying.  They  had 
were  in  great  agony. 


'™li 


INTERESTING  STORY  OF  A  CONVICT. 


The  violence  of  Jones  was  excessive.  Weakened  in  some  degree  by  an 
immense  loss  of  blood,  the  bitterness  of  his  spirit,  nevertheless,  exhibited 
itself  in  passionate  bursts  of  impatience.  He  was  occasionally  convulsed 
with  excessive  pain;  for  the  nerves  of  the  thigh  had  been  much  hicorated, 
and  the  bone  terribly  shattered.  Hifl  features  were  distorted  with  pain 
and  anger,  and  occasionally  bitter  curses  broke  from  his  lips;  yet  there 
was  sometiiing  about  his  appearance  which  powerfully  arrested  my  atten- 
tion— an  evident  marking  of  intellect  and  character,  repulsive  in  its  present 
development,  yet  in  many  respects  remarkable.  His  iiistory  had  been  a 
melancholy  one,  and,  as  illustrative  of  many  thousand  others,  I  give  it  as 
I  aflerward  received  it  from  his  lips. 

At  eleven  years  of  age  he  was  employed  in  a  warehouse  in  Liverpool 
as  an  errand-boy.  While  following  this  occupation,  from  which  by  good 
conduct  he  might  have  risen  to  something  better,  he  was  met  in  the  street 
one  day  by  tiie  lad  whom  he  had  succeeded  in  this  employment,  and  was 
told  by  him  how  he  might  obtain  money  by  robbing  the  warehouse,  and 
then  go  with  him  to  the  theater.  He  accordingly  took  an  opportunity  of 
stealing  some  articles  wiiich  had  been  pointed  out,  and  gave  them  to  his 
companion,  who,  in  disposing  of  them,  was  detected,  and  of  course  crimi- 
nated Jones.  After  remaining  some  weeks  in  jail,  Jones  was  tried  and 
acquitted ;  but  his  character  being  now  gone,  he  became  reckless,  and 
commenced  a  regular  career  of  depredation.  In  attempting  another 
warehouse  robbery,  he  was  detected,  and  sentenced  to  twelve  months' 
imprisonment.  By  the  time  he  was  released  from  this,  he  was  well  tutored 
in  crime,  and  believed  that  he  could  now  adroitly  perform  the  same  rob- 
bery in  which  he  iiad  previously  failed.  He  made  the  attempt  the  very 
niglit  of  his  release  from  jail,  and  with  temporary  success.  Subsequently, 
however,  he  was  detected,  and  received  sentence  of  transportation  for 
seven  years.  He  underwent  this  sentence,  and  an  additional  one  in  Van 
Diemen's  Land,  chiefly  at  Port  Arthur,  the  most  severe  of  the  penal 
stations  there.  From  this  place  he,  with  Lewis,  Moss,  (who  was  shot  on 
board  the  brig,)  and  Woolfe,  having  seized  a  whale-boat,  effected  their 
escape.  During  three  months  they  underwent  the  most  extreme  hardships 
from  hunger  and  exposure.  Once  they  had  been  without  food  for  several 
days,  and  their  last  hook  was  over  the  boat's  side;  they  were  anxiously 
watching  for  a  fish.  A  small  blue  shark  took  the  bait,  and  in  despair  one 
of  them  dashed  over  the  boat's  side  to  seize  the  fish;  his  leg  was  caught 
by  one  of  the  others,  and  they  succeeded  in  saving  both  man  and  hook. 
They  eventually  reached  Twofold  Bay,  on  the  coast  of  New  South  Wales, 
and  were  then  apprehended,  conveyed  to  Sydney,  and  thence  sent  back 
to  Van  Diemen's  Land;  tried,  and  received  sentence  of  death;  but  this 
was  subsequently  commuted  to  transportation  for  life  to  Norfolk  Island. 
Jones  often  described  to  me  the  intense  misery  he  had  undergone  during 
his  career.  He  had  never  known  what  freedom  was,  and  yet  incessantly 
longed  for  it.  All  alike  confessed  the  unhappiness  of  their  career. 
Having  made  the  first  false  step  into  crime,  they  acknowledged  that  their 
minds  became  polluted  by  the  associations  they  formed  during  imprison- 
ment. Then  they  were  further  demoralized  by  thinking  of  the  glory — 
such  miserable  glory! — attending  a  trial;  and  the  hulks  and  the  voyage 
out  gave  them  a  finished  criminal  training.  The  extent  of  punishment 
many  of  them  have  undergone  during  the  period  of  transportation  is  almost 
incredible.  I  have  known  men  whose  original  sentence  of  seven  years 
has  been  extended  over  three  times  that  period,  and  who,  in  addition  to 
other  punishment,  have  received  five  thousand  or  six  tliou.^und  lashes. 


^>64 


(X)NVIOT  LIFE  IN  AUSTRALIA. 


AAormany  solemn  interviews  with  the  iniitincers,  I  found  thoin  arndually 
softcninp.     Thoy  became  more  communicntivo,  and  extremely  iinxioiiH 
to  receive  instruction.     I  think  I  shall  never  forget  one  of  the  earjiost  of 
these  visits  to  them.     I  first  saw  Scars,  Beavers,  and  Jones.     After  a  long 
and  interesting  conversation  with  tliem,  wo  joined  in  that  touching  con- 
fession of  sin  with  which  the  liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England  commom^eH. 
As  wo  knelt  together,  I  heard  them  repeat  with  great  enrnestnes.-, — 'Wc; 
have  erred  and  strayed  from  Thy  ways  like  lost  sheep,'  etc.  When  we 
arose,  I  perceived  that  each  of  them  had  been  shedding  tears.     It  was 
the  first  time  I  had  seen  them  betray  any  such  emotion,  and  I  cannot  tell 
how  glad  I  feh;  but  when  I  proceeded  afterward  to  read  to  them  the  first 
chapter  of  Isaiah,  I  had  scarcely  uttered  that  most  exquisite  passage  in 
the  second  verse— 'I  have  nourished  and  brought  up  children,  and  they 
have  rebelled  against  me'— when  the  claims  of  God,  and  their  violation 
and  rejection  of  them;  His  forbearance,  and  their  ingratitude,  appeared 
to  overwhelm  them;  they  sobbed  aloud,  and  were  thoroughly  overpowered. 
For  a  considerable  time  we  talked  together  of  the  past ;  the  wretched 
years  they  had  endured;  the  punishments,  and  the  crimes  which  had  led 
to  them  ;  until  they  seemed  to  feel  most  keenly  the  folly  of  their  sad 
career.     We  passed  on  to  contrast  the  manner  in  which  their  lives  had 
been  spent,  with  what  God  and  society  required  from  them;  their  miserable 
perversion  of  God's  gifts,  with  the  design  for  which  He  gave  them,  until 
we  were  led  on  to  speak  of  hope  and  of  faith;  of  Ilim  who  'willeth  not 
tlie  death  of  a  sinner,  but  rather  that  he  should  turn  from  his  wickedness 
and  live;'  and  then  the  Saviour's  remonstrance  seemed  to  arrest  them— 
'Ye  will  not  come  to  me  that  ye  might  have  life;'  until  at  length  the 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  were  supplicated  with   earnestness    and 
solemnity.  These  instructions,  and  such  conversation,  were  daily  repeated; 
and  henceforth  each  time  1  saw  them  I  perceived  a  gradual  but  distinct 
unfolding  of  the  affections  and  the  understanding. 

August. The  wounded  men  are  much  recovered,  and  the  whole  of  the 

mutineers  are  now  confined  together  in  a  large  war^  of  the  jail.  They 
have  lon<T  received  extreme  kindness  from  the  commandant,  and  are 
literally  bewildered  at  finding  that  even  this  last  act  has  not  diminished 
the  exercise  of  his  benevolence.  That  anybody  should  care  for  them,  or 
take  such  pains  about  them,  afler  their  violent  conduct,  excited  surprise— 
at  first  almost  amounting  to  suspicion;  but  this  at  length  gave  place  to  the 
warmest  gratitude.  They  were,  in  facv,,  subdued  by  it.  They  read  very 
much,  are  extremely  submissive,  and  carefully  avoid  the  slightest  infringe- 
ment of  the  prison  regulations.  At  first,  all  this  was  confined  to  the  three 
men  I  have  mentioned;  but  their  steady  consistency  of  conduct,  and  the 
strange  transformation  of  character  so  evident  in  them,  gradually  arrested 
the  attention  of  the  others,  and  eventually  led  to  a  similar  result. 

They  will  be  detained  here  until  the  case  has  been  decided  by  the 
authorities  in  Sydney.  They  will  probably  be  tried  by  a  commission  sent 
from  thence  to  the  island  for  the  purpose.  Formerly,  however,  prisoners 
charged  with  capital  offenses  here  were  sent  up  for  trial;  but  (it  is  a 
horrible  fact)  this  was  found  to  lead  to  so  much  crime,  that,  at  much 
inconvenience  and  expense,  it  was  found  absolutely  necessary  to  send 
down  a  judicial  commission  on  each  important  occasion,  in  order  to 
prevent  it.  The  mere  excitement  of  a  voyage,  with  the  chances  connected 
with  it,  nay,  merely  a  wish  to  get  off  the  island  even  for  a  time,  led  many 
men  to  commit  crimes  of  the  deepest  dye  in  order  to  be  sent  to  Sydney 
for  trial. 


SEAR'S  STORY  OP  HIMSELF. 


565 


id  thoin  nrndually 
jxtreinely  nnxioiiH 
of  tlio  «!arlioat  of 
ncs.  Aftf-r  a  long 
hat  toucliiiij,'  con- 
glnnd  cominonccH. 
cnrncstn«'Sn — 'Wc 
{),'  etc.  WhcMi  we 
ing  tears.  It  was 
,  nnd  I  cannot  tcU 
d  to  tliem  the  first 
quisitc  passage  in 
children,  and  they 
and  their  violation 
[ratitiide,  appeared 
ighly  overpowered, 
past ;  the  wretched 
Ties  whicii  had  led 

folly  of  their  sad 
ich  their  lives  had 
am;  their  miserable 
Ic  gave  them,  until 
n  who  'willeth  not 
om  his  wickedness 
;d  to  arrest  them — 

until  at  length  the 
\\  earnestness  and 
i^ere  daily  repeated; 
radual  but  distinct 

nd  the  whole  of  the 
of  the  jail.     They 
nmandant,  and  are 
has  not  diminished 
Id  care  for  them,  or 
,  excited  surprise — 
th  gave  place  to  the 
it.     They  read  very 
le  slightest  infringe- 
onfined  to  the  three 
of  conduct,  and  the 
I,  gradually  arrested 
nilar  result, 
jen  decided  by  the 
y  a  commission  sent 
,  however,  prisoners 
Br  trial;  but  (it  is  a 
;rime,  that,  at  much 
f  necessary  to  send 
:casion,  in  order  to 
e  chances  connected 
for  a  time,  led  many 
0  be  sent  to  Sydney 


Two  months,  therefore,  at  least,  must  intervene  between  tho  perpetration 
of  the  oH'onsc  and  their  trial;  and  this  interval  is  usually  employed  in 
similar  cases  in  arranging  a  defense  but  too  commonly  supported  by  per- 
jury. In  the  present  instance,  I  found  not  the  slightest  attempt  to  follow 
such  a  course.  They  declare  that  they  expect  death,  and  will  gladly 
welcome  it.  Of  their  life,  which  has  been  a  course  of  almost  constant 
warfare  with  society,  ending  in  remorseful  feelings,  they  are  all  thoroughly 
weary,  although  only  one  of  them  exceeds  thirty  years  of  age. 

In  addition  to  the  ordinary  services.  Captain  Maconochie  each  Sunday 
afternoon  has  read  prayers  to  them,  and  has  given  permission  to  a  few 
of  their  friends  to  be  present.  Singular  good  has  resulted  from  it,  both 
to  the  men  and  those  who  join  in  their  devotions.  At  the  conclusion  of 
one  of  these  services  Sears  stood  up,  and  with  his  heart  so  full  as  scarcely 
to  allow  him  utterance,  to  the  surprise  of  every  person  there,  ho  addressed 
most  impressively  the  men  who  were  present.  'Perhaps,'  said  he,  'the  words 
of  one  of  yourselves,  unhappily  circumstanced  as  I  am,  may  have  some 
weight  with  you.  You  all  know  the  life  I  have  led;  it  has,  believe  me, 
been  a  most  unhappy  one;  and  I  have,  I  liope  not  too  lute,  discovered  the 
the  cause  of  this.  I  solemnly  tell  you  that  is  because  I  have  broken  God's 
laws.  I  am  almost  ashamed  to  speak,  but  I  dare  not  be  silent.  I  am 
going  to  tell  you  a  strange  thing,  [never  before  was  happy;  I  begin  now, 
for  the  first  time  in  my  life,  to  hope.  I  am  an  ignorant  man,  or  at  least  I 
was  so;  but  I  thank  God  I  begin  to  see  things  in  their  rigiit  light  now. 
I  have  been  unhappily  placed  from  my  childhood,  and  have  endured  many 
liardships.  I  do  not  mention  this  to  excuse  my  errors;  yet  if  I  had  years 
since  received  the  kindness  I  have  done  here,  it  might  have  been  otiierwise. 
My  poor  follows,  do  turn  over  a  now  leaf ;  try  to  serve  God,  and  you, 
too,  will  bo  happier  for  it.'  The  efl'cct  was  most  thrilling;  there  was  a 
death-like  silence;  tears  rolled  down  many  cheeks,  which  I  verily  believe 
never  before  felt  them;  and  without  a  word  more,  all  slowly  withdrew. 

This  man's  story  is  also  a  common,  but  painful  one.  At  fifteen  years 
of  age  he  was  transported  for  life  as  au  accomplice  in  an  assault  and 
alleged  robbery,  of  which,  from  circumstances  wiiich  have  since  transpired, 
I  have  little  doubt  he  was  entirely  innocent.  During  a  long  imprisonment 
in- Horsham  jail,  he  received  an  initiation  in  crime,  wiiich  was  finished 
during  the  outward  voyage.  Upon  his  arrival  in  New  South  Wales,  he 
was  assigned  to  a  settler  in  the  interior,  a  notoriously  hard  and  severe 
man,  who  gave  him  but  a  scanty  supply  of  food  and  clothing,  and  whose 
aim  seemed  to  be  to  take  the  utmost  out  of  him  at  the  least  possible  ex- 
pense. Driven  at  length  to  desperation,  he,  with  three  fellow-servants, 
absconded;  and  when  taken,  made  a  complaint  to  the  magistrate  before 
whom  they  were  brought  almost  without  clothes.  Their  statements  were 
found  to  be  literally  correct;  but  for  absconding  they  were  sent  to  New- 
castle, one  of  the  penal  stations  of  New  South  Wales,  where  Sears  remained 
nearly  two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  was  again  assigned, 
but  unfortunately  to  a  man,  if  possible,  worse  than  his  former  employer, 
and  again  absconded.  For  this  oifense  he  was  sent  to  Moreton  Bay, 
another  penal  settlement,  and  endured  three  years  of  horrible  severity, 
starvation,  and  misery  of  every  kind.  His  temper  was  by  this  time  much 
soured;  and,  roused  by  the  conduct  of  the  overseers,  he  became  brutalised 
by  constant  punishment  for  resisting  them.  After  this  he  was  sent  to 
Sydney,  as  one  of  the  crew  in  the  police-boat,  of  which  he  was  soon  made 
assistant  coxswain.  For  not  reporting  a  theft  committed  by  one  of  the 
men  under  his  charge,  he  was  sentenced  to  a  road  party;  and  attempting 


lAi.-; 


Ill 

n 
m 


111 


500 


CONVICT  LIFE  IN  AUSTRALIA. 


T 


to  escape  from  it,  he  wa«  apprehended,  and  again  ordered  to  Morolon 
Bay  for  four  years  more.     There  ho  waa  again  repeatedly  flop>,'<d  for 
disobedience  and  resistance  of  overseers,  as  well  as  attempting  to  escape; 
but   hiiving     <08t  courageously  rendered  assistance  to  u  vessel  wrecked 
olf  the  harbor,  he  attracted  the  attention  of  the  commandant,  who  after- 
ward showed  him  a  little  favor.     This  was  the  first  approacli  to  kindness 
lie  had  know  since,  when  years  before,  he  had  left  his  home;  amJ  it  haij 
its  usual  influence.     He  never  was  again  in  a  scrape  there.     His  goo<l 
conduct  induced  the  commandant  to  recommend  him  for  :•.  mitigation 
of  sentence,  which  he  received,  and  he  was  again  employed  in  the  police- 
boat.     The  free  coxswain  of  the  boat  was,  however,  n  dnftikurd,  and 
intrusted  much  to  Sears.     Oftentimes  he  roused  the  men  by  his  violence, 
but  Sears  contrived  to  subdue  his  passion.     At  length,  one  night  returning 
to  the  hut  drunk,  the  man  struck  at  one  of  crew  with  his  cutlass,  and  the 
rest  resisted  and  disarmed  him.     But  the  morning  came;  the  case  was 
heard;  their  story  was  disbelieved;  and  upon  the  charge  and  evidence 
of  the  aggressor,  they  were  sent  to  an  ironed  gang,  to  work  on  the  public 
roads.     When  Sears  again  became  eligible  for  assignment,  a  person  whom 
he  had  known  in  Sydney  applied  for  him.     The  man  must  be  removed 
within  a  fixed  period  after  the  authority  is  given.     In  this  case,  application 
was  made  a  day  beyond  the  prescribed  time,  and  churlishly  refused. 
The  disappointment  roused  a  spirit  so  untutored  as  his,  and  once  again 
he  absconded;  was  of  course  apprehended,  tried,  and  being  found  with  a 
man  who  had  committed  robbery,  and  had  a  musket  in  his  possession,  was 
sent  to  Norfolk  Island  for  life.    This  sentence  has,  however,  for  meritorious 
conduct,  been  reduced  to  fourteen  years;  and  his  ready  assistance  during 
a  fire  which  recently  broke  out  in  the  military  garrison  here,  might  possibly 
have  helped  to  obtain  a  still  further  reduction.     He  never,  during  those 
abscondings,  was  absent  for  any  long  period,  and  never  committed  any 
act  of  violence.    His  constant  attempt  seems  to  have  been  to  reach  Sydney, 
in  order  to  aflect  his  escape  from  the  scene  of  so  much  misery. 

For  some  time  past  I  have  noticed  his  quiet  and  orderly  conduct,  and 
was  really  sorry  when  I  found  him  concerned  in  this  unhappy  affair.  His 
desire  for  freedom  was,  however,  most  ardent,  and  a  chance  of  obtaining 
it  was  almost  irresistible.  He  has  since  told  me  that  a  few  words  kindly 
spoken  to  himself  and  others  by  Captain  Maconochie,  when  they  landed, 
sounded  so  pleasantly  to  him— such  are  his  own  words— that  he  deter- 
mined from  that  moment  he  would  endeavor  to  do  well.  He  assures  me 
that  he  was  perfectly  unconscious  of  a  design  to  take  the  brig,  unti  awoke 
from  his  sleep  a  few  minutes  before  the  attack  commenced;  that  he  then 
remonstrated  with  the  men;  but  finding  it  useless,  he  considered  it  a  point 
of  honor  not  to  fail  them.  His  anxiety  for  instruction  is  intense;  he  listens 
like  a  child;  and  his  gratitude  is  most  touching.  He,  together  with  Jones, 
Woolfe,  and  Barry,  were  chosen  bv  the  commandant  as  a  police-boat  s 
crew;  and  had,  up  to  this  period,  acted  with  great  steadiness  and  fidelity 
in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  required  from  them.  Nor  did  1  think  they 
would,  even  now,  tempting  as  the  occasion  was,  have  thought  of  seizing 
it,  had  it  not  been  currently  reported  that  they  were  shortly  to  be  placed 
under  a  system  of  severity  such  as  they  had  already  suffered  so  much 

from.  .  „  J  1 

Woolfe's  story  of  himself  is  most  affecting.  He  entered  upon  evil 
courses  when  very  young;  was  concerned  in  burglaries  when  only  eleven 
years  of  age.  Yet  this  was  from  no  natural  love  of  crime.  Enticed  from 
his  home  by  boys  older  than  himself,  he  soon  weaned  of  the  life  he  led, 


' 


I*  i*--,'-ir«f^';"K'f 


tk 


TRIAL  OF  THE  MUTINEERS. 


567 


ored  to  Mtiretoii 

todly  flojj^'fd  for 

iipting  to  t'Hcapc; 

u  vortsel  wit'tkeil 

ndunt,  who  aller- 

roacli  to  kindnosi* 

home;  and  it  had 

there.     IliH  ^oo<l 

for  ;i  mitij^atioii 

•ycd  in  the  police- 

a  dhfnkurd,  and 

n  by  his  violence, 

no  night  returning 

is  cutlass,  and  the 

inc;  the  case  was 

irg<!  and  evidence 

vork  on  the  public 

int,  a  person  whom 

must  be  removed 

is  case,  application 

hurlishly  refused. 

s,  and  once  again 

leing  found  with  a 

lis  possession,  was 

ver,for  meritorious 

y  assistance  during 

ere,  might  possibly 

ever,  during  those 

[rer  committed  any 

!n  to  reach  Sydney, 

h  misery. 

dcrly  conduct,  and 
nhappy  affair.  His 
chance  of  obtaining 
a  few  words  kindly 
when  they  landed, 
ds — that  he  deter- 
II.  He  assures  me 
le  brig,  until  awoke 
inced;  that  he  then 
;onsidered  it  a  point 
!  intense;  he  listens 
Qgethcr  with  Jones, 
;  as  a  police-boat's 
adiness  and  fidelity 
^OT  did  I  think  tiiey 
I  thought  of  seizing 
ihortly  to  be  placed 
suffered  so  much 

entered  upon  evil 
B8  when  only  eleven 
ime.  Enticed  from 
i  of  the  life  he  led, 


mid  longed  to  return  to  his  homo  and  his  kind  mother.  Of\cntimv9  he 
lingered  near  the  street  she  lived  in.  Once  ho  had  been  very  unhappy, 
for  he  had  seen  his  brother  and  sister  that  day  pass  near  him,  and  it  had 
rekindled  all  his  love  for  thorn.  They  appeared  happy  in  their  innocence; 
lie  was  miserable  in  hia  crime.  Ho  now  determined  to  go  homo  and 
pray  to  be  forgiven.  Tho  evening  was  dark  and  wet,  and  as  he  entered 
tiie  court  in  whicii  his  friends  lived,  his  heart  failed  him,  and  ho  turned 
back;  but,  unable  to  resist  the  impulse,  he  again  returned,  and  stole  under 
the  window  of  the  room.  A  rent  in  tho  narrow  curtain  enabled  him  to 
sec  within.  His  mother  sat  by  tho  tire,  and  her  countenance  was  so  sad 
that  ho  was  sure  she  thought  of  him;  but  tho  room  looked  so  comfortable, 
and  the  wliole  scene  was  so  unlike  the  place  in  which  ho  had  lately  lived, 
that  lie  could  no  longer  hesitate.  He  approached  the  door;  the  latch  was 
almost  in  his  hand,  when  shame  and  fear,  and  a  thousand  other  vile  and 
foolish  notions,  held  him  back;  and  the  boy  who  in  another  moment  might 
have  been  liappy — was  lost.  Ho  turned  away,  and  I  believe  has  never 
seen  them  since.  Going  on  in  crime,  he,  in  due  course  of  time,  was  trans- 
{mrtcd  for  robbery.  His  term  of  seven  years  expired  in  Van  Diemen's 
Land.  Released  from  forced  servitude,  he  went  a  whaling  voyage,  and 
was  free  nearly  two  years.  Unhappily,  he  was  then  charged  with  aiding 
in  a  robbery,  and  again  received  a  sentence  of  transportation.  Ho  was 
sent  to  Port  Arthur,  there  employed  as  one  of  the  boat's  crew,  and  crossing 
tlie  bay  one  day  with  a  commissariat  ofiiccr,  tho  boat  was  capsized  by  a 
sudden  squall.  In  attempting  to  save  the  life  of  the  officer,  he  was  seized 
by  his  dying  grasp,  and  almost  perished  with  him;  but  extricating  himself, 
he  swam  back  to  tho  boat.  Seeing  the  drowning  man  exhausted,  and 
sinking,  he  dashed  forward  again,  diving  after  him,  and  happily  succeeded 
in  saving  his  life.  For  this  honorable  act  he  would  have  received  a  remis- 
sion of  sentence;  but  ere  it  could  arrive,  he  and  five  others  made  their 
escape.  He  had  engaged  with  these  men  in  tho  plan  to  seize  tho  boat, 
and  althougii  sure  of  tho  success  of  the  application  in  his  favor,  he 
could  not  now  draw  back.  The  result  I  have  already  shown.  There 
were  two  more  men  concerned  in  the  mutiny,  who,  with  those  I  have 
mentioned,  and  those  killed  on  board  tho  brig,  made  up  the  number  of 
the  boat's  crew.  But  neither  of  these  men  came  under  my  charge,  being 
both  Roman  Catholics. 

At  length  the  brig,  which  had  been  dispatched  with  an  account  of  the 
affair,  returned,  and  brought  the  decision  of  the  governor  of  Now  South 
Wales.  He  had  found  it  extremely  difficult,  almost  impossible,  to  obtain 
fitting  members  for  the  commission,  who  would  be  willing  to  accept  the 
terms  proposed  by  the  government,  or  trust  themselves  in  this  dreadful 
place,  and  therefore  he  had  determined  that  the  prisoners  should  be  sent 
up  for  trial.  The  men  were  sadly  disappointed  at  this  arrangement. 
They  wisiicd  much  to  end  their  days  here,  and  they  dreaded  both  the 
voyage  and  the  distracting  effect  of  new  scenes.  They  cling,  too,  with 
grateful  attachment  to  the  commandant's  family,  and  the  persons  who, 
during  their  long  imprisonment,  had  taken  so  strong  an  interest  in  their 
welfare.  I  determined  to  accompany  them,  and  watch  for  their  perseve- 
rance in  well-doing,  that  I  might  counsel  and  strengthen  them  under  the 
fearful  ordeal  I  could  not  doubt  they  would  have  to  pass.  The  same 
steady  consistency  marked  the  conduct  of  these  men  to  the  moment  of 
thoir  embarkation.  There  was  a  total  absence  of  all  excitement;  one 
der-p  serious  feeling  appeared  to  possess  them,  and  its  solemnity  was 
coaiiiiiinicated  to  all  of  us.     They  spoke  and  acted  as  men  standing  on 


568 


OONVIOT  LIFE  IN  AUSTRALIA. 


the  confines  of  tho  unsoon  world,  and  who  not  only  thought  of  its  wondcrH, 
but,  better  still,  who  seemed  to  have  caught  something  of  its  spirit  and 

purity. 

November.— The  voyage  up  was  a  weary,  and,  to  the  prisoners,  a  very 
tryiii},'  one.     In  a  prison  on  tho  lower  deck  of  u  brig  of  one  hundred  and 
.iighty-two  tons,  fiRy-two  men  were  confined.     The  place  itself  was  about 
twenty  feet  scpiure,  of  course  low,  and  badly  ventilated.     Tiie  men  were 
all  ironed,  and  fastened  to  a  heavy  chain  drove  through  iron  rings  lot  mto 
the  deck,  so  that  they  were  unable,  for  anv  purpose,  to  movo  from  the 
spot  they  occupied;  scarcely,  indeed,  to  lie  down.     The  weather  was  also 
unfavorable.     The  vessel  tossed  and  pitched   most  fearfully  during  a 
a»  session  of  violent  squalls,  accompanied  by  thunder   and  lightning. 
I  cannot  describe  the  wretchedness  of  these  unhappy  convicts:  sick,  and 
surrounded  by  filth,  they  were  huddled  together  in  the  most  disgusting 
manner.     The  heat  was  at  times  unbearable.     There  were  men  of  sixty- 
quiet  and  inoffensive  old  men— placed  with  others  wiio  were  as  accom- 
plished villains  as  tho  world  could  produce.    These  were  either  proceeding 
to  Sydney, their  sentences  on  tho  island  having  expired,  or  as  witnesses  in 
another  case,  (a  bold  and  wicked  murder,)  sent  there  also  for  trial.     The 
sailors  on  board  the  brig  were  for  tho  most  part  the  cowardly  fellows  who 
had  so  disgracefully  allowed  the  brig  to  be  taken  from  them;  and  iho), 
as  well  as  the  soldiers  on  guard,  (some  of  them  formed  a  part  of  the  former 
one,)  had  no  very  kindly  feeling  toward  the  mutineers.     It  may  be  ima- 
gined, therefore,  that  sucli  feelings  occasioned  no  alleviation  of  Iheir 
condition.     In  trutii,  althougii  there  was  no  actual  crueUy  exhibited,  they 
suffered    many  oppressive   annoyances;  yet  I  never  saw  more    patient 
endurance.     It  was  hard  to  bear,  but  their  better  principles  prevailed. 
Upon  the  arrival  of  tho  vessel  in  Sydney,  we  learned  that  the  case  had 
excited  an  unusual  interest.     Crowds  assembled  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the 
men  as  they  landed;  and  while  some  applauded  their  daring,  the  great 
majority  very  loudly  expressed  their  horror  at  the  crime  of  which  they 
stood  accused.     I  do  not  think  it  necessary  to  describe  the  trial,  which 
took  place  in  a  few  days  after  landing.     All  were  arraigned  except  Barry. 
The  prisoner's  counsel  addressed  the  jurors  with  powerful  eloquence; 
but  it  was  in  vain:  the  crime  was  substantiated;  and  the  jury  returned  » 
verdict  of  guilty  against  all  the  prisoners,  recommending  Woolfe  to  mercy. 
During  the  whole  trial,  the  prisoners'  conduct  was  admirable;  so  much 
so,  indeed,  as  to  excite  the  astonishment  of  the  immense  crowd  collected 
by  curiosity  to  see  men  who  had  made  so  mad  an  attempt  for  liberty. 
They  scarcely  spoke,  except  once  to  request  that  the  wounded  man,  who 
yet  suffered  much  pain,  might  be  allowed  to  sit  down.     Judgment  was 
deferred  until  the  following  day.     When  they  were  then  placed  at  the 
bar,  the  judge,  in  the  usual  manner,  asked  whether  they  had  any  reason 
to  urge  why  sentence  should  not  be  pronounced  upon  them?    It  was  a 
moment  of  deep  solemnity;  every  breath  was  held;  and  the  eyes  of  the 
whole  court  were  directed  toward  the  dock.    Jones  spoke  in  a  deep  clear 
voice,  and  in  a  deliberate  harangue  pointed  out  some  defects  m  the  evi- 
dence, though  without  the  slightest  hope,  he  said,  of  mitigating  the  sentence 
now  to  bo  pronounced  on  himself  and  fellows.     Three  of  the  others  also 
spoke.     Whelan  said,  'that  he  was  not  one  of  the  men  properly  belonging 
fo  the  boat's  crew,  but  had  been  called  upon  to  fill  the  place  of  another 
man,  and  had  no  knowledge  of  any  intention  to  take  the  vessel,  and  the 
part  he  took  on  board  was  forced  upon  him.     He  was  compelled  to  act  as 
he  had  done;  he  had  used  no  violence,  nor  was  he  in  any  way  a  participator 


•^•4^fiiiwfMk'iwm  «»-j^ipi^-w^^- 


,.l^.-r^-jO:^'Jub--«-^>->*»;'^«^!=»fi.:J 


fht  of  it*  wonders, 

[  uf  itt)  spirit  mid 

prisoncra,  a  very 
one  hundred  and 
li  itHoir  was  about 
Tlic  men  were 
iron  rin^'»  let  into 
to  move  from  the 
weatlicr  waH  also 
jarfully  during  a 
}r   and  lightning, 
jnvicts:  sick,  and 
!  most  disgusting 
ire  men  of  sixty — 
o  were  as  accorn- 
either  proeeeding 
or  as  witnesses  in 
so  for  trial.     The 
^ardly  fellows  who 
them;  and  the), 
part  of  the  former 
.     It  may  be  iina- 
lleviation  of  their 
Ity  exhibited,  they 
saw  more    patient 
nciples  prevailed, 
that  the  case  had 
:h  a  glimpse  of  the 
daring,  the  great 
me  of  which  they 
0  the  trial,  which 
ned  except  Barry, 
werful  eloquence; 
le  jury  returned  a 
y  Woolfe  to  mercy. 
Imirable;  so  much 
30  crowd  collected 
ttempt  for  liberty, 
vounded  man,  who 
n.    Judgment  was 
hen  placed  at  the 
ey  had  any  reason 
n  them?    It  was  a 
id  the  eyes  of  the 
oke  in  a  deep  clear 
defects  in  the  evi- 
gating  the  sentence 
!  of  the  others  also 
properly  belonging 
e  place  of  another 
he  vessel,  and  the 
;ompeIled  to  act  as 
^  way  a  participator 


*WJMb--.-*^<5f^^«»*-i-»W^  = 


■^;t«l'WULH 


'•  ft-  "V    n,  , 


liinl«r[.'<l  a«»rdiii«  la  Act  of  Conjren,  A.  D.  UDOOOLr,  by  U.  Oowi,  in  tk*  olerk'i  oBet  of  Um  Dlit  OonH  of  th«  C.  S.  for  lb*  8.  DUt.  of  Obio, 


«hi 


TtVV 


n 


Wor(lf>  canndl  iinrold.to  view  (he  t«rrors  of  a  ship  on  fire,  Tar  out  at  sea.  When  the 
flaiiu'F  hud  );i)l  the  iniiKlcry  on  hoard  of  the  Prince,  "dejection  filled  every  luind;  the 
cciiiiitvriiiition  tu-caino  (general :  niithing;  but  nighr  and  groans  were  beard  :  oven  tlie  animals  on 


0^  vivt 


« 


•WWCi. 


board  uttered  the  most  dreadful  cries.  Every  one  began  to  raise  bis  hand*  and  heart 
towards  heaven  ;  and,  in  the  certainty  of  a  speedy  death,  each  was  occupioil  only  with  the 
melancholy  alternative  between  the  two  elements  ready  to  devour  them." — Page  &T2. 


KXKcrTio?;  np  Tiin  jiuTiNKKna. 


M'J 


in  any  tl\nt  Iiml  hern  r»)mrnll!'  d,'  .4f  »li''  '•nnrlii'iioii  of  the  Uflilrfss  to 
ihiMii,  .Innrs,  titiiid  til*'  (li"r|)  siliMicc  of  thr  •ourt,  iironoiincril  ii  most  ciii- 
|i|uific  pitiyr  Cor  mo  re  y  on  hi!*  -i.vn  iw)»il  andlli..*!  i  lii>»  fcllow-iirixotuT:', 
for  till!  jil'l;,'!'  iiikI  jury,  iillil  tiiwilly  for  <ll<'  wilncssr-.  SiiiIciut  of  ili';it''i 
w;iH  tlicii  solemnly  proiionii'  ''  upon  lli(rii  ull;  but  tlii-  |ii(lu<>  inroniiiii 
VVooMV'  lliat  III'  iiii;{lit  liol<l  out  to  r'  iiii  (■\pi>('(iilJor>')  (liut  liis  lil'i-  wouM  In' 
"parcil.  'I'lii-y  wore  tiicii  ri'inovod  fruin  tl»o  bar,  and  t  (|l  buck  lo  llio 
<;ond(!ti)ii»'d  (•«'ll«. 

I  niriiiot  Hoy  liow  iniicli  I  drfaded  iny  ifit/  rvirw  with  tlicm  tli;ii  day; 
for  nilliou;,'li  I  had  rdl  iiloti^'  ftidcavorod  lo  prcpari'  their  rnitids  Cor  llio 
wofHt  result,  mid  Ihey  had  themselves  never  Cor  a  iiiomk  lit  appeared  to 
rx|)(:(-t  niiy  other  tlinii  iliis.  I  t'eared  that  the  reaii/.niion  oC  thiji  <ad  ex- 
pectation would  break  them  down.  Hitherto  there  mi;,'lit  Irivc  been  sonio 
secret  hope  sustaining'  them.  Tiie  convulsive  clinj;in;,'  to  liCe,  so  cnmnmn 
to  nil  oC  us,  would  now,  jierhaps.  be  more  palpably  exhibited.  Kiiteriiif} 
ihrnr  cells.  I  Cound  them,  as  I  feared,  stunned  by  the  blow  which  had  now 
fallen  oil  lhein,iind  almost  overpowered  by  mental  and  bodily  exiiauslion. 
A  few  remarks  about  the  trial  were  at  len;.'lh  made  by  tin  in;  and  tVom 
tiiat  moment  I  never  heard  lliein  refer  to  it  a;.'ain.  'I'hern  was  no  bilter- 
iK^.Ms  of  spirit  against  the  witnessps,  no  expression  of  hostility  toward  thu 
i!oldii"'s.  no  eipiivoc.ition  in  any  explanation  liiey  yave  They  soleiniilr 
denied  many  of  the  statements  made  a;,'ainsl  them;  but,  nevertli(dess.  tlie 
broail  fact  remained,  that  they  were  ;»uilty  of  an  attempt  to  violently  seize 
ihe  vessel,  and  it  was  useless  di^batin;;  on  minor  considerations. 

Ill  the  meantime,  without  their  knowled^re,  |)etitions  were  pri'|iared  and 
forwarded  to  the  jiid;rcfi,  the  <;overiior.  and  executive  council.  In  tlieni 
won,'  sfati^d  various  mitifratory  facts  in  their  favor;  and  llu!  meliorated 
charact(!r  «)f  the  criminal  code  at  iioiiie  was  also  stroii^dy  iir^'f^l.  Mvcrv 
Httention  was  paid  to  these  addresses,  following;  each  other  to  tlii;  la.<t 
moment.  But  all  was  in  vain.  Tlie  council  s.'it.  and  determined  that  five 
of  tli(!  men  should  be  hanged  on  the  following  Tuesday.  Wlndaii,  who 
could  liavo  no  previous  knowlotlgc  of  a  plan  to  aej/.e  the  vessel,  togf^ther 
with  VVoolfe,  was  spared.  The  remaining  four  wore  to  aiiflcir.  Tiie 
painful  oflico  of  communicating  this  final  intolligoiK'n  to  those  inon  was 
intrusted  to  me,  and  they  listened  to  the  announcement  not  without  deep 
feeling,  but  still  with  composure. 

It  would  bo  v(My  [lainful  for  mo  to  ilwell  on  the  closing  scene.  The 
unhappy  and  guilty  men  were  attended  by  the  zealous  chajilain  of  the 
jail,  whose  earnr>st  exhortations  and  iiislnrctions  tiiey  most  gratefully 
received.  The  light  of  truth  shone  cl«!arly  on  tlu;  past,  and  they  felt  that 
their  manifold  fopsos  from  the  path  of  virtue  had  beim  the  original  cause 
of  the  complicated  misery  they  had  endured.  They  enfrf^ated  forgivoneps 
of  all  against  whom  llicy  had  oflTcnded  ;  and  in  the  last  words  to  their 
friends  were  uttered  grateful  romembrancos  to  Captain  Maconochie,  lii.^ 
family,  and  others.  At  the  place  of  execution,  they  behaved  with  fortitude 
and  a  composure  befitting  the  solemnity  of  tiio  occasion.  Having  retired 
from  attendance  upon  them  in  their  last  moments,  I  was  startled  from  the 
painful  stupor  which  succi-eded  in  my  own  mind,  by  the  loud  and  heavy 
bound  of  the  drop  as  it  fell,  and  told  me  that  their  spirits  had  gone  to  (loil 
who  gave  them." 

Our  reverend  informant,  in  closing  his  narrative,  adds  some  reflections 
on  the  painful  nature  of  the  tragedy  in  which  Ik;  was  called  lo  lend  his 
professional  assistance.  He  laments  the  general  harshness  of  penal  dis- 
cipline, and  attributes  the  last  fatal  crime  of  these  men  to  the  recent  arrival 


I 


and  hewt 
J  with  the 
572. 


_i,;»»|| 


'  --j^  CONVICT  LIFE  IN  AUSTRALIA. 

Of  orders  which  shut  out  all  hope  of  any  i™P,7,';';«";^  ^•'';f,:Sy  Ju' 

fcelinirs ;  dressed  in  the  most  degrading  apparel ,  cluii  leci  ''"•^a  *''" 

state  of  servitude,  he  is  liable  to  ire  h  P"  '  "  j  J^^,  j,^  1,^;^  that  no 
^"^'rhis  S.S:t^.U^^^Si  in,uS  which  wouW  expose 
E^tl;:S:?r^:^ihle  an  i-^ti..  .  U^of  U^-- ^ 

s:  Its  Sm^sv:;^  c^i^'^^^ch  ih:;  owe  to  the^s^jv. 

and  sc"c  c  V  can  scarcely  be  said  to  be  in  possession  oi  a  sound  inmd  , 
^d  they  g;  oi"  floundering  from  one  degree  of  vice  to  another. 


'  '*i-. 


int  being  effected  in 
avc.  Previously,  he 
inducted  themselves 
Id,  at  the  same  time, 
ijr  circumstances. 

men  before  us,  that 
ito  slavery — that  the 

froni  his  family,  his 

of  the  crown  and  its 
ever  repugnant  to  his 
lined  like  a  wild  beast 
offense,  while  in  this 
t  by  transportation  to 
almost  be  said  that  no 

which  would  expose 
C  transportation,  even 
lien  who  have  entered 
hey  owe  to  themselves 
on  of  a  sound  mind ; 
ice  to  another. 


s 


THE 


HOREORS  OF  A  FIRE  AT  SEA, 


aBOWN  BY  THE  AOOOUNT  OF  THK  BUENINQ  Of  THE  7BIN0E,  A  HUHCH  VIMBL, 
BELATED  BT  LIEUTSNA.ST  FONDA,  ONE  OF  UKB  OFFIOEBS,  TO  WHIOB  U  ANNUUD  A 
SEKIKS  OF   ARTiCLIB 


ILLUSTRATING  LIFE  ON  THE  DEEP, 


Our  vessel,  the  Prince,  was  in  the  service  of  the  French  East  India 
Company.  She  was  commanded  by  M.  Morin,  and  left  the  harbor  of 
L'Orient.  bound  to  Pondicherry,  on  the  19th  of  February,  1752. 

After  a  fortunate  navigation,  we  met  with  a  disaster,  of  which  the 
strongest  expressions  can  convey  but  a  faint  idea.  In  this  narrative,  I 
shall  confine  myself  to  a  brief  detail,  as  it  is  impossible  to  recollect  all 
the  circumstances.  The  26th  of  July,  1762,  being  in  the  latitude  of  8'' 
30'  south,  and  in  longitude  6°  west,  the  wind  being  south-west,  just  at 
the  moment  of  taking  the  observation  of  the  meridian,  I  had  repaired  to 
the  quarter  where  I  was  going  to  command,  when  a  man  informed  me 
that  a  smoke  was  seen  to  issue  from  the  pannel  of  the  greater  hatchway. 

Upon  this  information,  the  first  lieutenant,  who  kept  the  keys  of  the 
hold,  opened  all  the  hatchways  to  discover  the  cause  of  an  accident,  the 
slightest  suspicion  of  which  frequently  causes  the  most  intrepid  to 
tremble.  The  captain,  who  was  at  dinner  in  the  great  cabin,  went  upon 
deck,  and  gave  orders  for  extinguishing  the  fire.  I  had  already  directed 
several  sails  to  be  thrown  overboard,  and  the  hatchways  to  be  covered 
with  them,  hoping  by  these  means  to  prevent  the  air  from  penetrating 
into  the  hold.  I  h'.d  even  proposed,  for  the  greater  security,  to  let  in 
the  water  between  decks  to  the  height  of  a  foot,  but  the  air,  which  had 
already  obtained  a  free  passage  through  the  openings  of  the  hatchways, 
produced  a  very  thick  smoke  that  issued  forth  in  abundance,  and  the 
fire  continued  gradually  to  gain  ground.  The  captain  ordered  sixty  or 
eighty  of  the  soldiers  under  arms  to  restrain  the  crew,  and  prevent  the 
confusion  likely  to  ensue  in  such  a  critical  moment.  These  precautions 
were  seconded  by  M.  de  la  Touche,  with  his  usual  fortitude  and  prudence. 
That  hero  deserved  a  better  opportunity  of  signalizing  himself,  and  had 
destined  his  soldiers  for  other  operations  more  useful  to  his  country. 
All  hands  were  now  employed  in  getting  water;  not  only  the  buckets, 
but  likewise  the  pumps  were  kept  at  work,  and  pipes  were  carried  from 
them  into  the  hold;  even  the  water  in  the  jars  was  emptied  out.  The 
rapidity  of  the  fire,  however,  baffled  our  efforts  and  augmented  the 
ceneral  consternation.  The  captain  had  already  ordered  the  yawl  to  be 
hoisted  overboard,  merely  because  it  was  in  the  way;  four  men,  among 
whom  was  the  boatswain,  took  possession  of  it.  They  had  no  oars,  but 
called  out  for  some,  when  three  sailors  jumped  overboard  and  carried 
them  what  they  st  jd  so  much  in  need  of.  These  fortunate  fugitives 
were  required  to  return;  they  cried  out  that  they  had  no  rudder,  and 
desired  a  rope  to  be  thrown  them;  perceiving  that  the  progress  of  the 
flames  lefl  them  no  other  resource,  they  endeavored  to  remove  to  a 

(571) 


572 


INCIDENTS  OP  OCEAN  LIFE. 


il 


m 


distance  from  the  ship,  which  passed  them  in  consequence  of  a  breeze 
that  sprung  up. 

All  hands  were  still  busy  on  board;  the  impossibility  of  escaping, 
seemed  to  increase  the  courage  of  the  men.  The  master  boldly  ven- 
tured down  into  the  hold,  but  the  heat  obliged  him  to  return;  he  would 
have  been  burnt,  if  a  great  quantity  of  water  had  not  been  throwr  oyer 
him.  Immediately  afterward,  the  flames  were  seen  to  issue  with 
impetuosity  from  the  great  panncl.  The  captain  ordered  the  boats  over- 
board, but  fear  had  exhausted  the  strength  of  the  most  intrepid.  The 
jolly-boat  was  fastened  at  a  certain  height,  and  preparations  were  made 
for  hoisting  her  over;  but,  to  complete  our  misfortunes,  the  fire,  which 
increased  every  moment,  ascended  the  mainmast  willi  such  violence  and 
rapidity  as  to  burn  the  tackle;  the  boat  pitching  upon  the  starboard  guns, 
foil  bottom  upward,  and  we  lost  all  hope  of  raising  her  again.  We  now 
perceived  that  we  had  nothing  to  hope  from  human  aid,  but  only  from 
the  mercy  of  the  Almighty.  Dejection  filled  every  mind;  the  conster- 
nation became  general;  nothing  but  sighs  and  groans  were  heard;  even 
the  animals  we  had  on  board,  uttered  the  moat  dreadful  cries.  Every 
one  began  to  raise  his  heart  and  hands  toward  heaven;  and  in  the  cer- 
tainty of  a  speedy  death,  each  was  occupied  only  with  the  melancholy 
alternative  between  the  two  elements  ready  to  devour  us. 

Tl)e  chaplain,  who  was  on  the  quarter-deck,  gave  the  general  absolu- 
tion, and  went  into  the  gallery  to  impart  the  same  to  the  unhappy 
wretches  who  had  already  committed  themselves  to  the  mercy  of  the 
waves.  What  a  horrible  spectacle!  Every  one  was  occupied  only  in 
throwing  overboard  whatever  promised  a  momentary  preservation;  coops, 
yards,  sjjars,  everything  that  came  to  hand,  was  seized  with  despair,  and 
disposed  of  in  the  same  manner.  The  confusion  was  extretno;  some 
seemed  to  anticipate  death  by  jumping  into  the  sea,  others,  by  swimming, 
gained  the  fragments  of  the  vessel;  while  the  shrouds,  tlio  yards,  and 
ropes,  along  the  side  of  the  ship,  were  covered  with  the  crew,  who 
were  suspended  from  them,  as  if  hesitating  between  two  extremes, 
equally  imminent  and  equally  terrible. 

Uncertain  for  what  fate   Providence  intended  me,   I  saw   a  father 
snatch  his  son  from  the  flames,  embrace  him,  throw  him  into  the  sea, 
then  following  himself,  tiiey  perished  in  each  other's  embrace.     I  had 
ordered  the  helm  to  be  turned  to  starboard;  the  vessel  heeled,  and  this 
maneuver  preserved  us  for  some  time  on  that  side,  while  the  tire  raged 
on  the  larboard  side,  from  stem  to  stern.     Till  this  moment  I  had  been 
so  engaged,  that  my  thoughts  were  directed  only  to  the  preservation  of 
the  ship;  now,  however,  the  horrors  of  a  twofold  death  presented  them- 
selves; but,  through  the  kindness  of  heaven,  my  fortitude  never  forsook 
me.     I  looked  round  and  found  myself  alone  upon  the  deck.     I  went 
into  the  round-house,  where  I  met  M.  de  la  Touche,  who  regarded 
death   with  the  same   heroism  that   procured   him  success   in  India. 
"  Farewell,  my  brother  and  my  friend,"  said  he,  embracing  me.     "  Why, 
where  are  you  going?"  replied  I.     "  I  am  going  (said  he)  to  comfort 
my  friend  Morin."     He  spoke  of  the  captain,  who  was  overwhelmed 
with  grief  at  the  melancholy  fate  of  his  female  cousins,  who   were 
passengers  on  board  his  ship,  and   whom  he  had  persuaded  to  trust 
themselves  to  sea  in  hen-coops,  after  having  hastily  stripped  oflT  their 
clothes,  while  some  of  the  sailors,  swimming  with  one  hand,  endeavored 
to  support  them  with  the  other.     The  yards  and  masts  floating  around 
the  ship,  were  covered  with  men  struggling  with  the  waves;  many  of 


snce  of  a  breeze 

lity  of  escaping, 
aster  boldly  ven- 
eturn;  he  would 
)een  throwr  over 
n  to  issue  with 
id  the  boats  over- 
t  intrepid.  The 
itions  were  made 
3,  the  fire,  which 
luch  violence  and 
le  starboard  gune, 
again.  We  now 
lid,  but  only  from 
ind;  the  conster- 
vere  heard;  even 
ful  cries.  Every 
i;  and  in  the  cer- 
h  the  melancholy 
us. 

le  general  absolu- 
to  the  unhappy 
the  mercy  of  the 
occupied  only  in 
Bservation;  coops, 
witli  despair,  and 
IS  extrenio;  some 
lers,  by  swimming, 
Js,  tiio  yards,  and 
ih  the  crew,  who 
;n  two   extremes, 

,  I  saw  a  father 
him  into  the  sea, 
3  embrace.  I  had 
1  heeled,  and  this 
liile  the  fire  raged 
loment  I  had  been 
le  preservation  of 
h  presented  them- 
tude  never  forsook 
the  deck.  I  went 
he,  who  regarded 
success  in  India, 
icing  me.  "  Why, 
aid  he)  to  comfort 
was  overwhelmed 
ousins,  who  were 
persuaded  to  trust 
r  stripped  off  their 
3  hand,  endeavored 
sts  floating  around 
le  waves;  many  of 


INCIDENTS  OF  OOEAN  LIFE. 


673 


them  perished  every  moment  by  the  balls  discharged  by  the  guns,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  flames,  a  third  species  of  death  that  augmented  the  horrors 
by  which  we  were  surrounded.  With  a  heart  oppressed  with  anguish,  I 
turned  my  eyes  away  from  the  sea.  A  moment  afterward,  I  entered  the 
starboard  gallery,  and  saw  the  flames  rushing  with  a  horrid  noise  through 
the  windows  of  the  great  cabin  and  round-house.  The  fire  approaclicd, 
and  was  ready  to  consume  mc;  my  presence  was  then  entirely  useless 
for  the  preservation  of  the  vessel,  or  the  relief  of  my  fellow-sufferers. 

In  this  dreadful  situation,  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  prolong  my  life  a 
few  hours,  in  order  to  devote  them  to  my  God.  I  stripped  off  my 
clothes  with  the  intention  of  rolling  down  a  yard,  one  end  of  wiiich 
touched  the  water ;  but  it  was  so  covered  with  unfortunate  wretches, 
whom  the  fear  of  drowning  kept  in  that  situation,  that  I  tumbled  over 
them  and  fell  into  the  sea,  recommending  myself  to  the  mercy  of  Provi- 
dence. A  stout  soldier,  who  was  drowning,  caught  hold  of  me  at  this 
extremity ;  I  employed  every  exertion  to  disengage  myself  from  him, 
but  without  effect.  I  suffered  myself  to  sink  under  the  water,  but  he 
did  not  quit  his  hold  ;  I  plunged  a  second  time,  and  he  still  held  me 
firmly  in  his  grasp ;  he  was  incapable  of  reflecting  that  my  death  would 
rather  hasten  his  own  than  be  of  service  to  him.  At  length,  afler 
struggling  a  considerable  time,  his  strength  was  exhausted  in  consequence 
of  the  quantity  of  water  he  had  swallowed,  and  perceiving  that  I  was 
sinking  the  third  time,  and  fearing  lest  I  should  drag  him  to  the  bottom 
along  with  me,  he  loosed  his  hold.  That  he  might  not  catch  me  again, 
I  dived  and  rose  a  considerable  distance  from  the  spot. 

This  first  adventure  rendered  me  more  cautious  in  future  ;  I  even 
shunned  the  dead  bodies,  which  were  so  numerous,  that,  to  make  a  free 
passage,  I  was  obliged  to  push  them  aside  with  one  hand,  while  I  kept 
myself  above  water  with  the  other.  I  imagined  that  each  of  them  was 
a  man  who  would  assuredly  seize  me  and  involve  me  in  his  own  destruc- 
tion. My  strength  began  to  fail,  and  I  was  convinced  of  the  necessity  of 
resting,  when  I  met  a  piece  of  the  flag-stafi*.  To  secure  it,  I  put  my 
arm  through  the  noose  of  the  rope,  and  swaiti  as  well  as  I  was  able.  I 
perceived  a  yard  floating  before  me,  when  I  approached  and  seized  it 
by  the  end.  At  the  other  extremity,  I  saw  a  young  man  scarcely  able 
to  support  himself,  and  speedily  relinquished  this  feeble  assistance  that 
amounted  to  a  certain  death.  The  sprit-sail  yard  next  appeared  in  sight; 
it  was  covered  with  people,  and  I  durst  not  take  a  place  upon  it  without 
asking  permission,  which  my  unfortunate  companions  cheerfully  granted. 
Some  were  quite  naked,  and  others  in  their  shirts;  they  expressed  their 
pity  at  my  situation,  and  their  misfortune  put  my  sensibility  to  the 
severest  test. 

M.  Morin  and  M.  de  la  Touche,  both  so  worthy  of  a  better  fate, 
never  quitted  the  vessel,  and  were  doubtless  buried  in  its  ruins.  Which- 
ever way  I  turned  my  eyes,  the  most  dismal  sights  presented  themselves. 
The  mainmast,  burnt  away  at  the  bottom,  fell  overboard,  killing  some, 
and  affording  to  others  a  precarious  resource.  This  mast  I  observed 
covered  with  people,  and  abandoned  to  the  impulse  of  the  waves;  at 
the  same  moment,  I  perceived  two  sailors  upon  a  hen-coop  with  some 
planks,  and  cried  out  to  them,  "  My  lads,  bring  the  planks  and  swim  to 
me.^^  They  approached  me,  accompanied  by  several  others;  and  each 
taking  a  plank,  which  we  used  as  oars,  we  paddled  along  upon  the  yard, 
find  joined  those  who  had  taken  possession  of  the  mainmast.  So 
many  changes  of  gituation  presented  only  new  spectacles  of  horror. 


574 


INOIDKNTS  OF  OCEAN  LIFE. 


I  fortunately  here  met  with  our  chaplain,  who  gave  me  absolution. 
We  were  in  number  about  eighty  persons,  who  were  incessantly 
threatened  with  destruction  by  the  balls  from  the  ship^s  guns.  I  saw 
likewise  on  the  mast  two  youug  ladies,  by  whose  piety  I  was  much  edi- 
fied; there  were  six  females  on  board,  and  the  other  four  were,  in  all 
probability,  already  drowned  or  burned.  Our  chaplain,  in  this  dreadful 
situation,  melted  the  most  obdurate  hearts  by  his  discourse,  und  the 
example  he  gave  of  patience  and  resignation.  Seeing  him  slip  from  the 
mast  and  fall  into  the  sea,  as  I  was  behind  him,  I  lifled  him  up  again. 
"  Let  me  go,''  said  he,  "  I  am  full  of  water,  and  it  is  only  a  prolongation 
of  my  sufi'erings."  "  No,  my  friend,"  said  I,  "  we  will  die  together, 
when  my  strength  forsakes  me."  In  his  pious  company,  I  awaited 
death  with  perfect  resignation.  I  remained  in  this  situation  three  hours, 
and  saw  one  of  the  ladies  fall  off  the  mast  with  fatigue  and  perish;  she 
was  too  far  distant  for  me  to  give  her  any  assistance.  When  I  least 
expected  it,  I  perceived  the  yawl  close  to  us;  it  was  then  five  o'clock, 
F.  H.  I  cried  out  to  the  men  in  her  that  I  was  their  lieutenant,  and 
begged  permission  to  share  our  misfortune  with  them.  They  gave  me 
leave  to  come  on  board,  upon  condition  that  I  would  swim  to  them.  It 
was  their  interest  to  have  a  conductor,  in  order  to  discover  land  ;  and 
for  this  reason  my  company  was  too  necessary  for  them  to  refuse  my 
request.  The  condition  they  imposed  upon  me  was  perfectly  reasonable; 
they  acted  prudently  not  to  approach,  as  the  others  would  have  been 
equally  anxious  to  enter  their  little  bark,  and  we  should  all  have  been 
buried  together  in  a  watery  grave.  Mustering,  therefore,  all  my  strength, 
I  was  so  fortunate  as  to  reach  the  boat.  Soon  afterward,  I  observed  the 
pilot  and  master,  whom  I  had  left  on  the  mainmast,  follow  my  example; 
they  swam  for  the  yawl,  and  we  took  them  in.  This  little  bark  was  the 
means  of  saving  the  ten  persons  who  alone  escaped  out  of  nearly  three 
hundred. 

The  flames  still  continued  to  consume  our  ship,  from  which  we  were 
not  more  than  half  a  league  distant;  our  too  great  proximity  might 
prove  pernicious,  and  we,  therefore,  proceeded  a  little  to  windward. 
Not  long  after,  the  fire  communicated  to  the  powder-room,  and  it  is 
impossible  to  describe  the  noise  with  which  our  vessel  blew  up.  A 
thick  cloud  intercepted  the  light  of  the  sun;  amid  this  horrid  darkness 
we  could  perceive  nothing  but  large  pieces  of  floating  wood  projecting 
into  the  air,  and  whose  foil  threatened  to  dash  to  pieces,  numbers  of 
unhappy  wretches  still  struggling  with  the  agonies  of  death.  We,  our- 
selves, were  not  quite  out  of  danger;  it  was  not  impossible  but  that  one 
of  the  flaming  fragments  might  reach  us,  and  precipitate  our  frail  vessel 
to  the  bottom.  The  Almighty,  however,  preserved  us  from  that  mis- 
fortune; but  what  a  spectacle  now  presented  itself!  The  vessel  had 
disappeared;  its  fragments  covered  the  sea  to  a  great  distance,  and 
floated  in  all  directions  with  our  unfortunate  companions,  whose  despair 
and  whose  lives  had  been  terminated  together  by  their  fall.  We  saw 
some  completely  sufibcated,  others  mangled,  half-burned,  and  still  pre- 
serving sufficient  life  to  be  sensible  of  the  accumulated  horrors  of  Uteir 
fate. 

Through  the  mercy  of  heaven  I  retained  my  fortitude,  and  proposed 
to  make  toward  the  fragments  of  the  wreck,  to  seek  provisions  and  to 
pick  up  any  other  articles  we  might  want.  We  were  totally  unprovided, 
and  were  in  danger  of  perishing  with  famine;  a  death  more  tedious 
and  more   painful  than  that  of  our  companions.     We  faund  several 


1 


ve  me  absolution. 

were  incessantly 
liip's  guns.  I  saw 
ty  I  was  much  cdi- 
r  four  were,  in  all 
in,  in  this  dreadful 
discourse,  and  the 
I  him  slip  from  the 
i\ed  him  up  again, 
only  a  prolongation 

will  die  together, 
impany,  I  awaited 
nation  three  hours, 
le  and  perish;  she 
ice.     When  I  least 

then  five  o'clock, 
eir  lieutenant,  and 
m.  They  gave  me 
swim  to  them.  It 
liscovcr  land  ;  and 
them  to  refuse  my 
srfectly  reasonable; 
I  would  have  been 
lould  all  have  been 
»re,  all  my  strength, 
rard,  I  observed  the 
bllow  my  example ; 
s  little  bark  was  the 
out  of  nearly  three 

rom  which  we  were 
at  proximity  might 
little  to  windward, 
der-room,  and  it  is 
essel  blew  up.  A 
this  horrid  darkness 
ng  wood  projecting 
pieces,  numbers  of 
)f  death.  We,  our- 
tossible  but  that  one 
itate  our  frail  vessel 
i  us  from  that  mis- 
If!  The  vessel  had 
great  distance,  and 
lions,  whose  despair 
their  fall.  We  saw 
urned,  and  still  pre- 
ated  horrors  of  dieir 

itude,  and  proposed 

)k  provisions  and  to 

e  totally  unprovided, 

death  more  tedious 

We  fi»und  several 


T 


INCIDENTS  OF  OCEAN  UFE. 


576 


barrels,  in  which  we  hoped  to  find  a  resource  against  this  pressing 
necessity,  but  discovered,  to  our  mortification,  that  it  was  part  of  the 
powder  which  had  been  thrown  overboard  during  the  conflagration. 
Night  approached,  but  we  providentially  found  a  cask  of  brandy,  about 
fifteen  pounds  of  salt  pork,  a  piece  of  scarlet  cloth,  twenty  yards  of 
linen,  a  dozen  of  pipe-staves,  and  a  few  ropes.  It  grew  dark,  and  we 
could  not  wait  till  daylight,  in  our  present  situation,  without  exposing 
ourselves  a  hundred  times  to  destruction  among  the  fragments  of  the 
wreck,  from  which  wo  had  not  yet  been  able  to  disengage  ourselves. 
We  therefore  rowed  away  from  them  as  speedily  as  possible,  in  order  to 
attend  to  the  eiquipment  of  our  new  vessel.  Every  one  fell  to  work  with 
the  utmost  assiduity;  we  employed  everything,  and  took  off  the  inner 
sheathing  of  our  boat,  for  the  sake  of  the  planks  and  nails;  we  drew  > 
from  the  linen  what  thread  we  wanted;  fortunately  one  of  the  sailors 
had  two  needles;  our  scarlet  cloth  served  us  for  a  sail,  an  oar  for  a 
mast,  and  a  plank  for  a  rudder.  Notwithstanding  the  darkness,  our 
equipment  was  in  a  short  time  as  complete  as  circumstances  would 
permit.  The  only  difficulty  that  remained,  was  how  to  direct  our  course ; 
we  had  neither  charts  nor  instruments,  and  were  nearly  two  hundred 
leagues  from  land.  Wo  resigned  ourselves  to  the  Almighty,  whose 
assistance  we  implored  in  fervent  prayers. 

At  length  we  raised  our  sail,  and  a  favorable  wind  removed  us  for- 
ever from  the  floating  corpses  of  our  unfortunate  companions.  In  this 
manner  we  proceeded  eight  days  and  eight  nights  without  perceiving 
land,  exposed,  stark  naked,  to  the  burning  rays  of  the  sun  by  day,  and 
to  intense  cold  by  night.  The  sixth  day  a  shower  of  rain  inspired  us 
with  the  hope  of  some  relief  from  the  thirst  by  which  we  were  tor- 
mented; we  endeavored  to  catch  the  little  water  that  fell  in  our  rnouths 
and  hands.  We  sucked  our  sail,  but  having  been  before  soaked  in  sea- 
water,  it  communicated  the  bitter  taste  of  the  latter  to  the  rain  which  it 
received.  If,  however,  the  rain  had  been  more  violent,  it  might  have 
abated  the  wind  that  impelled  us,  and  a  calm  would  have  been  attended 
with  inevitable  destruction. 

That  we  might  steer  our  course  with  greater  certainty,  we  consulted 
every  day  the  rising  and  setting  of  the  sun  and  moon;  and  the  stars 
showed  us  what  wind  we  ought  to  take.  A  very  small  piece  of  salt  pork 
furnished  us  one  meal  in  the  twenty-four  hours;  and  from  this  even, 
we  were  obliged  to  desist  on  the  fourth  day,  on  account  of  the  irritation 
of  blood  which  it  occasioned.  Our  only  beverage  was  a  glass  of  brandy 
from  time  to  time;  but  that  liquor  burned  our  stomachs,  without  allaying 
our  thirst.  We  saw  abundance  of  flying  fish,  but  the  impossibility  of 
catching  them  rendered  our  misery  still  more  acute;  we  were,  therefore, 
obliged  to  be  contented  with  our  provisions.  The  uncertainty  with 
respect  to  our  fate,  the  want  of  food,  and  the  agitation  of  the  sea,  com- 
bined to  deprive  us  of  rest,  and  almost  plunged  us  into  despair.  Nature 
seemed  to  have  abandoned  her  functions;  a  feeble  ray  of  hope  alone 
cheered  our  minds  and  prevented  us  from  envying  the  fate  of  our 
deceased  companions.  I  passed  the  eighth  night  at  the  helm ;  I  remained 
at  my  post  more  than  ten  hours,  frequently  desiring  to  bo  relieved,  till  at 
length  I  sunk  down  with  fatigue.  My  miserable  comrades  were  equally 
exhausted,  and  despair  began  to  take  possession  of  our  souls.  At  last, 
whan  just  perishing  with  fatigue,  misery,  hunger,  and  thirst,  we  dis- 
covered land  by  the  first  rays  of  the  sun,  on  Wednesday,  the  3d  of 
August,  1762.    Oaly  those  who  have  experienced  similar  misfortunes. 


.■1 


576 


INCIDENTS  OF  OCEAN  LIFE. 


can  form  an  adequate  conception  of  the  change  which  this  discoTery 
produced  in  our  minds.  Our  strength  returned,  and  we  took  precautions 
not  to  be  carried  away  by  the  currents.  At  two  p.  m.,  we  reached  the 
coast  of  Brazil,  and  entered  the  bay  of  Tresson,  in  latitude  6**. 

Our  first  care,  upon  setting  foot  on  shore,  was  to  thank  the  Almighty 
for  his  favors;  we  threw  ourselves  upon  the  ground,  and  in  the  ?ran8- 
ports  of  our  joy  rolled  ourselves  in  the  sand.  Our  appearance  was 
truly  frightful,  our  figures  preserved  nothing  human  that  did  noi  most  for- 
cibly announce  our  misfortunes.  Some  were  perfectly  naked,  others 
had  nothing  but  shirts  that  were  rotten  and  torn  to  rags,  and  I  had 
fastened  round  my  waist  a  piece  of  scarlet  cloth,  in  order  to  appear  at 
the  head  of  my  companions.  We  had  not  yet,  however,  arrived  at  the 
end  of  our  hardships;  although  rescued  from  the  greatest  of  our  dangers, 
that  of  an  uncertain  navigation,  we  were  still  tormented  by  hunger  and 
thirst,  and  in  cruel  suspense  whether  we  should  find  this  coast  inhabited 
by  men  susceptible  of  sentiments  of  compassion.  We  were  deliberating 
which  way  we  should  direct  our  course,  when  about  fifty  Portuguese, 
most  of  whom  were  armed,  advanced  toward  us,  and  inquired  the  reason 
of  our  landing.  The  recital  of  our  misfortunes  was  a  sufficient  answer, 
at  once  announced  our  wants,  and  strongly  claimed  the  sacred  rights  of 
hospitality.  Their  treasures  were  not  the  object  of  our  desire,  the 
necessities  of  life  were  all  that  we  wanted.  Touched  by  our  misfortunes, 
they  blessed  the  power  that  had  preserved  us,  and  hastened  to  conduct 
us  to  their  habitations.  Upon  the  way,  we  came  to  a  river,  into  which 
all  my  companions  ran  to  throw  themselves,  in  order  to  allay  their  thirst; 
they  rolled  in  the  water  with  extreme  delight,  and  bathing  was  in  the 
sequel,  one  of  the  remedies  of  which  we  made  the  most  frequent  use, 
and  which,  at  the  same  time,  contributed  most  to  the  restoration  of  our 
health. 

The  principal  person  of  the  place  came  and  conducted  us  to  his  house, 
about  half  a  league  distant  from  the  place  of  our  landing.     Our  chari- 
table host  gave  us  linen  shirts  and  trowsers,  and  boiled  some  fish,  the 
water  of  which,  served  us  for  broth,  and  seemed  delicious.     After  this 
frugal  repast,  though  sleep  was  equally  necessary,  yet  we  prepared  to 
tender  solemn  thanks  to  the  Almighty.     Hearing  that  at  the  distance  of 
half  a  league,  there  was  a  church  dedicated  to  St.  Michael,  we  repaired 
thither,  singing  praises  to  the  Lord,  where  we  presented  the  homage  of 
our  gratitude  to  Him  to  whom  we  were  so  evidently  indebted  for  our 
preservation.     The  badness  of  the  road  had  fatigued  us  so  much,  that 
we  were  obliged  to  rest  in  the  village ;  our  misfortunes,  together  with 
such  an  edifying  spectacle,  drew  all  the  inhabitants  around  us,  and  every 
one  hastened  to  fetch  us  refreshments.     After  resting  a  short  time,  we 
returned  to  our  kind  host,  who  at  night  furnished  us  with  another  repast 
of  fried  fish.     As  we  wanted  more  invigorating  food,  we  purchased  an 
ox,  which  we  had  in  exchange  for  twenty-five  quarts  of  brandy.     We 
had  to  go  to  Paraiba,  a  journey  of  fifteen  leagues,  barefooted,  and  with- 
out any  hope  of  meeting  with  good  provisions  on  the  way ;  we  therefore 
took  the  precaution  of  smoke-drying  our  meat,  and  adding  to  it  a  pro- 
vision of  flour.     After  resting  three  days,  we  departed  under  an  escort 
of   three  soldiers.    We  proceeded  seven  leagues  the   first  day,  and 
passed  the  night  at  the  house  of  a  man  who  received  us  kindly.    The 
next  evening  a  sergeant,  accompanied  by  twenty-nine  soldier'    o-me  to 
meet  us  for  the  purpose  of  conducting  and  presenting  us  .'  t'le  com- 
mander of  the  fortress;  that  worthy  officer  received  us  grfu:iously,  gave 


1 


l! 


-^*r','^.-^'T*5^  *  '^^^''■%-^'^.^.--s*^'vl*~*^ 


ih  this  discoTory 
took  precautions 
,  we  reached  the 
ude  6°. 

ink  the  Almighty 
lod  in  the  rrans- 
nppearance  was 
did  no;  most  for- 
ty naked,  others 
rags,  and  I  had 
rder  to  appear  at 
sr,  arrived  at  the 
St  of  our  dangers, 
id  by  hunger  and 
is  coast  inhabited 
were  deliberating 
iifly  Portuguese, 
quired  the  reason 
sufficient  answer, 
!  sacred  rights  of 
'  our  desire,  the 
^  our  misfortunes, 
itened  to  conduct 
river,  into  which 
allay  their  thirst; 
ithing  was  in  the 
iost  frequent  use, 
restoration  of  our 

;d  us  to  his  house, 
ding.  Our  chari- 
ed  some  fish,  the 
:ious.  After  this 
it  we  prepared  to 
at  the  distance  of 
;hael,  we  repaired 
ed  the  homage  of 
indebted  for  our 
us  so  much,  that 
[les,  together  with 
und  us,  and  every 
;  a  short  time,  we 
rith  another  repast 
we  purchased  an 
I  of  brandy.  We 
efooted,  and  with- 
vay ;  we  therefore 
idding  to  it  a  pro- 
d  under  an  escort 
:he  first  day,  and 
1  us  kindly.  The 
»  soldier'  c-me  to 
ig  us  .'  tl:e  com- 
is  grFx:iou8ly,  gave 


IiroIDENTS  OP  OOBAN  LIFE. 


677 


us  an  entertainment,  and  a  boat  to  go  to  Paraiba.  It  was  midnight  when 
we  arrived  at  that  town;  a  Portuguese  captain  was  waiting  to  present  us 
to  the  governor,  who  gave  us  a  gracious  reception,  and  furnished  us 
with  all  the  comforts  of  life.  We  there  reposed  for  three  days;  but 
being  desirous  of  reaching  Pernambuco,  to  take  advantage  of  a  Portu- 
guese fleet  that  was  expected  to  sail  every  day,  in  order  to  return  to 
Europe,  the  governor  ordered  a  corporal  to  conduct  us  thither.  My  feet 
were  so  lacerated  that  I  could  scarcely  stand,  and  a  horse  was  therefore 
provided  for  rtie. 

At  length,  after  a  journey  of  four  days,  we  entered  the  town  of  Per- 
nambuco. My  first  business  was  to  go  with  my  people  to  present  myself 
to  the  general,  Joseph  de  Correa,  who  condescended  to  give  us  an 
audience;  after  which,  Don  Francisco  Miguel,  a  captain  of  a  king's  ship, 
took  us  in  his  boat  to  procure  us  the  advantage  of  saluting  the  admiral 
of  the  fleet,  Don  Juan  d'Acosta  de  Porito.  During  the  fifty  days  that 
we  remained  at  Pernambuco,  that  gentleman  never  ceased  to  load  me 
with  new  favors  and  civilities.  His  generosity  extended  to  all  my  com- 
panions  in  misfortune,  to  some  of  whom,  he  even  gave  appointments  in 
the  vessels  of  his  fleet. 

On  the  6th  of  October  we  set  sail,  and  arrived  without  any  accident 
at  Lisbon,  on  the  17th  of  December.  On  the  2d  of  January,  our  consul, 
M.  du  Vernay,  procured  me  a  passage  in  a  vessel  bound  to  Morlaix. 
The  master  and  myself  went  on  board  together,  the  rest  of  my  compan- 
ions being  distributed  among  the  ships.  I  arrived  at  Morlaix  on  the  2d 
of  February.  My  fatigues  obliged  me  to  take  a  few  days'  rest  in  that 
place,  from  whence  I  repaired,  on  the  10th,  to  L'Orient,  overwhelmed 
with  poverty,  having  lost  all  that  I  possessed  in  the  world,  after  a  service 
of  twenty-eight  years,  and  with  my  health  greatly  impaired  by  the  hard- 
ships I  had  endured. 


A   SAILOR'S  LIFE  AND  DUTIES. 

As  we  had  now  a  long  spell  of  fine  weather,  without  any  incident  to 
break  the  monotony  of  our  lives,  I  will  describe  the  duties,  regulations, 
and  customs  of  an  American  merchantman,  of  which  ours  was  a  fair 
specimen. 

The  captain,  in  the  first  place,  is  lord  paramount.  He  stands  no 
watch,  comes  and  goes  when  he  pleases,  and  is  accountable  to  no  one, 
and  must  be  obeyed  in  everything  without  a  question  even  from  his 
chief  officer.  He  has  the  power  to  turn  his  officers  ofi"  duty,  and  to 
even  break  them  and  make  them  do  duty  as  sailors  in  the  forecastle. 
Where  there  are  no  passengers  and  no  supercargo,  he  has  no  companion 
but  his  own  dignity,  and  no  pleasures,  unless  he  differs  from  most  of 
his  kind,  but  the  consciousness  of  possessing  supreme  power,  and 
occasionally  the  exercise  of  it. 

The  prime  minister,  the  official  organ,  and  the  active  and  superintend- 
ing officer,  is  the  chief  mate.  He  is  first  lieutenant,  boatswain,  sailing- 
master,  and  quartermaster.  The  captain  tells  him  what  he  wishes  to 
have  done,  and  leaves  to  him  the  care  of  overseeing,  of  allotting  the 
work,  and  also  the  responsibility  of  its  being  well  done.  TV  mate  (as 
he  is  always  called,  par  exeeUenee,)  alao  keeps  the  log-book,  for  which 
37 


/ 


578 


INCIDENTS  OP  OCEAN  LIFE. 


he  is  responsible  to  the  owners  and  insurers,  nnd  has  the  charge  of  the 
stowage,  safe  keeping,  and  delivery  of  tlie  cargo.  Ho  \a  nisn,  ex-officio, 
the  wit  of  the  crow;  for  the  captain  does  not  condescend  to  joke  with 
the  men,  and  the  second  mate  noonn  cares  for,  so  that  wlion  "  the  mnte  " 
thinks  to  entertain  *'  the  people  "  with  a  course  joke,  or  a  littli!  prncticnl 
wit,  every  one  feels  bound  to  laugh.  The  second  mute's,  is  provcrljiiilly 
a  dog's  berth.  Ho  is  neither  officer  nor  man.  Tiie  men  do  not  lespect 
him  as  an  olVicor,  and  he  is  obliged  to  go  aloft  to  furl  and  reef  tli(>  top- 
sails, and  to  put  his  hands  into  tlie  slusii  and  tar  witii  the  rest.  The 
crew  call  hiiu  tiie  "  sailor  waiter,"  as  Ik;  has  to  furnish  tliem  with  spun- 
yarn,  marline,  and  all  other  stutfs  that  they  need  in  their  work,  and  has 
charge  of  the  boatswain's  locker,  which  includes  scrving-board.i,  marline- 
spikes,  etc.,  etc.  He  is  expected  by  the  captain,  to  maintain  his  dignity, 
and  to  enforce  obedience,  and  still  is  kept  at  a  great  distance  from  the 
mate  and  obliged  to  work  with  the  men.  Ho  is  one  to  whom  little  is 
given,  and  of  whom  much  is  required.  His  wages  are  usually  double 
those  of  a  common  sailor,  and  he  eats  and  sleeps  in  the  cabin;  but  he 
is  obliged  to  bo  on  deck  nearly  all  his  time,  and  eats  at  the  second  table, 
tiiat  is,  makes  a  meal  out  of  what  the  captain  and  chief  mate  leave. 

The  steward  is  the  captain's  servant,  and  has  charge  of  the  pantry, 
from  which  every  one,  even  the  mate  himself,  is  excluded.  These 
distinctions  usually  find  him  an  enemy  in  the  mate,  who  does  not  like  to 
have  any  one  on  board  who  is  not  entirely  under  his  control;  the  crew 
do  not  consider  him  as  one  of  their  number,  so  he  is  led  to  the  mercy 
of  the  captain. 

The  cook  is  the  patron  of  the  crew,  and  those  who  are  in  his  favor, 
can  get  their  wet  mittens  and  stockings  dried,  or  light  their  pipes  at  the 
galley  in  the  night  watch.  Those  two  worthies,  together  with  the  car- 
penter and  sail-maker,  if  there  be  one,  stand  no  watch,  but  being 
employed  all  day,  are  allowed  to  "  uleep  in  "  at  night,  unless  all  hands 
are  called. 

The  crew  are  divided  into  two  divisions  as  equally  as  may  be,  called 
the  watches.  Of  these,  the  chief  mate  commands  the  larboard,  and  tho 
second  mate  the  starboard.  They  divide  the  time  between  them,  being 
on  and  off  duty,  as  it  is  called,  on  dec!;  and  below  every  other  four  hours. 
If,  for  instance,  the  chief  mate  with  the  larboard  watch  have  the  first 
night  watch  from  eight  to  twelve,  at  the  end  of  the  four  hours,  the  star- 
board watch  is  called,  and  the  second  mate  takes  the  deck,  while  the 
larboard  watch  and  the  first  mate  go  below  until  four  in  the  morning, 
when  they  come  on  deck  again  and  remain  until  eight,  having  what  is 
called  the  morning  watch,  As  they  will  have  been  on  deck  eight  hours 
out  of  the  twelve,  while  those  who  had  the  middle  watch — from  twelve 
to  four — will  have  been  up  only  four  hours,  they  have  what  is  called  "  a 
forenoon  watch  below,"  that  is,  from  8  a.  m.,  until  noon.  In  a  man-of- 
war,  and  in  some  merchantmen,  this  alternation  of  watches  is  kepi,  up 
throughout  the  twenty-four  hours;  but  our  ship,  like  most  merchantmen, 
had  "  all  hands  "  from  twelve  o'clock  till  dark,  except  in  bad  weather, 
when  we  had  "  watch  and  watch." 

An  explanation  of  the  *'  dog-watches'*  may,  perhaps,  be  of  use  to  one 
who  has  never  been  at  sea.  They  are  to  shift  the  watches  each  night, 
80  that  the  same  watch  need  not  be  on  deck  at  the  same  hour.  In  order 
to  effect  this,  the  watch  from /bur  to  eight  r.  m.  is  divided  into  two  half 
or  dog-watches,  one  from  four  to  six,  and  the  other  from  six  to  eight.  By 
this  means,  they  divide  the  twenty-four  hours  into  aeven  watches  instead 


i 


..M^rm:    -._ .7,-  — 


r 


the  charge  of  the 

iii  niso,  cx-ofiicio, 
cend  to  joke  with 
when  "  the  innte" 
or  a  httU)  practical 
e's,  in  provirbialiy 
icii  do  not  lospoct 
1  and  reef  tiic  top- 
itii  tlie  rc'st.  Tlie 
h  tl\em  with  spun- 
icir  work,  and  has 
ig-hoardii,  niarlinc- 
laintain  his  dignity, 

distance  from  the 
e  to  whom  littlo  is 
arc  usually  double 

tlie  cabin;  but  he 
at  the  second  table, 
ief  mate  leave, 
arge  of  the  pantry, 

excluded.  These 
vho  does  not  like  to 
3  control ;  the  crew 
is  left  to  the  mercy 

ho  are  in  his  favor, 
It  their  pipes  at  the 
[ether  with  the  car- 
j  watch,  but  being 
ht,  unless  all  hands 

ly  as  may  be,  called 
he  larboard,  and  the 
etween  them,  being 
ery  other  four  hours, 
(vatch  have  the  first 
four  hours,  the  star- 
the  deck,  while  the 
our  in  the  morning, 
iight,  having  what  is 
on  deck  eight  hours 
watch — from  twelve 
ve  what  is  called  "  a 
noon.     In  a  man-of- 
■  watches  is  kepi,  up 
3  most  merchantmen, 
cept  in  bad  weather, 

aps,  he  of  use  to  one 
I  watches  each  night, 
same  hour.  In  order 
divided  into  two  half 
Tom  six  to  eight.  By 
»even  watches  instead 


INCIDENTS  OF  OCEAN  LIPE. 


670 


tZ.:  .1-  u  ft"^'  ^!!^  '"","  "7^  "'«'"•  As  the  dog-watchc,  com. 
during  w.i.ght,  after  the  day's  work  is  done,  and  before  the  night  watch 
>s  set,  thoy  are  U,e  watches  in  which  everybody  is  on  deck.  Tho  captain 
js  up  walking  on  the  weather  side  of  the  quarter-deck;  the  chief  nate 
IS  on    he  lee  side    and  the  second  mate  about  the  weather  gangway. 

smoko  h  s  pipe  with  the  cook  in  the  galley.  Tho  crow  are  sitting  on 
the  windlass  or  lying  on  the  forecastle,  smoking,  singing,  or  felling  long 
yarns  At  eight  o'clock,  eight  bells  are  struck,  the  fog  is  hovf ,  t!? 
goes  below      '"'  '«''«^«''' ""e  galley  shut  up,  and  the  other  watch 

The  morning  commences  with  the  watch  on  deck  "turning  to"  at 
daybreak,  and  washing  down,  scrubbing,  and  swabbing  the  decks. 
This,  together  with  filling  the  scuttle-butt  with  fresh  water,  and  coiling 
up  rigging,  usually  occupies  the  time  until  seven  bells,  (half  past  seven,) 

h  .?..^  il  "'^r  «"  '"  >:*'f  ^"'*-  ^'  ''^^'^  '^'  ^oy'"  ^«^k  begins  and 
lasts  until  sundown,  with  the  exception  of  an  hour  for  dinner 

Belore  1  end  my  explanations,  it  may  be  well  to  define  a  day's  work, 
an.   to  correct  a  mistake  prevalent  among  landsmen  about  a  sailor's  life! 

;?£  „,"L'V"  wl?'""''"^''''."  '."  ''^"  P^'^P'^  '"y  "Are  not  sailors  very 
indflna  ^5«''='">'heyfindtodo?"  This  is  a  very  natural  mistake, 
and  being  very  frequently  made,  it  is  one  which  every  sailor  feels  inter- 
ested in  having  corrected.  In  tho  first  place,  tho  discipline  of  the  ship 
requires  every  man  to  be  at  work  upon  somethwff  when  he  is  upon  deck, 
except  at  night  and  on  Sundays.  Except  at  these  times,  you  £ill  neve; 
sec  a  man  on  board  a  well  ordered  vessel,  standing  idle  on  deck,  sitting 
down,  or  leaning  over  the  side.  It  is  the  officers'  duty  to  keep  every  on! 
at  work,  even  ,1  there  is  nothing  to  be  done  but  to  scrape  the  rust  from 
the  chain  cables.  In  no  state  prison  are  the  convicts  more  regularly 
!.!''„  T'  ""^T'*'  ^'°'^'y  y"iiched.  No  conversation  is  allowed 
among  the  crew  at  their  duty,  and  though  they  frequemly  do  talk  when 
aloft,  or  when  near  one  another,  yet  they  always  stop  when  an  officer  is 

wh!!iI^  r^f  M  '°  ^^'^J""'^  "P»n  "'hich  the  men  are  put;  it  is  a  matter 
which  P  obably  would  not  be  understood  by  one  who  has  not  been  at 
sea.     When  I  first  left  port,  I  found  that  we  were  regularly  employed. 

fri'™  r^M.°»  ^r-  »"PP°«! ^  ^f"**  ««  ««re  getting  the  vessel  into  sea 
trim,  and  that  it  would  soon  be  over  and  we  should  have  nothing  to  do. 
bu  to  sai  the  ship,  but  I  found  that  it  continued  so  for  two  years,  and 
at  the  end  of  the  two  years,  there  was  as  much  to  be  done  as  ever.  As 
has  often  been  said,  a  ship  is  like  a  lady's  watch,  always  out  of  repair. 
VVhen  first  leaving  port,  studding-sail  gear  is  to  be  rove,  all  the  running 
rigging  to  be  examined,  that  which  is  unfit  for  use  to  be  aot  down,  and< 
new  rigging  rove  m  its  place;  then  the  standing  rigging  is  to  be  over- 
hauled,  replaced,  and  repaired  in  a  thousand  different  ways,  and  where- 
ever  any  of  the  numberless  ropes  are  wearing  or  chafing  upon  it,  there 
-chafing  gear,"  as  it  is  called,  is  to  be  put  on.  This  diafini  gear 
consists  of  worming,  parceling,  foundings,  battons,  and'  service  of  all 
kmds— both  rope-yarns,  spun-yarn,  marline,  and  seizing  stufis.  Takine 
off,  putting  on  and  mending  the  chafing  gear  alone,  upon  a  vessel  would 
fand  consiant  employment  for  two  or  three  men  during  working  hours, 
for  a  whole  voyage.  e  "> 

The  next  point  to  be  considered,  is,  that  all  the  «  small  stuffs"  which, 
are  used  on  board  a  ahip—iuch  u  spuo-jrirn,  marline,  seizing  stuff,  etc 


'•»• 


5^0 


INCIDENTS  OP  OCEAN  LIFE. 


etc. — nrf!  nintle  on  lioarH.  Tin;  owners  of  a  vessnl  buy  tip  incrodible 
fpiHnlilica  of  ••  old  junk."  wliicli  tht;  Hiiiloin  untwist,  nnd  at\or  drawing 
oul  thi-  ynriix.  knot  lluin  fo^^otlKir,  and  roll  Ihi-m  up  in  lialla.  Those 
•' ropi-  yiiriis"  i»r<;  constantly  nsfd  for  various  purposfjH,  hut  tlio  jjrrater 
part  in  injiiiitacturfd  into  spim-yarn.  For  this  purposn  pvory  vessel  is 
funiisiii'd  with  n  "  (<|>un-yiirn  winch,"  which  i8  vr-ry  HJinpIo,  cons;.<ting 
of  a  whprl  and  s|tiii(ilp.  This  may  ho  hoard  constantly  ffoin;;  on  dork 
in  plcaHunl  wcatlirr;  and  wo  liad  oinployincnt  during  a  groat  part  of  tho 
time,  lor  tliroo  liauds  in  drawing  and  knotting  yarns,  and  making  spun- 
yarn. 

.\iioihcr  mctliod  of  employing  tho  crow  is  "setting  up"  rigging. 
Wli(Mi(!vor  any  of  the  stanrling  rigging  becomes  sla*k,  (which  is  con- 
stantly happening,)  the  seizings  and  coverings  muat  bo  taken  oH',  tackles 
got  up,  and  aAcr  the  rigging  is  bowsed,  well  taut,  the  seizings  and  cover- 
ings roplaced,  which  is  a  very  nice  piece  of  work.  There  is  also  such 
a  conunction  botwecn  dilferent  parts  of  a  vessel,  that  ono  rope  can  seldom 
he  touched  without  altering  another.  You  cannot  stay  a  mast  aft  by  the 
hack-stays  without  slacking  up  the  head-stays,  etc.,  etc.  If  wo  add  to 
all  this  the  tarring,  greasing,  oiling,  varnishing,  painting,  scraping  and 
scrubbing,  which  is  required  in  the  course  of  a  long  voyage,  and  also 
remember  that  this  is  to  be  done  in  addition  to  watching  at  niglu,  Peer- 
ing, reefing,  furling,  bracing,  making  and  setting  sail,  and  pulling,  haul- 
ing and  climbing  in  every  direction,  one  will  hardly  ask,  "  What  ::;.o  a 
sailor  find  to  do  at  seaf " 

If  after  all  this  labor,  after  exposing  their  lives  and  limbs  in  stovms, 
wet  and  cold,  the  merchants  and  captains  think  they  have  not  earned 
their  twelve  dollars  a  month^-out  of  which  they  clothe  themselves — 
and  their  salt  beef  and  hard  bread,  they  keep  them  picking  oakum — ad 
infinitum.  This  is  the  moral  resource  upon  a  rainy  day,  for  then  it  will 
not  do  to  work  upon  rigging;  and  when  it  is  pouring  down  in  floods, 
instead  of  letting  the  sailors  stand  about  in  shfc.'eied  places  and  talk, 
and  keep  themselves  comfortable,  they  are  sepiitated  to  different  parts 
of  the  ship,  and  kept  at  work  picking  oakum.  I  have  seen  oakum  stuff 
placed  about  in  different  parts  of  the  ship,  so  that  the  sailors  might  not 
be  idle  in  the  snatches  between  the  frequent  squalls  upon  crossing  the 
equator.  Some  officers  have  been  so  driven  to  find  work  for  the  crew 
in  a  ship  ready  for  sea,  that  they  have  set  them  to  pounding  the  anchors — 
often  done — and  scraping  the  chain-cable. 

This  kind  of  work,  of  course,  is  not  kept  up  off  Cape  Horn,  Cape  of 
Good  Hope,  and  in  extreme  north  and  south  latitudes ;  but  I  have  seen 
the  decks  washed  down  and  scrubbed  when  the  water  would  have  frozen 
if  it  had  been  fresh ;  and  all  hands  kept  at  work  upon  the  rigging  when  we 
had  on  our  pea-jackets,  and  our  hands  were  so  numb  that  we  could  hardly 
hold  our  marline-spik.es.  Before  leaving  this  description,  I  would  state, 
in  order  to  show  landsmen  how  little  they  know  of  the  nature  of  a  ship, 
that  a  ship-carpenter  is  kept  in  constant  employ,  during  good  weather, 
on  board  vessels  which  are  in  what  is  called  perfect  sea-order. 

On  Sabbaths,  when  the  weather  is  fine,  the  decks  are  washed  down, 
the  rigging  coiled  up,  and  everything  put  in  order;  and  throughout  the 
day  only  one  watch  is  kept  on  deck  at  a  time.  The  men  are  all  dressed 
in  their  best  white  duck  trowsers,  and  red  or  checked  shirts,  and  have 
nothing  to  do,  but  to  make  the  necessary  changes  in  the  sails.  They 
employ  themselves  in  reading,  talking,  smoking,  and  mending  their 
clothea.     If  the  weather  is  pleasant,  tiiey  bring  their  work  and  their 


ife'i 


*-.■<■»»  ti  till  1 1  p  - 


S-n^-SiSiCT:' 


■'CT^^^v 


-:^rrrrigSit 


y  up  incredible 
(I  atlcr  drawing 
n  lialls.  These 
,  but  (lio  greater 
!  rvrry  vessel  ia 
in|)l<N  coiisi.ninff 
y  goiiifj  on  deck 
^ireat  part  of  the 
id  niuking  spun- 

ig  up"  rigging. 
,  (wliicii  is  con- 
tukf^n  ott",  tackles 
izings  and  cover- 
here  is  also  such 
I  rope  can  seldom 
a  inaat  aft  by  the 
;.     If  wo  atld  to 
ng,  scraping  and 
voyage,  and  also 
ig  at  nighi,  jteer- 
md  puilirij!^   haul- 
sk,  "  What  ::^D  a 

1  limbs  in  stoims, 

have  not  earned 

ithe  themselves — 

eking  oakum — ad 

ly,  for  then  it  will 

J  down  in  floods, 

[  places  and  talk, 

I  to  different  parts 

seen  oakum  stuff" 

sailors  might  not 

upon  crossing  the 

work  for  the  crew 

ding  the  anchors — 

ipe  Horn,  Cape  of 
s ;  but  I  have  seen 
would  have  frozen 
he  rigging  when  we 
liat  we  conld  hardly 
(tion,  I  would  state, 
le  nature  of  a  ship, 
ring  good  weather, 
sea-order, 
are  washed  down, 
and  throughout  the 
men  are  all  dressed 
ed  shirts,  and  have 
in  the  sails.     They 
and  mending  their 
eir  work  and  their 


i 


INOIDKNTS  OF  OCEAN  LIFE. 


681 


iKjoks    upon   dock,  and   sit  down    u,)on   tho    forocastio    and  windlass. 

I  Ills  IS  the  only  day  on  which  these  privileges  are  allowed  them  When 
Monday  conies,  they  put  on  their  tarry  trowiors  again,  and  prepare  for 
SIX  days  ol  lahor.  f    i         lui 

To  enhance  the  value  of  tho  Sabbath  to  tho  crow,  they  are  allowed 
on  tliut  day  a  pudding,  or,  as  it  is  called,  a  "duff."  This  is  nothing 
more  than  flour  boiled  with  water  and  eaten  with  molasses.  It  is  very 
dark  and  clammy,  yet  it  is  looked  upon  as  a  luxury,  and  really  forms  an 
agreeable  variety  with  salt  beef  and  pork.  Many  a  rascally  captain  has 
made  friends  ot  his  crew  by  allowing  them  duff  twice  a  week  on  the 
passage  home. 


SCENES  ON  A  MAN-OF-WAR  IN  A  HURRICANE. 

Among  the  mo.st  vivid  descriptions  of  a  hurricane  at  sea  is  that  given 
by  Lieutenant  Archer,  in  a  letter  to  his  mother.  He  was  on  board  of 
Vi*'o,'I"'-'M''/.  *"  *!'!•'  ^''°'"'''  '"  "  ''""icane  in  tho  West  Indies,  in  tho  year 
iivi  a  »'''l>  was  lost,  together  with  twelve  others,  comprising  the 
British  f^oet  on  that  station.  The  narrative  is  so  powerful  that  the  reader 
seems  almost  transported  to  tho  docks  of  the  PhcL^nix,  and  to  be  an  eye 
witness  ot  tho  awful  events  which  are  transpiring  on  the  occasion 

"  It  happened  to  be  my  middle  watch,  and  about  three  o'clock,  when 
the  man  upon  the  forecastle  bawls  out : 

'Breakers  ahead,  and  land  upon  the  lee  bow!' 
I  looked  out,  and  it  was  so,  sure  enough. 
'  Ready  about!  Put  the  helm  down!  Helm  a  lee!' 
Sir  Hyde  Parker,  hearing  me  put  the  ship  about,  jumped  upon  dock 
Archer,  what's  tho  matter?  you  are  putting  the  ship  about  without 
my  orders! ' 

'?,'■■' '/';'. ''1^°  '^^  p.  '^'^"V  ♦•>«  ship  is  almost  ashore;  there  is  the  land.' 
'  Good  God !  so  it  is.     Will  the  ship  stay  ? ' 

'  Yes,  sir;  I  believe  she  will,  if  we  don't  make  any  confusion;     She  is 
all  aback— forward  now?' 
'Well  'says  ho,  'work  the  ship;  I  will  not  speak  a  single  word.' 
J  he  ship  stayed  very  well. 
'  Then  heave  the  lead!  see  what  water  we  have.' 

*  Three  fathom.' 

'  Keep  the  ship  away,  W.  N.  W.» 
'  By  the  mark,  three.' 
'  This  won't  do,  Archer.' 

'No,  sir;  we  had  better  haul  more  to  the  northward;  we  came  S.  8. 
E.,  and  had  better  steer  N.  N  W.' 
'  Steady,  and  a  quarter  three.' 
'  This  may  do,  as  we  deepen  a  little.' 
'  By  the  deep,  four.' 
'  Very  well,  my  lad;  heave  quick.' 
'Five  fathom.' 

'That's  a  fine  fellow;  another  cast  nimbly.' 

•  Quarter  less  eight.' 

'  That  will  do.     Come,  we  shall  get  clear  by  and  b?.' 
'  Mark  under  water,  five.' 


V«*-.v*    -  =  **l.*i.^*©^.^*j^- 


ggg  1N01DKNT8  OF  OOKAlf  LIFE. 

'What'ithntt' 

•  Only  live  fathom,  sir.'  .       l     •  a  -  .k-  ..,<.K»r« 

'  Turn  all  hands  up;  bring  the  ship  to  ui  anchor,  boy!  Aro  the  tnchom 

rloarT' 
'  III  a  momi-nt,  sir— all  clear.  #, 

'  Whal  wiiUir  have  you  in  the  chain!  nowT 

'  Kighl,  half,  nint).' 

'  Kocp  fast  th(!  aiuhora  until  I  call  you. 

'  Ay,  ny,  sir ;  all  fast.' 

'  I  havo  no  urourul  with  this  lino. 

'How  many  faihoum  iiavo  you  out?  pass  along  the  deep-sea  JincJ 

»  Ay,  ny,  sir.'  , 

'Hoav<!  away— watch!  watch!  hoar  away!  veer  away. 

»  No  uround,  sir,  with  a  hiiiidroil  fathom.' 

'That's  .lov.-r!  (Jomc,  Ma.lam  Phmnix,  there  is  another  squeak  m 
vou  yrt  All  down  hut  the  watch;  secure  the  anchors  nRain;  heave  the 
maintnpKail  to  iho  mast;  luff,  and  hrinR  her  to  the  wind! 

°'I  tild  you,  Madam,  you  should  have  a  little  seajar«on;  if  you  can 
und orstan.l^  half  of  whaJ  is  already  said,  I  wonder  at  .t.  thou«h  .t  .« 
nS.ing  to  what  is  to  conu,  yet,  when  the  old  hurr.cane  he^ins  As  soon 
as  the  ship  was  a  little  to  ri«hts,  and  all  .pii.t  aKa.n,  S.r  llyde  ct.m  ■  to 
mo  in  t  c'most  f.ien.iiy  marmer.  the  tears  al.noBt  startmjr  from  h.H  .y.-  : 
:  Archer,  wo  ou«ht  all  to  be  much  obliged  to  you  for  the  saf.ty  ot  he 
ship,  and,  perhapH,  of  ourselves.     1  a.u  particularly  so,  nothing  hu 

teaman )«  us  presence  of  mind  and  cahuness  saved  her;  another  .1  p  s 
ln.n  I,  and  we  should  have  been  fast  on  shore;  had  you  been  1..  least 
diffident,  or  made  the  least  confusion,  so  as  to  make  the  ship  haulk  m 
l.iT  st.ivs   she  must  have  been  inevitably  lost. 

''  '  S  r,^  o     iro  very  good,  but  I  have  done  nothing  that  I .«" Pi--'  any- 
body e  se  would  no(  have  done  in  the  same  s.tuat.on.     I  d.d  ....     una 

he  hands  up,  knowing  the  watch  able  to  work  the  ship;  besi.h;,  had  i 
Ipread  immldiately  about  the  ship  that  she  was  almost  ashore,  it  might 
have  created  a  confusion  that  was  better  avoided. 

'  Well.'  savs  he, '  'tis  well,  indeed.'  ,, 

-  At  daylight  we  found  that  the  current  had  set  us  between  t  >o  Colla- 
dora  rocks  and  Cape  Antonio,  and  that  we  could  not  have  g?t  o"^  a^X 
other  way  than  we  did;  there  was  a  chance;  but  Providence  .s  the  be 

pilot      We  ha<l  sunset  that  day  twenty  leagues  to  the  south-cast  of  our 

"  Atr'J.;ig  cl- "this  scn«.e,  we  thought  ourselves  fortunate  and 
,„ade  sail  for  Jamaica,  bnt  misfortune  seemed  to  follow  ""'^fortune^ 
The  next  nicrht,  mv  watch  upon  deck,  too,  we  wore  overtaken  by  a 
Bqual  like  a^hurricane  while  it  lasted;  ^r  though  I  saw  ,t  coming,  and 
p^repa  ed  for  it,  yet,  when  it  took  the  ship,  it  roared  and  laid  her  down  so 
Kl  thoiu^ht  lie  ^ould  never  get  up  again.  However,  by  keeping  her 
awiy,and  ciueing  up  everything,  she  righted.  The  --emainder  of  the 
nHu  we  had  very  heavy  squalls,  and  in  the  morning  found  the  mainmast 
itaThM-  the  Ly  thJough:  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  leagues  to 

'•^Tcw  m  of  Jamaica,  the  hurricane  months  coming  on,  the  head  of 
e  nn  .  mast  almost  off,  and  at  a  short  allowance;  well,  we  must  make 

the  l^sl  of  U.     The  mainmast  was  well  finished,  but  we  were  obliged 

"  rhinl-  rm:;kl.:Ta7pone:  ^r  L  days  afterward,  when  we  chased 
a  YaS  man-of-war  for  six  hours,  but  could  not  get  near  enough  to 


*■  *»f 


ire  the  anchors 


[>-8ea 


line!' 


other  squeak  in 
ijain;  heave  the 

[on;  if  you  ran 

it.  thouijli  it  i» 
L'jfiuH.  As  soon 
•  llvili!  rtiiii  '  to 

I  from  his  cvcm; 
the  safi'ty  oi'tlie 
nothing  i)ui  iliat 
;  another  sliip's 
u  been  the  IcnsI 
10  sliip  hiiulk  in 

I I  suppose  any- 
[  did  not  turn  all 
p;  hesiilo,  had  it 

ashoro,  it  might 


twecn  the  CoUa- 
havo  got  out  any 
denr-e  is  the  best 
south-cast  of  our 

res  fortunate,  and 
)llow  misfortune. 
3  overtaken  by  a 
iw  it  coming,  and 
laid  her  down  so 
r,  by  keeping  her 
remainder  of  the 
nnd  the  mainmast 
yr-three  leagues  to 
t  on, the  head  of 
'll,  wo  must  make 
we  were  obliged 

I,  when  we  chased 
Bt  near  enough  to 


I 


INCIDENTS  OP  OORAN  LIFE. 


688 


her,  before  it  was  dnn,  to  keep  sight  of  her;  so  that  wo  lost  her  became 
unable  to  carry  nnv  ail  on  iIk;  niainmnMt.  In  about  twelve  days  more 
made  the  ixlarid  .if  .lomaica,  having  weathered  all  the  M(|iinl!M,  nnd  put 
into  Montogo  Bav  for  watir:  so  that  wo  had  a  strong  party  for  kicking 
up  a  duHt  on  nhor-  ,  iving  found  three  men-of-war  lying  there.  Dancing, 
etc.,  etc.,  till  two  lock  every  morning;  liitio  thmking  what  was  to 
happen  in  four  lU  time:  for  out  of  the  four  men-of-war  that  were 
there,  not  one  wn'  m  being  nt  the  end  of  that  time,  and  not  a  soul  alive 
but  thosn  of  oiir  crew.  Many  of  the  houses  whore  wo  hod  boon  so 
merry,  were  so  completely  dcHiroyed  that  scarcely  a  vestige  remained  to 
mark  where  ih^^  «lood.  Thy  works  aro  wonderful,  O  God!  praised  bo 
thy  holy  name! 

September  the  .SOth,  weighed;  Imund  for  Port  Koyal,  round  the  cast- 
ward  of  Itic  island;  the  Barbadoes  and  Victor  had  sailed  the  day  before, 
and  the  Scnrhorough  was  to  sail  tlio  next.  Moderate  weather  until 
October  the  2(1.  Hjwke  to  the  Barbadoes,  oil"  Port  Antonio,  in  the 
evening.  yVt  eleven  at  night  it  began  to  snuffle,  with  a  monstrous  heavy 
bill  from  tln'  eastward.     Close  roefed  the  topsails. 

Sir  Hyde  sent  for  mo:  '  What  sort  of  weather  have  we,  Archer?' 

•  It  blown  a  little,  and  has  a  very  ugly  look  ;  if  in  any  other  quarter 
but  this,  I  should  say  we  were  goi-.ig  to  have  a  gale  of  wind.' 

'  Ay,  it  looks  so  very  often  here  when  there  is  no  wind  at  all;  however, 
don't  hoist  the  topsails  till  it  clears  a  little,  there  is  no  trusting  any 
country.' 

'At  twelve  I  was  relieved;  the  weather  had  tho  same  rough  look, 
however,  they  made  sail  upon  her,  but  had  a  very  dirty  night.  At  eight 
in  the  morning  I  came  up  again,  found  it  blowing  hard  from  the  K.  N.  E. 
with  close  reefed  topsails  upon  the  ship,  and  heavy  squalls  at  times. 

♦  Sir  Hyde  came  upon  deck:  '  Woll,  Archer,  what  do  you  think  of  it?' 
'Oh,  sir,  'tis  only  a  touch  of  the  times;  wo  shall  have  an  observation 

at  twelve  o'clock  ;  tho  cloud.s  are  beginning  to  break  ;  it  will  clear  up  at 
noon,  or  else  blow  very  hard  afterward.' 

'  I  wish  it  would  clear  up,  but  I  doubt  it  much.  I  was  onco  in  a 
hurricane  in  the  East  Indies,  and  the  beginning  of  it  had  much  the 
same  appearance  as  this.  So  take  in  the  topsails,  wo  have  plenty  of 
soa-rooni.' 

At  twelve,  the  gale  still  increasing,  wore  ship,  to  keep  as  near  mid 
channel  between  .Tamaica  and  Cuba  as  possible  ;  at  one  tho  gale  increas- 
ing still ;  at  two  harder!  Reefed  the  courses,  and  furled  them  ;  brought 
to  under  a  foul  mizzcn-staysail.  head  to  the  northward.  In  the  evening 
no  sign  of  the  weather  taking  off,  but«Bvory  appearance  of  tho  storm 
increasing,  prepared  for  a  proper  gale  of  wind ;  secured  all  the  sails 
with  spare  gaskets ;  good  rolling  tackles  upon  the  yards  ;  squared  the 
booms;  saw  the  boats  all  made  fast;  new  lashed  the  guns;  double 
breeched  tho  lower  deckers  ;  saw  that  the  carpenters  had  the  tarpaulins 
and  batins  all  ready  for  hatchways;  got  the  topgallant-mast  down  upon  the 
dock;  jib-hoom  and  sprit-sail-yard  fore  and  aft;  in  fact,  everything  we 
could  think  of  to  make  a  snug  ship. 

The  poor  devils  of  birds  now  began  to  find  the  uproar  in  the  ele- 
ments, for  numbers,  both  of  sea  and  land  kinds,  came  on  board  of  us. 
I  took  notice  of  some,  which  happening  to  be  to  leeward,  turned  to  wind- 
ward like  ship,  tack  and  tack:  for  they  could  not  fly  against  it.  When 
they  came  over  the  ship  they  dashed  themselves  down  upon  the  deck, 
without  attempting  to  stir  till  picked  up ;  and  when  let  go  again,  they 


•'M: 


ll 


584 


INCIDENTS  OF  OOEAN  LIFK 


would  not  leave  the  ship,  but  endeavored  to  hide  themselves  from  the 
wind. 

At  eight  o^clock  a  hurricane;  the  sea  roaring,  but  the  wind  still  steady 
to  a  point;  did  not  ship  r.  spoonful  of  water.  However,  got  the  hatrh- 
ways  all  secured,  expecting  what  would  be  the  consequences  should  the 
wind  siiifl ;  placed  the  carpenters  by  the  mainmast,  with  broad-axes, 
knowing  from  experience,  that  at  the  moment  you  may  want  to  cut  it 
away  to  save  the  ship,  an  ax  may  not  be  found.  Went  to  supper: 
bread,  cheese,  and  porter.  The  purser  frightened  out  of  his  wits  about 
his  bread-bags ;  the  two  marine  officers  as  white  as  sheets,  not  under- 
standing the  ship's  working  so  much,  and  the  noise  of  the  lower  deck 
guns ;  which,  by  this  time,  made  u  pretty  screeching  to  the  people  not 
used  to  it ;  it  seemed  as  if  the  whole  ship's  side  was  going  at  each  roll. 
Wooden,  our  carpenter,  was  all  this  time  smoking  his  pipe  and  laughing 
at  the  doctor ;  the  second  lieutenant  upon  deck,  and  the  third  in  his 
hammock. 

At  ten  o'clock  I  thought  to  get  a  little  sleep:  came  to  look  into  my 
cot ;  it  was  full  of  water;  for  every  scam,  by  the  straining  of  the  ship, 
had  begun  to  leak.  Stretched  myself,  therefore,  upon  deck  between 
two  chests,  and  left  orders  to  be  called,  should  the  least  thing  happen. 

At  twelve  a  midshipman  came  to  me:  '  Mr.  Archer,  we  are  just  going 
to  wear  ship,  sir!' 

'  Oil,  very  well,  1*11  be  up  directly  ;  what  sort  of  weather  have  you 
got?' 

'  It  blows  a  hurricane.' 

Went  upon  deck,  found  Sir  Hyde  there.     '  It  blows  hard.  Archer.' 
'  It  does,  indeed,  sir.' 

'I  don't  know  that  I  ever  remember  its  blowing  so  hard  before;  but 
the  ship  makes  a  very  good  weather  of  it  upon  this  tack,  as  she  bows 
the  sea ;  but  we  must  wear  her,  as  the  wind  has  shifted  to  the  S.  E.  and 
we  are  drawing  right  upon  Cuba  ;  so  do  you  go  forward,  and  have 
some  hands  stand  by  ;  loose  the  lee  yard-arm  of  the  foresail,  and  when 
she  is  right  before  the  wind,  whip  the  clew-garnet  close  up  and  roll  up 
the  sail.' 

'Sir,  there  is  no  canvas  that  can  stand  against  this  a  moment;  if  we 
attempt  to  loose  him  he  will  fly  into  ribbons  in  an  instant,  and  we  may 
lose  three  or  four  of  our  people  ;  she'll  wear  by  manning  the  fore 
shrouds.' 

'  Oh,  I  do  n't  think  she  will.' 

'  I'll  answer  for  it,  sit ;  I  have  seen  it  tried  several  times  on  the  coast 
of  America  with  success.' 

'  Well,  try  it ;  if  she  does  not  wear,  we  can  only  loose  the  foresail 
afterward.' 

This  was  a  great  condescension  from  such  a  man  as  Sir  Hyde.  How- 
ever, by  sending  about  two  hundred  people  into  the  fore-rigging,  at\er  a 
hard  struggle  she  wore ;  found  she  did  not  make  so  good  weather  on  this 
tack  as  on  the  other;  for,  as  the  sea  began  to  run  across,  she  had  not 
time  to  rise  from  one  sea  before  another  dashed  against  her.  Began  to 
think  we  should  lose  our  masts,  as  the  ship  lay  very  much  along  by  the 
pressure  of  the  wind  constantly  upon  the  yards  and  masts  alone  ;  for  the 
poor  mizzen-staysail  had  gone  in  shreds  long  before,  and  the  sails  began 
to  fly  from  the  yards  through  the  gaskets  into  coach  whips.  My  God! 
to  think  that  the  wind  could  have  such  force!  Sir  Hyde  now  sent  me 
to  see  what  was  the  matter  between  docks,  as  there  was  a  good  deal 


^v^l 


1 


INCIDENTS  OF  OCEAN  LIFE. 


580 


emselvea  from  the 

e  wind  still  steady 
ver,  got  the  hatch- 
uences  should  the 

with  broad- axes, 
nay  want  to  cut  it 
Went  to  supper: 
t  of  his  wits  about 
sheets,  not  under- 
of  the  lower  deck 

to  the  people  not 
going  at  each  roll- 
pipe  and  laughing 
1  the   third  in  his 

me  to  look  into  my 
lining  of  the  ship, 
pon  deck  between 
ast  thing  happen. 
•,  we  are  just  going 

weather  have  you 


s  hard,  Archer.' 

so  hard  before;  but 
}  tack,  as  she  bows 
ted  to  tl»c  S.  E.  and 
forward,  and  have 
foresail,  and  when 
close  up  and  roll  up 

Is  a  moment ;  if  we 
instant,  and  we  may 
y  manning  the  fore 


il  times  on  the  coast 
y  loose  the  foresail 

as  Sir  Hyde.     How- 

fbre-rigging,  after  a 
good  weather  on  this 
1  across,  she  had  not 
ainst  her.  Began  to 
•y  much  along  by  the 
masts  alone  ;  for  the 
!,  and  the  sails  began 
,ch  whips.  My  God! 
:  Hyde  now  sent  me 
;re  was  a  good  deal 


of   noise.     As   soon    as   I   was    below,   one   of   the    marine    officers 
calls   out: 

'  Good  (lod!  Mr.  Archer,  we  are  sinking  ;  the  water  is  up  to  the  bottom 
uf  my  cot.' 

'Pooh,  pooli!  as  long  as  it  is  not  over  your  mouth  you  are  well  oft*; 
what  the  d 1  do  you  make  so  much  noise  for?' 

I  found  liicre  was  some  water  bntween  decks,  but  nothing  to  be 
aluruiod  at;  we  sciUlled  the  deck  and  run  it  into  the  well;  found  she 
made  a  good  deal  of  water  through  the  sides  and  decks  ;  turned  the 
watch  below  to  the  pumps,  though  only  two  foot  of  water  in  the  well ; 
hut  expected  to  bo  kept  constantly  at  work  now,  as  the  ship  labored 
much,  with  scarcely  a  part  of  her  above  water  but  the  quarter-deck,  and 
that  but  seldom. 

'  Come,  pump  away,  my  boys.  Carpenters,  get  the  weather  chain- 
pump  rigged.' 

'  All  ready,  sir.' 

'  Then  man  it,  and  keep  both  pumps  going.' 

At  two  o'clock  the  chain-pump  being  choked,  we  set  the  carpenters 
at  work  to  clear  it ;  the  two  head-pumps  at  woiL  upon  deck  ;  the  water 
gamed  upon  us  while  our  chain-pump.s  were  idle;  in  a  quarter  of  an 
hour  they  were  at  work  again,  and  we  began  to  gain  upon  it.  While  I 
was  standing  at  the  pnmps  cheering  tlie  people,  the  carpenter's  mate 
came  running  to  me  with  a  face  as  long  as  my  arm. 

'Oh,  sir!  tiie  ship  has  sprung  a  leak  in  the  gunner's  room.' 

'Go,  then,  and  tell  the  carpenter  to  come  to  me,  but  do  not  speak  a 
word  to  any  one  eK-e.  Mr.Goodinoh,  I  am  toid  there  is  a  leak  in  the 
gunner's  room;  go  and  see  what  is  the  matter,  but  do  not  alarm  any 
body,  and  come  and  make  your  report  privately  to  me.' 

In  a  short  time  he  returned;  '  Sir,  there  is  nothing  there  ;  it  is  only 
tho  water  washing  up  between  the  timbers  that  this  booby  has  taken  for 
a  leak.' 

-  Oh,  very  well ;  go  upon  deck  and  see  if  you  can  keep  any  of  the  water 
from  washing  down  below.' 

'Sir,  I  have  had  four  people  constantly  keeping  the  hatchways 
secure,  but  there  is  such  a  weight  of  water  upon  the  deck  that  nobody 
can  stand  when  the  ship  rolls.' 

The  gunner  soon  afterward  came  to  me,  saying,  'Mr.  Archer,  I 
should  be  glad  to  have  you  step  this  way  into  the  magazine  for  a  moment.' 

I  thought  something  was  the  matter,  and  ran  directly.  '  Well,  what  is 
the  matter  here?' 

He  answered.  '  The  ground  tier  of  the  powder  is  spoiled,  and  I  want 
to  show  you  that  it  is  not  out  of  carelessness  in  me  in  stowing  it,  for  no 
powder  in  the  world  could  be  better  stowed.  Now,  sir,  what  am  I  to  do? 
if  you  do  not  speak  to  Sir  Hyde,  he  will  be  angry  with  me.' 

I  could  not  forbear  smiling  to  see  how  easy  he  took  the  danger  of  the 
ship,  and  said  to  him,  '  Let  us  shake  ort  this  gale  of  wind  first,  and  talk 
of  the  damaged  powder  afterward.'  At  four  we  had  gained  upon  the 
ship  a  little,  and  I  went  upon  deck,  it  being  my  watch.  The  second 
lieutenant  relieved  me  at  the  pumps.  Who  can  attempt  to  describe  tho 
appearance  of  things  upon  deck  ?  If  I  was  to  write  for  ever,  I  could 
not  give  you  an  idea  of  it  — a  total  darkness  all  above  ;  the  sea  on  fire, 
running  ^s  if  it  were  in  the  Alps,  or  Peaks  of  TenerifTe;  (mountains  are 
too  common  an  idea ;)  the  wind  roaring  louder  than  thunder,  (absolutely 
no  flight  of  imagination,)  the  whole  made  more  terrible,  if  possible,  by 


J 


■sa-^pfW" 


'# 


586 


INCIDENTS  OF  OCKAN  LIFE. 


y.m 


$ 


a  very  uncommon  kind  of  Wuc  lightnmg;  the  poor  ship  very  much 
pressed,  yet  doing  what  8ho  could,  siiaking  her  sides  and  groan  ng  at 
Svery  suoke.  Sif  Hyde  upon  deck  lashed  to  windward  I  soon  lashed 
myselflng  side  of  him,  and  told  him  the  situat.on  of  thmgs  below 
laying  the  ship  did  not  make  more  water  than  m.ght  be  expected  in  such 
weather,  and  that  I  was  only  afraid  of  a  gun  breaking  loose. 

.1  am  not  in  the  least  afraid  of  that ;  I  have  commanded  her  six  years, 
and  have  had  many  a  gale  of  wind  in  her ;  so  that  her  iron  wo-k,  which 
"ways  gives  way  first,  is  pretty  well  tried.  Hold  fast !  that  was  an  ugly 
Je^rwrmust  lower  the  yards,  I  believe,  Archer;   the  ship  is  much 

'''^rle  attempt  it,  sir,  we  shall  lose  them,  for  a  man  can  do  nothing; 
besidertheir  being  down  would  ease  the  ship  very  little;  the  mainmast 
U  a  sprun'  mast ;  I  wish  it  was  overboard  without  carrying  anything  else 
alo',Kwit"rit;  but  that  can  soon  be  done,  the  gale  cannot  last  forever : 
'twill  soon  be  daylight  now.'  .  ,     •    .•        u  i    .  „ 

Found  by  the  master's  watch  that  it  was  five  o'foc\.,^houghhui. 
little  after  four  by  ours;  I  was  glad  it  was  so  near  daylight,  and  looked 
i^r  it  with  much^nxiety.  Cuba,  thou  art  much  in  our  way!  Another 
uJly  se!-  sent  a  midshipman  to  bring  news  from  the  P"n.pB !  ti.e  ship 
was  gaining  on  them  very  much,  for  they  had  broken  one  of  their  chains, 
but  it  was  almost  mended  again.  News  from  the  pump  again. 
«  Siie  still  gains!  a  heavy  lee  !' 

Bvck-water  from  leeward,  halfway  up  the  quarter-deck;  filled  one  o! 
the  iers  upon  the  booms,  and  tore  her  all  to  pieces  ;  tl-  ship  lying 
almost  on  her  beam  ends,  and  not  attempting  to  right  again.     Wo  d  t.om 
below  that  the  ship  still  gained  on  them,  as  they  could  not  stand  to  the 
pumps,  she  lay  so  much  along. 

I  said  to  Sir  Hyde:     'This  is 

masts,  shall  we  cut  the  mainmast  away  ? 

'  Ay  !  as  fast  as  you  can.' 

1  accordingly  went  into  the    weather-chains  with  a   pole-ax,  to  cut 

away  the  lanyards  ;  the  boatswain  went  to  leeward,  and  the  carpenters 

to  Jl  by  the  'masts.'    We  were  all  ready,  when  a  very  volent  sea  broke 

ri.rht  on  board  of  us,  carried  everything  upon  deck  away,  filled  the  sh  p 

iith  water,  the  main  and  mizzen-masts  went,  the  ship  righted  but  was  in 

the  last  struggle  of  sinking  under  us.     As  soon  as  we  could  shake  our 

heads  above  water.  Sir  Hyde  exclaimed: 

»  We  are-gone,  at  last.  Archer!  foundered  at  sea! 
'  Yes,  sir,  farewell,  and  the  Lord  have  mercy  upon  us ! 
I  thek  turned  about  to  look  at  the  ship,  and  thought  she  was  struggling 
to  get  rid  of  some  of  the  water ;  but  all  was  in  vain,  she  was  almost  full 

''^'Tlmighty  God  !  I  thank  thee,  that  now  I  am  leaving  this  world,  which 
I  have  always  considered  as  only  a  passage  to  a  better,  I  die  with  a  fu 
hope  of  thy  mercies  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  thy  Son,  our 

^*rthen  felt  sorry  that  I  could  swim,  as  by  that  means  I  might  be  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  longer  dying  than  a  man  who  could  "o*' ^^d  it  'S 
impossible  to  divest  ourselves  of  a  wish  to  preserve  lite  At  the  end  of 
these  reflections  I  thought  I  heard  the  ship  thump  and  grinding  under 
our  feet ;  it  was  so. 

»  Sir,  the  ship  is  ashore!' 

»  What  do  you  say?' 


no  time,  sir,  to  think  of  saving  the 


Tl 


bip  very  much 
nd  groaning  at 
!  I  soon  lashed 
f  things  below, 
ipected  in  such 
ise. 

d  her  six  years, 
•on  wo'k,  which 
hat  was  an  ugly 
e  ship  is  much 

can  do  nothing; 
i;  the  mainmast 
iig  anything  else 
not  last  forever : 

k,  though  but  a 
ight,  and  looked 
ir  way!  Anotiicr 
pumps ;  tlie  ship 
e  of  their  chains, 
again. 

ck ;  filled  one  of 

I ;  the  ship  lying 

ain.     Word  from 

not  stand  to  the 

)k  of  saving  the 


I  pole-ax,  to  cut 
id  the  carpenters 
violent  sea  broke 
ay,  filled  the  ship 
ighted,  but  was  in 
i  could  shake  our 


INCIDENTS  OF  OCEAN  LIFE. 


I' 


he  was  struggling 
he  was  almost  full 

;  this  world,  which 
r,  I  die  with  a  full 
irist,  thy  Son,  our 

lans  I  might  be  a 
>uld  not,  and  it  is 
e.  At  the  end  of 
nd  grinding  under 


88T 


'The  ship  is  ashore,  and  wc  may  save  ourselves  yet" 
hplnl  ■'"!  ^'"™«  ^he  quaner-dock  was  full  of  men  who  had  come  up  from 

The  ship  now  made  everybody  sensible  that  she  was  ashore,  for 
every  stroke  threatened  a  total  dissolution  of  her  whole  frame  ;  we  found 
she  was  stern  rshore,  and  the  bow  broke  the  sea  a  good  deal,  though  it  was 
washing  clean  over  at  every  stroke,  Sir  Hyde  cried  out- 

youl^be'i;  Sance?""'"''"*^'''  "^  ''''  '  "'""  ^'"  ^«^«  *°  P'^«=«-  *»  " 

KJ/r'?'""?"^.^f  '•''  ^"'^■'""'*  '■-"'  "^^"y'that  she  might  not  pay  round 
broadside  Lost  hve  in  cutting  away  the  foremast,  by  The  breaking  of  a 
sea  on  board  .M'st  as  the  mast  went.  That  was  nothing;  every  one 
expected  It  would  be  his  own  fate  next;  looked  for  daybreak  wiU,  °hc 
greatest  impatience  At  last  it  came;  but  what  a  scene  did  it  show  us! 
I  ho  ship  upon  a  bed  of  rocks,  mountains  of  them  on  one  side,  and 
Cordilleras  of  water  on  the  other;  our  poor  ship  grinding  and  crying  out 
a  every  .troko  between  them;  going  away  by  piece-meal  Ilowcvfrrto 
show  he  unaccountable  workings  of  Providence,  that  which  often  appears 

sea  lifted  and  beat  us  up  so  high  among  the  rocks,  that  at  last  the  ship 

TJZ^  ""-'""'iu  ^^Z  r'  r'^  '"'■""^'  »"•'  '''''  »«'  so  to  pieces  at  the    • 
hist  thumping,  though  her  decks  tumbled  in.     We  found  afterward  thit 
she  had  beat  over  a  ledge  of  rocks  almost  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  exten 
beyond  us,  where,  f  she  had  struck,  every  soul  of  us  must  have  p^-rSed 

.hJ7  ""•  ""  "T."'  "'^g/"'"?  «"  «hore,  so  I  stripped  off  my  coat  and 
hoes  or  a  swim,  and  looked  for  a  line,  to  c.rry  the  end  with  me  Lucki  y 
I  could  not  find  one,  which  gave  me  time  for  recollection:  'This  won't 
do  for  me,  to  be  the  first  man  out  of  the  ship,  and  first  lieutenant-  vvc 
may  get  to  England  again,  and  people  may  think  I  paid  a  great  deal  of 
attention  to  rnyse  f,  and  did  not  care  for  anybody  else.     No,  that  won't 

I  now  thought  there  was  no  probability  of  the  ship's  soon  going  to 

vitSTki'.TlrhM'^  ""V  ^^""^'^^  '•  '"^•'"''  ^«^"'=  '"""^  -  '««k  round 
with  a  kind  of  philosophic  eye,  to  see  how  the  same  situation  affected 

my  companions,  and  was  surprised  to  find  the  most  swaggering,  swearing 

bui lies  ,n  fine  weather  now  the  most  pitiful  wretcheron  earth,  wl  en 

death  appeared  before  them.     However,  two  got  safe ;  by  which  means 

with  a  line  we  got  a  hawser  on  shore,  and  made  fast  to  the  rocks  upon 

which  rnany  ventured    and    arrived    safe.     There  were  some  sick  and 

wounded  on  board,  who  could  not  avail  themselves  of  this  method ;  we 

therefore  got  a  spare  topsail  yard  from  the  chains  and  placed  one  end 

SSo"  tHs  wa;."''"  "^  '"  ^''''"  ^''"•^°"'  '"^  ''''  '"-'  ''  "^'S  got 

A.S  I  had  determined,  so  I  was  the  last  man  out  of  the  ship;  this  was 

about  ten  o'clock.     The  gale  now  began  to  break.     Sir  Hyde  came  S 

a™bi;t;speaL^  "'  ''''''  ''"''""  ^°  ^'^''^'^^  '''''' ^'  Jas  scaTcelj 

lo<;k\Torr'poorPhSrj!'"'""'  ^''P""""  '^  ^^^  y°"  "°   «'^-'''  ''"« 

JJT^^^  ''*'°."''  •'"*  '^°",'*'  "^'  '"y  '^  ''"g'"  ««'-<J'  being  too  full;  my 
mind  had  been  too  mtenscly  occupied  before  ;  but  everything  now  rushed 
.pon  me  at  once,  so  that  I  could  not  contain  myself,  and  I  inddged  for 


"isjr 


It 
I  * 


598 


INCIDENTS  OF  OCEAN  LIFE. 


u  full  quarter  of  an  hour.  By  twelve  it  was  pretty  moderate  :  got  «""« 
nails  on  shore  and  made  tents;  we  found  great  quant.t.es  of  fish  driven 
up  hy  the  sea  into  holes  of  the  rocks:  knocked  up  a  fire  and  hau  a  most 
comfortable  <iinner.  In  the  afternoon  we  made  a  stape  from  the  cabin 
windows  to  the  rocks,  and  got  out  some  provisions  and  water,  lest  the 
ship  should  go  to  pieces,  in  which  case  we  must  all  have  penrhed  of 
hun-rer  and  thirst;  for  we  were  upon  a  desolate  part  of  the  coast,  and 
under  a  rocky  mountain  that  could  not  supply  us  with  a  s.^igle  drop  ol 

''''slept  comfortably  this  night;  md  the  next  day  the  idea  of  death  van- 
ishing by  degrees,  the  prospect  of  being  prisoners,  during  the  war,  at 
Havana,  and   walking  three  hundred  miles   to    it  through  the    woods, 
was  Sher    unpleasant.     However,  to   save    life    for   the    present,   we 
employed  this  day  in  getting  more  provisions  and  water  on  shore,  W'^^uch 
wai  not  an  easy  matter,  on  account  of  decks,  guns^  and  rubbish,  and  ten 
feet  of  water  that  lay  over  them.     In  the  evening  I  proposed  to  Sir  Hyde 
to  repair  the  remains  of  the  only  lK>at  loft,  and  to  venture  '"  her  to 
Jamaica  myself;  and  in  case  I  arrived  safe  to  bring  vessels  to  take  them 
all  olV:  a  proposal  worthy  of  consideration.     It  was  next  day  agreed  to  ; 
therefore  we  got  the  cutter  on  shore,  and  set  the  carpenters  to  work  on  her  ; 
in  two  days  she  was  ready,  and  at  four  o'clock  in  the^afternoon  I  embarked 
with  four  volunteers  and  a  fortnight's  provision;  hoisted  Enghsh  colors 
as  we  put  off  from  shore,  and  received  three  cheers  from    he  lads  left 
behind   and  set  sail  with  u  light  heart ;  having  not  the  least  doubt  that 
with  God's  assistance,  we  should  come  and  bring  them  all  off.     Had  a 
vorv  squally  night,  and  a  very  leaky  boat,  so  as  to  keep  two  buckets 
constantly  bailing.     Steered  her  myself  the  whole  night  by  the  stars, 
and  in  the  morning  saw  the  coast  of  Jamaica,  distant  twelve  leagues. 
At  eiL'ht  in  the  evening  arrived  at  Montego  Bay.  ,    .  .    ,p    „  ,.^,„ 

I  must  now  begin  to  leave  off,  particularly  as  I  have  but  half  an  lour 
to  conclude;  else  my  pretty  little  short  letter  vviU  lose  its  passage  which 
I  should  not  like,  after  being  ten  days,  at  different  times,  wn  '"g  ^  ^ 
beating  up  with  the  convoy  \o  the  northward,  which  is  a  reason  that  this 
epistle  will  never  read  well ;  for  I  never  sat  down  with  a  proper  disposi- 
tion to  go  on  with  it ;  but  as  I  knew  something  of  the  kind  would  please 
you,  I  was  resolved  to  finish  it;  yet  it  will  not  bear  an  overhaul ;  so  do 
not  expose  your  son's  nonsense.  •  ,    •    i         .u„. 

But  to  proceed-I  instantly  sent  off  an  express  to  the  Admual,  anothc 
to  the  Porcupine  man-of-war,  and  went  myself  to  Martha  Bray  to  get 
vessels  ;  for  all  their  vessels  here,  as  well  as  many  of  their  houses,  were 
eone  to  Moco.  Got  three  small  vessels,  and  set  out  back  again  to 
Cuba,  where  I  arrived  the  fourth  day  after  leaving  my  companions.  I 
thought  the  ship's  crew  would  have  devoured  me  on  my  landing;  they 
presently  whisked  me  up  on  their  shoulders  and  carried  me  to  the  tent 
where  Sir  Hyde  was. 


oderate  ;  got  some 
titles  of  fish  driven 
ire  anil  had  a  most 
ape  from  the  cabin 
uid  water,  lest  the 
I  have  perirhed  of 
t  of  the  coast,  and 
h  a  six'gle  drop  of 

idea  of  death  van- 
durlng  the  war,  at 
hrough  the  woods, 
r  the  present,  we 
tcr  on  shore,  which 
nd  rubbish,  and  ten 
oposed  to  Sir  Hyde 
i  venture  in  her  to 
essels  to  take  them 
next  day  agreed  to  ; 
iters  to  work  on  her  ; 
i\ernoon  I  embarked 
isted  English  colors 
B  from  the  lads  left 
the  least  doubt  that, 
;hem  all  off.  Had  a 
»  keep  two  buckets 
night  by  the  stars. 
;ant  twelve  leagues. 

ive  but  half  an  hour 
e  its  passage,  which 
ut  times,  writing  it, 
is  a  reason  that  this 
ilh  a  proper  disposi- 
e  kind  would  please 
■  an  overhaul ;  so  do 

the  Admiral,  another 
Martha  Bray  to  get 
)f  their  houses,  were 
t  out  back  again  to 
my  companions.  1 
m  my  landing  ;  they 
irried  me  to  the  tent 


INCIDENTS  OF  OCEAN  LIFE. 


A  MAN  OVERBOAUD. 


589 


MoNOAv,  November  19th,  was  a  black  day  in  our  calendar.  At  seven 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  it  being  our  watch  below,  we  were  aroused  from 
a  sound  sleep  by  the  cry.     "  All  hands  ahoy!  a  man  overboard!" 

This  unwonted  cry  sent  a  thrill  through  the  heart  of  every  one  ;  and 
hurrying  on  deck,  we  found  the  vessel  hove  flat  aback,  with  all  her  stud- 
ding-sails set ;  for  the  boy  who  was  at  the  helm,  left  it  to  throw  some- 
thing overboard,  and  the  carpenter,  who  was  an  old  sailor,  knowing  that 
tJie  wind  was  light,  put  the  helm  down,  and  hove  her  aback.  The  watch 
on  deck  were  lowering  away  the  quarter-boat,  and  I  got  on  deck  just  in 
time  to  heave  myself  into  her  as  she  was  leaving  the  side  j  but  it  was  not 
until  out  upon  the  wide  Pacific,  in  our  little  boat,  that  I  knew  whom  we 
had  lost.  It  was  George  Ballmer,  a  young  English  sailor,  who  was 
prized  by  the  oflicers  as  an  active  and  willing  seaman,  and  by  the  crew 
as  a  lively,  hearty  fellow,  and  a  good  shipmate.  He  was  going  aloft  to 
fit  a  strap  round  the  main-top-mast-head,  for  ring-tail  halyards,  and  had 
the  strap  and  block,  a  coil  of  halyards,  and  a  marline-spike  about  his 
neck.  He  fell  from  the  starboard  futtock  shrouds,  and  not  knowing  how 
to  swim,  and  being  heavily  dressed,  with  all  those  things  around  his 
neck,  he  probably  sunk  immediately.  We  pulled  astern,  in  the  direction 
in  which  he  fell,  and  though  we  knew  that  there  was  no  hope  of  saving 
him,  yet  no  one  wished  to  speak  of  returning,  and  we  rowed  about 
for  nearly  an  hour,  without  the  hope  of  doing  anything,  but  unwilling 
to  acknowledge  to  ourselves  that  we  must  give  him  up.  At  length  we 
turned  the  boat's  head  and  made  toward  the  vessel. 

Death  is  at  all  times  solemn,  but  never  so  much  so  as  at  sea.  A  man 
dies  on  shore;  his  body  remains  with  his  friends,  and,  "the  mourners  go 
about  the  streets ; "  but  when  a  man  falls  overboard  at  sea  and  is  lost, 
there  is  a  suddenness  in  the  event,  and  a  difficulty  in  realizing  it,  which 
give  to  it  an  air  of  awful  mystery.  A  man  dies  on  shore  —  you  follow 
his  body  to  the  grave,  and  a  stone  marks  the  spot.  You  are  often  pre- 
pared for  the  event.  There  is  always  something  which  helps  you  to 
realize  it  when  it  happens,  and  to  recall  it  when  it  has  passed.  A  man 
is  shot  down  by  your  side  in  battle,  and  the  mangled  body  remains  an 
olfject,  and  a  real  evidence ;  but  at  sea,  the  man  is  near  you  —  at  your 
side  —  you  hear  his  voice,  and  in  an  instant  he  is  gone,  and  nothing  but 
a  vcxancy  shows  his  loss.  Then,  too,  at  sea  —  to  use  a  homely  but 
expressive  phrase — you  mm  a  man  so  much.  A  dozen  men  are  shut 
up  together  in  a  little  bark,  upon  the  wide,  wide  sea,  and  for  months  and 
months  see  no  forms  and  hear  no  voices  but  their  own,  and  one  is  taken 
suddenly  from  among  them,  and  they  miss  him  at  every  turn.  It  is  like 
losing  a  limb.  There  are  no  new  faces,  or  new  scenes  to  fill  up  the 
gap.  There  is  always  an  empty  berth  in  the  forecastle,  and  one  man 
wanting  when  the  small  night  watch  is  mustered.  There  is  one  less  to 
take  the  wheel,  and  one  less  to  lay  out  with  you  on  the  yard.  You  miss 
his  form,  and  the  sound  of  his  voice,  for  habit  had  made  them  almost 
necessary  to  you,  and  each  of  your  senses  feels  the  loss. 

All  these  things  make  such  a  death  peculiarly  solemn,  and  the  rtVect 
of  it  remains  upon  the  crew  for  some  time.  There  is  more  kindness 
shown  by  the  officers  to  the  crew,  and  by  the  crew  to  one  another. 
There  is  more  quietness  and  seriousness.  The  oath  and  the  loud 
laugh  are  gone.  The  oflicers  are  more  watchful,  and  the  crew  go  more 
carefully  aloft.     The  lost  man  is  seldom  mentioned,  or  is  dismissed  with 


690 


INCIDENTS  OF  OCEAN  LIFE. 


rudo  ciilopy.  "Well,  poor  Grorgo  is  gone!  Hi8  cruise  is  up 
Hoon!  lie  iinow  bis  work,  and  did  his  duty,  and  was  a  good  shipmato." 
TlicMi  usually  follows  soino  allusion  to  anottier  world,  for  sailors  are 
almost  all  believers;  but  their  notions  niid  opinions  aro  unfixed  and  at 
loose  ends.  They  say, — ''God  wont  bo  hard  upon  the  poor  fellow," 
and  seldom  get  beyond  the  common  phrase  which  seems  to  imply  that 
their  sullerings  and  hard  treatment  here  will  excuse  them  here&tler, — 

"  To  work  hard,  live  hard,  die  hard,  and  go  to  hell  after  all,  would 
be  hard  indeed f''  Our  cook,  a  simple  hearted  old  African,  who  had 
been  through  a  good  deal  in  his  day,  and  was  seriously  inclined,  always 
going  to  church  twice  a  day  when  on  shore,  and  reading  his  Bible  on  a 
Sunday  in  the  galley,  talked  to  the  crew  about  spending  their  Sabbaths 
badly,  and  told  them  that  they  might  go  as  suddenly  as  George  had,  and 
bo  as  little  prepared. 

Yet  a  sailor's  life  is  at  best  but  a  mixture  of  a  little  good  with  much 
evil,  and  a  little  pleasure  with  much  pain.  The  beautiful  is  linked  with 
tho  revolting,  the  sublime  with  the  common-place,  and  the  solemn  with 
the  ludicrous. 

We  had  hardly  returned  on  board  with  our  sad  report,  before  an 
auction  was  held  of  the  poor  man's  clothes.  The  captain  had  first, 
however,  called  all  hands  aft  and  asked  them  if  they  were  satisfied 
that  everything  had  been  done  to  save  the  man,  and  if  they  thought 
there  was  any  use  in  remaining  there  any  longer.  The  crew  all  said 
that  it  was  in  vain,  for  the  man  did  not  know  how  to  swim,  and  was  very 
heavily  dressed.     So  we  filled  away  and  kept  her  oft"  to  her  course. 

The  laws  regulating  navigation  make  the  captain  answerable  for  the 
effects  of  a  sailor  who  dies  during  the  voyage,  and  it  is  either  a  law  or 
universal  custom,  established  for  convenience,  that  the  captain  should 
immediately  hold  an  auction  of  his  things,  in  which  they  are  bid  off  by 
the  sailors,  and  the  sums  wnich  \i\ey  give  are  deducted  from  their  wages 
at  the  end  of  the  voyage. 

In  this  way  the  trouble  and  risk  of  keeping  his  things  through  the 
voyage  are  avoided,  and  the  clothes  are  usually  sold  for  more  than  they 
would  be  worth  on  shore.  Accordingly,  we  had  no  sooner  got  the  ship 
before  the  wind,  than  his  chest  was  brought  up  upon  the  forecastle;  and 
the  sale  began.  The  jackets  and  trowsers  in  which  we  iiad  seen  hirti 
dressed  but  a  few  days  before,  were  exposed  and  bid  off  while  the  life 
was  hardly  out  of  his  body,  and  his  chest  was  taken  aft  and  used  as  a 
store-chest,  so  that  there  was  nothing  left  that  could  be  called  his. 
Sailors  have  an  unwillingness  to  wear  a  dead  man's  clothes  during  the 
same  voyage,  and  they  seldom  do  unless  they  are  in  absolute  want. 

As  is  usual  after  a  death,  many  stories  -.vcre  told  about  George.  Some 
heard  him  say  that  he  repented  never  having  learned  to  swim,  and  that 
he  knew  that  he  should  meet  his  death  by  drowning.  Another  said  that 
he  never  knew  any  good  to  come  of  a  voyage  made  against  the 
will,  and  the  deceased  man  shipped  and  spent  his  advance,  and  was 
afterward  very  unwilling  to  go,  but  not  being  able  to  refund,  was  obliged 
to  sail  with  us.  A  boy,  too,  who  had  become  quite  attached  to  him  said 
that  George  talked  to  him  during  most  of  the  watch  on  the  night  before, 
about  his  mother  and  family  at  home,  and  this  was  the  first  time  that  he 
had  mentioned  the  subject  during  the  voyage. 


His  cruise  is  up 
a  pood  shipmato." 
Id,  for  sailors  arp 
TO  unfixed  and  at 
the  poor  fellow," 
;ems  to  imply  that 
them  heretaier, — 
II  after  all,  xcoxtld 
African,  who  had 
ly  inclined,  always 
ling  his  Bible  on  a 
ing  their  Sabbaths 
s  George  had,  and 

c  good  with  much 
tiful  is  linked  with 
d  the  solemn  with 

report,  before  an 
captain  had  first, 
ley  were  satisfied 
d  if  they  thought 
rhe  crew  all  said 
wim,  and  was  very 
to  her  course, 
answerable  for  the 
is  either  a  law  or 
he  captain  should 
hey  are  bid  off  by 
i  from  their  wages 

hings  through  the 
or  more  than  they 
Doner  got  the  ship 
he  forecastle;  and 
we  iiad  seen  hirti 
I  off  while  the  life 
aft  and  used  as  a 
lid  be  called  his. 
[;Iothes  during  the 
bsolutc  want, 
ut  George.  Some 
to  swim,  and  that 
Another  said  that 
made  against  the 
advance,  and  was 
;fund,  was  obliged 
tached  to  him  said 
n  the  night  before, 
e  first  time  that  he 


NARRATIVE 


OF       THE 


MUTINY  ON  THE   SOMERS, 


\    WIO   0»  WA«   IN   THI  AMERICAN    NAVAL   8KRV1CK,    AtEXANOWl  SLIDELL   XAOEBMUB 
OOMMANPKR  ;    ANP    Or   TBS 


EXECUTION  OF  SPENCER,  CROMWELL,  AND  SMALL. 


The  United  States  brig-of-war  "Soiners"  sailed  from  Now  York 
on  the  twelfth  of  September,  1842,  witii  dispatches  for  tlie  United  States 
sloop-of-wiir "  Vandalia,"  at  liiburia,  on  the  coast  of  Africa.  The  Somers 
had  on  board  A.  S.  Mackenzie,  commander,  with  seven  ofliccrs  in  the 
steerage,  and  four  in  the  wardroom,  making  in  all  twelve;  together  with 
twelve  petty  officers — four  rated  as  seamen;  nine  ordinary  seamen,  si.x 
landsmen,  and  sev.enty-four  apprentices,  rated  as  boys. 

Early  in  October  the  brig  arrived  at  Madeira,  and  from  thence  pro- 
ceeded, according  to  orders,  via  Teneriffe,  and  Porto  Prayo,  to  Liberia. 
But,  upon  arriving  there,  the  commander  learned  that  the  Vandalia  had 
sailed,  on  the  fifth  of  October,  for  the  United  Slates.  The  dispatches 
with  which  he  was  entrusted,  being  thus  rendered  of  no  use,  were  left 
with  the  United  States  agent.  On  the  eleventh  of  November,  Captain 
Mackenzie  sailed  for  the  United  States  by  the  way  of  St.  Thomas,  where 
he  thought  it  would  be  necessary  to  take  in  a  supply  of  bread,  water,  and 
other  refreshments. 

"On  Saturday,  the  twenty-fifth  of  November,"  states  Captain  Mackenzie, 
••  Lieutenant  Gausevoort  came  into  the  cabin  and  informed  me  that  he 
had  learned  from  Mr.  Wales  that  a  conspiracy  existed  on  board  to  capture 
the  vessel,  murder  the  captain,  bring  over  as  many  of  the  crew  as  possible, 
murder  the  rest,  and  convert  the  vessel  into  a  pirate;  and  that  Midship- 
man Spencer,  [a  son  of  the  Honorable  John  C.  Spencer,  United  Slates 
Secretary  of  War,]  was  at  the  head  of  the  conspiracy.  This,  Lieutenant 
G.said,  had  been  told  him  by  Mr.  Wales,  whose  narrative  was  as  follows: — 
On  the  night  of  the  —  of  November,  betwen  six  and  eight  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  Wales  said  he  was  roused  by  Spencer,  who  asked  him  to  go  upon 
the  booms,  as  he  had  something  to  say  tc  him.  He  got  up,  and,  upon 
arriving  at  the  booms,  he  was  asked  by  Spencer,  'Do  you  fear  death? 
do  you  fear  a  dead  man?  do  you  fear  to  kill  a  man?'  Wales,  with  ad- 
mirable coolness,  induced  Spencer  to  go  on,  took  the  oath  of  secrecy, 
and  entered  into  all  his  plans.  Spencer  told  him  that  he  had  about 
twenty  men  in  his  plot;  that  they  would  easily  get  posses.sion  of  the  ship, 
murder  the  conmander  and  oflBcers,  and  commence  pir.icy.  He  gave 
V?ales  all  the  details  of  his  plan,  which  were  admirably  suited  for  hi.'< 
purpose,  and  arranged  much  better,  Mr.  Wales  said,  than  he  could  have 
done  it  himself.  As  an  inducement  to  embark  in  the  enterprise,  Spenc»r 
said  that  a  large  box  of  wine  on  board  contained  a  large  amount  of  gold 
and  other  treasure.     Spencer's  object  was  to  go  to  the  Isle  of  Pines,  wh«;re 

(591) 


1: 


692 


MUTINT  ON  THE  S0MER8. 


one  of  his  associates,  who  had  been  a  pirate  before,  had  n  confederate 
lie  said  ho  woiihi  nttack  no  vessels  that  he  could  not  capture,  and  would 
destroy  all  that  ho  captured ;  that  he  would  select  from  Ihein  such  ftmalcf 
aa  were  proper,  use  them,  and  then  dispose  of  them;  that  he  had  all  tlu' 
details  of  the  plan  drawn  out  on  paper,  which  was  in  the  back  of  hi.« 
cravat.  lie  showed  money  to  Mr.  Wales,  and,  before  separating,  threat- 
ened him  with  instant  death  if  he  ever  revealed  what  he  had  told  him." 
Such,  says  Captain  Mackenzie,  was  the  purjwrt  of  the  information  which 
I  received  from  Lieutenant  Gansevoort. 

Captain  M.  further  said,  that  to  him  the  whole  affair  seemed  so  mon- 
strous that  he  at  first  treated  it  with  ridicule,  believing  that  Spencer  had 
been  amusing  himself  and  Wales  with  some  story  of  piracy  he  had  learned 
from  some  novel  or  tale  of  murder;  still  he  (Captain  M.)  could  not  help 
feeling  that  it  was  sporting  with  a  serious  subject,  and  he  resolvi  d  to 
be  on  his  guard  and  watch  closely  the  movements  of  Spencer.  During 
that  day  Spencer  was  much  in  the  wardroom,  examining  a  chart  of  the 
West  Indies,  and  made  some  inijuiries  in  regard  to  the  Isle  of  Pines; 
he  passed  the  day  sullenly,  and  was  often  observed  to  be  looking  over 
a  paper  and  writing  with  a  pencil.  He  was  frequently  seen  engaged 
in  holding  secret  conferences  with  Cromwell  and  Small,  and  was  known  to 
have  given  money  to  different  persons  of  the  crew.  lie  had  also  incited 
the  steward  to  steal  brandy,  which  ho  had  given  to  some  of  the  men,  and 
with  which  he  had  once  or  twice  got  drunk  himself. 

Spencer  had  the  faculty  of  throwing  his  lower  jaw  out  of  joint,  and 
thus  playing  with  it  a  variety  of  musicr"  airs;  and  he  was  repeatedly  found 
to  be  thus  amusing  the  crew.  In  his  intercourse  with  Captain  Mackenzie 
{tide  Captain  M.^s  narrative,)  he  was  servile  to  the  last  degree;  but 
among  the  crew  he  was  loudly  and  blasphemously  vituperative  against 
him,  and  the  captain  was  informed  of  his  declaration  that  it  would  give 
him  pleasure  to  roll  him  overboard  from  the  round-top.  Captain  Mac- 
kenzie discovered  that  he  had  drawn  a  representation  of  a  black  flag,  and 
asked  members  of  the  crew  what  they  thought  of  it;  and  that  he  had 
oflen  said  the  vessel  co':ld  be  easily  taken. 

"These  things,"  continues  Captain  Mackenzie's  narrative,  "induced 
me  to  look  back  over  all  I  had  heard  or  observed  of  Spencer.  When  he 
first  reported  himself  to  me  for  duty  on  board  my  vessel,  I  gave  him  my 
hand  and  welcomed  him  on  board.  I  heard,  not  long  after,  that  he  had 
been  involved  in  difficulty  when  on  the  Brazil  station,  and  that  he  had 
been  dismissed  for  drunkenness.  Upon  hearing  this,  I  earnestly  desired 
his  removal  from  my  vessel — principally  on  account  of  the  young  men  I 
had  with  me ;  two  of  whom  were  connected  with  me  by  blood,  two  by 
alliance,  and  four  were  entrusted  to  my  especial  care.  The  circumstance 
of  his  connexion  with  a  high  and  distinguished  officer  of  the  Government, 
by  enhancing,  if  possible,  his  baseness,  increased  my  desire  to  get  rid 
of  him. 

"I  desired  Lieutenant  Gansevoort  to  state  to  Mr.  Spencer  that  if  he 
would  apply  to  Commodore  Perry  to  detach  him  from  the  Somers,  I  would 
second  his  application.  The  application  was  accordingly  made  and  I 
seconded  it,  earnestly  urging  that  it  might  be  granted  in  order  to  secure 
the  comfort  of  the  young  officers.  Commodore  Perry,  however,  declined 
to  detach  Midshipman  Spencer,  but  said  he  would  consent  to  detach 
Midshipman  Rogers.  I  could  not,  however,  consent  to  part  with  Mr. 
Rogers,  whom  I  had  long  known  to  be  an  accomplished  seaman,  a  gentU 
man,  and  an  officer  of  the  highest  attainments  both  in  and  beyond 


ind  a  confcdcratr 
iptiirc,  and  would 
hem  sudi  ftmalc!' 
ihat  he  hnd  all  tin' 
II  the  back  of  his" 
icparating,  thriat- 
hc  had  told  him." 
information  which 

r  scorned  bo  mon- 
that  Spencer  had 
icy  he  had  learned 
A.)  could  not  help 
d  he  resolved  to 
Spencer.  During 
ing  a  chart  of  the 
the  Isle  of  Pin(s; 
J  be  looking  over 
tly  seen  engaged 
and  was  known  to 
c  had  also  incited 
c  of  the  men,  and 

'  out  of  joint,  and 
i  repeatedly  found 
/aptain  Mackenzie 

lai?t  degree;  but 
tuperative  against 
thiit  it  would  give 
Captain  Mac- 
i"  a  black ^ag,  and 

and  that  he  had 

irrative,  •'  induced 

oncer.     When  he 

el,  I  gave  him  my 

after,  that  he  had 

and  that  he  had 

earnestly  desired 

the  young  men  I 

by  blood,  two  by 

The  circumstance 

"the  Government, 

desire  to  get  rid 

pencer  that  if  he 
e  Somers,  I  would 
ingly  made  and  1 
in  order  to  secure 
lowever,  declined 
consent  to  detach 

to  part  with  Mr. 

seaman,  agentlo- 
n  and  beyond  bi* 


IfUTINT  ON  THE  SOMERS. 


693 


proression.  The  Somers  accordingly  sailed  with  aevcn  in  the  steerage ; 
they  could  not  all  sit  down  together  at  the  table;  two  of  them  had  no 
lockers,  but  slept  upon  the  steerage  deck,  and  subjected  themselves  to 
considerable  inconvenience,  lo  all  which,  however,  they  readily  submitted 
without  the  slightest  murmur  or  complaint,  and  performed  every  duty 
which  fell  to  them,  to  the  perfect  satisfaction  of  all  the  officers. 

"  All  these  things  I  called  to  recollection,  and  endeavored  carefully  to 
review  the  whole  conduct  of  Spencer.  I  had  treated  him  precisely  as  I 
treated  other  midshipmen;  though  I  had,  perhaps, reproved  him  somewhat 
less  than  the  others  for  slight  deviations  from  the  strict  line  of  his  duty. 
This  arose  from  my  conviction  that  there  could  be  but  little  hope  of 
essentially  serving  one  who  had  proved  to  be  so  decidedly  his  own  enemy. 
I  observed  that  he  was  in  the  habit  of  associating  but  little  with  the  other 
officers,  but  that  he  was  continually  intimate  with  the  crew.  Ho  was 
oflen  in  the  habit  of  joking  with  them  and  smiling  whenever  he  met  them, 
with  a  smile  never  known  but  on  such  occasions;  and  I  had  frequently^ 
observed  in  him  a  strange  flashing  of  the  eye." 

Captain  Mackenzie  goes  on  to  say  that  he  observed  a  marked  feeling 
of  disrespect  toward  himself  and  other  officers  of  the  vessel,  which  seemed 
to  be  gaining  ground  daily.  Samuel  Crommell  seemed  especially  surly 
and  disobedient.  He  was  a  large  muscular  man,  and  apparently  of  a 
rough  and  vindictive  disposition.  When  the  vessel  first  sailed  from  New 
York  he  was  very  tyrannical  toward  the  apprentices,  having  no  conver- 
sation with  them,  and  keeping  aloof  from  ihem  altogether,  and  when  called 
upon  to  inflict  punishment,  he  would  strike  with  ail  his  might,  as  though 
it  was  pleasing  to  him  to  whip  them.  His  manner  toward  them  changed; 
he  endeavored  by  every  means  to  please  them,  would  laugh  and  joke  with 
them,  allowed  them  to  pull  him  about,  and  appeared  anxious  to  secure 
their  favor.  He  also  grew  negligent  in  his  duty,  evincing  no  desire, 
when  orders  were  given  him,  to  see  them  carried  out,  but  repeating  them 
lazily  to  the  men,  and  without  any  attempt  to  urge  their  execution.  His 
manner  at  times  was  disrespectful  to  the  officers  of  the  brig;  and  once, 
when  Captain  Mackenzie  asked  why  some  rigging  had  not  been  attended 
to,  he  burst  into  a  lit  of  rage  and  heaped  cuises  upon  the  commander  as 

soon  as  his  back  was  turned.     He  said  he  did  not  care  a about  the 

rigging;  that  Captain  Mackenzie  wanted  too  much  work  out  of  the  crew, 
and  he  wished  "the  commander  and  the  brig  farther  in  than  they 

were  out!''  Soon  aAer  the  brig  left  New  York,  he  told  Wales  that 
Spencer  had  given  him  915,  he  mentioned  no  purpose,  though  he  said 
something  about  its  being  a  "  pretty  good  present."  Spencer  also  drew 
from  $15  to  620  worth  of  tobacco  and  cigars  during  the  cruise,  which  he 
distributed  to  the  crew — the  tobacco  rather  to  the  boys  than  the  men. 
He  gave  Cromwell  a  bunch  or  two  of  cigars  at  one  time,  and  also  to  Small. 

Recalling  these  matters,  in  addition  to  what  had  been  revealed.  Captain 
Mackenzie  resolved  at  once  to  make  himself  sure  of  Spencer's  person. 
In  the  evening  he  gave  orders  to  Mr.  Perry,  his  clerk,  to  have  all  the 
officers  come  aft  upon  the  quarter-deck.  Midshipman  M.  C.  Perry  was 
ordered  to  take  the  wheel,  and  all  the  officers,  except  Mr.  Hays,  assem- 
bled on  the  starboard  of  the  after-deck.  Captain  Mackenzie  then  addressed 
Spencer : 

"  I  understand,  sir,  that  you  aspire  to  the  command  of  this  vessel t^* 

With  a  deferential  air  he  replied,  **  Oh,  no,  sir!" 

<*  Did  you  not,"  said  the  commander,  '<  tell  Mr.  Wales  that  you  had  a 
mutinous  project  on  foot — that  yov  intended  to  kill  the  commander  and 
88 


•/» 


M 


ti 


594 


MUTINY  ON  THE  80MEB8. 


deference   and 


the  officer!  of  the  Somnrs,  and  such  of  the  crow  ns  you  could  not  seduce 
to  your  plans,  and  to  enter  upon  a  course  of  piracy!*^ 

''  I  may  have  told  him  something  like  it,"  Spencer  replied,  but  it  wbh 
only  in  joke^ 

''You  admit,  then,  that  you  told  him  of  such  a  plan?" 

"  Yes,  sir,  but  it  was  all  in  joke." 

"  This,  sir,  you  must  know  is  joking  upon  a  forbidden  subject.  Thih 
joke,  sir,  may  cost  you  your  life.  Be  pleased  to  remove  your  neck 
handkerchief" 

Spencer  did  so.  Captain  Mackenzie  opened  it,  but  there  was  nothing 
in  it. 

"What  have  you  done  with  the  paper  that  was  in  it?" 

"  The  paper,"  he  said,  "  which  had  been  in  it,  contained  my  day's 
work;  and  I  destroyed  it." 

"  It  is  a  strange  place,  sir,  to  keep  your  accounts!" 

Spencer   acquiesced   with   an   air   of   the    greatest 
blandncss. 

Captain  Mackenzie  said  to  him:  "Your  design  was  to  make  yourself 
commander  of  this  vessel.  You  must  have  been  aware  that  you  could 
compass  it  only  by  passing  over  my  dead  body  and  over  the  dead  bodies 
of  all  the  officers  of  the  Somors.  You  had  laid  out  for  yourself,  sir,  a 
great  deal  to  do.     It  is  my  duty  to  confine  you." 

Turning  to  Lieutenant  Gansevoort,  Captain  Mackenzie  said,  "  Arrest 
Mr.  Spencer,  and  place  him  in  double  irons." 

Lieutenant  Gansevoort  stepped  forward  and  received  from  Mr.  Spencer 
his  sword.  Mr.  Spencer  was  then  ordered  to  sit  down:  he  did  so. 
Lieutenant  Gansevoort  was  directed  to  place  a  watch  over  Spencer,  and 
to  give  orders  to  put  him  to  instant  death  if  he  was  detected  in  speaking 
01  iiolding  any  communication  with  any  of  the  crew.  The  nature  of  these 
orders  was  told  to  Mr.  Spencer.  At  the  same  time  Lieutenant  G.  was 
directed  to  allow  him  every  possible  indulgence  consistent  with  his  safe 
keeping.  The  task  was  executed  by  Lieutenant  Gansevoort  with  the 
greatest  kindness  and  humanity.  While  he  watched  with  an  eagle  eye 
over  all  his  movements,  and  was  ready  at  a  moment's  warning  to  take  his 
life  upon  a  violation  of  those  conditions  on  which  his  safety  depended, 
he  attended  to  all  his  wants,  and  covered  him  with  his  own  garment  from 
the  squalls  of  rain  by  which  they  were  visited. 

The  officers  were  then  remanded  to  quarters ;  the  crew  and  batteries 
were  inspected,  the  orders  were  repeated,  and  the  retreat  was  beaten. 
The  officers  of  the  watch  were  all  directed  to  be  fully  armed  with  cut- 
lasses and  pistols,  with  rounds  of  ammunition,  and  everything  was  put  in 
order  for  the  night. 

On  searching  the  locker  of  Spencer,  a  razor  case  was  found  in  it,  which 
he  had  recently  drawn  from  the  purser.  On  opening  it,  there  was  no 
razor  within,  but  in  its  stead  a  piece  of  paper  in  which  was  rolled  another. 
On  the  inner  paper  was  written  a  string  of  characters,  afterward  found  to 
be  Greek  letters,  with  which  Spencer  was  known  to  be  familiar.  It 
fortunately  happened  that  there  was  on  board  another  individual  who  was 
well  acquainted  with  the  Greek— one  whose  knowledge  of  this,  as  of 
everything  else,  was  devoted  wholly  to  the  service  of  his  country.  The 
Greek  characters,  on  being  converted  into  our  own  language  by  Mr.  Henry 
Rogers,  proved  to  contain  the  plan  for  the  proposed  mutiny.  There  was 
a  list  of  the  different  members  of  the  crew,  some  of  whom  were  marked 
certain,  and  others  doubtful;  some  were  marked  to  be  kept  at  all  events, 


could  not  seduce 
jplicd,  but  it  WBH 


n  subject.  Thih 
move  your  neck 

lere  was  nothing 
itainod  my  day^s 

deference   and 

0  make  yourself 
B  that  you  could 
-  the  dead  bodies 
ir  yourself,  sir,  a 

sie  said,  "  Arrest 

from  Mr.  Spencer 
}wn:  he  did  so. 
ver  Spencer,  and 
ectod  in  speaking 
le  nature  of  these 
ieutcnant  G.  was 
tent  with  his  safe 
isevoort  with  the 
vith  an  eagle  eye 
irning  to  take  his 
safety  depended, 
wn  garment  from 

rew  and  batteries 
treat  was  beaten. 
'  armed  with  cut- 
ything  was  put  in 

found  in  it,  which 
[  it,  there  was  no 
as  rolled  another, 
fterward  found  to 

1  be  familiar.  It 
idividualwho  was 
Ige  of  this,  as  of 
lis  country.  The 
age  by  Mr.  Henry 
tiny.  There  was 
torn  were  marked 
kept  at  all  events. 


MUTINY  ON  THE  SOMERS. 


m 


and  others  to  bo  destroyed.  Those  were  designated  who  were  to  do 
the  work  of  murder  in  tlio  various  apartments;  others  wore  to  open  the 
arm-chest,  and  the  stations  of  all  wore  assigned. 

Tilt;  Coiiowing  day  was  Sunday,  and  all  were  to  be  insperlod  at  ten 
o'clock.  Captain  Mackenzie  took  his  station  aft,  for  the  purpose  of  ob- 
serving CromWcll  and  Small,  as  they  should  come  along  on  ihr  f|uart<r- 
deck.  The  persons  of  both  were  faultlessly  clean  and  neat.  Cromwell 
stood  up  to  his  full  stature,  carrying  his  battle-ax  firmly  and  steadily; 
his  cheeks  pale,  but  his  eyes  fixed  to  starboard.  1I«>  wore  a  determined 
and  dangerous  air.  Small  presented  a  very  different  figure.  His  appear- 
ance was  ghastly,  his  manner  uneasy;  he  shifted  his  weight  from  side  to 
side,  and  his  battle-ax  from  hand  to  hand.  His  eye  was  never  for  a 
moment  fixed,  but  always  averted  from  Captain  Mackenzie.  "  I  then 
attributed  his  conduct  to  fear,"  says  the  captain,  "  though  I  now  believe 
the  business  upon  which  he  had  entered  was  repugnant  to  his  nature, 
but  that  liis  love  for  money  and  rum  was  too  strong  for  his  fidelity." 
Five  bells,  or  ten  o'clock,  was  the  time  for  divine  service.  The  roll  was 
called — crew  all  present — unusually  attentive,  and  their  responses  more 
than  ordinarily  full  and  audible.  In  the  afternoon  the  sky-sails  and  stud- 
ding-sails were  set.  Gazely,  one  of  the  best  of  the  apprentices,  was 
sent  aloft  on  the  royal  yard  to  make  some  alteration  in  the  rigging.  At 
once  a  sudden  jerk  was  given  to  the  brace  by  Small  and  another,  who 
has  not  been  discovered,  and  the  fore-topmast,  with  the  topsail,  gallant 
stay-sail,  and  head  gaff-topsail,  came  down.  Captain  Mackenzie  says, 
'•  i  scarcely  dared  to  look  to  see  the  spot  where  the  boy  should  fall.  The 
next  moment  his  shadow  appeared  at  the  mast-head,  and  I  presently  dis- 
covered him  examining  with  admirable  coolness  what  was  to  be  done. 

I  did  not  dare  to  believe  this  carrying  away  of  the  topmast  the  work 
of  treachery;  but  I  know  that  an  occasion  of  this  sort,  such  as  the  loss 
of  the  boy,  which  should  create  confusion,  and  interrupt  the  duty  of  the 
officers,  would  be  sought  by  them,  if  they  were  bent  on  the  prosecution 
of  the  enterprise.  All  possible  measures  were  taken  to  prevent  confusion. 
The  rigging  was  immediately  restored  and  the  sails  bent  afresh.  Every 
member  of  the  crew  was  employed,  and  all  things  were  made  to  go  on 
with  regularity.  To  my  astonishment,  upon  the  occurrence  of  this  dis- 
aster all  the  conspirators  who  were  named  in  the  programme  of  Spencer, 
no  naatler  in  what  part  of  the  vessel  they  were  engaged  at  the  time,  im- 
mediately mustered  at  the  mainmast — whether  animated  by  some  new- 
born zeal  to  serve  their  country,  or  intending  to  carry  out  their  designs, 
1  cannot  say.  This  circumstance  at  once  confirmed  my  belief  in  the 
continued  existence  of  the  danger.  The  eye  of  Spencer  traveled  con- 
tinually to  the  mast-head,  and  he  cast  quick  and  stealthy  glances  about, 
as  he  had  not  done  before." 

The  wreck  was  soon  cleared  away  and  supper  piped.  After  supper 
the  same  persons  mustered  at  the  mast-head,  and  the  sails  were  set. 
After  quarters  they  dispersed.  Still  Captain  M.  did  not  think  it  safe  to 
leave  Cromwell  at  liberty  during  the  night,  which  was  emphatically  the 
season  of  danger.  After  consulting  with  Lieutenant  Gansevoort,  he 
determined  to  arrest  Cromwell.  An  officer  was  sent  to  guard  the  rigging. 
As  soon  as  Cromwell  came  upon  the  Jacob's  ladder,  Lieutenant  Ganse- 
voort met  him,  cocked  his  pistol  and  pointed  it  at  him,  and  when  he  got 
on  deck  told  him  that  the  captain  wanted  to  see  him.  When  he  came  tO' 
where  Captain  M.  stood,  he  was  commanded  to  sit  down.  The  captain 
interrogated  him  about  the  conversation  he  had  had  with  Spencer.    He  said-j. 


-— ---irvEats^ftSBW**^  . 


k 


500 


MUTINY  ON  THE  S01IKR8. 


"  It  waH  not  inf,  »\t;  it  wm  Hmnll."  (rromwoll  wnn  the  tnllost  man  on 
board  nnd  Smnll  tlir  nhorlcHt.)  Cromwell  was  iinniodinloly  put  in  irona. 
Siiiall,  hniii;;  iIiiik  RcciiHfd  ity  nn  ainociiitc,  wrh  ordered  before  the 
captain. 

"  S|K<ii(MT  liaH  talked  with  you  about  the  plot?"  flui<i  thn  captain. 
Minull  iu-(|iiir.sc('d.  He  wax  then  ironed,  and  ^riven  to  understand  that 
ho  would  lio  confined  at  the  othetH  were,  brought  lionie,  and  tried. 
The  utmost  vigilance  was  then  enjoined  upon  the  olhcers.  All  were 
armed,  and  either  Lieutenant  (iansevoort  or  Captain  Mackenzie  wai 
constantly  on  deck. 

The  next  mornint;,  which  was  Monday,  the  twenty-sixth  of  November, 
two  crimes  of  considerable  mn^nitmle  came  to  light.  One  of  the  Men 
had  l)een  delected  in  stealing  from  a  boat,  and  the  stewiird  had  stolen 
montiy  and  given  some  of  it  to  Spencer.  This  was  no  time  to  relax  the 
discipline  of  the  ship,  and  l)Oth  the  men  were  punished  to  the  extent  of 
the  law.  It  was  soon  aflor  found  that  a  man  named  U'altham  hnd  told 
M'Kinley  where  three  bottles  of  wine  wore  placed,  and  olfered  them  to 
him.  M'Kinley  was  stationed  near  the  arm-chest  and  reported  this  to 
the  first  lieutenant.  Punishment  of  Waltham,  however,  was  postponed 
till  the  next  day.  Punishnnent  of  the  other  two  being  over,  the  com- 
mander deemed  it  a  fit  opportunity  to  make  an  impression  upon  the  crew. 
Ho  had  good  reason  to  think  that  the  danger  of  the  conspiracy  was  not 
over;  he  believed  that  a  majority  of  the  crew  might  be  said  to  be  in 
general  disaflTccted,  and  disposed  to  resist  discipline.  Some  mysterious 
agency  had  evidently  been  at  work  since  the  departure  of  the  Somers 
from  New  York,  and  this  was  now  disclosed. 

Captain  Mackenzie  explained  to  the  crow  the  general  nature  of 
Spencer's  plot,  and  the  atrocious  character  of  the  designs  he  had  formed. 
Ho  took  especial  care  not  to  betray  a  suspicion  that  he  tho<  :.'ht  any 
particular  one  of  them  was  deeply  implicated,  but  exhorted  all  of  them 
to  repent  of  their  intentions  and  attend  faithfully  to  their  duty.  Ho  took 
good  care  to  assure  them  that  the  majority  of  the  crew  must  at  all  events 
sh^re  the  fate  of  the  officers.  He  strove  to  divert  their  minds  from  the  pic- 
tures of  successful  vice  which  Spencer  had  presented  to  them.  He  brought 
up  before  them  images  of  friends  at  home;  he  endeavored  to  impress 
upon  their  minds  the  endearing  nature  of  those  ties  of  kindred  from  which 
Spencer  had  sought  to  sever  them  forever,  and  expressed  the  hope 
that  within  three  weeks  they  should  all  be  again  among  their  friends. 
He  thanked  God  that  he  had  provided  them  all  with  dear  friends  who 
were  deeply  interested  in  their  welfare,  and  that  they  had  the  prospect 
of  80  soon  being  once  more  among  them. 

The  effect  of  his  address  upon  them  was  various.  Many  of  them 
seemed  delighted  at  their  narrow  delivery,  and  others  seemed  struck 
with  horror  at  the  thotight  of  the  terrible  danger  they  had  f>.  aped. 
Some  seemed  overwhelmed  with  terror  at  the  anticipation  of  punishment 
that  awaited  them.  Others  were  overcome  bythoughtsof  returning  home, 
and  wept  profusely  at  the  mention  of  the  fViends  they  hoped  sc  soon  to 
see.  Ho  could  not  help  believing  that  all  the  crew  were  now  tranquil, 
and  that  the  vessel  was  again  safe.  Having  observed  that  Spencer  was 
endeavoring  to  hold  intelligence  with  some  of  them,  he  directed  the 
faces  of  all  the  prisoners  to  be  turned  aft,  and  that  no  tobacco  should  be 
allowed  them  when  the  supply  they  had  upon  their  persi  as  at  the  time 
of  their  arrest  should  be  exhausted.  He  told  them  that  he  would  see 
thtt  they  h»d  everything  necesstrj  for  their  comfort;  that  each  should 


i 


a 


k 

1 


^«6«t*«KW-.  .i—^'^ 


tnllflot  man  on 
ly  put  in  irons, 
oil   before  the 

n  rnptnin. 
iindfrgtnnd  that 
iiiH!,  and  tried, 
crs.     All  were 
Vlackcnzio  was 

h  of  Novrmbrr, 
>no  of  til'!  Mcn 
mrd  had  stolen 
iriK!  to  relax  the 
to  the  extent  of 
ilthatn  had  told 
ollorcd  th«m  to 
reported  this  to 
was  postponed 
over,  the  com- 
n  upon  the  crew. 
iHpiracy  was  not 

0  said  to  be  in 
ome  mysterious 
)  of  the  Somcrs 

icral  nature  of 
i  he  had  formed, 
he  tho'  I'ht  any 
irtcd  all  of  them 

duty.  He  took 
lust  at  all  events 
rids  from  the  pic- 
em.  He  brought 
rored  to  impress 
dred  from  which 
ressed  the  hope 
ig  their  friends. 

ear  friends  who 
had  the  prospect 

Many  of  them 

1  seemed  struck 
ey  had  (h>  aped. 
m  of  punishment 

relurning  home, 
hoped  sc  soon  to 
)re  now  tranquil, 
that  Spencer  was 

he  directed  the 
jba'-co  should  be 
T8<  iS  at  the  time 
lat  he  would  see 
til  at  each  should 


MUTINY  ON  THE  HOMERS. 


597 


have  his  ration;  that  thny  should  ho  abundantly  supplied  with  everything 
nceossary  for  tlinir  health  and  convenience.  Uut  hn  told  thorn  that  tobacco 
was  only  a  Htimiilant,  and  that,  as  ho  wished  their  minds  to  become  as 
quiet  and  tran(|uil  as  poasiblo,  ho  could  not  allow  them  to  use  it. 

The  day  after  Spencer's  tobacco  was  stopped,  his  spirit  gave  wny.  He 
would  sit  for  a  long  time  with  bis  face  buried  in  his  cloak,  and  when  he 
raised  his  head,  his  face  was  bathed  in  tears.  Ho  was  touched  by  tho 
kind  atttMition  of  Mr.  (lanscvoort.  Ho  told  him  that  he  was  not  then  in 
a  state  to  speak  of  anything,  but  that  he  would  tho  next  day  toll  him  all- 
would  answer  any  question  that  might  be  put  to  him. 

On  Tuesday,  after  quarters,  all  hands  were  again  called  to  witness 
punishment,  and  Waltham  was  punished  to  tho  extent  of  tho  law,  for 
ofl'cring  three  Iwttlcs  of  wine  to  M'Kinloy.  Captain  Mackenzie  then 
spoke  to  the  crew  of  the  noccssity  of  conforming  in  all  particulars  to  the 
orders  of  tho  vessel,  which  were  known.  Ho  told  them  that  every  pun- 
ishment on  board  must  be  made  known  tutho  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and 
that  tho  loss  thoy  were  in  amount,  tho  greater  would  bu  tho  credit  that 
would  attach  to  tho  commander  and  crow. 

But  iio  soon  discovered  that  the  whole  crow  wore  far  from  tranquil. 
They  collected  in  knots  upon  the  deck — seditious  words  wero  heard  among 
thom — and  thoy  assumed  an  insolitnt  and  menacing  tone.  Some  of  the  petty 
otficers  wero  examined  and  found  to  bo  true  to  thu  colors,  but  there  was 
reason  to  fear  that  on  that  very  night  a  rescue  would  be  attempted.  The 
commander  obtained  from  time  to  time  intelligence  of  various  conferences 
among  the  disafToctcd;  and  individuals  not  before  supposed  to  bo  deeply 
implicated,  wore  now  found  in  cioso   association  with  tiioso  who  wore. 

During  tho  first  watch,  while  Midshipman  Perry  had  charge  of  tho 
deck,  the  boon-tackle  was  carried  awoy.  Tho  ofticer  of  the  deck  told  the 
boy  at  tho  wheel  to  get  hold  of  the  weathor-sheot,  and  sung  out  "Some 
of  you  come  ail.'*  In  similar  cases,  it  had  boforo  been  difficult  to  get 
enough  aft  to  do  the  duty  required,  but  now  some  fifteen  or  eighteen 
rushed  aft;  three  were  ordered  to  remain  and  tho  rest  to  go  forward. 
Throughout  tlie  vessel  there  was  strong  evidence  of  an  intention  to  attempt 
a  rescue.  Tho  men  talked  together  in  an  under  tone.  In  the  morning, 
while  the  crow  wero  holystoning  the  deck,  Wales  being  officer  in  charge 
of  tho  prisoners,  observed  signs  passing  between  Spencer,  Wilson  and 
M'Kinley;  they  put  their  hands  to  their  chins,  and  Cromwell,  who  was 
lying  on  the  arm-chest,  rose  up.  Wales  told  him  that  his  orders  were 
to  shoot  him  down  if  he  made  the  least  attempt  to  escape,  and  he  should 
do  so  if  he  did  not  lie  still.  Ho  then  lay  down.  Wales  then  went  back, 
with  his  pistol  cocked,  to  the  launch,  where  Wilson  was  looking  about, 
and  found  that  ho  had  a  number  of  tho  holystones  out,  and  that  he  was 
taking  out  a  handspike.  Wales  told  him  if  he  saw  him  making  any 
further  signs  he  would  blow  his  brains  out.  He  said  nothing;  did  not 
put  the  handspike  back,  but  went  to  draw  some  water.  Wales  expressed 
his  fears  to  Commander  Mackenzie  and  the  first  lieutenant,  telling  them 
he  thought  it  dangerous  to  leave  the  holystones  about,  as  they  migh'  be 
offensively  used.  While  Spencer  was  in  irons,  near  the  battlc-ax  rack, 
he  was  observed  trying  how  he  could  work  an  ax  with  his  irons  on,  moving 
it  up  and  down.  After  this  was  told  to  the  first  lieutenant,  ho  told  it  to 
the  captain,  and  the  battle-axes  were  removed  to  the  arm-chest. 

Rendered  apprehensive  by  these  indications  upon  the  part  of  the  crew, 
the  commander  felt  more  anxious  than  he  had  before  done,  and  remained 
continually  oti  decl...     At  twelve  o'clock,  when  the  watch  was  called, 


598 


MUTINY  ON  THE  80MER8. 


M'Kinley,  Green,  and  others, aeriously  implicated,  missed  their  muster; 
they  could  not  be  asleep,  and  why  they  should  be  absent  just  a)  that  time, 
when  they  never  had  been  before,  was  not  easy  to  be  seen.  When  they 
appeared,  they  all  had  some  lame  excuse.  They  probably  had  agreed 
to  meet  at  the  time,  and  to  commence  some  act  of  violence.  Green  said 
ho  could  not  get  aft.  The  commander  rejected  his  excuse  with  an  ex- 
clamation of  impatience,  and  ordered  him  to  take  the  forward  look-out 
for  four  hours. 

"  At  four  o'clock  others  missed  their  muster,"  continues  the  narrative 
of  the  captain.  "I  heard  of  this  with  the  greatest  uneasiness.  Where, 
1  asked,  was  this  to  end?  If  the  men  upon  a  bright  night  like  this  seem 
mutinous  and  disposed  to  undertake  the  rescue  of  those  confined;  on  a 
bad  night,  in  a  storm,  in  the  midst  of  utter  darkness,  how  much  greater 
will  be  the  probability  of  a  rescue?  If  all  suspected  should  be  ironed, 
would  the  danger  be  over?  What  sympathy  might  not  be  felt  for  the 
prisoners?  These  matters  crowded  upon  my  mind.  I  considered  the 
imminent  peril  which  hung  over  the  lives  of  the  officers  and  crew;  I 
thought  of  the  seas  traversed  in  every  direction  by  merchantmen,  unarmed 
and  defenseless ;  I  thought  of  what  was  due  to  the  interests  of  commerce, 
to  the  safety  of  the  Ifves  of  thousands  upon  the  deep,  to  the  sanctity  of 
the  American  flag,  entrusted  to  my  care,  i.nd  to  my  own  honor.  All 
these  considerations  impressed  me  with  the  absolute  necessity  of  adopting 
.some  further  means  of  security  for  the  vessel  which  had  been  given  to 
my  charge. 

"  I  took  council  with  the  first  lieutenant,  and  was  fortified  in  my  pur- 
l>o.se3  by  finding  his  opinion  identical  with  my  own.  In  so  grave  a  case, 
involving  so  many  interests  and  such  high  responsibilities,  I  felt  desirous 
of  having  the  opinion  of  all  my  officers  upon  the  matter,  though  not  a 
shadow  of  doubt  remained  in  my  mind  of  the  guilt  of  the  prisoners,  should 
their  execution  be  deemed  necessary.  I  did  not  forget  that  the  officers 
were  still  boys,  and  that  all  the  responsibility  of  the  proceeding  must  rest 
upon  the  older  and  higher  officers.  Still  I  felt  desirous  to  have  their 
opinion,  and  accordingly  addressed  them  the  following  letter. 

"  U.  S.  Bkio  Sohers,  November  30tk,  1042. 

"  Gentlemen:  I  am  desirous  of  availing  myself  of  your  counsel  in  the 
very  responsible  position  in  which  I  find  myself  placed.  You  are  aware 
of  the  circumstances  which  resulted  in  the  confinement  of  Midshipman 
Spencer, of  Boatswain's-mate  Cromwell,  and  of  Seaman  Small;  and  I 
purposely  abstain  from  entering  into  details  concerning  them.  Neces- 
sarily ignorant,  as  I  am,  of  the  extent  of  disaffection  among  the  crew  who 
have  so  long  been  tampered  with,  and  knowing  the  suspicion  which 
attaches  to  some  of  the  crew  who  are  at  large,  I  address  you  and  ask 
your  united  counsel  as  to  the  best  course  now  to  be  pursued;  and  I  call 
upon  you  to  take  into  deliberate  and  dispassionate  consideiation,  the 
conduct  which  will  be  necessary  for  a  safe  continuance  of  the  remainder 
of  our  course,  and  to  enlighten  me  with  your  opinion  as  to  the  proper 
method  to  be  pursued. 

I  am,  your  obedient  servant, 

AxBX.  SuDBLL  Mackenzie, 

Commander. 

"Lieut.  Gansevoort,  and  others." 


'^^k-A^ftMtftek^  -  J«U»V.»4k^u>' 


^■■lh^,.^ha,4y.^^£l£.-  ^- 


MUTINY  ON  THE  80MER8. 


599 


isscd  their  muster; 
nt  just  a)  that  time, 
seen.  When  they 
obably  had  agreed 
lence.  Green  said 
excuse  with  an  ex- 
s  forward  look-out 

:inues  the  narrative 
easiness.  Where, 
light  like  this  seem 
lOse  confined;  on  a 
how  much  greater 
I  should  be  ironed, 
not  be  felt  for  the 
I  considered  the 
ficers  and  crew;  I 
:hantmen,  unarmed 
srests  of  commerce, 
),  to  the  sanctity  of 
y  own  honor.  All 
Bcessity  of  adopting 
had  been  given  to 

fortified  in  my  pur- 
In  so  grave  a  case, 
ities,  I  felt  desirous 
latter,  though  not  a 
le  prisoners,  should 
get  that  the  officers 
roceeding  must  rest 
jirous  to  have  their 
ig  letter. 

ber  30th,  1042. 

your  counsel  in  the 
;d.  You  are  aware 
lent  of  Midshipman 
iman  Small;  and  I 
ling  them.  Neces- 
inong  the  crew  who 
he  suspicion  which 
ddress  you  and  ask 
pursued;  and  I  call 
}  consideiation,  the 
ce  of  the  remainder 
ion  as  to  the  proper 

at, 

ACKENZIK, 

Commander. 


After  I  had  written  this  letter,  but  before  I  had  sent  it,  at  about  nine 
o'clock,  Wilson  being  foiled  in  his  attempt  to  get  up  an  outbreak  at  night, 
and  feeling  that  he  was  narrowly  watched  and  was  no  longer  lefl  at  liberty, 
came  forward  and  made  some  lame  and  worthless  confession,  and  re- 
quested that  he  might  not  be  put  in  irons.  I  told  him  that  if  he  had 
made  any  real  confession,  in  8ince''ty  and  truth,  he  should  not  be  molested ; 
but  that  it  was  an  insult  to  hii  o.ilcer  to  offer  him  so  lame  a  story  as  that 
he  had  told.  Nothing  mort  '•ould  be  got  out  of  him,  and  he  was 
immediately  put  in  irons. 

While  on  the  African  coast  i  knew  that  he  had  procured  an  extraor- 
dinary knife,  broad  in  the  middle,  and  running  to  a  point.  He  had  made 
it  very  sharp  on  both  sides.  It  was  a  singular  weapon,  of  no  use  except 
to  kill.  He  had  been  seen  also  the  day  before  sharpening  his  battle-ax 
with  a  file,  and  had  brought  one  part  of  it  to  an  edge.  This  Was  a  thing 
never  allowed  or  known  before  on  board.  M'Kinley  was  now  arrested. 
He  was  evidently  the  individual  in  every  way  the  most  formidable  of  all 
concerned. — M'Kee  was  also  put  in  irons.  They  were  made  to  sit  down  • 
and  "vhen  the  irons  were  put  on  I  walked  around  the  batteries,  followecf 
by  Lieutenant  Gansevoort,  and  made  a  careful  inspection. 

On  the  receipt  of  my  letter  the  officers  immediately  assembled  and 
entered  upon  the  examination  of  witnesses,  who  were  sworn  and  their 
testimony  written  down.  In  addition  to  this  each  witness  signed  the 
evidence  he  gave.  In  this  employment  the  officers  passed  the  whole  day 
without  interruption,  and  without  taking  the  least  food.  I  remained,  my- 
self, in  charge  of  the  deck.  The  officers  were  excused  from  watcii  duty, 
and  the  watches  were  so  arranged  that  two  in  succession  fell  to  me.  On 
the  first  of  December  the  first  lieutenant  presented  me  with  the  following 
letter: 

"U.  S.  Brig  Somers,  December  Ut,  1842. 
"Sir:  In  answer  to  your  letter  requiring  our  counsel  as  to  the  best 
course  to  be  pursued  with  regard  to  tiie  prisoners,  Sj)encer,  Cromwell 
and  Small,  we  have  the  honor  to  state,  that  the  evidence  which  has  come 
to  our  knowledge  afler  the  njost  careful,  deliberate  and  dispassionate 
consideration  which  the  exigency  would  allow,  is  of  such  a  nature  as  to 
call  for  the  most  decided  action.  We  are  convinced  that  in  the  existing 
state  of  things,  it  will  be  impossible  to  carry  the  prisoners  to  the  United 
States.  We  think  that  the  safety  of  our  lives,  and  honor  of  the  Hag  en- 
trusted to  our  charge,  require  that  the  prisoners  be  put  to  death,  as  the 
course  best  calculated  to  make  a  salutary  impression  upon  the  rest  of  the 
crew.  In  this  decision  we  trust  we  have  been  guided  by  our  duty  to  our 
God,  to  our  country,  and  to  the  service. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servants, 

LiECT.  Gan8£vo,ort,  and  others. 
"Com.  Mackenzie.'^ 

I  at  once  concurred  in  the  justice  of  this  opinion,  and  made  prepara- 
tions to  carry  the  recommendation  into  efiect.  Two  other  conspirators 
were  almost  as  guilty  as  the  three  singled  out  for  execution:  they  could 
be  kept  confined  without  extreme  danger  to  the  ultimate  safety  of  the 
vessel.  The  three  chief  mutineers  were  the  only  ones  capable  of  navi- 
gating and  sailing  the  vessel.     By  their  removal,  all  motive  to  capture 


K.«kV.)b...<»J«.v*«<DC.  '• 


,   -.«^-i 


!;i*(*»*jL^«**'-.».__«_^  . 


-.^.i-,.^,.N*,^ii-     ' 


-^«>*..llWi^i||,  >,ii.i,W  I 


600 


MUTINY  ON  THE  S0UER8. 


the  vessel  and  carry  out  their  original  design  would  be  at  once  taken 
away.  Their  lives  were  justly  forfeited,  and  the  interests  of  the  country, 
the  safety  of  the  sea,  and  the  honor  of  the  flag,  required  the  sacrifice. 
/n  the  necessity  of  my  position  I  found  my  law;  and  in  that  necessity 
I  trust  for  justijication.  I  thought  it  best  to  arm  the  petty  oflicers;  on 
this  point  only  the  first  lieutenant  difiered  from  me;  and  I  found  that  he 
was  of  the  same  opinion  with  some  of  the  petty  officers  themselves; — 
they  said  that  since  I  could  not  tell  whom  to  trust,  it  would  be  best  to 
trust  no  one.  I  made  up  my  mind,  and  judged  of  the  characters  whom 
I  could  trust,  and  determined  to  arm  them.  I  ordered  to  be  issued  to 
each  a  cutlass,  a  pistol,  and  cartridges.  I  ordered  preparation  also  to  be 
made  for  execution  of  the  three.  All  hands  were  called  to  witness 
punishment.  The  whips  were  arranged,  the  officers  were  stationed  about 
the  deck,  and  the  petty  officers  were  directed  to  cut  down  every  one  who 
should  let  go  his  whip  or  fail  to  haul  when  ordered. 

I  put  on  my  full  uniform,  came  on  deck,  and  proceeded  to  execute 
the  most  painful  duty  that  ever  devolved  upon  any  officer  in  the  American 
Navy — the  announcement  to  the  prisoners  of  the  fate  that  awaited  them. 
I  approached  Spencer  and  said  to  him.  You  were  about  to  take  my  life, 
Mr.  Spencer,  without  provocation,  without  cause  or  the  slightest  ofiense. 
You  intended  lo  kill  me  suddenly,  in  the  night,  while  I  was  buried  in 
sleep,  without  giving  me  a  single  moment  to  send  one  word  of  affection 
to  my  wife,  one  prayer  to  God  for  her  welfare.  Your  life  is  now  forfeited; 
and  the  necessity  of  the  case  compels  me  to  take  it.  I  do  not  intend, 
however,  to  imitate  you  in  the  mode  of  claiming  the  sacrifice.  If  there 
be  in  your  breast  one  feeling  true  to  nature,  you  will  be  grateful  for  the 
premature  di'sclosure  of  your  horrible  designs.  You  surely  ought  to  be 
thankful  that  you  have  been  prevented  from  the  terrible  deeds  you  medi- 
tated. If  you  have  any  word  to  send  to  your  father,  any  satisfaction  to 
express  to  him  that  you  were  not  allowed  to  become  a  pirate,  as  you 
ought  to  do,  you  will  have  ten  minutes  granted  in  which  to  write  it. 
Midshipman  Thompson  was  then  directed  to  note  the  time  and  inform 
us  when  it  had  expired. 

Spencer  seemed  overcome  with  emo'ijn.  He  tburst  into  a  flood  of 
tears,  sank  on  his  knees,  and  said  he  was  not  fit  to  die.  I  repeated  (o 
him  his  catechism,  and  begged  him  to  offer  sincere  prayers  for  the  divine 
forgiveness.  I  recommended  to  him  the  English  Prayer  Book,  assuring 
him  that  he  would  {ind  in  it  something  suited  to  all  his  necessities. 
Cromwell  fell  upon  his  knees,  protesting  his  innocence,  and  invoking  the 
name  of  his  wife.  Spencer  declared  that  Cromwell  was  innocent,  and 
begged  that  this  might  be  believed.  This,  I  confess,  staggered  me;  but 
the  evidence  of  his  guilt  was  conclusive.  Lieutenant  Gansevoort  said 
that  there  was  not  a  shadow  of  doubt  of  it. 

The  petty  officers  said  he  was  the  one  man  from  whom  real  appre- 
hension was  entertained.  He  was  at  first  the  accomplice  of  Spencer. 
and  was  then  urged  on  by  him,  and  had  been  by  him  turned  to  his  account. 
I  tried  to  show  him  how  Spencer  had  endeavored  to  use  him,  and  told 
Spencer  that  he  had  made  remarks  about  him  he  would  not  consider 
flattering.     He  expressed  great  anxiety  to  know  what  they  were.     I  told 

him  Cromwell  had  said  of  him  and  another  person  that  *  there  was  a 

fool  on  one  side,  and  a knave  on  the  other,'  and  told  him  that  Cromwell 

would  have  allowed  him  to  live  only  so  long  as  he  could  have  made  iiini 
useful  to  himself.  This  roused  him,  and  from  that  time  he  said  no  more 
of  CromwelPs  innocence. 


1 


>e  at  once  taken 
la  of  the  country, 
ed  the  sacrifice. 
in  that  necessity 
)etty  officers;  on 
1 1  found  that  he 
8  themselves; — 
vould  be  best  to 
characters  whom 
to  be  issued  to 
iration  also  to  be 
;allcd  to  witness 
D  stationed  about 
rn  every  one  who 

eded  to  execute 
in  the  American 
lat  awaited  them. 
it  to  taice  my  life, 
slightest  ofl'ense. 
>  I  was  buried  in 
word  of  aflfection 

is  now  forfeited; 
I  do  not  intend, 
crifice.  If  there 
e  grateful  for  the 
urely  ought  to  be 
deeds  you  medi- 
iny  satisfaction  to 
a  a  pirate,  as  you 
'hich  to  write   it. 

time  and  inform 

it  into  a  flood  of 
e.  I  repeated  (o 
ers  for  the  divine 
er  Book,  assuring 
1  his  necessities. 
,  and  invoking  the 
vaa  innocent,  and 
aggered  me;  but 
Gansevoort  said 

vhom  real  appre- 
plice  of  Spencer, 
led  to  his  account, 
ise  him,  and  told 
>uld  not  consider 
hey  were.     I  told 

*  there  wag  a 

him  that  Cromwell 
Id  have  made  iiini 
B  he  said  no  more 


MUTINY  ON  THE  SOMERS. 


601 


Subsequent  circumstances  made  me  believe  that  Spencer  wished  to 
save  him,  probably  from  the  hope  that  he  would  yet  get  possession  of  the 
ve.-isel  aiui  carry  out  his  original  design;  and,  perhaps,  that  Cromwell 
woiil.i  in  Home  way  effect  his  rescue.  He  endeavored,  at  the  same  time, 
to  persuade  me  that  Small  was  only  an  alias  for  some  one  else  on  his  list, 
though  this  was  proved  to  be  false.  Small  alone  was  the  one  we  had  set 
down  us  the  poltroon  of  the  three ;  yet  he  received  the  announcement 
of  his  fate  with  great  composure.  He  was  asked  what  preparation  he 
wished  to  make.  He  said  he  had  none :  '  Nobody  cares  for  me,'  said  he, 
•  but  my  poor  old  mother,  and  I  would  rather  she  would  not  know  what 
has  become  of  me.' 

I  returned  to  Spencer.  I  asked  him  what  message  he  had  to  send  to 
his  friends.  He  said, '  None.  Tell  them  that  I  die  wishing  them  every 
blessing  and  happiness.  I  doserve  death  for  this  and  my  other  crimes. 
There  are  few  crimes  I  have  not  committed.  I  am  sincerely  penitent  for 
them  all.  I  only  fear  my  repentance  is  too  late.'  I  asked  him  if  there 
was  any  one  whom  he  had  injured  to  whom  he  could  make  reparation — 
any  one  who  was  suffering  obloquy  on  his  account.  He  said,  'No;  but 
this  will  kill  my  poor  mother.'  I  did  not  know  before  that  he  had  a  mother, 
and  was  touched  by  his  allusion  to  her.  I  asked  him  if  it  would  not  have 
been  far  more  dreadful  if  he  had  succeeded  in  his  attempt — if  it  were 
not  much  better  to  die  as  he  would,  than  to  become  a  pirate  and  steep 
himself  so  terribly  in  blood  and  guilt.  He  said, '  I  do  not  know  what  would 
have  become  of  me  if  I  had  succeeded.' 

I  told  him  that  Cromwell  would  soon  have  made  away  with  him,  and 
that  M'Kinley  would  probably  have  destroyed  them  both.  He  said  he 
feared  this  would  injure  his  father.  Had  you  succeeded,  I  replied,  the 
injury  you  would  have  done  him  would  have  been  much  greater.  If  it 
had  been  possible  to  take  him  home,  as  I  first  intended,  I  told  him  that 
he  would  have  got  clear,  as  in  America  a  man  with  money  and  influential 
friends  would  always  be  cleared;*  that  the  course  I  was  taking  would 
injure  his  father  less  than  if  he  should  go  home  and  be  condemned,  yet 
again  escape.  He  said  that  he  had  attempted  the  same  thing  on  board 
the  John  Adams  and  the  Potomac,  but  had  been  unsuccessful.  He 
asked  if  I  had  not  exaggerated  the  danger.  I  told  him  No;  that  his 
attempts  to  corrupt  the  crew  had  been  too  widely  successful;  that  I  knew 
of  the  existence  of  the  conspiracy,  but  did  not  know  how  extensive  it  was. 
I  recapitulated  to  him  his  acts.  He  was  startled  when  I  told  him  of  his 
stealing  brandy.  He  admitted  the  justice  of  his  fate,  but  asked  me  if  I 
was  not  going  too  far  and  too  fast.  '  Does  the  law  justify  you?'  said  he. 
I  replied  that  his  opinion  was  not  unprejudiced;  that  I  had  consulted  all 
the  oflicers  and  they  had  given  ^heir  opinion  that  it  was  just — ^that  he 
deserved  death. 

He  asked  what  would  be  the  manner  of  his  death.  I  explained  it  to 
him.  He  requested  that  he  might  be  shot.  I  told  him  that  it  could  not 
be — that  he  must  be  hung.  He  admitted  that  it  was  just.  He  objected 
to  the  shortness  of  the  time,  and  requested  that  an  hour  might  be  given 
to  prepare.  I  made  no  answer  to  this,  but  allowed  much  more  than  the 
hour  he  asked  for  to  elapse.  He  requested  that  his  face  might  be  covered. 
I  granted  his  request  and  asked  him  what  it  should  be  covered  with. 
He  said  a  handkerchief.     In  his  locker  was  found  a  black  one,  which 

*  Perhaps  this  is  an  extreme  and  crroneoue  opinion,  and  not  just.  But  I  am  merely 
stating  facts — what  passed  on  the  occasion. 


-  teZ.J*»* . 


..  .-*.*i%.-»..MjSt*: 


■-  *  --as'j^iiC: ; 


602 


MUTINY  ON  THE  SOMERS. 


'ir. 


was  put  on  his  face.  Cromwell  and  Small  made  the  same  request,  and 
frocks  were   taken  from   their   lockers  with  v  hich   their   heads  were 

covered. 

Spencer  asked  for  a  Bible  and  Prayer  Book— they  were  given  to  him. 
He  said  '  I  am  a  believer — but  do  you  think  that  my  repentance  will  be 
accepted?'  I  called  to  his  mind  the  thief  on  the  cross,  and  told  him  that 
God's  mercies  were  equal  to  all  his  wants.  He  kneeled  down  an  J  read 
from  the  Prayer  Book,  and  asked  again  if  I  thought  his  repentance  would 
be  accepted,  saying  that  his  time  was  short.  I  told  him  &  d  not  only 
understood  his  case  hut  could  suit  his  grace  to  it.  He  begged  that  I 
would  forgive  him.  I  told  him  I  did,  most  sincerely  and  cordially,  and 
asked  him  if  I  had  done  anything  which  made  him  seek  my  life,  or 
whether  his  hatred  was  unfounded.  He  said  he  thought  it  was  only  fancy. 
'Perhaps,'  he  added,  'there  was  something  in  your  manner  which  ottended 
me.'  I  read  over  to  him  what  1  had  written  down.  He  wished  me  to 
alter  the  passage  in  wliich  I  said  that  he  'offered  as  an  excuse,^  that  he 
had  attempted  the  same  thing  on  the  John  Adams  and  Potomac.  He  only 
mentioned  it  as  a  fact,  ho  said. 

More  than  an  hour  had  now  elapsed.  Spencer,  as  he  met  Cromwell, 
paused  and  asked  to  see  Mr.  Wales.  As  he  passed  Cromwell,  he  said 
not  a  word  of  his  innocence,  nor  did  he  make  any  appeal  in  his  favor. 
Spencer  said,  '  Wales.  I  hope  you  will  forgive  me  for  tampering  with 
your  fidelity.'  Wales  replied,  overcome  with  emotion,  '  I  do  forgive  you 
from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  and  I  hope  God  will  forgive  you  also.' 
Wales  was  weeping;  and  Spencer,  in  passing,  met  Small  at  the  gangway. 
He  extended  his  hand  and  said, '  Small,  forgive  me  for  having  brought 

you    into    trouble.'      Small    answered,    '  No, Spencer,    I    cannot 

forgive  you.'  Spencer  repeated  his  request.  Small  said, '  How  can  you 
ask  that  of  me  after  having  brought  me  to  this?  We  shall  soon  be  before 
God,  and  shall  there  know  all  about  it.'  Spencer  said,  '  You  must  for- 
give me — I  cannot  die  witiiout  it.'  I  went  to  Small  and  asked  him  not 
to  cherish  any  resentment  at  such  a  time,  and  asked  him  to  forgive 
him.  He  relented — held  out  his  hand  to  Spencei-  and  said, '  I  do  forgive 
you — and  may  God  forgive  you  also.' 

Small  then  asked  my  forgiveness.  1  took  his  hand  and  expressed  my 
forgiveness  in  the  strongest  terms.  I  asked  him  what  I  had  done  that 
he  should  seek  my  life;  if  I  had  been  harsh  either  in  deed  or  word  to 
him.  He  exclaimed, '  What  have  you  done  to  me  ?  Nothing— but  treated 
me  like  a  man.'  I  told  him  of  the  high  responsibilities  under  which  I 
acted;  of  the  duty  I  owed  my  Government  and  the  ship  with  which  it  had 
entrusted  me;  of  his  offense  to  his  commander  and  the  boys  he  intended 
to  put  to  death;  and  of  the  high  duty. f  owed  to  the  flag  of  my  country. 
Right!  he  exclaimed;  'God  bless  that  flag  and  prosper  it!  Now,'  said 
he,  'give  me  a  quick  and  easy  death.'  Spencer  said  to  Lieutenant 
Gansevoort  that  his  courage  had  been  doubted;  but  he  wished  him  to  bear 
witness  that  he  died  like  a  brave  man. 

He  asked  what  would  be  the  signal  for  his  execution.  I  told  him  that 
I  was  desirous  of  hoisting  colors  at  the  instant,  to  show  that  the  flag  of  the 
Somers  was  fixed  at  the  mast-head;  and  that  I  intended  to  beat  tie  call 
to  hoist  colors  and  then  roll  off";  and  at  the  third  roll  a  gun  would  bo  fired 
as  the  signal.  He  asked  leave  to  give  the  signal.  I  at  onco  acceded. 
He  asked  if  it  was  the  gun  under  him.  I  told  him  it  was  but  one  removed. 
He  asked  if  it  would  be  fired  by  a  lock  and  wafer.  1  was  told  that  pre- 
parations had  been  made  to  fire  it  with  a  match;-  and  immediately  ordered 


sr:lif  11  .  ,-.».— 


n ;  3ia>6'*i*^Jm*^^m*iiH*'^r^ 


same  request,  and 
their   heads  were 

vere  given  to  him. 
epentancc  will  be 
,  and  told  him  that 
ed  down  and  read 

repentance  would 
liim  Gt'd  not  only 
He  begged  that  I 
and  cordially,  and 

seek  my  life,  or 
t  it  was  only  fancy, 
ler  which  oticnded 
He  wished  me  to 
m  excuse,''  that  he 
*otomac.     He  only 

he  met  Cromwell, 
Cromwell,  he  said 
ppeal  iu  his  favor, 
ibr  tampering  with 
,  '  I  do  forgive  you 
forgive  you  also.' 
all  at  the  gangway, 
or  having  brought 
Ipencer,  I  cannot 
aid, '  How  can  you 
ihH  soon  be  before 
d,  '  You  must  for- 
nd  asked  him  not 
ed  him  to  forgive 
said, '  I  do  forgive 

and  expressed  my 
lat  I  had  done  that 
in  deed  or  word  to 
rthing — but  treated 
;ies  under  which  I 
p  with  which  it  had 
e  boys  he  intended 
lag  of  my  country. 
)er  it!  Now,'  said 
said  to  Lieutenant 

wished  him  to  bear 

>n.  I  told  him  that 
!  that  the  flag  of  the 
ed  to  beat  tLe  call 
gun  would  be  fired 
[  at  once  acceded. 
as  but  one  removed. 
I  was  told  that  pre- 
nmcdiatcly  ordered 


MUTINY  ON  THE  SOMERS. 


003 


a  supply  of  live  coals,  and  fresh  coals  to  bo  passed  constantly;  and  tlion 
assured  bim  that  there  should  be  no  delay.  The  time  was  now  wciiring 
away.  Small  requested  leave  to  address  the  crew.  Spencer  haviny  had 
leave  to  give  the  signal,  was  asked  if  he  would  give  Small  the  leave  ho 
asked.     lie  said  yes.     Small  then  said: 

^Shipmates  and  toptnates — Take  warning  by  my  example.  I  never 
killed  a  man,  but  only  said  that  I  would  do  it,  and  for  that  I  am  about  to 
die.  (ioing  in  a  Guineaman  [a  slaver]  brought  me  to  this.  Take  warning, 
and  never  go  iu  a  Guineaman.'  Turning  to  Spencer,  he  said,  'I  am 
ready  to  die;  are  you?' 

Cromwell's  last  words  were,  'Tell  my  wife  that  I  die  innocent;  I  die 
an  innocent  man.'  From  the  appearance  of  this  man  in  assuming  to  be 
innocent,  it  would  seem  that  Spencer  took  all  the  risk  of  the  affair,  and 
Cromwell  intended  to  profit  by  it. 

I  placed  myself  where  I  could  take  in  the  whole  deck  with  my  eye. 
No  word  was  given  by  Spencer.  He  finally  said  he  could  not  give  the 
word,  and  wished  me  to  do  it.  The  word  was  accordingly  given  and  the 
(execution  took  place. 

The  crew  were  ordered  all,  when  I  addressed  them.  I  called  their 
attention  to  the  fate  of  the  young  men  who  had  ju.st  been  hung  in  their 
presence.  I  spoke  of  the  digtinguished  social  position  Spencer  had  held 
at  homo,  and  held  up  before  them  the  career  of  usefulness  and  profes- 
sional honor  to  which  a  course  of  faithful  duty  would  have  raised  him. 
After  having  been  but  a  few  months  at  sec,  he  had  criminally  aspired 
to  supplant  me  in  a  command  I  had  earned  by  thirty  years'  faithful  service. 
Their  own  future  fortunes,  I  told  them,  were  within  their  own  control, 
I  opened  to  them  the  stations  of  respectability  and  of  future  honor  to 
which  they  might  rise,  but  told  them  it  could  only  be  step  by  step,  in  a 
regular  course.  I  called  their  attention  also  to  Cromwell's  course.  He 
iiad  received  a  handsome  education,  and  his  handwriting  was  even  elegant; 
but  he  had  also  failed  through  his  love  for  gold.  The  first  $16  he  had 
received  from  Spencer  had  bought  him,  and  the  hope  of  great  plunder 
iiad  secured  the  purchase.  An  anecdote  had  been  told  to  me  by  Collins 
of  Cromwell,  which  carried  its  own  moral  with  it,  and  which  I  desired 
Collins  to  repeat.  He  did  so:  he  told  them  that  he  once  went  to  India 
with  Cromwell,  and  that  they  took  on  board  there  a  keg  of  doubloons  for 
Mr.  Thorndike.  Collins  alone  knew  of  its  being  aboard,  and  kept  it  a 
secret  till  they  went  ashore.  He  then  told  Cromwell  of  it,  who  laughed 
at  him,  and  said  that  if  he  had  known  about  it,  he  would  have  run  away 
with  the  keg.'  I  told  the  crew  they  had  only  to  choose  between  the  two — 
Collins  and  Cromwell.  Small  also  had  been  brought  up  to  better  things, 
but  had  not  been  able  to  resist  temptation,  and  had  died  invoking  blessings 
on  the  flag  of  his  country. 

All  hands  were  then  called  to  cheer  ship,  and  gave  three  hearty  cheers. 
Three  heartier  cheers  never  went  up  from  the  deck  of  an  American  ship! 
In  that  electric  moment  I  verily  believe  the  purest  and  loftiest  patriotism 
burst  forth  from  the  breasts  even  of  the  worst  conspirators.  From  that 
Tiioment  I  felt  that  I  was  again  completely  master  of  my  vessel,  and  that 
I  could  do  with  her  whatever  the  honor  of  my  country  required. 

Dinner  was  piped,  and  1  noticed  with  feelings  of  pain  that  some  of  the 
boys,  as  they  passed  the  bodies,  laughed  and  sneered  at  them.  I  still 
desired  that  Spencer  should  be  buried  in  a  coflin,  and  gave  orders  to 
have  one  built.  But  Lieutenant  Gansevoort  offered  to  relinquish  a  mess 
chest  he  had,  for  that  purpose,  which  was  soon  converted  into  a  substantial 


-  .*«- j«*.;*.^-i«»-%- 


V'^^w 


mmc 


604 


MUTINY  ON  THE  SOMERS. 


coffin.  The  watch  was  set,  and  the  bodies  were  lowered.  They  were 
received  by  their  messmates,  to  be  decently  laid  out  for  burial.  The 
midsiiipmen  assisted  in  the  duty.  Spencer  was  laid  out  clothed  in  his 
complete  uniform,  except  his  sword,  which  he  had  forfeited  the  right  to 
wear.  I  noticed  that  upon  the  iiands  of  one  of  the  others  a  seaman  had 
tied  a  ribbon,  with  the  name  upon  it  of  that  Somers  who  so  distinguished 
himself  by  his  gallantry,  patriotism,  and  skill.  On  Cromwell's  face  a 
saber-cut  was  visible,  and  on  removing  his  hair  four  or  five  more  were 
discovered;  which  showed  that  he  had  been  where  wounds  were  given. 
He  was  said  to  have  been  in  a  slaver,  and  in  Moro  Castle  in  Havana; 
and  it  was  the  general  impression  that  he  had  been  a  pirate. 

A  squall  of  rain  soon  sprung  up,  which  rendered  it  necessary  to  cover 
the  bodies  with  tarpaulins.  They  were  arranged  according  to  their  rank, 
and  all  hands  were  called  to  bury  tiie  dor.d.  The  American  Ensign  was 
lowered  to  half-mast.  Night  had  now  set  in.  All  the  lamps  were  lit  and 
distributed  among  the  crew  and  placed  in  the  bows,  in  the  gangway,  and 
in  the  quarter  boat.  The  service  for  the  dead  was  read,  and  the  bodies 
were  committed  to  the  deep.  The  offices  were  closed  by  reading  that 
beautiful  prayer,  so  suitable  to  the  occasion, '  Preserve  us  from  the  dangers 
of  the  seas  and  the  violence  of  enemies.  Bless  the  United  States: — 
watch  over  all  that  are  upon  the  deep,  and  protect  the  inhabitants  of  the 
land  in  peace  and  quiet,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.' 

In  riading  this  I  sincerely  thanked  God  for  the  protection  of  the 
Somers,  and  folt  a  firm  faith  that  he  would  sanction  the  deed  of  that  day. 
On  the  following  Sunday,  the  fourth  of  December,  after  the  laws  for  the 
govcrniiiont  of  the  navy  had  been  read,  according  to  invariable  custom  on 
board  the  Somers,  I  took  occasion  to  allude  to  the  lessons  to  be  drawn  from 
the  fate  of  those  who  had  suffered.     I  led  the  minds  of  the  crew  back  to 
tlieir  youthful  days,  and  showed  them  how  they  had  trampled  under  foot 
the  wi.  T  counsel  and  admonitions  of  their  friends.     In  Small's  locker 
were  letters  from  his  mother,  expressing  the  joy  she  felt  that  he  vvas  so 
happy  on  board  the  Somers.     (This  was  before  Spencer  had  joined.) 
There  was  also  a  Bible,  in  the  leaves  of  which  he  had  copied  some  verses 
from  the  Sailor's  Magazine,  in  praise  of  its  holy  precepts.     These  verses 
I  read  to  the  crew.     I  thus  showed  them  how  Small  valued  his  Bible, 
but  that  he  did  not  resist  temptation.     I  urged  them  to  read  it  closely  and 
attend  faithfully  to  its  precepts.     I  endeavored  to  show  that  there  could  be 
no  such  thing  as  honest  Atheism.    I  held  up  before  them  how  Spencer  had 
injured  many  people,  and  especially  his  parents.    He  had  lacked  filial  piety 
and  piety  toward  God — two  principles  which  would  never  have  suffered 
him  to  go  astray.     In  conclusion,  I  called  on  them  as  they  had  given  three 
cheers  for  their  country,  now  to  give  three  cheers  for  God— as  they  would 
do  by  singing  his  praise.     The  colors  were  then  hoisted,  and  above 
the  American  Ensign  was  raised  the  Banner  of  the  Cross — the  only  flag 
that  ever  floats  above  it  from  any  vessel  under  my  command.  The  hundredth 
Psalm  was  sung,  after  which  the  crew  dispersed.     I  could  not  help,  on 
that  day  of  peaceful  Sabbath  worship,  contrasting  the  condition  of  my^ 
vessel  with  that  she  would  have  presented  had  she  fallen  into  pirates 
hands.     Nor  could  I  avoid  observing  the  marke  1  effect  produced  upon 
the  ship's  company  by  the  proceedings.     I  was  satisfied  at  once  that  all 
danger  was  past,  and  the  mutiny  broken  forever. 

On  the  fourteenth  of  December  the  Somers  arrived  at  New  York,  and 
in  a  day  or  two  the  sad  catastrophe  was  communicated  to  the  world 
Captain  Mackenzie  sent  a  narrative  of  the  affair  to  the  seat  of  government 


j.-.f-.ijtr*^''^-. 


.   <'  'A^..^  iMWb 


|fjC^AlBhSM»^w«-  <*>>AA      A-  ' 


\ 


ered.  They  were 
t  for  burial.  The 
out  clothed  in  his 
rfeited  the  right  to 
hers  a  seaman  had 

10  so  distinguished 
Cromwell's  face  a 

or  five  more  were 
ounds  were  given. 
Castle  in  Havana; 
pirate. 

necessary  to  cover 
rding  to  their  rank, 
lerican  Ensign  was 

lamps  were  lit  and 
1  the  gangway,  and 
;ad,  and  the  bodies 
3d  by  reading  that 
LIS  from  the  dangers 

United  States: — 
I  inhabitants  of  the 
rd.' 

I  protection  of  the 
le  deed  of  that  day. 
cr  the  laws  for  the 
ivariable  custom  on 
ns  to  be  drawn  from 
»f  the  crew  back  to 
rampled  under  foot 

In  Small's  locker 

felt  that  he  was  so 
encer  had  joined.) 
copied  some  verses 
jpts.     These  verses 

11  valued  his  Bible, 
>  read  it  closely  and 
'  that  there  could  be 
m  how  Spencer  had 
ad  lacked  filial  piety 
never  have  suffered 
hey  had  given  three 
3od — as  they  would 
hoisted,  and  above 
>oss — the  only  flag 
ind.  The  hundredth 

could  not  help,  on 
he  condition  of  my 

fallen  into  pirates' 
feet  produced  !ipon 
ified  at  once  that  all 

d  at  New  York,  and 
icated  to  the  world. 


seat  of  government, 


^ 


.  >*I>&A      *-  ' 


MUTINY  ON  THE  S0MER8. 


eoft 


and  a  court  of  inquiry  was  appointed  by  Mr.  Upshur,  the  Secretary  of 
the  Navy,  to  examine  the  facts  connected  with  the  mutiny. 

This  court,  consisting  gf  Commodore  Charles  Stewart,  President; 
Commodore  A.J.  Dallas;  Commodore  Jacob  Jones;  Hon.Ogden  Hoffman, 
Judge  Advocate,  met  on  board  the  United  States  dhip  North  Carolina, 
lying  in  the  harbor  at  New  York,  on  Wednesday,  December  the  twenty- 
eighth,  1842,  at  eleven  o'clock.  Many  distinguished  persons  were 
present,  and  Captain  Mackenzie  appeared  in  full  uniform.  "  He  is," 
says  the  New  York  Tribune,  "  a  man  of  medium  height,  with  a  fme 
head  covered  rather  thinly  by  light  auburn  hair,  a  high  forehead,  and  an 
amiable  and  pleasing  rather  than  stern  and  commanding  presence." 

The  examination  of  witnesses  commenced,  and  nineteen  days  were 
taken  up  in  the  inquiry.  The  president  then  stated  that  the  testimony 
being  now  closed,  the  court  would  bo  cleared,  which  was  accordingly 
done.  The  court  then  deliberated  and  framed  their  decision  in  secret, 
and  sent  it  on  to  Washington  for  approval. 

The  authorities  at  Washington  subsequently  ordered  a  court  martial, 
which  was  accordingly  opened,  a  re-examination  of  the  witnesses  took 
place,  and  after  a  protracted  trial  Captain  Mackenzie  and  Lieutenant 
Gansevoort  were  acquitted. 

Thus  was  crushed,  by  a  vengeance  swifter  and  more  terrible  than 
human  laws  usually  allot  to  human  crimes,  the  first,  as  we  fervently  trust 
it  will  be  the  last,  regularly  organized  attempt  at  mutiny  on  board  a  vessel 
intrusted  with  the  honor  and  interests  of  the  United  States  Navy.  If  the 
attempt  had  succeeded,  imagination  shudders  at  the  black  pall  of  horror 
and  dread  that  would  have  fallen  upon  the  sea. 

All  the  officers  examined,  solemnly  declared  that  they  believed  neces- 
sity demanded  the  course  pursued — that  if  the  execution  of  Spencer, 
Cromwell,  and  Small,  had  not  been  resorted  to,  the  Somers  would 
never  have  r'jached  any  port  under  the  command  of  her  officers,  but 
would  have  leen  a  Pirate,  scouring  the  ocean  with  destructive  fury, 
making  it  a  highway  of  blood  and  terror  to  the  world.  If  this  belief  be 
well  founded,  we  should  rejoice  that  so  terrible  a  calamity,  so  black  a 
disgrace,  was  not  suffered  to  stain  the  escutcheon  of  our  navy! 

Under  the  impulse  of  thankfulness  for  what  was  regarded  as  a  great 
danger  escaped,  and  a  great  ignominy  avoided,  the  country,  generally, 
applauded  the  act  of  Captain  Mackenzie  as  justified  by  the  emergency 
of  the  case,  and  by  the  crimes  of  the  victims.  Commerce  and  trade, 
from  their  very  nature,  are  timid,  and  it  is  not  strange  that  the  great  com- 
mercial cities  of  the  Atlantic  should  have  given  way  to  the  impulse  of  the 
moment,  and  have  justified  the  doubtful  act  instead  of  remembering  the 
sanctity  of  every  human  life,  until  such  life  has  been  pronounced  forfeited 
according  to  the  form,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  law. 

But  now  that  years  have  elapsed  since  the  painful  occurrence,  it  is 
probable  that  the  more  thoughtful  of  the  mercantile  as  of  other  classes, 
cherish  serious  doubts,  to  say  the  least,  of  the  necessity  or  expediency 
of  the  course  pursued.  The  great  law  of  humanity,  as  well  as  the  law  of 
the  Lord,  demands  that  every  man  accused  of  crime,  shall  be  tried  not 
by  hurried  and  frightened  courts,  but  by  the  calm  deliberate  judgment 
of  his  peers.  Hardly  any  necessity  can  arise  in  time  of  general  peace 
to  justify  a  departure  firom  this  salutary  requirement. 


Q0g    •  MUTINY  ON  THE  S0MER8 

ABSTRACT  OF  AMERICAN  NAUTICAL  LAWS. 

Shippino  artiolim  are  required  to  be  signed  by  every  mariner,  declaring 
the  voyfific  and  the  term  of  the  time  for  which  the  seamen  are  shipped, 
and  when  they  arc  to  render  themselves  on  board.  Seamen  are  liable 
to  imprisonment  for  desertion.  But  if  the  master  sails  and  leaves  a 
seaman  in  imprisonment  abroad,  he  will  be  entitled  to  his  wages  till  his 
return  to  the  United  Slates,  deducting  the  time  of  impris^  iment.  Pro- 
vision is  made  for  the  prompt  recovery  of  seamen's  wages,  by  admiralty 
process  against  the  ship,  if  ihe  wages  be  not  paid  within  ten  days. 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  American  consuls  and  commercial  agents,  to 
relieve  American  seamen  who  may  be  found  destitute  in  foreign  ports, 
and  to  provide  for  their  passage  to  some  port  in  the  United  States,  at  the 
expense  of  the  United  States.  American  vessels  are  bound  to  take  them, 
not  exceeding  two  for  every  hundred  tons,  at  a  rate  not  exceeding  ten 
dollars  per  man. 

If  an  American  vessel  be  sold  in  a  foreign  port,  or  a  seaman  discharged 
with  the  master's  consent,  the  master  is  obliged  to  pay  the  consul  three 
months'  wages  beside  the  amount  then  due,  two  months  to  be  paid  to  the 
seamen  when  they  engage  again,  and  one  month's  pay  to  the  fund  for 
the  return  of  American  seamen. 

The  master  has  the  right  to  discharge  a  seaman  for  just  cause  in  a 
foreign  port,  but  is  responsible  in  damages  if  he  does  it  without  just  cause. 
The  master  must  be  supreme  in  the  ship.  The  French  law  affords 
peculiar  protection  to  seamen,  and  prohibits  the  master  from  discharging 
a  seaman,  for  any  cause,  in  a  foreign  country. 

The  expense  of  curing  a  sick  seaman  in  the  course  of  the  voyage  is  a 
charge  upon  the  ship;  and  this  rule  recommends  itself  as  much  by  its 
intrinsic  equity  and  sound  policy,  as  by  the  sanction  of  general  authority. 
Such  an  expense  is  in  the  nature  of  additional  wages  during  sickness, 
and  it  constitutes  a  material  ingredient  in  the  just  remuneration  of  seamen 
for  their  labor  and  services.  This  claim,  equally  with  a  claim  for  wages, 
may  be  enforced  in  a  court  of  admiralty.  ... 

Every  seaman  engaged  to  serve  on  board  a  ship,  is  bound,  from  the 
nature  and  terms  of  the  contract,  to  do  his  duty  to  the  utmost  of  his  ability, 
and,  therefore,  a  promise  made  by  the  master  when  the  ship  is  in  distress, 
or  when  some  of  the  crew  are  sick,  or  the  like,  to  pay  extra  wages,  as 
an  inducement  to  extraordinary  exertion,  is  illegal  and  void.  It  requires 
some  service  not  within  the  scope  of  the  original  contract,  as  by  becoming 
a  hostage,  or  the  like,  to  create  a  valid  claim  for  extra  wages.  No  wages 
can  be  recovered  for  an  illegal  voyage,  for  the  law  will  not  countenance 
such  a  contract,  nor  permit  any  one  to  claim  the  wages  of  iniquity. 

A  seaman  is  entitled  to  his  wages  for  the  whole  voyage,  even  though 
he  is  unable  to  render  his  service  by  sickness,  or  bodily  injury,  happening 
in  the  course  of  the  voyage,  and  while  in  the  performance  of  his  duty; 
or  if  wrongfully  discharged  by  the  master  in  the  course  of  the  voyage, 
or  forced  to  quit  the  ship  by  the  cruelty  of  the  master.  In  this  case  the 
voyage  is  ended  as  to  him,  and  he  is  immediately  entitled  to  his  wages 

for  the  whole  voyage.  ,      ^  .  ^    •  u.  •    .u         .u 

The  general  principle  of  the  marine  law  is,  that  freight  is  the  mother 
of  wages,  and  if  no  freight  be  earned,  no  wages  are  due.  If  the  ship 
perish  by  the  perils  of  the  sea,  as  tempest,  fire,  enemies,  etc.,  the  mariners 
lose  their  wages.    Otherwise  they  might  not  use  their  endeavors  to  save 


^'  ^ta^^^i&ar jyl  jMtfi  kat 


Jk-. 


*f-s*S» 


ABSTRACT  OK  AMKRIOAN  NAUTICAL  LAWS. 


607 


AW9. 

mariner,  declaring 
imcn  arc  shipped, 
Seamen  are  liable 
laiis  and  leaves  a 
>  his  wH^'cs  till  his 
pris'-iinont.  Pro- 
ages,  by  admiralty 
lin  ten  days. 
[Ticrcial  agents,  to 
[c  in  foreign  ports, 
lited  States,  at  the 
lound  to  take  them, 
not  exceeding  ten 

seaman  discharged 
y  the  consul  three 
IS  to  be  paid  to  the 
>ay  to  the  fund  for 

for  just  cause  in  a 
without  just  cause, 
'rcnch  law  affords 
r  from  discharging 

of  the  voyage  is  a 
Etlf  as  much  by  its 
f  general  authority, 
s  during  sickness, 
neration  of  seamen 
.  a  claim  for  wages, 

is  bound,  from  the 
tmostof  his  ability, 
!  ship  is  in  distress, 
>ay  extra  wages,  as 
I  void.  It  requires 
ict,  as  by  becoming 
wages.  No  wages 
ill  not  countenance 
3S  of  iniquity, 
lyage,  even  though 
y  injury,  happening 
nance  of  his  duty; 
irse  of  the  voyage, 
r.  In  this  case  the 
ntitled  to  his  wages 

eight  is  the  mother 
3  due.  If  the  ship 
8,  etc.,  the  mariners 
r  endeavors  to  save 


the  ship.  But  the  seamen  do  not  lose  their  wages,  if  the  freight  is  lost 
by  the  misconduct  of  tlie  master. 

When  a  seaman  dies  on  tiiu  voyage,  his  wages  are  due  to  liis  ropre- 
sontativos,  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  The  seamen's  wages  on  the 
outward  voyage  are  due  when  tiie  ship  delivers  her  outward  cargo. 
And  if  the  owners  and  the  charterer  iigree  to  consider  the  voyages 
out  and  home  as  one  entire  voyage,  they  cannot,  by  this,  deprive  the 
seamen,  without  their  consent,  of  the  right.s  belonging  to  them  by  the 
general  principles  of  the  marine  law.  Capture  by  an  enemy  extinguishes 
the  seamen's  contract  for  wages,  but  if  by  recapture,  the  owner  recovers 
his  freight,  the  seamen  recover  tiieir  wages,  for  freight  is  the  parent  of 
wages.  And  this  holds  for  tiiose  seamen  who  remain  prisoners  and 
render  no  assistance  in  the  recapture,  or  afterward;  because  they  are  suf- 
fering in  the  service.  And  in  case  of  shipwreck,  if  an/  portion  of  freight 
is  paid  for  the  cargo  saved,  the  wages  of  the  seamen  are  due  in  the  same 
proportion. 

Every  agreement  that  goes  to  separate  the  demand  for  wi.^os,  from  the 
fact  of  freight  being  earned,  is  viewed  with  distrust  by  the  court,  as  an 
encroachment  on  the  rights  of  seamen.  "  The  courts  of  nijritime  law 
extend  to  them  a  peculiar  protecting  favor,  and  treat  them  as  wards  of 
the  admiralty;  and  though  they  are  not  incapable  of  making  valid  con- 
tracts, they  are  treated  by  the  courts  in  the  same  manner  that  courts  of 
equity  are  accustomed  to  treat  young  heirs  dealing  with  their  expectancies, 
wards  with  their  guardians,  etc.  They  arc  considered  as  placed  under 
the  influence  of  men  who  have  naturally  acquired  a  mastery  over  them. 
Every  deviation  from  the  terms  of  the  common  shipping  paper  is  rigidly 
inspected,  and  if  additional  burdens  are  imposed  upon  the  seamen, 
without  adequate  remuneration,  the  courts  will  interfere,  and  moderate 
or  annul  the  stipulation." 

Mariners  are  bound  to  contribute  out  of  their  wages  for  embezzlement 
of  the  cargo,  or  injuries  produced  by  the  misconduct  of  any  of  the  crew. 
But  the  individual  criminal  must  be  unknown,  and  circum  ances  must 
be  such  as  clearly  to  fix  and  prove  the  wrong  upon  some  of  the  crew; 
and  then  those  of  the  crew  upon  whom  the  presumption  of  guilt  rests, 
must  stand  sureties  for  each  other,  and  contribute  rateably  to  the  loss. 
If  an  individual  can  free  himself  from  suspicion,  he  does  not  contribute. 
And  if  no  reasonable  presumption  lies  against  any  of  the  crew,  the  loss 
falls  upon  the  owner  or  master. 

In  case  of  shipwreck,  and  there  are  materials  of  the  ship  saved,  the 
seamen  by  whose  exertions  they  are  saved,  are  entitled  to  their  wages 
out  of  the  proceeds  of  the  fragments,  even  although  no  freight  was  earned 
to  the  owners.  Chancellor  Kent,  however,  thinks  that  in  such  a  case, 
the  allowance  to  seamen  out  of  the  wreck  ought  to  be  called  salvage. 
"  Wages,  in  such  cases,  would  be  contrary  to  the  great  principle  in  marine 
law,  that  freight  is  the  mother  of  wages,  and  the  safety  of  the  ship  the 
mother  of  freight." 

The  wages  of  seamen  constitute  a  lien  upon  the  ship,  which  does  not, 
like  other  liens,  depend  on  possession.  Seamen's  wages  are  hardly 
earned,  and  liable  to  many  contingencies,  by  which  they  may  be  entirely 
lost,  without  any  fault  on  their  part.  Few  claims  are  so  highly  favored 
by  law,  and  when  due,  the  vessel,  owners,  and  master,  are  all  liable  for 
them.  Their  demand  takes  precedence  of  all  bottomry  bonds,  and  is 
good  against  even  a  subsequent  bona  fide  purchaser.  It  is  a  sacred 
claim,  and  as  long  as  a  single  plank  of  the  ship  remains,  the  sailor  is 


-mi  I  r.iiwira.ite<i-i*^u»jM 


J 


608 


ABSTRACT  OF  AMERICAN  NAUTICAL  LAWS. 


nntitled,  as  against  all  other  porsons,  to  the  proceeds,  as  security  for  his 
wages.  The  wogcH  of  seamen  do  not  contribute  to  the  general  average, 
when  a  loss  of  goods,  masts,  or  the  like,  is  voluntarily  incurred  at  sea  for 
the  common  safety,  except  in  the  single  instance  of  the  ransom  of  the 
ship.  They  are  exempted  here,  lest  the  fear  of  personal  loss  should 
restrain  them  from  making  the  requisite  sacrifice;  and  the  hirdships 
and  perils  they  endure,  well  entitle  them  to  an  exemption  from  further 

distress.  .,..,.•    l 

Desertion  from  a  ship  without  just  cause,  or  the  justifiable  discharge 
of  a  seaman  by  the  master  for  bad  conduct,  will  work  a  forfeiture  of  the 
wages  previously  earned.  This  is  the  rule  of  justice  and  of  policy.  But 
if  the  seaman  quits  the  vessel  involuntarily,  or  is  driven  ashore  by  reason 
of  cruel  usage,  and  for  personal  safety,  the  wages  arc  not  forfeited.  On 
the  other  hand,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  seamen  to  abide  by  the  vessel  as 
long  as  reasonable  hope  remains;  and  if  they  desert  the  ship  in  the  perils 
of  the  sea,  when  they  might  have  prevented  damage,  or  saved  the  vessel, 
they  forfeit  their  wages  and  are  answerable  in  damages. 

So  liberal  and  kind  is  the  care  which  our  laws  have  taken  for  the 
interests  of  seamen  in  the  merchant  service.  It  would  seem  that  nothing 
more  is  wanting  for  their  benefit,  excepting  a  more  effectual  security  for 
the  kind  of  provision  which  is  to  be  made  for  them  when  they  fall  into 
sickness  or  distress  in  a  foreign  port,  and  some  arrangement  for  their 
comfortable  support,  when  worn  out  and  decrepit  at  home. 


•.■y.V.'.,-i'8f*'-*~S35i3^-'(»-.-!^i~--  " *-■ 


■  -f^HTs*?^^ 


1- 


LAWS. 

,  as  security  for  his 
he  general  average, 

incurred  at  sea  for 
'  the  ransom  of  th)< 
ersonal  Iosh  should 

and  the  hirdships 
mption  from  further 

ustifiable  discharge 
Ic  a  forfeiture  of  the 
and  of  policy.  But 
en  ashore  by  reason 
c  not  forfeited.  On 
de  by  the  vessel  as 
the  ship  in  the  perils 
or  saved  the  veaael, 
;es. 

I  have  taken  for  the 
Id  seem  that  nothing 
effectual  security  for 
when  they  fall  into 
rangement  for  their 
home. 


MEN  AND  THINGS 


IN  THl 


NAVY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


■T  TM  aiT.  OBAI.  BOOXWIU,  LATB  OBArLAIN  IN  TBS 


AMBRIOAN  NAVAL  SERVICE. 


As  THE  condition  and  character  of  our  Navy,  and  the  reputation  and 
conduct  of  its  officers  and  men  abroad,  are  matters  of  national  interest 
and  concern,  it  may  not  be  amiss,  briefly  to  allude  to  these  and  other 
kindred  topics.  To  enter  fully  upon  them,  and  give  nt  length  the 
results  of  years  of  free  daily  intercourse  with  seafaring  men  of  ail 
classes,  as  suggested  by  a  close  and  constant  observation  of  their  peculiar 
habits  and  modes  of  thought  and  feeling,  and  a  sincere  and  heartfelt 
sympathy  with  them  and  their  friends,  under  the  severe  and  varied  trials 
of  their  lot — fully  to  present  these  points,  would  indeed  require  a 
volume. 

With  a  view  to  aid  us  in  forming  a  correct  estimate  of  our  navy,  as 
also  to  furnish  with  important  facts,  those  illustrious  orators  who  are 
wont  to  speak  of  our  ships  of  war  as  fully  able  to  sweep  the  vessels  of 
all  other  nations  from  the  face  of  the  ocean,  it  may  be  well  to  give  the 
following  statement  of  the  naval  forces  of  the  United  States,  Great 
Britain,  and  France,  as  they  were  some  few  years  since,  and  which  have 
not  since  relatively  materially  changed.  Including  those  in  commission, 
as  also  those  building  and  afloat,  there  were  belonging  to  the  Navy  of 
the  United  States,  68  vessels  of  war;  to  that  of  France,  486:  to  Great 
Britain,  702. 

In  speaking  of  those  who  man  our  ships  of  war,  I  shall  begin  with 
such  as  are  rated  as  boys.  Of  these,  we  had  nearly  thirty  on  board  our 
ship,  many  of  whom  were  taken  from  the  House  of  Refuge,  in  New 
York,  or  were  the  sweepings  of  the  streets  of  our  large  cities.  Some 
were  children  of  poor  parents,  who  had  been  placed  under  the  care  of 
some  sailor  of  their  acquaintance,  to  take  their  first  lesson  in  shipcraft, 
and,  I  may  add,  in  devilcrafl,  too,  on  board  a  man-of-war;  for  surely  a 
boy  must  be  a  dull  scholar,  who,  in  such  a  place,  would  not  learn  far 
more  evil  than  good.  These  boys  were  from  ten  to  sixteen  or  seventeen 
years  of  age,  and  some  of  them,  from  having  been  familiar,  from  their 
earliest  years,  with  vice  and  crime,  in  almost  every  form,  were  among 
the  most  hardened,  hopeless  vagabonds  in  the  world;  and  yet,  they  had 
so  much  shrewdness  and  intelligence,  and  such  perfect  self-possession 
in  all  circumstances,  that  one  could  not  but  feel  a  peculiar  interest  in 
them. 

In  turning  from  the  boys  to  the  men  on  board  our  ships  of  war,  let  us 
first  notice  the  marines.    These  are  soldiers  who  dress  in  uniform,  are 
plac«d  as  sentries  in  difierent  parts  of  the  ship,  and  aro  not  required  to 
39  (609) 


610 


MEN  AND  THINGS  IN  T»iK  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


f[()  alofk  on  suilorVs  duty,  but  aid  in  pulling;  tlio  ropci  oti  dnk.  Tiny 
lavo  tliiMr  owu  oliioTS,  iliDtinct  Iron)  tlio.^it  of  tint  .Hlii|i;  iiini  a:4  liiry 
know  l)Ut  litllt:  (if  siia-lifi.',  ami  aro  pluccii  on  hoitnl  us  ii  riiiiiiiiiit  iipoii 
till!  siiiior:4,  till!  IntliT  ilo  not  like  llirin,  iirr  fond  of  ,iliiyiii^  trirkM  iipo'i 
tlieni,  mill  t-Hpeciully  of  pulinin^  olF  upon  iIhmu  ail  HortH  of  iinproiml)!)! 
■toiioM  us  triiu.  Ilunco  tliu  cumniun  provorli,  "  Toll  that  to  tlio  iiiuriues/' 
which  in  used  when  one  listnns  to  a  doubtful  or  iucrodibln  Htory. 

Wo  had  on  board  our  ship  filly-two  mariniH,  of  whom  twenty-two  wi-re 
forui^norH;  thirtoon  of  this  nunibor  biting  HwiMti.  Tiicy  had  an  ctVicicnt 
coinniandor,  and  wore  under  oxcolh'nt  discipline.  On  one  occuHJun, 
when  oll'tlio  coant  of  Africa,  dome  oran^'e.s  and  bananax,  which  hun^  where 
sentries  had  charge  of  them,  were  stolen,  and  hence  some  oni;  of  the 
six  marincH,  wiio  had  been  on  duty  there  during  the  night,  must  have 
connived  at  the  thell.  But  as  all  denied  biding  guilty,  they  were  all 
whipped,  that  thus  the  rigiit  one  might  be  punished,  and  nil  collusion  as 
to  screening  each  other  in  future  might  be  prevented.  This  was  indeed 
summary  justice;  and  yet,  among  men  in  whose  word  you  cannot  con- 
fide, you  must  either  lump  matters  in  this  way,  or  criino  will  thrive  and 
pass  unpunished.     As  it  was,  no  more  fruit  was  stolen. 

Among  the  marines  there  are  often  men  of  education  and  intelligence, 
who,  as  merchants  that  have  failed  in  business,  or  the  profligate  sons  of 
respectable  parents,  or  professional  men,  who  have  become  dissipated, 
have  seen  better  days;  but  having  fallen  from  their  former  condition, 
have  fled  to  a  man-of-war  as  a  place  of  refuge  from  trouble  or  disgrace. 
Not  to  dwell  on  other  cases,  we  had  with  us  a  young  man,  who  had 
come  from  a  foreign  country  to  obtain  an  education.  While  n  senior  at 
Yale  College,  ho  became  involved  in  a  fracas,  for  which  ho  was  dismissed 
from  the  institution;  and  thinking  that  he  was  not  kindly  treated  by  his 
guardian  in  this  country,  he  enlisted  as  a  marine.  Such  men  like  to 
dwell  upon  their  brighter  days;  and  where  they  find  ono  who  will  listen 
to  and  sympathize  with  them,  they  take  a  kind  of  melancholy  pleasure 
in  minutely  describing  the  scenes  of  trial  and  disgrace  through  which 
they  have  passed.  There  are  many  such,  as  well  among  the  seamen  as 
the  marines,  on  board  a  ship  of  war;  and  often  has  my  heart  been  deeply 
pained,  when  listening  to  the  story  of  their  woes.  When  in  port, 
marines  are  stationed  at  every  accessible  entrance  to  the  ship,  to  prevent 
men  from  deserting,  and  ardent  spirits  from  being  smuggled  on  board. 
Ne.xt  to  the  officers  of  the  ship,  the  marines  aro  the  main  reliance 
for  quelling  a  mutiny,  and  sustaining  rightful  authority  on  board  our 
men-of-war. 

In  a  crew  of  from  five  hundred  to  u  thousand  men,  as  collected 
together  on  board  our  larger  ships,  one  meets  with  seamen  of  every 
class  and  condition,  and  of  almost  every  nation  under  heaven.  Most 
common  sailors  are  of  no  nation,  but  change  from  the  employ  of  one  to 
that  of  another,  just  as  convenience,  or  caprice,  or  higher  wages  may 
induce  them  to  do  so.  We  have  many  English  seamen  on  board  our  ships 
of  war;  and  it  is  said,  that  there  are  some  thousand  American  sailors  in 
the  English  Navy.  That  by  desertion,  or  otherwise,  men  are  constantly 
passing  from  one  service  to  the  other,  is  well  known. 

As  those  who  ship  seamen  of\cn  receive  so  much  a  head  for  all  they 
furiiish,  no  very  close  inquiries  are  mtidc  as  to  whether  a  seaman's 
protection,  as  it  is  called,  that  is,  the  legal  paper  which  certifies  to  what 
nation  he  belongs,  tells  the  truth  about  him  or  not;  for,  aside  from  false 
swearing,  at  which  few  common  sailors  would  hesitate,  there  are  other 


1 


■  i 
-I 


VY 


on  il.'.k.     Tluy 

ip;  iiii.i  !H  •i>«'y 

U  ri:<tliliul    111""! 

yin^r  iritk;^   tiliD'l 
:t«  of  iiiiiiri)iiiil)li! 

to  llio  iiiuriut's/' 
bio  8tory. 

twenty-two  were 
y  liiid  un  iilVicient 
.)n  one  occimion, 
n\\h-\\  iiiuiK  wlicrc 

some  oni!  of  tl»c 

uijilit,  must  liavo 
Ity,  tlioy  woro  all 
ml  nil  collusion  aa 
This  was  imlecil 
il  you  cannot  con- 
mo  will  tlirive  and 

n. 

n  and  intelligence, 
i  proflifjatu  sons  of 
becoino  dissipated, 
•  former  condition, 
rouble  or  disgrace, 
ing  man,  who  had 
While  a  snnior  at 
ch  ho  was  dismissed 
indly  treated  by  his 
Such  men  Uk<!  to 
Olio  who  will  listen 
melancholy  pleasure 
race  through  which 
iiong  the  seamen  as 
y  heart  been  deeply 
39.     When  in  pott, 
the  ship,  to  prevent 
smuggled  on  board, 
the  main   reliance 
hority  on  board  our 

men,  as  collected 
th  seamen  of  every 
ider  heaven.  Mo.^t 
he  employ  of  one  to 

higher  wages  may 
in  on  board  our  ships 

American  sailors  in 
,  men  are  constantly 

,"a  head  for  all  they 
whether  a  seaman's 
lich  certifies  to  what 
for,  aside  from  false 
itate,  there  are  other 


MK.V  AND  ruiNOS  I.V  TRK  AMERICAN  KAVV. 


r,u 


way*  in  which  seamen  obtain  now  papers,  and  a  new  nauin,  For 
ONuinple,  wo  harl  on  Ixxird  our  ship  a  fi)roi;,'nor  by  tiic  nnnie  of  John 
doll',  a  Swede*,  or  a  Dane,  if  I  mistake  not.  lie  N|H>ke  Kti^^'lish  in  u 
very  hntki^n  manner,  and  this  led  me  to  ask  him,  one  day,  how  hi'  came 
til  havo  such  a  regular  huilt  Ynnki-e  name. 

•'  I  bought  it  of  a  landlord  in  Portland,"  was  his  reply. 

"  What  did  you  give  for  it?" 

••  Fil>y  cents,"  he  said;  "  but  I  've  got  most  sick  of  it,  and  shall  change 
it  for  another  before  long."  And  thus  it  is  olU-n  true  that  sailor-land- 
lords sell  the  papers  of  seamen  who  have  died  in  their  houses,  or  have 
gone  to  sea  leaving  them  bohiad.  Many  of  the  seamen  in  our  navy,  ship 
by  n  WW  name  almost  every  cruise. 

itut  few  otKcers  and  men  of  the  old  school  now  remain  in  our  navy. 
By  this  I  mean  thoso  who  were  trained  amid  scenes  of  war  and  carnage, 
and  wcri!  more  distinguished  for  their  rough  and  reckless  manners  and 
habits,  and  thi.'ir  noisy,  dare-devil  bravery,  than  for  improvement  of  mind, 
or  a  desire  so  to  shape  their  course  as  to  please  those  around  them. 
Tlie  fact  that  many  of  the  officers  of  our  navy  were  formerly  taken  from 
the  inerciiant  service,  with  more  regard  to  their  energy  of  character  and 
good  seamanship  than  to  their  education  and  roHnemcnt  of  manners, 
together  with  the  exciting  inlluonce  of  war,  and  the  demoniac  power 
of  ardent  spirits,  gave  a  far  ruder  and  more  turbulent  cast  to  our  navy 
in  fonni-r  days  than  now  belongs  to  it.  liy  raising  tho  standard  of  edu- 
cation among  our  naval  officers,  by  limiting  their  power  of  inflicting 
punisiinient,  and  by  promoting  temperance  among  the  men,  a  tranquiliz- 
ing,  elevating  intluence  has  been  exerted  on  board  our  ships  of  war;  so 
that  now  they  deserve,  far  less  than  formerly,  the  appellation  of"  floating 
hells."  Still  much  remains  to  be  done,  as  will  be  seen  when  I  come  to 
speak  of  the  prevailing  vices  of  seamen.  An  old  man-of-war's  man  is 
a  very  dili'erent  being  from  a  merchant-sailor.  From  mingling  with  so 
large  a  mass,  he  has  been  able  to  select  such  associates  as  pleased  him, 
and  thus  to  retain  and  strengthen  his  own  peculiar  tastes,  feelings  and 
habits,  lie  has  also  been  led  to  look  well  to  his  own  rights,  and  to  guard 
with  jealous  care  against  the  encroachments  of  others. 

From  the  rigid  discipline  to  which  seamen  in  our  navy  arc  subjected, 
as  also  from  the  fact  that  they  arc  closely  pressed  upon  by  the  mass 
around  them,  they  become  peculiarly  sensitive  and  sclHsh  as  to  what 
they  regard  as  their  rights,  and  are  greatly  given  to  grumbling  when  they 
fancy  themselves  misused.  As  to  seamanship,  too,  from  being  confined 
to  a  narrow  round  of  duties,  such  as  handling  the  ropes  and  sails  in  a 
given  part  of  the  ship,  as,  for  example,  on  tho  forecastle,  or  in  one  of 
the  tops,  they  become  very  skillful  in  performing  these  duties,  but  know 
little  of  anything  else.  Hence,  a  good  merchant-sailor,  who  knows  a 
little  of  everything,  and  not  much  of  anything,  about  a  ship,  may  not 
succeed  well  on  board  a  man-of-war;  while,  on  tlic  other  hand,  a  good 
navy  sailor  may  know  but  little  of  many  things  required  to  be  done  on 
board  a  merchant  vessel.  Merchant-sailors,  too,  have  to  labor  much 
harder,  and  bear  more  exposure  to  the  weather,  than  seamen  in  our 
navy ;  and  they  are  apt,  withal,  to  be  much  more  filthy  in  their  habits, 
and  slovenly  in  their  dress,  than  they  would  be  permitted  to  be  on  board 
a  man-of-war.  These  remarks  show,  in  one  point  of  view,  'he  importance 
of  training  men  expressly  for  our  naval  service. 

There  are  several  distinct  classes  of  seamen  to  be  met  with  on  board 
our  men-of-war.    Of  these,  the  first  and  most  numerous  are  sailors  by 


~T 


612 


MEN  AND  THINGS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


profession,  who,  from  the  poverty  of  their  parents,  or  some  other  cause, 
have  early  entered  on  a  seafaring  life,  without  such  an  education  as 
would  tit  llicm  to  rise  above  the  grade  of  common  seamen,  and  in  this 
condition  they  remain  for  life.  A  few  of  these  have  families,  ond  arc 
frugal,  liorii'st  and  trustworthy.  By  far  the  greater  number,  however, 
are  reckli'sti,  profligate,  intemperate  and  profane.  Cut  off  at  an  early 
age  from  ail  correct  moral  and  religious  influence,  and  exposed  ♦o  tempta- 
tion to  vice  in  almost  every  form,  they  become  the  mere  creatures  of 
iiiipuliie,  slaves  to  the  will  of  despotic  masters  at  sea,  and  the  dupes  of 
rapacious  landlords  and  greedy  harpies  on  shore.  With  no  high  and 
commanding  motives  to  effort,  in  the  hope  of  improving  their  condition, 
they  yield  tiicmselves  up  to  the  pleasures  of  the  moment,  without  regard 
to  the  future;  and  though,  from  the  dangers  of  tiic  sea,  and  exposure  to 
corroding  vices,  and  in  sickly  climes,  they  are  in  daily  peril  of  their 
lives,  yet,  drowning  reflection  with  reckless  gayety,  with  sensual  pleasure, 
or  the  druukarcPs  cup  of  woe,  they  rush  madly  on  in  the  way  to  death. 
"Let  us  eat  and  drink,  for  to-morrow  we  die,"  seems  to  be  their  motto. 
We  had  on  board  our  ship  an  old  sailor,  who  ran  away  from  his  parents 
in  Boston  wIkmi  nine  years  of  age,  and  had  been  at  sea,  almost  without 
cessation,  forty-five  years.  In  the  year  1800,  he  was  on  board  the  Eng- 
lish frigate  Austria,  on  the  coast  of  Egypt,  where  he  had  the  plague,  of 
whicii  two  hundred  out  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  on  board  died.  He 
had  been  shipwrecked  seven  times.  The  year  before  he  joined  our 
ship,  he  was  cast  away  on  the  Scylla  rocks,  and  was  in  the  water  two 
hours  and  a  half.  lie  lost  his  wife  and  two  children  by  the  ciiolcra  in 
New  York;  and,  ihougii  himself  one  of  thirteen  children,  he  has  now 
no  near  relative  living.  He  was  broken  down  with  the  rheumatism,  and 
his  lot  was  sad  and  cheerless  indeed.  Such  is  too  oflen  the  condition 
of  the  few  weather-beaten  sailors,  who  are  spared,  almost  by  a  miracle,  to 
reach  the  period  of  old  age.  With  no  friends  to  care  for  them,  and  no 
means  of  support,  they  float  like  a  weed  torn  from  its  native  rock,  where 
wind  and  wave  may  bear  them.  Perhaps  they  find  a  refuge  in  some 
naval  hospital,  or,  cast  forth  on  the  cold  charities  of  the  world,  they  beg 
a  humble  pittance  from  door  to  door. 

Another  class  of  seamen  are  those  who  arc  rained  in  character  or 
property,  or  both,  by  a  course  of  vice,  or  by  some  single  act  of  folly  or 
of  crime,  but  who  have  seen  better  days.  Of  many  a  commander  of  a 
man-of-war,  as  of  King  David  when  he  gathered  his  bandit  forces  at 
the  cave  of  Adullam,  may  it  be  truly  said,  "  And  every  one  that  was  in 
distress,  and  every  one  that  was  in  debt,  and  every  one  that  was  discon- 
tented, gathered  themselves  unto  him,  and  he  became  a  captain  over 
tbem."  Among  these  are  merchants  and  others,  who  have  failed  in 
business,  broken  down  play-actors,  and  sometimes  professional  men,  the 
wayward  and  profligate  sons  of  wealthy  and  respectable  parents,  con- 
victs from  State  prisons,  who  have  been  guilty  of  forgery,  counterfeiting, 
house-breaking,  or  other  gentlemanly  crimes,  with  now  and  then  a  pirate, 
and  one  who  has  been  engaged  in  the  slave-trade,  to  say  nothing  of  old 
sailors  who  were  pressed  into  the  English  service  during  the  last  war, 
and  are  as  familiar  with  Dartmoor  prison  and  its  usages  as  r/ith  the 
district  school  in  which  they  spent  their  boyhood.  We  had  one  who  had 
lived  among  the  natives  of  one  of  the  South  Sea  islands,  and  conformed, 
for  many  months,  to  their  savage  modes  of  life ;  another  who  had  been 
with  Major  Ashley  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  had  many  amusing 
stories  of  the  Flathead  and  other  tribes  of  Indians ;  and  another  stiU 


I 


NAVY. 

r  some  other  cause, 
ch  an  education  as 

seamen,  and  in  this 
ve  families,  and  are 
;r  number,  however, 

Cut  off  at  an  early 
d  exposed  ♦o  tempta- 
e  mere  creatures  of 
a,  and  the  dupes  of 
With  no  high  and 
ving  their  condition, 
ment,  without  regard 
sea,  and  exposure  to 
I  daily  peril  of  their 
vith  sensual  pleasure, 
I  in  the  way  to  death, 
ims  to  be  their  motto, 
iway  from  his  parents 
at  sea,  almost  without 
as  on  board  the  Eng- 
lie  had  the  plague,  of 

on  board  died.  He 
before  he  joined  our 
was  in  the  water  two 
Iren  by  the  cholera  in 
children,  he  has  now 
1  the  rheumatism,  and 
JO  often  the  condition 
almost  by  a  miracle,  to 
care  for  them,  and  no 

its  native  rock,  where 
ind  a  refuge  in  some 
Df  the  world,  they  beg 

■uined  in  character  or 
(  single  act  of  folly  or 
any  a  commander  of  a 
d  his  bandit  forces  at 

every  one  that  was  in 
ry  one  that  was  discon- 
>ecame  a  captain  over 
•8,  who  have  failed  in 
3  professional  men,  the 
spectable  parents,  con- 
forgery,  counterfeiting, 

now  and  then  a  pirate, 
e,  to  say  nothing  of  old 
ce  during  the  last  war, 
its  usages  as  ivith  the 
We  had  one  who  had 
islands,  and  conformed, 

another  who  had  been 
nd  had  many  amusiiig 
liana;  and  another  still 


'i 


MEN  AND  THINGS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


613 


who  had  been  in  the  service  of  the  fur-traders  in  the  region  of  Hudson's 
Bay.  traveling  hundreds  of  miles  over  the  snow,  with  a  heavy  burden 
on  his  back. 

Seamen  are  perfectly  accessible;  and,  from  the  free,  social  intercourse 
in  which  they  indulge,  will  rarely  refuse  to  answer  a  question  of  the 
most  personal  nature,  if  your  manner  is  such  as  to  gain  their  confidence. 
Indeed,  they  take  peculiar  pleasure  in  dwelling  even  on  the  darker  por- 
tions of  iheir  past  history,  when  they  meet  with  one  who  will  kindly 
listen  to  and  sympathize  with  them.  Many  an  hour  have  I  spent,  during 
the  night  watches,  in  listening  to  their  singular  narrations;  and  often 
have  I  thought,  in  reviewing  the  sketches  of  these  stories  in  my  journal, 
that,  were  one  to  collect  an  account  of  the  most  striking  characters  on 
board  a  man-of-war,  as  given  by  themselves,  it  would  make  a  book  of 
peculiar  variety  and  effect. 

There  was  one  man  on  board  our  ship  who  had  fled  from  domestic 
troubles,  but  whose  mind  was  oppressed  with  a  sadness  which  nothing 
could  remove.  He  was  the  son  of  an  elder  of  one  of  the  first  churches 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  having  married  a  beautiful  woman  whom  he 
tenderly  loved,  and  by  whom  he  had  several  children,  he  removed  to  Illinois, 
where  he  purchased  a  farm  of  several  hundred  acres.  For  some  time 
he  had  suspected  the  fidelity  of  his  wife;  when  returning  from  hunting 
one  night,  sooner  than  he  was  expected,  he  found  her  with  her  guilty 
paramour,  a  man  of  weaUh,  in  the  vicinity.  Highly  excited,  he  aimed 
his  rifle  at  them,  intending  to  siioot  them  both,  when  he  was  seized  by 
his  hired  man,  who  thus  prevented  a  fatal  deed.  Having  obtained  a 
divorce  from  his  wife,  she  married  again,  and  he,  feeling  wretched 
where  he  was,  and  fearing  that,  should  he  meet  the  ruthless  destroyer 
of  his  happiness  alone,  he  should,  in  a  moment  of  excited  wrath  and 
anguish,  be  led  to  murder  him,  he  leased  his  farm  to  one  in  whose  care 
he  left  his  children,  and  sought  a  refuge  from  his  troubles  on  board  a 
man-of-war. 

The  most  hopeless  class  of  seamen,  so  far  as  moral  reformation  is 
concerned,  are  those  who,  like  the  squatters  and  others  on  the  outskirts 
of  civilizaiion  on  land,  have  broken  away  from  virtuous  society,  because 
they  have  forfeited  the  protection  of  the  laws,  by  their  crimes,  or  could 
not  brook  the  restraints  of  religion,  morality  and  law,  or  were  unable, 
elsewhere  than  on  board  a  man-of-war,  to  gratify  their  love  of  strong 
drink,  or  were  conscious  of  being  such  helpless  slaves  of  vice  as  to  be 
wholly  unfit  to  take  care  of  themselves,  and  have,  therefore,  placed 
themselves  in  "durance  vile,"  just  as  some  men  on  shore  wish  to  be 
imprisoned  for  the  same  reason. 

There  is  another  small  class  of  seamen,  sons  of  respectable  parents, 
who  have  become  so  from  a  love  of  adventure,  an  attachment  to  a  sea- 
faring life,  a  strong  desire  to  see  foreign  lands,  or  with  a  view  to  improve 
their  heaUh,  or  a  wish,  on  the  part  of  their  friends,  to  check,  by  means 
of  the  rigid  discipline  of  a  ship,  an  unsubdued  and  refractory  spirit. 

In  treating  of  the  peculiar  characteristics  of  seamen,  and  the  vices  to 
which  they  ai'  most  addicted,  I  shall  notice,  first,  their  superstition. 
The  old  idea  that  Sunday  is  a  lucky  and  Friday  an  unlucky  day,  because 
on  one  Christ  was  crucified,  and  on  the  other  he  rose  from  the  dead,  has 
a  strong  hold  on  the  minds  of  most  seamen.  There  are  commanders, 
even  in  our  navy,  who  would  not  sail  from  port  on  Friday  if  they  could 
avoid  it,  and  who  would  make  peculiar  efforts  to  do  so  on  the  Sabbath. 
There  are  still  many  vessels,  on  the  masts  of  which  a  horse-shoe  is 


♦514 


MEN  AND  THINGS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


nailed,  as  a  protection  against  the  devil;  and  ship  owners  will  rarely 
purchase  a  vessel  which,  by  meeting  with  repeated  accidents  at  sea,  has 
proved  to  be  unlucky. 

Sailors  have  a  peculiar  superstition  with  regard  to  cats,  especially 
black  ones.  Some  years  since,  two  men  fell  from  the  mast-head  on 
board  oiH!  of  the  ships  in  our  navy,  in  a  single  day,  of  whom  one  was 
killed,  and  the  other  had  his  arm  broken.  Finding  that  one  of  the  crew 
had  killed  a  cat  the  night  before,  his  shipmates  regarded  thai  as  the 
cause  of  these  accidents,  and  could  not  be  appeased  until  the  man  was 
severely  whipped;  and  then,  as  no  one  would  mess  with  him,  it  was 
necessary  to  send  him  on  shore.  Clergymen  have,  in  times  past,  been 
regarded  as  bringing  ill  luck  to  a  ship  on  board  which  they  sail,  on  the 
ground  that  the  devil  owes  them  a  spite,  and,  as  prince  of  the  power  of 
the  atr,  strives,  by  means  of  tempests,  to  destroy  them.  This  supersti- 
tion may,  however,  have  owed  its  origin  to  the  story  of  Jonah,  and  the 
troubles  which  he  brought  upon  his  shipmates 

There  are  thone  who  regard  the  playing  of  a  death-march  as  a  sure 
sign  that  some  one  on  board  is  soon  to  die;  and  I  have  known  a  higiily 
intelligent  oiBccr  who  would  punish  a  man  for  such  an  act  as  soon  as  for 
a  gross  crime,  on  the  ground,  as  he  said,  that  he  never  knew  it  fail  of 
being  soon  followed  by  a  death.  When  lying  in  the  bay  of  Gibraltar, 
during  a  violent  storm,  two  of  our  massive  anchors  were  broken,  and 
we  were  driven  rapidly  out  to  sea.  There  was,  at  the  time,  on  board, 
the  body  of  one  of  the  crew,  lying  in  a  coffin,  with  a  view  to  his  being 
buried  on  shore.  Being  compelled,  however,  to  inclose  him  in  iiis  ham- 
mock, and  bury  him  at  sea,  the  carpenter  was  compelled  to  cut  the  collin 
up  into  small  pieces,  and  throw  it  overboard,  because  the  men  were 
superstitious  and  fearful  as  to  its  remaining  on  board. 

The  credulity  of  seamen  as  to  gliosts  and  apparitions,  good  and  bad 
signs,  lucky  and  unlucky  days,  and  the  like,  are  owing,  in  part,  to  the 
peculiarly  dangerous  and  exciting  mode  of  life  which  tiiey  lead,  to  the 
many  marvelous  stories  that  are  told  in  order  to  astonish  the  young  and 
inexperienced,  or  to  beguile  the  tedium  of  the  night  watches;  but,  more 
than  all,  to  their  being,  from  an  early  age,  cut  off  from  religious  instruc- 
tion. Tiiere  are  seamen  who  most  religiously  believe  that  when  a  man 
has  been  hung  from  the  fore-yard-arm,  two  voices  always  reply  when  the 
man  who  is  stationed  there  by  night  is  hailed,  one  being  that  of  him  who 
has  been  iiung;  nor  would  the  wealth  of  tiie  world  induce  them  to  keep 
watch  tiiere. 

That  seamen  have  commonly  much  wit  and  humor,  all  know  who  have 
had  intercourse  with  them.  They  have  a  great  number  of  pithy  expres- 
sions at  ready  command,  and  are  very  quick  at  repartee.  This  is  owing 
to  the  fact  that  their  mode  of  life  is  so  peculiarly  varied  and  exciting, 
that  their  minds  act  much  more  rapidly  than  those  of  most  other  men, 
as  also  to  their  being  in  such  close  and  constant  contact  and  collision 
with  those  around  them,  to  which  we  may  add  the  attention  and  applause 
secured  by  such  as,  by  their  ready  wit,  can  aid  in  cheering  the  spirits 
of  those  around  them,  and  thus  relieve  the  monotony  of  a  long  and 
tedious  voyage  at  sea.  The  craving  for  social  excitement,  on  the  part 
of  seamen,  leads  them  also  to  be  very  attentive  hearers  on  the  Sabbath, 
and  few  congregations  on  shore  will  follow  a  plain,  but  condensed  and 
rapid,  logical  argument  with  so  full  an  understanding  of  it  as  will  a  body 
of  seamen  on  board  our  men-of-war.  The  wit  and  the  songs  of  seamen 
are,  for  the  most  part,  however,  of  a  low,  vulgar,  and  licentious  cast. 


-*- .f..    .M 


A.VY. 

ivners  will  rarely 
idcnts  at  sea,  has 

)  cats,  especially 
he  mast-head  on 
)f  whom  one  was 
t  one  of  the  crew 
irded  thai  as  the 
intil  the  man  was 
with  him,  it  was 
times  past,  been 
I  they  sail,  on  the 
B  of  the  power  of 
I.  This  supersti- 
af  Jonah,  and  the 

h-march  as  a  sure 
!e  known  a  higlily 

act  as  soon  as  for 
'er  knew  it  fail  of 

bay  of  Gibraltar, 
were  broken,  and 
ie  time,  on  board, 
view  to  his  being 
30  him  in  his  harn- 
jd  to  cut  the  collin 
ise   the  men  were 

ions,  good  and  bad 
ng,  in  part,  to  the 
1  they  lead,  to  the 
lish  the  young  and 
vatches;  but,  more 
n  religious  instruc- 
e  that  when  a  man 
ays  reply  when  the 
ng  that  of  him  who 
iduce  them  to  keep 

all  know  who  have 
»er  of  pithy  expres- 
:ee.  This  is  owing 
aried  and  exciting, 
(f  most  other  men, 
ntact  and  collision 
mtion  and  applause 
iheering  the  spirits 
ony  of  a  long  and 
itement,  on  the  part 
ers  on  the  Sabbath, 
but  condensed  and 
;  of  it  as  will  a  body 
he  songs  of  seamen 
Eind  licentious  cast. 


MEN  AND  THINGS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


615 


This  is  the  more  to  be  regretted,  as  seamen  are  fond  of  the  excitement 
of  music,  and,  where  a  sailor  has  a  iine  voice,  his  songs  arc  often  called 
for,  as  well  by  officers  as  by  the  men. 

As  most  seamen  are,  from  an  early  age,  cut  off  from  kind  parental 
restraint,  and  from  moral  and  religious  instruction,  and  exposed  to  the 
hardening  and  debasing  influence  of  vice,  it  is  not  strange  that,  among 
other  bad  habits,  they  should  form  that  of  lying.  Fear  of  punishment, 
too,  leads  them  to  resort  to  falsehood  to  conceal  their  guilt,  when  charged 
with  it;  nor  dare  they  disclose  the  evil  deeds  of  their  shipmates,  for  fear 
of  reproach  and  personal  injury  from  them.  Hence,  most  common 
sailors  are  inveterate  liars,  where  their  interest  leads  them  to  be  so;  nor 
is  their  word  or  oath,  in  such  cases,  regarded  as  of  much  value  by  those 
who  know  them  well.  One  of  our  ship's  boats,  with  ten  or  twelve 
rowers,  had  been  ashore  at  a  port  where  we  were  lying  at  anchor,  and 
the  midshipman  who  had  charge  of  it,  as  is  often  done,  had  given  the 
men  a  bottle  of  ardent  spirits  to  drink,  with  a  view  to  gain  fuvor  with 
them.  As  the  men  came  on  board,  the  officer  of  the  deck  saw  that  they 
had  been  drinking,  and  charged  them  with  it.  They  all,  to  a  man,  stoutly 
denied  the  charge,  and  persevered  in  doing  so,  even  after  the  officer  of 
the  boat  had  admitted  before  them  that  he  had  given  them  the  spirits, 
and,  in  thus  doing,  had  violated  the  rules  of  the  ship.  Events  of  this 
kind  are  of  frequent  occurrence  on  shipboard.  It  is,  indeed,  true  that 
we  hear  much  of  the  noble  frankness  of  seamen,  in  freely  confessing 
their  faults,  just  as  if  there  was  some  merit  in  it.  The  amount  of  it  is, 
however,  that  such  is  the  standard  of  morals  to  which  they  have  con- 
formed themselves,  that  they  feel  no  guilt  as  to  those  things  of  which 
they  so  freely  speak,  but  rather  take  pride  in  them. 

Thieves  are  in  very  ill  odor  on  shipboard,  mainly  because  every  one 
is  exposed  to  suffer  from  them.  Wlien  detected  and  brought  up  for 
punishment,  the  boatswain's  mate  always  whips  them  with  a  relish. 
Still  there  is  much  thieving  on  board  a  man-of-war,  and  no  small  article 
of  value  is  safe  if  exposed  where  it  may  be  taken.  Another  prominent 
vice  of  seamen  is  selfishness.  Many  will,  doubtless,  be  surprised  at  this 
statement.  They  have  so  often  heard,  in  anniversary  addresses  and  the 
like,  that  seamen  are  the  most  liberal,  noble  hearted  and  generous  men 
in  the  world,  that  they  really  believe  it  to  be  true.  But  let  us  look,  for 
a  moment,  at  facts  in  the  case.  Seamen,  on  shipboard,  are  under  such 
despotic  rule,  and  are,  in  so  many  ways,  checked  and  restrained,  that 
they  become  peculiarly  selfish  and  sensitive  as  to  what  they  regard  as 
their  rights;  and,  where  they  dare  to  be  so,  are  noisy  and  obstinate  in 
defending  them. 

Much  of  the  apparent  liberality  of  seamen  is  shown  when,  from  the 
influence  of  ardent  spirits,  they  are  hardly  moral  agents.  I  have  known 
a  seaman  on  shore,  in  a  foreign  port,  buy  a  donkey  with  its  load  of  fresh 
meat  on  the  way  to  market,  and,  taking  out  his  jack-knife,  he  cut  up  the 
meat,  and  divided  it  among  the  poor  who  thronged  around  him,  and 
then,  turning  the  donkey  adrift,  he  went  on  his  way.  He  was  so  drunk, 
however,  that  he  hardly  knew  what  he  was  doing.  Money,  too,  has  not 
the  same  value  to  a  sailor,  who  has  no  one  to  provide  for  but  himself, 
that  it  has  to  others.  When  a  seaman  gives  three  or  five  dollars  to  a 
disabled  shipmate,  the  only  difference  it  makes  with  him  is  that  he  has 
three  or  five  dollars  less  in  two  or  three  hundred  dollars  of  which  to  be 
robbed,  when  drunk,  or  otherwise  defrauded  of,  at  the  end  of  his  cruise. 
Sailors  are  often  tired  of  the  land  before  they  have  spent  all  their 


616 


MEN  AND  THINGS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


money,  and  are  anxious  to  ship  again.  They  feel  much  more  nt  liome 
to  sit  down  on  the  deck,  cut  up  their  victuals  with  a  jack-knife,  and 
drink  their  tea  out  of  a  quart-cup,  than  to  conform  to  table  usages  on 
shore.  The  same  is  true  also  of  their  clothes;  while  the  unrighteous 
way  in  which  tiiey  are  fleeced  by  landlords  and  others,  leads  them  to 
regard  those  around  them  as  a  set  of  landsharks,  and  to  hasten  on  ship- 
board for  safety.  .    ,  . 

Wo  had  on  board  our  ship  an  old  quarter-master,  who  had  been  to  sea 
from  childhood.  He  said  that  once,  after  a  long  cruise,  ho  was  seven 
days  on  shore  before  he  spent  all  his  money,  and  that  when  he  went  to 
the  rendezvous  to  ship  again,  they  scolded  at  him  for  having  been  gone 
so  long.  On  one  occasion  he  was  paid  off  at  Pensacola,  and  finding  it 
difficult  to  get  rid  of  his  money,  he  hired  a  house  for  a  month,  with  a 
man  servant,  and  a  yellow  girl  for  a  housekeeper.  Having  staid  a  few 
days,  and  paid  all  his  bills,  he  had  sixty-five  dollars  loft,  and  not  knowing 
how  else  to  get  rid  of  it,  he  had  it  all  changed  into  silver  half  dollars, 
when,  going  to  a  plantation  near,  he  gave  each  negro  one  of  these  coins, 
and  then  went  and  shipped  for  another  cruise. 

Licentiousness,  of  the  lowest  and  most  debasing  character,  is  the 
habitual  and  easily  besetting  sin  of  most  common  seamen.  That  a 
sailor  has  a  wife  in  every  port  he  visits  is  an  axiom  in  their  creed  and 
practice  ;  and,  so  far  are  they  from  being  ashamed  of  this  fact,  that  they 
will  most  resolutely  argue  in  favor  of  this  indulgence  as  right,  on  the 
ground  that  such  is  their  course  of  life,  that  they  cannot,  like  other  men, 
well  sustain  the  social  and  domestic  relations,  and  perform  the  duties  of 
the  marriage  connection.  And  this  unblushing  advocacy  of  the  grossest 
vice,  must,  forsooth,  be  regarded  as  a  specimen  of  the  noble  frankness 
of  the  sailor,  of  which  we  hear  so  much.  Allurements  to  licentiousness 
are  among  the  surest  and  most  common  means  of  enticing  seamen  into 
tho^c  snares,  which  greedy  and  rapacious  landlords  so  often  spread  for 
them.  When  the  agent  of  these  landsharks  visits  a  ship  just  returning 
from  a  distant  voyage,  he  excites  the  passions  of  his  wretched  dupes  by 
offering  his  services  as  a  guide  to  her  whose  "  house  is  the  way  to  hell, 
leading  down  to  the  chambers  of  death." 

In  times  past,  it  has  been  customary  with  our  naval  commanders,  when 
in  foreign  ports,  both  of  savage  and  of  so-called  civilized  and  Christian 
nations,  to  permit  hundreds  of  abandoned  females  to  spend  nights  on 
board  our  national  ships;  thus  converting  them  into  floating  brothels,  and 
deeply  disgracing  the  land  from  whence  they  came.  The  experiment 
was  tried  on  a  limited  scale  by  a  base  and  profligate  commander,  on 
board  two  ships  belonging  to  the  station  where  we  cruised;  the  one  just 
before  our  arrival,  and  the  other  while  we  were  lying  in  the  same  port. 
So  decided,  however,  was  the  opposition  of  many  of  the  officers  to  Uu^ 
vile  profanation  of  our  country's  flag,  that  the  evil  was  soon  checked, 
and  did  not  spread  to  the  other  vessels  in  the  squadron.  So  gross  anil 
brutal  are  most  common  seamen  in  this  respect,  that  the  most  seriou.^ 
difficulties  which  occur  on  board  our  national  ships  arise,  froni  opposing 
their  wishes  for  liberty  to  go  on  shore  in  foreign  ports,  mainly  with  a 
view  to  gratify  their  lower  passions  and  appetites. 

The  known  corruption,  in  principle  and  practice,  of  many  ot  the 
younger  and  some  of  the  older  officers  in  the  navy,  as  to  licentiousness, 
is  a  serious  obstacle  to  efforts  for  the  reformation  of  the  common  sea- 
men What  good  can  be  hoped  for,  in  this  respect,  when  the  commander 
of  a  ship  or  squadron,  when  wintering  in  a  foreign  port,  openly  hires 


r* 


.V*V"-i^^!,fi^^=^'^^''^^'^-''^'^^^'^' 


rAVY. 

uch  more  at  liomo 
a  jack-knife,  and 
o  table  usages  ou 
e  the  unrighteous 
irs,  leads  them  to 
to  hasten  on  ship- 

ho  had  been  to  sea 
jise,  ho  was  seven 
it  when  he  went  to 
having  been  gone 
:oIa,  and  finding  it 
'or  a  month,  with  a 
[laving  staid  a  few 
ft,  and  not  knowing 
silver  half  dollars, 
one  of  these  coins, 

r  character,  is  the 
seamen.  That  a 
in  their  creed  and 
this  fact,  that  they 
;e  as  right,  on  the 
Mt,  like  other  men, 
rform  the  duties  of 
:acy  of  the  grossest 
he  noble  frankness 
Its  to  licentiousness 
nticing  seamen  into 
so  often  spread  for 
ship  just  returning 
wretched  dupes  by 
3  is  the  way  to  hell, 

commanders,  when 
ilized  and  Christian 
to  spend  nights  on 
bating  brothels,  and 
.  The  experiment 
[ate  commander,  on 
ruised;  the  one  just 
J  in  the  same  port, 
the  officers  to  this 
was  soon  checked, 
Iron.  So  gross  and 
at  the  most  serious 
arise,  from  opposing 
ports,  mainly  with  a 

ce,  of  many  of  the 
as  to  licentiousness, 
)f  the  common  sea- 
^hen  the  commander 


;n  port,  openly  hires 


MEN  AND  THINGS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  NAVF. 


617 


a  house,  and  keeps  a  mistress  as  an  undisguised  member  of  his  house- 
hold, inviting  iiia  youngest  officers  to  his  table,  and  sending  home  in  a 
national  siiip  the  illegitimate  offspring  of  a  former  cruise?  For  an 
unniarri(Ml  officor  in  our  navy,  from  the  youngest  to  the  oldest,  to  bo 
notorioiLsiy  and  iiabitually  licentious  when  abroad,  is  not  considered 
aurioiisly  disreputable,  or  a  matter  to  be  concealed  in  common  conversa- 
tion; anil  this  because  so  few  are  without  sin  in  that  respect,  that  no 
corrtkt  i)ublic  sentiment  is  embodied  against  this  form  of  vice.  Wjiere 
young  officers  are  first  corrupted  by  low  and  gross  conversation  when  at 
sea,  and  tlien  with  passions  strong  and  reckless,  and  far  removed  from 
homo  and  its  virtuous  and  wholesome  restraints,  are  exposed  in  foreign 
|)orls  to  the  most  seductive  influences,  and  enticed  along  in  the  pathway 
to  ruin  by  debased  companions,  who  would  reduce  all  around  them  to 
their  own  degraded  level  of  infamy  and  vice  —  young  officers,  thus 
|)laced,  are  almost  sure  to  fall;  and  siiould  tlicy  aflerward  chance  to 
reform,  the  oppressive  consciousness  of  their  own  past  misdeeds,  fully 
known  as  they  are  to  those  who  associate  with  them,  will  commonly 
restrain  thenj  from  any  strong  and  decided  eilbrts  to  check  the  onward 
flow  of  corruption  and  vice  around  them. 

Gambling  is  a  vice  to  which  our  naval  officers  are  too  much  addicted 
when  in  foreign  ports,  and  especially  when  confined  for  the  winter  at 
such  places  as  Mahon,  where  there  is  but  little  in  the  way  of  social 
intercourse,  or  of  literary  and  intellectual  amusements,  to  interest  and 
attract  them.  In  such  places,  sharpers  assemble,  and  open  their  gamb- 
ling-shops, with  no  other  object  than,  by  the  thousand  frauds  and  tricks 
of  play,  to  fleece  those  wretched  dupes  who  place  themselves  in  their 
power.  It  is  said  that  when  our  ships  of  war  wintered  some  years 
since  at  Smyrna,  Spanish  gamblers  repaired  there,  with  their  implements 
of  trade;  thus  making  a  voyage  of  several  hundred  miles,  rather  than 
lose  a  golden  harvest. 

As  these  gambling  places  are  open  to  all,  the  young  officer  visits  them 
at  first  merely  as  a  spectator.  He  wishes,  he  says,  to  study  human 
nature,  and  see  the  world.  He  gazes  upon  the  scene  with  lively  interest. 
lie  watches  the  play  of  absorbing  passions,  as  they  glow  in  the  faces  of 
those  around  him — the  rapid  succession  of  iiope  and  despair,  of  deep 
depression  and  lively  transport.  In  a  moment,  as  if  by  some  magic 
spell,  the  shining  heaps  of  gold  become  the  spoil  of  him  who,  but  just 
before,  was  almost  penniless.  Alas!  the  temptation  is  too  strong  for 
iiim.  He  begins  by  staking  a  small  amount,  and  thus  the  fever  grows 
upon  him.  If,  for  a  time,  successful,  he  is  injured  by  spending  in  reck- 
less dissipation  the  weaUh  so  easily  acquired.  If  stripped  of  his  own 
means,  he  is  tempted  to  borrow  all  he  can  of  others,  that,  by  staking  it, 
he  may  indulge  his  love  of  play,  or  feed  the  momentary  and  delusive 
hope  of  regaining  what  he  has  lost.  Unless  taught  by  sad  experience, 
he  early  breaks  away  from  this  seductive  course ;  the  love  of  play  becomes 
a  desperate  and  engrossing  pa.ssion,  which  absorbs  the  soul,  and  destroys 
his  relish  for  all  minor  excitements.  Literary  pursuits,  and  the  purer 
and  more  elevated  social  pleasures,  lose  their  relish,  and  he  gives  him- 
self fully  up  to  the  influence  of  this  feverish  excitement. 

Well  do  I  remember  my  feelings,  when  conversing  with  a  foreign  mer- 
chant of  uncommon  intelligence  and  worth,  speaking  of  a  commander 
who  had  left  the  place  several  thousand  dollars  in  debt.  He  said  that 
he  came  to  him,  just  before  he  left  for  home,  and  begged  him,  with  tears 
in  his  eyes,  to  become  his  security  for  a  year  for  one  thousand  dollars. 


f,18  M™  AND  THINGS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 

most  solemnly  pledging  himself  that  hn  would  pay  the  deht  within  that 
time,  and  that  hin  bondman  should  suffer  no  inconvenience  tor  it.  Since 
that  time  he  had  received  several  letters  from  the  officer  in  question,  in 
which  he  did  not  even  allude  to  this  debt,  and  the  merchant  had  bee^n 
compelled  to  pay  it,  though  he  knew  not  how  to  spare  the  funds  iot  the 
purpose.  He  then  asked  me  if  such  were  the  principles,  and  such  the 
value  of  the  word  of  honor  of  the  liighcst  officers  of  our  navy.  Sucii 
acts  of  unprincipled  swindling  leave  a  stain  of  infamy  on  our  national 
flag,  and  their  corrupting  influence  extends,  in  the  way  of  example,  from 
the  higher  to  the  lower  grades  of  our  naval  officers. 

One  form  of  imposition,  from  which  seamen  in  our  navy  suffer,  is 
connected  with  their  half-pay  tickets.  There  is  a  rule,  by  which,  when 
they  go  abroad,  they  can  receive  a  certificate,  which  entitles  the  holder 
of  it  to  draw  iialf  his  wages,  as  they  become  due,  from  the  navy  agent 
of  the  station  at  iiomc,  where  it  is  given.  Of  these,  sailors  are  often 
defrauded  by  landlords  and  other  sharpens,  but  especially  by  tiieir  so 
called  wives.  These  women,  who  are  often  the  lowest  and  most  abandoned 
harpies  in  our  large  cities,  manage  to  secure  the  confidence  of  the  sea- 
men of  our  navy,  when  they  are  on  shore  for  a  spree,  and  thus  secure 
to  themselves  the  benefit  of  a  half-pay  ticket  for  years.  It  is  said  of 
one  of  them  at  New  York,  that  the  disbursing  officer  noticed  that  she 
came  quite  often  for  pay,  and,  on  inquiry,  he  found  that  slic  had  been 
married  to  two  seamen,  whose  cruises  commenced  and  ended  at  dillerent 
times,  so  that  one  was  sure  to  be  at  sea  while  the  otiier  was  at  home. 
By  thus  entertaining  each  of  liiem  a  week  or  two,  once  in  two  or  three 
years,  she  received  full  seamen's  pay,  equal,  perhaps,  to  one  hundred 

and  fifty  dollars  a  year.  ....  r,      n 

Intemperance  in  the  use  of  ardent  spirits,  is  to  the  seaman  literally 
the  mother  of  abominations,  and  the  prolific  source  of  most  oi  his 
decrradation  and  deep  and  bitter  woe.  When  our  sliip  was  taking  in 
sto'res  at  the  navy-yard,  before  leaving  home,  one  ot  the  crew  managed 
to  whitewash  a  barrel  filled  with  whisky,  and,  thus  passing  it  on  board  as 
a  tar-barrel,  he  rolled  it  forward  on  deck,  and  at  night,  iiaving  broken  in 
the  head,  and  using  an  old  shoe  for  a  cup,  all  helped  themselves,  and 
twenty-eight  were  found  drunk  the  next  morning.  We  had  on  board  a 
man  who,  in  going  out  to  the  Mediterranean,  in  one  of  our  nations  Hhips, 
a  short  lime  before,  had  become  intoxicated,  and  being  confined  tor  it, 
and  deprived  of  his  grog,  so  strong  was  iiis  thirst  for  ardent  spirits,  that 
he  drank  a  quantity  of  paint  in  which  whisky  had  been  mixed,  tiiough 
he  knew  that  it  was  rank  jioison.  ,   .     .        , 

A  common  way  of  bringing  ardent  spirits  on  board,  is  in  what  are 
called  snakes;  that  is,  in  the  skins  of  the  intestines  of  animals,  which 
sailors,  who  have  been  on  shore,  wind  around  their  legs  under  their 
large  trowsers.  When  they  come  on  board,  tiiey  are  always  examined 
by  passing  the  hand  over  every  part  of  their  bodies.  Boatmen  who 
bring  on  board  articles  to  sell,  often  manage  to  conceal  ardent  spirits, 
and  smuggle  it  on  board,  knowing,  as  they  do,  that  a  sailor  will  give 
almost  any  price  for  it.  In  one  case,  a  man  used  to  take  bladder-skins, 
and  putting  them,  when  empty,  into  a  large  earthern  jug,\yould  fill  them 
with  spirits,  and  then,  tying  a  string  around  the  mouth,  dropped  them. 
Having  thus  filled  tho  jug,  he  poured  in  a  liule  milk  among  them,  so 
that,  when  he  came  on  board,  he  would  open  his  jug,  and  show  Ins  milk, 
and  was  permitted  to  pass  on,  when  by  breaking  the  jug,  or  piercing  the 
Bkins,  he  came  at  the  liquor,  and  sold  it.     At  tlie  island  of  Malta,  ardent 


-'t«:mS^Jfr0^^^f?ffA'Vi-- ^',*>?i'-.--.»:-  .-  &"^:o/-',SMS^<"7*l£MJS*^*.^5*SSte'>i'?i^-' 


"1  >-  ■  "I  vmfmim^ig^a 


^'% 


lAVY. 

n  debt  within  that 
3ncc  for  it.  Since 
cer  in  question,  in 
lerchaut  had  been 
3  the  funds  for  the 
pies,  and  such  the 
■  our  navy.  Such 
ly  on  our  national 
y  of  example,  from 

mr  navy  suffer,  is 
e,  by  which,  when 
entitles  the  holder 
)m  the  navy  agent 
1,  sailors  are  often 
Bcially  by  tiieir  so 
nd  most  abandoned 
fidenco  of  the  sea- 
3,  and  thus  secure 
!ars.  It  is  snid  of 
r  noticed  that  she 
that  she  had  been 
1  ended  at  dilVerent 
>tlier  was  at  home, 
ice  in  two  or  three 
ps,  to  one  iiundred 

le  seaman  literally 
ce  of  most  of  his 
sliip  was  takiiii;  in 
the  crew  managed 
ssing  it  on  board  as 
It,  having  broken  in 
cd  themselves,  and 
We  had  on  board  a 
four  national  HJiips, 
eing  confined  for  it, 
•  ardent  spirits,  that 
)een  mixed,  tliough 

»ard,  is  in  what  are 
8  of  animals,  which 
ir  legs  under  their 
e  always  examined 
lies.  Boatmen  who 
iceal  ardent  spirits, 
it  a  sailor  will  give 
)  take  bladder-skins, 
jug,  would  fill  them 
DUlh,  dropped  them, 
lilk  among  them,  so 
;,  and  show  his  milk, 
',  jug,  or  piercing  the 
land  of  Malta,  ardent 


MEN  AND  THINGS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  NAVy, 


619 


spirits  are  smuggled  on  board  in  cigar-boxes,  lined  with  parchment,  those 
who  bring  them  having  one  box  of  cigars  open,  wiiicii  tiiey  show,  in 
passing,  to  the  officer  of  the  deck. 

The  most  singular  means,  however,  I  have  ever  known  of  obtaining 
ardent  spirits,  was  the  following:  When  we  reached  Mahon,  most  of 
the  crew  of  the  Delaware  74,  were  at  the  hospital  on  an  island  in  the 
harbor,  with  the  cholera  among  them.  Some  of  the  stronger  ones  were 
employed,  from  time  to  time,  to  cover  the  walls  of  the  hospital  with  a 
wash,  made  of  Spanish  white,  olive  oil,  and  whisky.  The  lieutenant  in 
command,  perceiving  that,  when  he  was  absent,  but  little  was  done,  con- 
cealed himself,  and,  unseen  by  the  men,  watched  their  movements. 
He  found  that  they  waited  until  the  oil  in  their  paint-tub  had  collected 
together  on  the  top,  with  the  whisky  next  below,  and  the  Spanish  white 
at  the  bottom,  when,  running  a  <juill  through  the  oil,  they  sucked  out  the 
whisky  and  drank  it. 

Many  of  our  crew  told  me,  that  the  great  number  of  merchant  ships 
which  sail  on  the  temperance  plan,  led  tiiem  to  go  on  board  a  man-of- 
war,  where  they  could  have  their  grog.  Tiicir  allowance  was  iialf  a  pint 
of  whisky  a  day,  which,  on  board  our  ship,  was  put  in  a  large  tub,  and 
mingled  freely  with  water,  and  served  out  to  them  three  times  a  day. 
Thus,  the  time  taken  up  in  serving  out  this  poison  is  nearly  equal  to 
that  taken  up  by  their  meals,  to  say  nothing  of  the  space  occupied  by  it 
on  shipboard,  which,  in  long  voyages,  is  needed  for  water  and  provisions. 

Those  who  relinquish  their  allowance  of  spirits  for  any  period  of  not 
less  than  tiiree  successive  months,  receive  in  the  place  of  it  one  dollar 
and  eighty  cents  a  month.  Of  about  five  hundred  on  board  our  ship, 
less  than  one  hundred  had,  at  the  end  of  the  first  year  of  our  cruise, 
drawn  their  grog  the  whole  time;  and  by  thus  saving'  their  money,  they 
were  able  to  supply  themselves  with  many  little  comforts  in  the  way  of 
|)rovision  and  clothing,  of  which  they  must  otherwise  have  been  destitute. 
In  one  case,  the  whole  crew  of  one  of  our  sloops  of  war  stopped  their 
grog  for  two  months,  that  thus  they  might  have  money  with  which  to  buy 
a  sword  to  present  to  a  favorite  officer,  and  then  returned  to  their  old 
courses  again. 

We  had  on  board  an  old  man  whose  life,  from  his  youth  up,  had  been 
a  truly  eventful  one.  He  had,  among  other  things,  been  impressed  into 
the  English  navy  during  the  last  war;  his  papers,  proving  him  an  Amer- 
ican citizen,  had  been  torn  to  pieces  before  his  face  by  a  British  officer; 
he  had  escaped  from  his  ship,  and  lived  for  some  time  among  the  natives 
in  the  East  Indies;  had  for  a  long  time  been  an  inmate  of  Dartmoor 
Prison,  where,  being  one  of  the  shrewdest  of  the  universal  Yankee  nation, 
he  had  carried  on  an  active  trade  in  selling  beer.  Having  returucd  to 
Boston,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  after  an  absence  of  eight  or  nine  years, 
some  of  his  friends  came  a  distance  of  forty  miles  to  see  him,  furnished 
him  with  money  with  which  to  clothe  himself  and  go  home.  This  he 
spent  in  a  spree,  and  shipped  on  board  a  man-of-war  for  a  foreign  cruise 
of  four  years,  and  sailed  without  seeing  his  wife  and  children.  When 
with  us,  his  children  were  respectable  and  prosperous,  and  would  have 
provided  well  for  him  at  home,  or  he  might  at  any  time  have  had  com- 
mand of  a  vessel,  if  he  would  have  consented  to  sign  the  temperance 
pledge.  This,  however,  he  had  refused,  and,  during  the  early  part  of 
our  cruise,  his  allowance  of  whisky  so  addled  his  brain,  that  he  was 
almost  an  idiot,  being  stupid  and  silly  in  the  extreme.  Having  been 
persuaded  to  give  up  his  grog,  he  suffered  severely  by  the  change;  and 


^'' 


620 


MEN  AND  THINGS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


*^-'? 


im 


ihh: 


such  were  tl.o  fears  for  the  result,  enfeebled  as  his  constitut.on  had  been 
by  lor^^r  indulKoncc,  tl.at  the  surgeon,  the  cnpta.n,  and  o  he  officers 
iLJ  hin.  .0  co.n.nonce  drinking  again  Ho  ^P^^'^'^J'';^,^"  ''.^^ 
bound  hiiusoir  not  to  do  so,  and  he  would  not,  if  he  died.  At  Iciigth  his 
health  i.Kil.,  and  vigor  of  mind  returned,  and,  as  a  petty  officer,  he 
was  0.0  of  tl.e  shrewdest  and  most  diligent  and  useful  «n«>'on  hoard 
The  Xange  seemed  almost  miraculous,  and  one  could  hardy  believe 
him  to  l)e  tiu!  same  man  as  before.  .  ,        j  »r 

•^  A  so  e  evil  connected  with  issuing  spirit  rations  «"  b""?  °"r  men-of^ 
war  is  found  in  the  fact,  that  seamen  often  lose  their  lives  by  neglecting 
To  r;p«rt  ihemselves  until  disease  has  such  a  hold  upon  them  tha  they 
cannot  be  cured,  and  this,  merely,  because  they  cannot  have  their  grog 
w  "en  liiey  are  on  the  sick-list.     I  had  a  shipmate,  who,  from  this  cause 
ruVee     under  a  raging  fever,  without  medical  treatment,  until  within 
th  ee  days  of  lis  death,^hon   ho  was  past  all  hope.     Another  of  our 
c  ew  w2 sick  for  several  months,  during  which  time,  his  diaracter  seemed 
to  have  undergone  a  radical  religious  change.     As  he  began  to  recove 
'a°„J  come  on  leek,  the  surgeon  s^ictly  charged  hi™  not  to  tas^e  of  ard  n 
«nirits  as    in  the  state  he  was,  it  would  surely  kill  h  m.     l.ea  ny  inc 
fo  ce  ^f  ametite%owever,  and  U.e  persuasions  of  his  shipmates,  to  take 
aXink  of  grog,  be  died  a  day  or  two  afterward.     When  we  firs  reached 
Ma  on  twKt  ree  men  belonging  to  the  Delaware  had  just  died  of 
JJecolc^a      Commodore  P_told  me,  that  not  one  of  tben,  would 
have  becM  'ost,  had  they  obeyed  orders  us  to  reporting  themselves  ea 
to  the  surgeon  of  the  ship,  and  that  the  love  of  strong  drink  prevented 

'"'IvMi'ol  board  our  ship,  were  one  night  engaged  in  a  drunke. 

nuar^cl   when,  in  falling,  one  of  them  had  his  own  knife  thrust  into  h.s 

Toi     by  whkh  the  feSoral  artery  was  severed  so  as  soon  to  end  h>. 

fif?.       loth  ot- these  men  had  respectable  connexions  in  the  vicinity  of 

£ton   ami    he  one  who  was  killed  had  been  a  merchant  in  that  city. 

1  nv;.rheard  one  of  our  men  at  breakfast,  lamenting  the  degradation 

ani  luin  ri'ch    nteriperanco  had  brought  upon  him,  and  with  strong 

Si.rtelling  his  messmates  of  the  efforts  wh.ch  a  pious  Jath"  had 

m  ie ';  reclaim  him,  and  how  he  revered  and  loved  the  food  old  rnan 

and  how  often  he  thought  of  him,  though  many  years  had  passed  since 

TehTseen  him.     With  burning  shame,  he  compared  h.s  own  wretched 

and  degraded  state  with  the  high  standing  and  success  in  life  of  his 

Shers,  who  were  virtuous  mel     Soon  ^fter  this      wen    and  pressed 

him  with  the  folly  of  his  course,  and  he  saw  and  felt  that  it  was  worse 

SimldnU.     At  noon  I  saw  him  again,  and  oh,  it  -s  enough  to  br 


one's    heart  to  see  him. 


To  drown  the  voice  of  conscience,  he  liaa 
drained  the  cup  of  woe.  Confined,  and  in  irons,  he  rolled  about  upon 
the  deck  a  drunken,  raving  maniac.  He  howled  and  prayed,  and  cursed 
and  blas'phemed  the  namf  of  his  God,  all  in  a  single  breath  And  oh, 
that  reSv  howl!  it  made  my  blood  run  cold,  as  it  rung  through  the 
E  irseemed  r  ike  the  voice  of  wailing  from  the  pit  of  woe  It  was 
noSuuid  bruuil  cry:  it  had  in  it  the  soul  of  a  man,  and  was  filled  with 
"he  InSsh  o  a  d^Lloss  spirit.  It  came,  too,  from  one  of  warm  heart 
I'nd SfLlings,  who,  but  ^^  tins  si^le  -se^  SghMha  rddZ 

t^o";  whor^ake  our  la'ws  could  see  and  hear  him,  it  would  do  more  than 
any  human  eloquence,  to  lead  them,  as  one  man,  to  rise  up  and  refuse 


*i»^  -jdfsi^--;  Tr-^j^^.J: 


■*-v;l!^i.V-  3t!ifli'-«r*(W..  ^,t  rfit^' 


■:i^;  -^...iMJ.^'^i^ 


r  NAVY. 

jonstitution  had  been 
1,  and  other  officers 
replied,  that  ho  had 
died.  At  length  his 
aa  a  petty  officer,  he 
iseful  men  on  board, 
could  harOly  believe 

on  board  our  men-of- 
ir  lives  by  neglecting 
upon  them,  that  they 
innot  have  their  grog 
who,  from  this  cause, 
reatment,  until  within 
ipe.  Another  of  our 
,  his  character  seemed 
8  he  began  to  recover 
n  not  to  taste  of  ardent 
;in  him.  Led  by  the 
his  shipmates,  to  take 
iVhen  we  first  reached 
itxTG  had  just  died  of 
)t  one  of  them  would 
■ting  themselves  early 
trong  drink  prevented 

engaged  in  a  drunken 
n  knife  thrust  into  his 
so  as  soon  to  end  his 
ions  in  the  vicinity  of 
merchant  in  that  city, 
•nting  the  degradation 

him,  and  with  strong 
ich  a  pious  father  had 
ved  the  good  old  man, 
rears  had  passed  since 
lared  his  own  wretched 

success  in  life  of  his 
lis,  I  went  and  pressed 
I  felt  that  it  was  worse 
,  it  was  enough  to  break 
of  conscience,  he  had 
,  he  rolled  about  upon 
and  prayed,  and  cursed 
ngle  breath.  And  oh, 
,  as  it  rung  through  the 
the  pit  of  woe.  It  was 
lan,  and  was  filled  with 
iora  one  of  warm  heart, 
might  have  been  a  man 
thought,  that  could  this 
lalls  of  Congress,  where 
I,  it  would  do  more  than 
I,  to  rise  up  and  refuse 


MEN  AND  THINGS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  NAVT. 


621 


longer  to  furnish  the  poor  sailor  with  this  liquid  fire.  I  have  blushed  for 
shame  when  I  have  seen  those  who,  as  seamen,  wore  our  naval  uniform, 
and  such  even  as  had  the  badge  of  petty  officers,  reeling,  raying,  and 
belching  forth  their  curses  in  the  streets  of  a  foreign  city,  or  lying  dead 
drunk  upon  the  pavement,  the  objects  of  pity,  or  scoflfed  and  sneered  nt 
by  hundreds  who  were  passing  every  hour,  and  exposed  when  night 
came  on,  to  be  robbed  even  to  the  very  clothes  they  wore.  I  have  also 
heard  little  children,  when  at  play,  freely  using  the  vilest  and  most  wicked 
oaths,  which  were  the  only  English  words  they  knew,  and  which  had 
been  fixed  in  their  memory  by  hearing  them  so  oflen  used  by  our  sea- 
men. They  did  not  know  the  meaning  of  these  words,  and  when  I  have 
told  them  that  what  they  said  was  bud  and  wicked,  they  said  tliat  they 
did  not  know  it,  and  would  say  so  no  more. 

I  have  one  charge  more  to  bring  against  intemperance,  as  it  exists  in 
our  navy:  it  is  the  crime  of  murder,  and  the  guilt  of  shedding  human 
blood.  So  far  as  I  could  learn  by  observation  and  inquiry,  not  a  winter 
passes  at  Mahon,  in  which  one  or  more  of  our  seamen  is  not  murdered, 
either  in  drunken  quarrels  with  each  other  when  on  shore,  or  with  the 
natives  there.  The  witnesses  of  these  deeds  of  blood,  too,  are  commonly 
so  far  intoxicated  that  their  evidence  is  good  for  nothing,  and  hence 
justice  cannot  bo  done.  The  guilty  do  not,  however,  always  escape 
detection  and  punishment,  as  the  following  case  will  show. 

Among  those  who  went  on  shore  on  liberty,  the  last  winter  we  were 
in  Mahon,  were  two  young  men  who  were  shipmates  and  friends,  and 
about  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Instead  of  returning,  as  commanded  to 
do,  at  the  end  of  twenty-four  hours,  they  were  on  shore  a  week,  when  one 
of  them  came  on  board,  and  was  confined  for  being  drunk,  and  disobeying 
orders.  The  next  morning,  having  sleptoff  the  stupor  caused  by  drinking, 
as  one  of  the  lieutenants  of  the  ship  was  passing  near  him,  he  rushed 
toward  him  and,  shaking  with  violence  the  irons  which  bound  him,  ex- 
claimed, "  I  am  a  murderer!"  "  For  God's  sake,  then,  keep  your  hands 
off  from  me,"  said  the  lieutenant,  shrinking  back,  startled  at  the  guilty 
horror  of  the  man.  He  then  confessed  that  he  had  killed  his  friend,  and 
offered  to  go  and  point  out  where  the  body  was.  An  officer  with  a  guard 
of  marines,  was  sent  with  him,  when  he  led  them  to  a  retired  place, 
where  the  body  was  lying  in  a  natural  position,  as  if  sleeping,  with  a 
small  switch  in  its  hand,  and  a  pair  of  shoes  beside  it.  Tho  head  was 
badly  broken  and  mashed,  and  the  work  of  death  had  evidently  been 
instantaneous. 

The  story  told  by  the  murderer  was,  that  he  and  his  friend,  during 
their  absence,  had  every  day  carried  a  supply  of  ardent  spirits  with  them, 
to  some  retired  place  in  the  fields,  and  there  remained,  more  or  less 
intoxicated,  until  night,  when  they  returned  to  the  city  to  lodge.  At 
length,  when  in  a  kind  of  drunken  stupor,  he  had  tried  to  awaken  his 
friend,  who  was  sleeping;  and,  failing  to  do  it  readily,  he  took  a  large 
stone,  weighing  about  fifty  pounds,  and  raising  it  some  feet,  let  it  fall  upon 
the  head  of  the  sleeping  man.  This  he  did  twice,  though  the  first  stroke 
must  have  caused  instant  death.  The  body  was  removed,  and  I  per- 
formed over  it  the  rites  of  Christian  burial,  when  it  was  laid  in  the  grave. 
The  murderer  was  tried  by  a  court-martial,  and  sentenced  to  be  hung 
from  the  foreyard-arm  of  the  ship,  to  which  he  belonged,  six  weeks  from 
time  of  his  trial. 

Wore  we  to  turn  from  the  seamen  to  the  officers  on  board  our  men-of- 
war,  a  volume  might  be  written  in  tracing  the  various  causes  which  unite 


III      I     1     I   iilJflti<itiJMtiTf  - 


022 


MEN  AND  THINGS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


ill  forininR  tlicir  oliiirncliTS  ami  ilirncting  tluiir  coiidurt,  niul  in  making 
tlicin  wliat  they  mIioiiM,  or  wliiil  llioy  siiould  not  bo.  I  can,  liowr-vcr,  only 
(.'iiinco,  in  tlosin;/,  at  a  fuw  |)<!tuliarilit!S  of  the  sin^'ular,  unnatural,  ami 
liiyhiy  arliticiiil  state  of  society,  under  llio  iniluonco  of  wliicii,  as  existing 
iir<iur  naval  service,  llio  minds  and  morals  of  our  otlicers  arc  shaped. 
iMidMliipmen  ou«ht,  before  receiving  a  warrant,  to  be  closely  cxannned 
as  to  their  habits,  moral  character,  and  health.  Many  a  ropn.uate  and 
unj,'overna!ilfi  son  has.  as  a  last  resort,  been  placcul  in  the  navy  with  a 
view  to  sid)duo  him,  wiien,  perhaps,  his  constitution  has  been  impaired 
by  vicious  indulgence,  or  undermined  by  disease;  and  thus,  physically 
weak  and  morally  debased  and  depraved,  has  become  a  burden  to  the 
service,  and  a  curse  to  all  around  him.  Unable  to  endure  the  exposure 
and  fatigue  of  duty,  beneath  the  scorching  sun,  or  chilling  night-air,  or 
drenching  rain,  or  amid  the  howling  tempest,  he  hangs  upon  the  sick-list, 
and  the  duties  he  should  do  fall  heavily  upon  others.  Delicate  boys, 
transferred,  at  n  tender  age,  from  the  school-room,  or  luxurious  parlor,  to 
the  steerage  of  a  man-of-war,  with  its  coarse  faro  and  hard  accommoda- 
tions, its  noise  and  riot,  its  loss  of  rest  and  fatiguing  duty  on  deck,  ore 
full  apt  to  wilt  and  wither,  like  the  tender  plant  torn  from  its  native 
earth  and  placed  in  harder  and  more  ungcnial  soil.  These  causes,  with 
youthful  intemperance  and  licentiousness,  have  not  only  driven  many 
from  our  navy,  but  have  undermined  or  seriously  injured  the  health  and 
constitutions  of  lor;^  numbers  still  connected  with  it.  I  once  heard  a 
number  of  lieutenants  give  it  as  their  united  and  deliberate  opinion,  that 
were  there  an  invalid  list  formed  in  our  navy,  of  those  who  wore  perma- 
nently diseased,  it  would  embrace  one  half  the  officers  of  the  grade  of 
lieutenant  and  upward.  Most  of  these,  it  is  true,  are  engaged  in  active 
duty,  but  a  little  extra  exposure  to  the  weather,  or  over  exertion,  or 
undue  indulgence  of  some  of  the  animal  appetites,  brings  them  upon  the 
sick-list,  and  the  burden  (.f  their  duties  rests  severely  on  others. 

The  late  increase  of  pay,  in  our  navy,  has  a  tendency  to  encourage 
and  enable  the  younger  officers  to  appear  and  dress  like  gentlemen. 
Compel  a  young  man  to  live  on  coarse  fare  and  dress  poorly,  to  use  his 
sheets  for  a  table-cloth,  to  borrow  clothes  of  his  messmates  and  be  meanly 
served,  and  you  humble  and  degrade  him,  and  greatly  lessen  his  pride 
of  character  and  self-respect.  A  man's  conduct  and  language  are 
affected  not  a  little  by  the  dress  and  style  of  living  of  himself  and  those 
around  him.  An  increase  of  pay  furnishes  the  means  of  an  earlier  and 
better  settlement  in  married  life  than  could  otherwise  be  hoped  for;  and 
no  one,  who  has  not  witnessed  the  fact  referred  to,  can  know  how  niuch  is 
effected  by  a  devoted  and  honorable  attachment  to  a  lovely  and  virtuous 
woman,  in  restraining  from  vice  wild  and  reckless  young  men,  when 
peculiarly  exposed  to  temptation,  and  cut  off  from  all  moral  and 
religious  restraint. 

I  am  happy  to  state,  that  there  is  an  increasing  number  of  officers  in 
our  navy,  who,  by  their  virtues  and  their  moral  and  religious  worth,  are 
a  credit  to  the  service,  and  would  grace  any  circle  in  which  they  might 
be  placed.  There  are  others,  however,  and  sorry  am  I  that  it  is  so,  who, 
though  wearing  swords  and  epaulets,  and  claiming  to  bo  gentlemen, 
are  so  in  dress  alone;  their  conduct  and  their  language  grossly  belying 
their  outward  appearance  and  their  vaunted  claims  to  gentility.  Some 
of  this  class  are  so  lost  to  all  sense  of  decency,  that  their  common  con- 
versation at  the  mess-table  and  elsewhere,  is  most  loathsome  and  offensive 
to  every  virtuous  mind,  and  such,  withal,  as  should  forever  exclude  them 


.",  L-X ' '/tJ.''J*  *^"-ri?.*:Jfei- "-'■**■''■  i 


NAVY. 

lui-t,  niul  in  making 
I  can,  liowr-vn, only 
[ular,  iinnatiiral,  and 
)f  wliici),  QH  existing 
ollicofH  arc  Hhapcil. 
)c  duHcly  (<xan)inc<l 
iny  a  ropniuutn  and 

in  the  navy  with  a 

lius  li(!(>n  impaired 
md  tiuis,  physically 
itne  a  hiirden  to  the 

nduru  the  exposure 
[^hilling  night-air,  or 
^d  upon  the  Hick-lint, 
„'r3.  Dflicate  boys, 
r  luxurious  parlor,  to 
id  hard  acconmioda- 
ig  duty  on  deck,  arc 
torn  from  itfl  native 

These  causes,  with 
it  only  driven  many 
jurcd  the  health  and 
1  it.  I  once  heard  a 
liberate  opinion,  that 
ISO  who  were  perma- 
jcra  of  the  grade  of 
TO  engaged  in  active 
or  over  exertion,  or 
•rings  them  upon  the 
ly  on  others, 
idency  to  encourage 
ress  like  gentlemen. 
SH  poorly,  to  use  his 
mates  and  be  meanly 
iatly  lessen  his  pride 
I  and  language  are 
of  himself  and  those 
ans  of  an  earlier  and 
se  be  hoped  for;  and 
an  know  how  much  is 
a  lovely  and  virtuous 


MKN  AND  THINU8  IN  THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


023 


s   young  men, 


when 


from   all   moral   and 

Dumber  of  officers  in 
I  religious  worth,  are 
in  which  they  might 
m  I  that  it  is  so,  who, 
ig  to  bo  gentlemen, 
Tuage  grossly  belying 
s  to  gentility.  Some 
1  their  common  con- 
athsome  and  oflfensive 
forever  exclude  them 


t'rom  all  di-coiit  Hoci«*ly.  'I'licre  iiri'  «omi'  protniiicnt  evils  connected 
wiili  tiic  system  of  promotion  to  rank  and  uilicc,  I'xiHtini;  in  our  navy. 
Where  rcforencc!  is  had  in  proniiilion  to  the  time  one  has  ln-cn  in  the 
"iervice  iilone,  and  not  to  merit,  each  one  being  elivatcd  to  a  highi^r  rank 
wlicn  IiIh  turn  comes,  it  will,  of  coiirHc,  Iwippcn  tlnit  sonic,  and  it  iiiiiy  l>e 
many,  will  reach  the  highosl  griuic  of  otlic<',  who,  liy  their  want  ol'  sdf- 
<  oiitrol,  of  natural  talent,  of  courage,  of  good  morals  or  education,  arc 
wholly  unlit  for  tin;  station  they  occujiy.  It  is  ot'teii  true,  also,  tliat  the 
weakest  and  most  worliiless  olliccis,  have  the  most  iiiHueiitial  friiMids  and 
connexions  to  stand  l>y  thcni  in  tliir  hour  of  trouble,  and  shield  Ihem  from 
liicir  just  deserts.  A  coininamler,  convicted  of  theft  and  other  base 
<'rimes,  has  been  freed  from  the  sentence  of  a  coint-iiiarliul,  by  the  dis- 
covery, on  the  part  of  a  learned  friend,  of  a  slii;ht  inforinulity  in  the 
procijcdingsof  the  court;  and  the  wretch,  guilty,  hut  unharmed,  has  been 
sent  back  to  his  station,  to  tyrniini/.e  over  those  by  whose  means  he  had 
been  brought  to  trial. 

A  weak  and  timid  commander  may  not  only  disgrace  his  country  in 
time  of  action,  but,  when  sailing  in  warm  and  sickly  latitudes,  may  fear 
to  run  near  enougli  to  the  coast  to  secure  the  benefit  of  the  land  hree/(!S, 
or  to  avail  himself,  so  far  as  it  is  prudent  to  do  so,  of  the  breath  of  the 
tornado  to  bear  him  onwar<l,  instead  of  putting  his  ship  directly  betbrc 
it,  and  permitting  it  to  carry  him  in  u  direction  opjMJsite  to  that  in  which  he 
should  go.  Thus  may  the  cowardice  of  a  single  man  endanger  the  lives 
of  scores  or  hundreds,  by  detaining  them  where  the  deadly  breath  of  the 
pestilence  reaches  them.  Such  a  man  may,  through  natural  weakness 
of  character,  be  scarcely  a  moral  agent,  and  the  guilt  and  blame  in  the 
case  must  rest  upon  the  government  which  employs  such  wretched 
tools. 

It  has  been  said  by  one  long  familiar  with  our  navy,  that  there  are 
many  intimacies,  but  few  friundaiiips,  among  the  officers.  The  reason 
of  this,  is  found  in  the  freiiuent  collisions  of  feelings,  arising  from  con- 
tlicting  claims  to  rank  and  honor,  and  the  jealousy  with  which  officers 
of  the  lower  grades  regard  the  standing  and  authority  of  those  above 
them.  The  eager  thirst  for  rank  and  promotion,  attended  as  they  arc 
by  higher  authority,  increased  pay,  and  better  ("arc  and  accommodations 
on  shipboard  or  elsewhere,  loads  the  younger  officers  to  feel  anything 
but  unmingled  grief  for  the  death  of  those  above  them;  nor  is  the  chance 
of  promotion  connected  with  war,  or  the  cruise  of  a  ship  or  squadron  in 
sickly  climes,  viewed  without  interest  by  the  eager  aspirants  for  rank  and 
office.  This,  surely,  is  a  gross  perversion  of  the  moral  feelings  and 
sympathies  of  our  nature. 

Though  seamen  often  meet  with  incidents  which  excite  the  feelings, 
far  more  than  anything  which  occurs  on  land  would  do,  yet,  they  not 
unfrequently  sacrifice,  in  a  great  degree,  the  religious  benefit  they  might 
derive  from  impressive  dispensations  of  the  providence  of  God,  by  their 
unrestrained  indulgence  of  wit  and  humor.  Examples  of  this  occur  in 
the  epitaphs  which  they  compose  for  their  deceased  shipmates.  Of  these, 
the  following,  copied  from  monuments  in  the  graveyard  where  our  sea- 
men are  buried,  at  Mahon,  may  serve  as  a  specimen.  Over  the  inscription 
which  follows,  the  outlines  of  a  cask  are  drawn.  The  epitaph  reads 
thus : 

"In  memory  of  William  MuUoy,  a  native  of  Troy,  state  of  New  York, 
a  cooper  on  board  the  United  States  ship  Delaware  74.  Ilis  ad/.e 
becoming  edgeless,  his  staves  worm-eaten,  his  hoops  consumed,  his  flags 


624 


ME5  AND  THINGS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


expended,  and  hia  bunffs  decayed,  he  yielded  up  hia  trade,  with  hi«  lire, 
on  the  twenty-ninth  of  April,  1829.^*    The  roilowing  explaina  itaelf: 

"  Although  hi*  ■kin's  of  dinky  hua, 
Hi*  heart  wai  pure,  hi*  friendahip  trua: 
Hi*  ala**  upon  thi*  narth  i*  run, 
He  '11  ri*«  again  in  kingdom  coma. 
Hi*  duty  he  pt-rrormttd  «  ith  cara, 
Aa  eaplain'a  cook  of  Dalaware." 

Another,—- 

"  The  bark  i*  waiting, 
'     '  I  mum  \)e  ready  ; 

Ohnron  put  off, 
8t«er  *mall  and  Hteady." 

There  has  been  a  chani^o  for  the  better,  ereat  and  strongly  marked, 
in  the  general  character  and  deportment  of  the  officers  and  men  of  our 
navy>  within  a  few  years  post;  nnd,  in  ropcntt-d  instances,  chaplains  have 
been  cheered  ond  encouraged  nrnid  the  peculiarly  trying  ond  self-denying 
labors  of  their  office,  by  a  general  seriousness  among  those  who  sailed 
with  them,  and  the  commencement,  on  the  part  of  many,  of  ■&  sober, 
devout,  and  religious  course  of  life.  Some,  who  were  formerly  officers 
in  the  navy,  are  novr  able,  pious,  and  successful  preachers  of  the  Gospel; 
and  there  are  others  still,  who  are  now  connected  with  the  naval  service, 
whoso  education,  talents,  piety,  and  knowledge  of  the  world  are  such  as 
would  fit  them  for  peculiar  usefulness  in  the  clerical  profession. 


a': 


«r--^ 


\i&i 


<ftilM'    Iftf  tor>)l>l»H»l'ii-'irrtnra»i—Mfc.»» 


lERICAN  NAVY. 

od  up  hia  trade,  with  hi*  liTc. 
following  explain!  itielf : 

limky  hu», 
rriendahip  tru«! 
1  in  run, 
lom  coma, 
-ith  em, 
kwara." 


>?• 


(luly." 

,  ffrcat  and  strongly  marked, 
the  officers  and  men  of  our 
ted  instanccfl,  chaplains  have 
liarly  trying  and  self-denying 
ess  among  those  who  sailed 
B  part  of  many,  of  ■&  sober, 
!,  who  were  formerly  officers 
(All  preachers  of  the  Gospel ; 
ectcd  with  the  naval  service, 
Igo  of  the  world  are  such  ns 
)  clerical  profession. 


'"■  ■■     %. 


II-  ■pi^ipj.ni  iMif  ■  apit  I  '^»^ 


..->* 


Wa 


]& 


m 


■iS' 


